A week ago, I asked readers to consider “sharing these resources that might help people access legal services.” The post hinted it at a follow-up. This is that.
In September, the Vermont Supreme Court created the Vermont Judiciary Commission on the Delivery of Legal Services. Here’s the Charge & Designation:
It includes this statement:
- “The Commission’s overarching purpose shall be to advance the availability of legal and judicial services in underserved areas of the state with emphasis on those geographical areas identified here and others that may become identified through the Commission’s work.”
VTDigger reported about the Commission here.
I’m a Co-Chair. While the Commission’s first meeting is not until next month, I anticipate the creation of subcommittees or working groups assigned to each of the five “proposals” set out in the Charge & Designation. I don’t know how the Commission and sub-committees will gather information. Updates will follow.
In the meantime, if there are ideas you’d like to share, please contact me at Michael.Kennedy@vtcourts.gov[1] I’ll note your interest and forward it to the appropriate working group or subcommittee.
I’ve long held the opinion that when it comes to increasing access to legal services, we cannot make perfect the enemy of good and no idea is too small. As I’ve often shared, even helping ONE person can make a difference. Cue the Starfish story.
- Late in the day, a young child was on the beach. Countless starfish had washed ashore, and the tide was out. One by one, the child returned starfish to the water. An older person noticed, and asked the child “what are you doing? It’s getting dark, a storm is coming, you need to get home, and there are so many starfish that you’re never going to make a difference.” The child picked up a starfish, put it in the water, turned to the older person and said:
“I made a difference to that one.”
As always, let’s be careful out there.
[1] Please use the correct email address. See this post. Again, Michael.Kennedy@vtcourts.gov