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MWL Member Spotlight: By Val LeMaster The Central Minnesota Chapter includes MWL members in the counties of Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena. For more information about the Chapter, contact Dyan Ebert at debert@quinlivan.com. MWL serves the needs of lawyers throughout the state of Minnesota. While the majority of MWL members are located within the seven county metro block, there are clusterings of treasured members in different areas of the state. One of those clusters is in St. Cloud and the surrounding region. It is these members that form the MWL Central Chapter. The MWL Central Chapter is dynamic and has taken on a personality all its own and the chapter itself is the feature of this edition of With Equal Rights’ Membership Spotlight. The needs traditionally expressed by all MWL members, has perpetually included networking, professional and personal development, and life balance. Several years ago, those needs were the impetus for the formation of local gatherings that came to be known as the Central Chapter of MWL. With careful planning and insightful forethought, a solid foundation was paved by the leadership. Current Central Chapter President, Heather Pieper-Olson attributes the ongoing success to the thoughtful consideration of those who have gone before her. She believes the current chapter is just marching out the plan put in place at the inception of the chapter and adhered to by subsequent leadership. The goals established in the early days are still a guiding force for the group which strives to provide relevant, interesting, and challenging programs that will be beneficial to its members. The MWL Central Chapter serves members in the 7th Judicial District and meets for luncheons the second Tuesday of each month, September through June. Besides President Pieper-Olson, the current leadership of the Central Chapter includes Julie Fisk as Vice-President, Laura Steffes as secretary, Gayle Borchert as treasurer, and Dyan Ebert as liaison to the MWL Board of Directors. The monthly luncheons feature speakers on a variety of topics ranging from life balance issues such as “Stress Recognition and Management” and “Women’s Heart Health” to just for fun topics such as “Container Gardening”. The chapter also provides occasions for its members to give back to others through philanthropic ventures. While the monthly chapter luncheons enjoy good attendance, it is the success of service projects that reflects the heart of the Central Chapter, whose members can’t stay away when the opportunity to help others presents itself. In the past the group has partnered with other professional groups to tackle service projects like packaging meals for Kids Against Hunger and helping hands for Habitat for Humanity. These types of service events are a magnet for the members and draw not only the members but their families and staff alike. All MWL members know success and balance are often elusive, not just in law but in life. The purpose of MWL is to assist its members in finding success and balance in life while practicing law. The activities of the MWL Central Chapter fulfills that purpose by keeping centered on the needs of its members through networking events, beneficial programming, and service opportunities. The Chapter (through its members) is an inspiration to us all. This is why the MWL Central Chapter is the featured “member” of this edition’s With Equal Rights’ Membership Spotlight.
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