MCCGJA NewsPage

November 2011

President's Report

President Karin Hern, reports: 

[This space reserved for President's reports.]

Grand Jury Reports

Foreperson Mike Chernock reports:

November started with the Grand Jury convention, an event I am embarrassed to admit I wanted to avoid. It wasn't an issue of disinterest, but rather a concern for the loss of 2 days that I didn't really have to give. The keynote speaker was Quentin Kopp, a man who (despite his well publicized personality quirks) adamantly supports the Grand Jury system. His talk was so supportive and inspiring that he quickly zapped any misgivings I might have come with. His words made me proud to be even a small cog in the Civil Grand Jury system and his concepts for advancing the Grand Jury process have given me many hours of contemplation (usually during the 3:00 am hour).

A large portion of the 2011-2012 Grand Jury attended Fred Moribus' memorial. His family billed the event as a celebration of life and that's just what it was. We learned that our departed juror was a musical child prodigy who performed concerts with his brother at the age of 10 who then went on to graduate from Juliard and work in finance for the United Nations. I read a eulogy that was written by Presiding Judge Boren. During the next eulogy, the speaker told a story about how Fred had given his baby grand piano to another musical prodigy that he had discovered. In the category of "small world," we later learned that the family of the child prodigy turned out to be close friends of mine. Who knew?

The team has been working overtime - some committees even holding 3 interviews in a day and others during holiday weeks. For a well-earned change of pace, I negotiated with Denis Mulligan, General Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, to provide us with a presentation of present Bridge district issues followed by a Q&A session. Closing the day, Denis, along with the Chief Engineer and her staff gave us a tour of the earthquake hardening and security modifications inside the north tower. 

The overwhelming conclusion from the entire team was that we had all experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity. I know I speak for this year's jury when I say that Dennis and his staff are prime examples quality civil servants that we have come to expect from key public servants in this county.

And for those of you who train our future forepersons, I would strongly suggest you recommend that forepersons organize similar in-county visits for their juries as early as possible in their Grand Jury year. I think Denis said it best after I thanked him for his time and efforts on our behalf. He said that knowing what a sacrifice of time and energy members of a Grand Jury give to the public, he was honored to be able to "give back" to them to show that the community appreciates their efforts. He then added that, in his opinion, "the more a Grand Jury knows about all aspects of their county, the better the quality of their investigations."   I couldn't agree more.

Last month I mentioned the addition of a one-liner thought provoker to all agendas which I call "For the Good of the Order." This month the highly appropriate, hands down winner was:

I'm so busy I can't remember if I found a rope or lost a horse.

Upcoming Board and Membership Meetings December 11 ... Holiday Party. 5-7:30 pm at the home of Sterling and Gail Harwell

Committee Reports

Bylaws & Policies and Procedures Committee

Board Liaison and Chair Karen Hern reports:

Communications Technology Committee

Chair Sterling Harwell reports:

Don't forget our Tech Tips are available on the Tech Tips page in the Members’ Area of our Web site. We haven't had any inspirations lately, so suggestions for subjects for future Tech Tips articles would be welcome.

Trojan Alert: My wife got an e-mail, subject: Re: DHL Parcel Tracking Notification [long number]. It seemed legit, but she checked it out out on the DHL Web site and was told there is no such tracking number. Checking further by searching "DHL tracking scams," she found there were numerous alerts to e-mails purported to come from DHL but which contain malware if you open any attachments. Be on your guard!

We remind all Chapter Members that we are available to coach you in digital skills.

--Sterling Harwell

Continuity Committee

Board Liaison and Chair Karen Hern reports:

The Continuity Committee will reconvene in 2012, having been temporarily de-commissioned due to the extraordinarily thorough and efficient continuity activities of the sitting Grand Jury. Anyone interested in participating on the Continuity Committee in the new year, please contact Karin Hern.

Excellence in Reporting Committee

Board Liaison and Chair Karin Hern reports:

Membership Committee

Catherine McKown reports:

[This space reserved for Membership Committee reports]

Orientation & Training Committee

Board Liaison and Chair Catherine McKown reports:

[This space reserved for Orientation & Training Committee reports]

Public Issues Committee

[This space reserved for Public Issues Committee reports]

Public Outreach Committee

Judy Chapman reports:

As part of our outreach efforts, Ken Howard made a presentation regarding the Civil Grand Jury to SIR [Sons in Retirement, Inc.] Branch #122 at Deer Park Villa on 11/17/11. The luncheon was attended by over 65 members. There were a number of questions from the audience. We received feedback that his talk was highly informative and well received. Thank you, Ken!

If you belong to a group who would be interested in a similar presentation, please contact Judy Chapman at chapmanjudy@sbcglobal.net

Social Committee

The Social Committee is looking for additional members to assist in 2012 event planning activities. All those interested in serving on the Social Committee, please contact Karin Hern.

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Member News

Karen Hern

Dear MC-CGJA Friends: The holiday season is upon us and I have been fortunate enough to start it off with an unforgettable experience that I'd like to share with you. On November 27, I joined 225 other choral singers from around the country to present numerous Christmas carols and other seasonal pieces at Carnegie Hall under the baton of the much-loved contemporary British composer John Rutter. 

We performed nine of Rutter's own beloved works and arrangements (listed below) as well as the Hallelujah! and For Unto Us a Child is Born Choruses from Handel's Messiah, and Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols. A very special thrill for all of the performers also included presenting the American debut of Rutter's composition "This is the Day" which he presented at the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William this past spring, having been commissioned by the Royal Family in London.

The entire experience, including three informal, well-drilled rehearsals and a full dress rehearsal on stage at Carnegie prior to the performance with Rutter conducting, was joyous, uplifting, and momentous! I wish you all a joyous, uplifting, and momentous holiday season and continuing good health and happiness in the New Year.

Holiday Cheers, Karin

(Rutter's Christmas works presented at Carnegie: Star Carol, Candlelight Carol, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Carol of the Magi, What Sweeter Music. Other composers' works arranged by Rutter also presented: Joy to the World!, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow, I Wonder as I Wander, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)

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