President's Report
President Karin Hern, reports:
published October 9, 2011
Grand Jury Reports
Foreperson Mike Chernock reports:
Having let myself succumb to a little bah, humbug, I quickly shift the tenor of this report to say that not all committees would agree with me. Some actually held interviews during holiday weeks and others have amassed an impressive list of interviews and visits for the entire month of January. In point of fact, we have had such a plethora (Sorry, but I seldom get a chance to squeeze that word into a paper) of interviews that we started to run amuck for interview venues. As a result, we have developed a semi-automatic scheduling system. Whenever a committee confirms an interview time, they report it to me and I add it to a running "calendar" and return it immediately to everyone. They only keep the latest version and in that way, everyone is up to date on interviews and room availability without waiting for the next Plenary. ("Semi-automatic" refers to my personal deficiencies in turning the calendars around quickly)
Another good thing that happened in December is a great reminder that Grand Juries may frequently be successful in bringing about significant change without anyone knowing it was the Grand Jury behind the effort. A case in point involves the situation where one of this year's jurors passed away and wasn't found for a while - even though he was a popular person with great community and family support. I wrote a Marin Voice article (Click here to go to it.) eulogizing Fred Muribus and suggesting that if any volunteer organization wanted a new project, they might consider creating a "home alone" program of daily calls to people who sign up and live on their own. Our committees' plates are full and we weren't looking for another Grand Jury topic, but it made sense to at least suggest such a thing to the community. As you might imagine, within 24 hours I started receiving e-mails from several sources stating that they would be interested in starting such a program. Even for non-profits, the wheels of industry grind slowly, so if anything develops in during our tenure, I will report back to the MCCGJA.
Since year-end is typically a time of reflection, I would like to co-opt the remainder of this report to marvel at what an incredible gift Grand Jurors receive by virtue of their service. Oh, sure, I can already hear the hue and cry from many of you as you re-live the traumas and tribulations some of you remember from your year or years of Grand Jury Service. I've heard horror stories from previous jurors and far worse stories from contemporaries around the state and I am willing to acknowledge that the process is fraught with issues. What I am not willing to do is accept the negatives as the sum and substance of our experiences.
It is a given that nothing significant is easy or it wouldn't be significant. Consider the more affirming events associated with your time of service. Remember the movers and shakers you met that you would have never otherwise have had the opportunity to meet, much less get to talk to - and some of them even became friends. Consider the insights that changed you. Consider the personal perceptions that were radically altered by virtue of your experiences here. Think how your life has been significantly enhanced by 1 or 2 years of being forced to pay attention to the world in which we live. We have all had the opportunity to personally cross swords with the best and worst the county has to offer and we survived! Most of us have personally or corporately been slandered by subjects of our reports and we walked away knowing "sticks and stones" is not a superfluous saying. I for one have learned from those experiences to let go of the detractors slings and arrows because I learned that in the deepest part of my "self" I have done something good and that's what really counts in the final tally.
As foreperson, I have had the good fortune to see substantive results from our efforts that don't make the papers; that don't draw attention to ourselves; that don't even get reported back to previous jurors. Results that MADE A DIFFERENCE and left the County better off than it was when we signed on!
Grand Jury service is an "E" ticket ride and I can only hope we all can remember the ride by results achieved and for the better persons it has made of each us.
In closing, I will report the winning "For the Good of the Order" for December. This month the winner was:
GRAND JURORS ARE SWORN TO BATTLE DRAGONS
. . .EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE CRUNCHY AND GO GOOD WITH KETCHUP!
The close runner-up was:
It is not our job to avoid storms…
it is our job to learn to dance in the rain!
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Chernock, Forepersonpublished January 11, 2012
Upcoming Board and Membership Meetings
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Committee Reports
Bylaws & Policies and Procedures Committee
Board Liaison and Chair Karen Hern reports:
The Bylaws and Policies and Procedures Committee is currently dormant given the recent updates and revisions to both documents that were adopted by the Board and approved by the membership.--Karen
published December 10, 2011
Communications Technology Committee
Chair Sterling Harwell reports:
No committee meetings in December, just doing our jobs and enjoying the holidays.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.
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.
--Karen published December 10, 2011Excellence in Reporting Committee
Board Liaison and Chair Karin Hern reports:
[This space reserved for Excellence in Reporting Committee reports]published November 4, 2010
Membership Committee
Catherine McKown reports:
[This space reserved for Membership Committee reports]
Catherinepublished August 16, 2011
Orientation & Training Committee
Board Liaison and Chair Catherine McKown reports:
[This space reserved for Orientation & Training Committee reports]
published September 11, 2011Public Issues Committee
[This space reserved for Public Issues Committee reports]
Public Outreach Committee
Judy Chapman reports:
If you belong to a group who would be interested in a similar presentation, please contact Judy Chapman at chapmanjudy@sbcglobal.net
Judy Chapmanpublished December 10, 2011
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.
published December 10, 2011
A Few Photos from the December 11 Holiday Party at the home of Sterling and Gail Harwell
published January 11, 2012
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)
published December 10, 2011