Annual Conference Update!

By Lloyd Bell, Annual Conference Chair

The California Grand Jurors’ Association’s 35th annual membership meeting and conference is rapidly approaching. This one-day event will offer something for everyone, with a jam-packed agenda plus scheduled free time set aside for socializing with other attendees. This year’s theme is “Making a Difference.”

The 2016 CGJA Annual Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Sacramento, located at 5321 Date Avenue, in Sacramento on November 5, 2016. The conference will begin at 10:00 am, but for those who arrive early, please plan to attend an informal meet and greet opportunity beginning at 9:00 am in the Sequoia Room.

Once the conference begins, CGJA President Karen Jahr will update the membership on current CGJA activities and will also give her report on the state of the association, with a question and answer session following.

Every two years the CGJA Board elects a new slate of officers. Those results will be announced at 11:00 am, the newly elected officers and the board of directors will be sworn in, and the incoming president will deliver remarks to the membership. CGJA Committee Chairs will then be introduced with time allotted for questions and answers before heading into another scheduled break to socialize before buffet lunch.

Carole D’Elia, Executive Director of the Little Hoover Commission, will deliver our keynote address and update the membership on the activities of the commission in their oversight of state government, issuing reports to promote efficiency, economy, and improved service.

The Excellence in Reporting award, and News Media awards recognizing the best grand jury report and the best news media reporting, will be announced after the keynote address. The recipient of the Angelo Rolando award, which recognizes outstanding and exceptional service to CGJA by a CGJA member in good standing, will also be announced.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing exceptional and important work to further the goals and purposes of CGJA performed over an extended period of time, will be presented to CGJA President Karen Jahr. The Board of Directors, in a unanimous vote, approved this action in a recent board meeting to recognize Karen’s exceptional and tireless work to insure the CGJA continues to move forward and improve its service to our members. Come show your support for Karen and recognize her for her contributions to CGJA. This award, and her closing comments, will mark the end of this conference.

At the conclusion of the conference, Membership Chair, Rich Knowles, will convene the annual Chapter Officers meeting, open to representatives of all chapters and independent past grand jurors’ associations.

To register for the conference, go to Member Business/Annual Conference on our website. Conference registration deadline is October 24, 2016. That same page also displays the detailed conference schedule.

Click here for hotel information. Hotel reservations must be made by October 24, 2016.

Report Writing Workshops

All sitting jurors are reminded that registration is now open for any one of the seven Report Writing Workshops held throughout the state. Details and a registration form can be found at CGJA Training/Report Writing Workshops on our website. Register early, as space is limited for these popular events.