March 2015 Newsletter

Hello Fellow Members,

March is proving to be a bitter-sweet month of events. First, our best wishes go out to Nadine Muller, Co-Chair of the Outreach Committee, for a speedy recovery from her fall. Also, our condolences go out to MJ Boyden, Chapter Secretary, for the recent loss of her husband Bob.

But looking ahead, the Outreach Committee never sleeps. We are having a second Informational Meeting for potential applicants on April 1 at 10am in the Central Marin Police Station, 250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur. Hopefully, you have seen our ads in the IJ and other venues announcing this event. Please mark that date in your calendar and if you can be there to assist please contact Jean Gunn.

The Implementation Review Committee (IRC) continues to complete follow-up summaries on last year’s reports, which are then posted on our webpage. The latest addition is for Recycling By The Marin County Government: Walking the Talk. We encourage all members to visit our website at least once a month for new information and to provide us with suggestions or feedback.

The Chapter has spent more money so far this year than in previous years. This is mainly due to our enhanced Outreach Program with newspaper ads, website ads, and special events. However, there were also increased IRC expenses to cover office supplies and correspondence. Consequently, the Chapter Board is recommending to the Chapter Membership to increase annual dues from $20 to $30. It should be noted that this increase does not completely cover our anticipated expenses for next years needs, so we are also looking to into ways to generate additional revenue from the County or the public. There will be a vote on this proposed increase at the next Membership Meeting, April 9^th at 9:30am in room 410B of the Civic Center. (If you can’t attend but like to vote, please send your decision to me via email.)

Nancy Frease, Sterling Harwell, and the Social Committee are busy planning our Annual Meeting, which will be in June this year. They are also planning our annual July “Welcome” party for new jurors, this year to be held at the Embassy Suites – very exciting. Dates and details soon.

This may be old news for some, but Sterling just learned from the IJ that former Chapter member Don Graff died a year ago on March 16, 2014. Don was a Chapter member as recently as November, 2012 and had been on the 2002 Grand Jury. A very smart and likeable guy, Don was a Director-at-Large 2004-2005.

Catherine McKown and Betty Mattea are busy organizing the Orientation and Training process, as they do at this time every year. Next meeting will be on March 24^th. Application deadline has been extended until April 17^th. Actual orientation screening will begin in May. Actual training begins the second week of July.

Rich Treadwell