News
From the President
by John Meeks

John Meeks

It has been a privilege to serve as NASJE’s president this year.  During the last nine months I have represented NASJE at several meetings and conferences across the country, and I have been struck by how well known NASJE and its members are in the court community.  I think we sometimes forget in our daily work that the judges and non-judicial court personnel we serve deeply appreciate the support and leadership we provide and also recognize we are part of a nation-wide effort to improve the administration of justice through education. 

Some of you know that I changed jobs just a month after becoming president of NASJE.  I had been the Director of the Supreme Court of Oho Judicial College for ten years and in September, 2006 I became the Vice President of the Institute for Court Management (ICM) at the National Center for State Courts, following Chuck Ericksen, who had directed ICM for the previous eight years.  While it has been difficult being both the president of this great organization and starting in a new position, bridging the two judicial branch education worlds of state and national providers has given me a new perspective on our work and NASJE’s role. 

All of us are susceptible to falling into routines (ruts) and a narrow view of our responsibilities, especially because the daily demands on our time are so great.  The relationships we develop through participation in NASJE, and by working on its committees and attending the annual conferences, provide us with contacts, information, and other tools that can greatly enhance our work and professional lives.  I strongly encourage all of you to get to know your judicial branch education colleagues better by fully participating in NASJE.

Please make plans to attend the 2008 annual conference being held August 12-15 in beautiful Portland, Oregon.  The Education Committee, chaired by Carrie Brooks, and local hosts Mollie Croisan and Cheryl Fowler, have been working hard to ensure that this year’s program is interesting, informative, and fun, with plenty of opportunities to network with your colleagues.  The program will also benefit from the efforts of the Diversity Committee, Chaired by Michael Roosevelt, and the International Committee, Chaired by Claudia Fernandes and Judith Anderson, which are planning presentations for the conference.  The registration fee will remain low due in large part to the efforts of the Fundraising Committee, chaired by Christy Tull, which seeks financial support from a variety of sponsors.

See you in Portland!

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