MINUTES OF THE

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Meeting of the CGJA was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on February 21, 2008 by President Betty Mattea.

 

Our speaker, Gail Haar, was unable to attend the meeting and she sent Damon Hill and Scott Bauer who told us about the Marin County Library and its plans for the future.  Most interesting.

 

At 10:30, determining that a quorum was present, the business meeting continued as follows:

 

A report on the financial statement was added to the Agenda, which was then approved, as were the minutes of the January 17, 2008 membership meeting.

 

President"s Report:

            a) The Annual Luncheon Meeting date was changed to May 20, 2008 to  accommodate the speaker, Tom Peters, CEO and President of the Marin Community Foundation.  Seven guests will be invited (this was moved, seconded and passed):  Judge Adams, Kim Turner, Judi Lazenby, CGJA President, Pattie Baseheart, Aide to the Grand Jury,  Jack Zepp, Former Marin Chapter President and CGJA President, President of the Board of Supervisors, and City Editor of the Marin IJ

 

            b) A volunteer for the nominating committee for next year is needed

 

            c) The training session for interviewing potential Grand Jurors was beneficial to interviewees.  Deadline for applying to the Grand Jury is March 17 and so far there are 34 applicants.  We were requested to promote Grand Jury participation.  Names will be drawn on June 2.

 

            d) Sterling Harwell is our new member to the Website Committee.

            e) We discussed possible different venues to encourage greater participation in CGJA meetings while maintaining for the present, our time slot of 10:00 to 12:00 in the Board of Supervisors' Chambers.

 

            f) California Governor Schwarzenegger has proclaimed February as Grand Jury Month.

 

            g) Betty reported back on her meeting of the Marin Superior Court Committee where it was discussed that Community Service may replace traffic fine payments at the discretion of the presiding judge.  The problems are the value of this type of community service to the community and verification that the service is completed as required.  The Committee is verifying the existing list of non-profits who use the services of these “clients” and seeking information on the value of the services to the non-profits.

 

            h) CGJA Board member Anthony Noce, Chair of the 2008-2009 Annual Conference, invited us to the conference in Bakersfield on October 23, 24 and 25.  The hotel is about one block from the train station and we are talking about going as a group via the train.  (Is anyone interested in joining our fledgling group?  See Catherine McKown or Betty Mattea.)

 

Treasurer's Report

 

            There is $4,992.33 + $250 deposit in the bank and a CD which matures on March 

 

Anne Marie Melanaphy and Don Graff of the Financial Review Committee approved the financial statement after meeting with Treasurer Irwin..  It was M/S to accept the financial review.

 

Grand Jury Orientation will be held July 8-9-10 and July 15 and 16.  Irwin and Patti Baseheart will see that speakers are officially invited to participate.

 

On July 16, the Marin Chapter will hold a reception for new jurors from 4 – 6 PM at The Club on Smith Ranch Road.  An invitation to the new jury will be sent via the new Foreperson as soon as he/she is appointed.

 

Gifting to the GJ - Huss advocates for an increased budget and Roberta Robinson reported back that it was improper for the CGJA to gift to the GJ.  Myra suggested a discretionary fund to be used when required.  No action was taken as the Ad Hoc Committee has not made its report.

 

Haxton Membership Plan still must be approved by the Executive CGJA Board

 

No telephone tree update

 

Future Speakers – Lowell Smith

            March 20 - SIRS Eckhart Sellinger

            April 17 -Kathie Anderson, Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of

                                    Dominican University

            May 20 - Tom Peters of the Marin Community Foundation

            June 19 - Laura Armor - Director of Human Resources for Marin County

            July and August – no speakers

            September or October - League of Women Voters on various ballot issues

 

Ann Marie requested that checks of $25.00 for the Annual Reunion Luncheon be sent to her no later than May 15.  No host cocktails will be 11:30 - 12:15 - then lunch - and the speaker at 1:30.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Myra Berkowitz