Interviewing process has changed.
At our Board Meeting on August 4th, Catherine and Betty, along with guests Patti Church and Jeanine Michaels, reported changes to the screening process as the judges feel that court time be better spent: (1) The court will no longer interview applicants, (2) the interviews will be conducted solely by MCCGJA, (3) the judges will meet with interviewers to gain insight and recommendations on applicants and (4) the presiding judge will choose thirty prospective jurors.
After a lengthy discussion, the Board approved the changed policy, which included forming an Interviewing Committee, which would set out guidelines for a new two-phase interview process to ensure applicants would be qualified for Grand Jury service.
At our joint Board/Membership meeting on September 1st, the members in attendance, agreed to accept the added responsibilities requested by the Court and approved the formation of the Interview Committee. The new committee will review and modify as appropriate the current interview questions and prepare a detailed outline of the new procedures to ensure understanding and consistency of application.
Bay Area Regional Meeting
August 22, 2015
By Mike Chernock
The Bay Area Regional, held quarterly at McInnis Park, celebrated a significant milestone this August. The concept of Regionals, started in the Bay Area, celebrated its 5th year of existence – something few thought would happen when Regionals were started. In attendance were 36 members representing 10 counties from as far away as San Luis Obispo and Tulare.The original idea for Regionals came from our own Betty Mattea and Owen Haxton who (in their inimitable way) tutored Dan Mufson who carried the concept to fruition until the arrival of Beate Boultinghouse. All four valued members were honored for their contributions with framed Letters of Appreciation from the CGJA and signed by President Jahr.
HISTORIAN
Betty Mattea has volunteered to by our Historian. Anyone with historical facts that make good stories regarding the Grand Jury and the Association should contact Betty.
ANNUAL PICNICThe Social Committee of the MCCGJA is pleased to announce that we will be having a chapter picnic on Thursday, October 1st, at Miwok Park in Novato, from 11-2 PM. Details to follow. Save the date.
IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
The IRC has created a new Internet Blog (Web Site to keep allow its members keep track of the status of IRC Reviews on all 2013-2014 Grand Jury Reports conducted in 2015.
Marin County Senior Information Fair
Marin Civic Center (Exhibit Hall) Wed., October 21, 2015 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
We’d like to have several jurors at the booth throughout the Fair to field questions and tell their own stories (one-on-one) about their GJ service. If you’re interested in participating for an hour or two, please contact Jean Gunn to let her know which hour(s) between 9am-3pm work best for you.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Membership is on a roll, can you believe over 100 dues paid members.
Go to the bottom of Page 2 to view details.