eAdvocate_Header
a publication of the VIRGINIA JUVENILE JUSTICE ASSOCIATION (VJJA)
COVER STORY

2008 Meritorious Award Winners Announced


REGULAR FEATURES

Views from the Ledge
Beth's Blog
Just Us
Book 'em
Colleague Spotlight
The Advocate Travels
Juv Justice in the News
Suggested Resources
Upcoming Training & Other Events
Membership Matters
Board and District News
Career Corner
Letters to the Editor



IN THIS ISSUE

Operation Holiday
Lifetime Membership
National Ctr for Girls
Legal Giant Dies at 71
Juvenile Justice Study
Cash-strapped States
Uncle Buck
VJJA on Facebook


Return to eAdvocate
Cover Page

Visit
www.VJJA.org

 

ARCHIVES

Call for Presenters
Youth Are Not Adults
Girl Trouble Film
Volunteer with VJJA
13th Law Conference
Incarcerated Mothers
Nat. Judicial Conference
CJJ Conf in DC
Harrell Retires
Cradle to Prison
Indig.Defense Network
2nd DMC Conference
Inst. for Addict. Studies
Seminar: Using Medicaid
New JJ Blog
Ctr For JJ Reform
SDFSCA Grant Program
Public Opinion Survey
Teen Drug Use Declines
Online Course in Ethics
C4YJ Hits Radio Waves
Research on Mentors

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Not yet a VJJA member? Received this
publication from a friend?
Become a member
and join our mailing list.
Learn more here.


SUBMISSIONS

Juvenile Justice professionals are encouraged to send contributions for consideration for inclusion in this publication. We also accept paid advertisements from businesses and organizations. The deadline for the Spring '09 issue is April 1. Submissions
should be e-mailed
to our Editor at: advocateeditor@vjja.org



Winter 2009

MEMBERSHIP
MATTERS

By: Samantha Higgins,
Director of Membership


Samantha_Higgins_headshot


Lower Numbers Recorded at Close of Second Quarter

The second quarter of the VJJA membership year closed December 31, 2008 with significantly lower numbers than last year. The last two years, we have exceeded 1000 members. It is disappointing that we are not closing in at that mark, but perhaps indicative of the state of the economy. While annual membership dues remain a modest $20, to some, and especially those affected by layoffs and cutbacks, $20 may be a significant amount.

The membership numbers by district are as follows:

DISTRICT

 

FY 07-08
2nd Qtr.

FY 08-09
2nd Qtr.

BLUE RIDGE

 

90

112

CAPITAL

 

333

120

NORTHERN

 

123

105

SOUTHWEST

 

76

40

TIDEWATER

 

302

261

VALLEY

 

91

43

TOTALS

 

1015

681

Kudos to the Blue Ridge District for being able to increase and stabilize their membership over last year! But beware the other districts are coming up fast – each district has training events planning for the new year which will surely increase membership in their respective districts.

Our membership total includes fourteen lifetime members.  At the 32nd Fall Institute, Diane (Floyd) Shelton was awarded lifetime membership for her years of dedicated service to the children and families of the Tidewater area and in recognition of her years of being a valued member, and board member, of VJJA.  

In addition to the awarding of a lifetime membership, four members were honored with Meritorious Awards.  The nomination process and criteria for the wards is managed by the VJJA Awards Committee. Please consult the website or contact Scott Warner with the Awards Committee if you would like to recommend a fellow member for a 2009 award.

Speaking of the Fall Institute, it was an honor to serve as the 2008 Conference Registrar. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed the experience of working with new people and helping folks find ways to be able to attend. The task was made easier by also being the Membership Chair and having the ability to immediately verify membership status and track payments received. It also gave me an opportunity to meet many of you while working the registration desk. I manage a database of over 1200 past and present members and it is nice to be able to meet the members and make that personal connection. I hope all who attended the conference found it to be enjoyable and informative. I will tell you that the Conference Planning Committee is already hard at work planning the 33rd Fall Institute scheduled for November 4-6, 2009, so stay tuned for more information on the venue and agenda.

As a reminder please send any changes in your employment, or updates to your email and/or postal addresses to me at membership@vjja.org . Be advised I am in the midst of forming a membership committee to assist with the disbursement of membership certificates and stickers.  If you are interested or know someone who might be interested please contact me!


The opinions expressed in the Advocate are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the members or the Board of Directors.

eADVOCATE
is a quarterly publication of the Virginia Juvenile Justice Association (VJJA) - www.VJJA.org
Direct correspondence and questions to: Gary Conway, Editor in Chief, c/o 25th District Court
Service Unit, PO Box 1336, Staunton, VA 24402 | 540.245.5315 ext. 123 | advocateeditor@vjja.org