The Docket
Newsletter of the Association of Clerks of the District Courts of Virginia
Web page: www.vadistrictclerks.com
February, 2017
Prospects for Pay Increases
For those who have been following the
news in Richmond, the Legislature appears to be
on the verge of approving a 3% pay raise for state
employees in 2017. If it passes, this will be
welcome news but there is still work to be done!
The Association continues to work with OES in
the hope of revamping the pay structure, and
several committee members regularly travel to
Richmond to attend legislative hearings and meet
with contacts at OES. We will keep you posted on
any developments.
There was a panel discussing Local Salary
Subsidies at last year’s conference, but
unfortunately, not everyone was able to attend. We
will gather information from these sources and
others to spread the word on how they succeeded.
To those courts that have managed to
secure supplemental pay from their localities,
please pass along any useful information you
gained in the process. We will put together an
article for the next issue and share any insights to
help those courts thinking about undertaking the
effort in their areas.
You can email to: [email protected]
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Conference Highlights/Pay/Docket/Emergency
2-4
List of Officers & Representatives
5
News/Website Info/Contact your Rep./Raffle
Register Now!
Spring Conference & Annual Meeting
Hosted by the Association of Clerks, our annual
Conference will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in
Charlottesville on April 4, 2017, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
 Registration from 7:45-8:30 a.m.
 Opening Session starts at 8:30
a.m.
 See pages 6-8 for program, details
and registration form.
Emergency Contact Reminder
Is your court’s emergency contact list up to date?
With the possibility of inclement weather, or an
unexpected medical emergency, it is vital to contact
employees or family members without delay! Please
ensure your court’s contact list includes all
employees including recent hires!
Articles and News for the
Docket
Do you have information, tips or
news you would like to
contribute to The Docket?
Donations/Mentorship/Performance Evaluations
6-7
Conference Information
8
Registration Form
9
Origins of Valentine’s Day
10
Sale Merchandise Form
February, 2017
Please email any articles or
news you would like to submit
for publication to:
[email protected]
1
The following Officers and Representatives were elected by the membership during the April
Spring Conference, or have replaced a representative. Your area representative is available
by email if you would like to contact them with any questions.
Association Officers and Representatives
(July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017)
President:
Beneatha Simmons, Clerk
Petersburg J&DR Court
[email protected]
President Elect:
Terri Rea, Clerk
Harrisonburg/Rockingham J&DR
[email protected]
Vice President:
Rick Kahl, Clerk
Roanoke City GDC
[email protected]
Secretary/
Treasurer
Debra Hill, Clerk
Norfolk J&DR
[email protected]
Past President
Amy Burnham, Clerk
Arlington J&DR
[email protected]
Region 1:
Aimee Plocar, Deputy Clerk
Norfolk, J&DR
[email protected]
(Accomack, Norfolk, Northampton, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach)
Region 2:
Gail Fulcher, Clerk
Mathews/Middlesex GDC
[email protected]
(Charles City, Gloucester, Hampton, King William, King & Queen, Mathews, Middlesex,
New Kent, Newport News, Williamsburg/James City, York)
Region 3:
Mariah Belcher, Clerk
Franklin City Combined Court
[email protected]
(Brunswick, Chesapeake, Emporia, Franklin City, Greensville, Henrico, Hopewell,
Isle of Wight, Prince George, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex)
February, 2017
2
Region 4:
Rhonda Daley, Supervising Deputy Clerk (Effective March 10)
Prince William GDC
[email protected]
(Caroline, Essex, Fredericksburg, Hanover, King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Prince
William, Richmond Manchester, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland)
Region 5:
Stella Seaborne, Supervising Deputy Clerk
Petersburg GDC Court
[email protected]
(Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Cumberland,
Dinwiddie, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince
Edward)
Region 6:
Lindsey Short, Deputy Clerk
Page J&DR
[email protected]
(Albemarle, Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Frederick/Winchester, Goochland,
Greene, Harrisonburg/ Rockingham, Louisa, Madison, Orange, Page, Shenandoah, Warren)
Region 7:
Ashley Gatchell, Clerk
Fauquier GDC
[email protected]
(Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Loudoun, Rappahannock)
Region 8:
Tawny Hays, Clerk
Lynchburg GDC
[email protected]
(Alleghany, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Buena Vista, Campbell, Craig,
Highland, Lexington/Rockbridge, Lynchburg, Nelson, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton,
Waynesboro)
Region 9:
Kimberly McKittrick, Clerk
Montgomery GDC
[email protected]
(Bland, Carroll, Danville, Floyd, Franklin County, Galax, Giles, Grayson, Henry,
Martinsville, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Radford, Wythe)
Region 10:
Kathy Vance, Clerk
Russell Combined Court
[email protected]
(Bristol, Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington,
Wise/Norton)
February, 2017
3
Committee Chairs
Budget & Finance Committee
Debra Hill, Secretary/Treasurer, Norfolk J&DR, [email protected]
CATS Committee
Laura Griffin, Chesterfield JDR, [email protected]
Historian
Stephanie Stewart, Washington GDC, [email protected]
Legislative Committee
Steven Spurr, Arlington GDC, [email protected]
Membership Committee
Terri Rea, President Elect, Harrisonburg/Rockingham J&DR,
[email protected]
Mentorship Committee
Vicki Tate, Wythe GDC, [email protected]
Nominating Committee
Amy Burnham, Past President, Arlington JDR, [email protected]
Parliamentarian
Nancy Lake, Fairfax GDC (retired), [email protected]
Programs & Education
Committee
Rick Kahl, Vice President, Roanoke City GDC, [email protected]
Connie Comer, Tazewell GDC (Chair), [email protected]
Publications Committee
Jane Tyler, Prince William GDC, [email protected]
Nancy Lake, Retired, [email protected]
Resolutions Committee
Dean Sprague, Arlington GDC, [email protected]
Special Issues Committee
Amy Burnham, Arlington JDR, [email protected]
Terri Rea, Rockingham J&DR, [email protected]
Ways & Means Committee
Crystal Crouse, Tazewell GDC, [email protected]
Technology Committee
Laura Griffin, Chesterfield JDR, [email protected]
2016-2017
Association
Officers and
Representatives
February, 2017
4
Performance Evaluation Survey
The Association is working on a proposal to
revise the performance evaluation format.
We appreciate your participation in the
recent survey and will update you with any
progress on this front!
News From Around the State
Congratulations to the following employees for
their service to the courts and for their
accomplishments!
Norfolk J&DR:
Congratulations to Yvette Council, Deputy Clerk
on completing her CCM/CCE programs through
the NCSC in 2016.
Portsmouth GDC:
Congratulations to Tana Yung, Supervising
Deputy Clerk, and L. Jody Davis, Clerk on their
recent retirements!
Contacting Your Representative
As the Association continues to work on behalf of
the District Court Clerks in Virginia, we’d like to
remind you to contact your representative with
any questions or concerns you would like us to
bring up at the committee meetings. We are not
always able to change things immediately but it is
only with the input that we gather from you that
we can determine which things are impacting your
courts on a regular basis. Issues that come up
again and again provide information about the
types of things the Association should address.
Please see the attached list of representatives for
your area and feel free to contact your
representative with any questions or concerns.
Welcome to Katie Mason and Carol Yeast, new
Deputy Clerks at Portsmouth GDC.
Prince William GDC:
Congratulations to Melody Cox on retiring after
32 years of service!
Please let us know of Milestones at your
court by emailing [email protected]
Raffle Item Contributions
The region representatives are collecting items for
the gift baskets that will be raffled off at the
annual Conference. If you would like to
contribute, please contact your region
representative and they will arrange for the
collection of the item. This is an important
fundraiser for The Association. Thanks in advance
for your participation!
February, 2017
Updated Website
Check out the updated website at:
www.vadistrictclerks.com. You can find important
links and useful information on a number of issues
relevant to the courts. We will continue to update the
site regularly so please visit often.
You can also purchase merchandise ranging from
T-shirts to bracelets with all proceeds going to the
association.
http://www.vadistrictclerks.com/merchandise1/
New Clerk Mentorship Program
The Association is implementing a mentorship
program for new Clerks of Court to be assigned
an experience clerk to mentor them through the
early months when they are getting up to speed
in their new positions. If you would like to
volunteer, or are a new Clerk and are interested
in gaining a mentor, please contact Vicki Tate at
[email protected]
5
Conference Registration Information
Spring Conference & Annual Meeting
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
MSU Class – Managing Court Financial Records
Monday, April 3, 2017 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, Charlottesville, Virginia
Breakfast will be provided at the Conference
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS MARCH 18, 2017
Return attached form along with payment of $25.00
(members), $35.00 (non-members) to:
Connie Comer, Clerk of Court
Tazewell General District Court
104 Court Street, Ste. 3
Tazewell, VA 24651
[email protected]
Phone: (276) 385-1563
Fax: (276) 988-6202
CLE
Because of CLE requirements for Grades 10
and above, the Committee on District Courts
will grant conference leave for clerks and
supervisors who attend and apply for credit.
For all others, the type of leave required will
depend on approval of local management. SIX
CLE credits have been approved by OES for
those attending the scheduled program on
Tuesday. An additional SIX credits have been
approved for the MSU class.
***Tuition assistance may be used for
Registration Costs and Mileage IF funds are
available. Please submit requests before attending
through the eEducation system***
Hotel Details – Reservation Deadline March 18, 2017
DoubleTree by Hilton
990 Hilton Heights Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: 434-973-2121
Distance from:
Miles (approx.)
Richmond, VA
Roanoke, VA
Williamsburg, VA
Washington, DC
Virginia Beach, VA
70
123
125
100
180
Hotel Reservations (use link below)
Check In: April 2 or April 3, 2017 (3:00 p.m.)
Check Out: April 4, 2017 (12:00 noon)
Group Name: Association of Clerks of the District Courts of VA
Group Code: DCV
Link: http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/C/CHOSHDT-DCV20170402/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
Room rates are 109.00 single or double plus tax for a total of 120.23
 Please reserve rooms by the deadline in order to take advantage of our block of
rooms. After March 18th, rooms may still be available, but not at the above rate!
Please use the link to reserve!
February, 2017
6
Conference Program
7:45-8:30
Registration
8:30-9:15
Opening Ceremony, Key Address & Business Meeting (Grand Ballroom)
(Beneatha Simmons, President, Association of Clerks of the District Courts of VA; Karl Hade, Executive
Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia; Paul Delosh, Director of Judicial Services)
9:30-10:45
Changes & Challenges in the Court/Where are we going?
(Dr. Cyril Miller, Director of Judicial Planning; Kent Pankey, Sr. Planner Dept. Judicial Planning)
Bond Forfeitures/Leading Others to Lead-What is Your Succession Plan?
(Rhonda Gardner, J&DR Court Services Manager, DJS; Jody Hess, GDC Court Services Manager, DJS)
Ignition Interlock
(Christopher Morris/VASAP)
VCIN/CCRE (Giorgios Room)
(Senior Trooper Ben Jamerson & Captain Tricia Powers-VA State Police)
10:45-11:00
Break
11:00-12:15
Legal Advice vs. Legal Information
(Judge William E. Jarvis, Chief Judge, Prince William, GDC)
12:15-1:15
Lunch
1:15-2:30
DMV/VASAP/JDR RDL
(Florence Jett/DMV &Charlene Motely/VASAP)
Social Media
(Lt. Clay Robinette, Bristol Police Dept.)
Preventing Complaints/Top Complaints Causing Lawsuits/Performance Evaluations/VSDP
and FMLA Benefits
(Donna Morris, HR Analyst, Supreme Court of VA; Marilyn Taylor, HR Analyst, Supreme Ct. VA)
2:30-2:45
Break
2:45-3:00
Recognition of Clerks
(Rick Kahl, Vice President, Association of Clerks of the District Courts of VA)
3:00-4:00
Professional Development/Perception/Employer Engagement &
Presenting a Professional Image
(Judge Jacqueline Talevi, Chief Judge, Roanoke City GDC)
4:00-4:15
Raffle Baskets
4:15
Adjourn
Unless otherwise noted, break-out sessions will be held in the Ballroom after it is divided into sections.
February, 2017
7
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
Spring Conference & Annual Meeting
Last Name____________________________________
Clerk _________
First Name____________________________
Supervising Deputy Clerk _______________
Deputy Clerk ___________________
Email:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Court:
_________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Registration Fee: (Please include your check with your registration form)
_________Association Member
$25.00
_________Attending Lunch ________Not Attending Lunch
_________Non-Member:
$35.00
_________Attending Lunch ________Not Attending Lunch
Lunch Selection: ____Acadian Shrimp Fettuccini ____ Grilled Honey Chicken Dijon _______ Tri-Colored Tortellini
Will you attend: (The registration fee is the same whether you attend one day or two days)
______ Spring Conference – Tuesday, April 4th. Please select one class in each session.
9:30-10:45
_____Changes/Challenges _____Succession/BF _____Ignition/Interlock _____VCIN/CCRE
1:15-2:30
_____ DMV/VASAP/JDR RDL _____ Social Media _____ Complaints, Lawsuits Evaluations & HR.
______ MSU Course – Monday, April 3rd “Managing Court Financial Records” (Cheryl Beam, DJS Court Analyst)
Anyone can attend this course however, please note you will be expected to attend the full seven hours
whether or not you intend to submit for credit in the MSU program. Lunch is not included. Participants
will be given 1.5 hours for lunch.
Reminder: Please submit questions in advance to Connie Comer for any of the sessions you have signed up to attend.
Email: [email protected] or fax to 276-988-6202. You may also submit your questions using this form.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
February, 2017
8
The Origins of Valentine’s Day
By Jane Tyler
Anyone who has wandered through a Hallmark store or even the card aisle of their local grocer on
February 14th would no doubt be struck by the number of people, young and old contemplating sentimental
verses against a backdrop of red hearts and cupids, searching for just the right words to express their love.
Even the cynic who rails against every “Hallmark Holiday” can be seen clogging the checkout aisles,
flowers and chocolates in hand, or overheard making dinner reservations for two. Of course, we’ve all
celebrated Valentine’s Day, from that very first card exchange in elementary school, and for some, throughout
many years of marriage. Unlike other holidays however, most of us don’t know how it came to be.
Valentine’s Day, by all accounts, is a mixture of pagan and Christian holidays with a little Greek and
Roman mythology thrown in. Historians believe Valentine’s Day is derived from the pre-Roman spring festival
of Lupercalia, traditionally celebrated in the middle of February, and intended to ensure fertility and the safe
delivery of babies born in the coming year.
As Christianity came to predominate in the early centuries A.D., many pagan festivals were outlawed,
and during his tenure from 492-496 A.D., Pope Gelasius abolished Lupercalia after a long-running dispute with
the Roman senate. Some scholars believe the pagan holiday, which had traditionally been celebrated during the
ides of February (13-15), was replaced by a Christian Saint’s Day and named in his honor; Valentine. The
problem is that no one seems to know exactly which St. Valentine, as there are several contenders.
Among the most likely is a certain St. Valentine who defied the Roman Emperor Claudius II’s decree,
forbidding any of his soldiers from marrying. Valentine continued to conduct secret ceremonies for the young
couples and was eventually arrested and executed. During his imprisonment, he fell in love with his jailer’s
daughter, penning a love letter the night before he was put to death, and signing it “From your Valentine”.
According to some scholars, the practice of sending a handwritten note of affection to a loved one on February
14th became common during this time and throughout the middle ages.
The modern association of Valentine’s Day with romance can be traced back to the middle ages and the
poet, Chaucer, who proclaims in verse that February 14th is the day that birds choose their mates. The holiday
grew in popularity throughout England and France over the following centuries and with improvements in
printing, the Victorian age ushered in the Valentine’s card, full of hearts, lace and cupids. Speaking of Cupid,
how did he become the mascot for Valentine’s Day? According Roman mythology, as the son of Venus (goddess
of love) his golden tipped arrows pierce the heart and cause the recipient to fall deeply in love. It was during the
Victorian era that the chubby infant made the leap from mythological paintings to mass produced greeting
cards.
As we prepare for another Valentine’s Day, we may not know exactly who started it all, but we do know
the ageless reason we celebrate every February 14th; love.
February, 2017
9
Thank you for supporting the Association of Clerks!
Clearance Items Order Form
Name and Court:_____________________________________________________________
Email:_______________________________________________
Phone: _______________
Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________________
ITEM
ID CARD LANYARD WITHOUT LOGO
ID CARD LANYARD WITH LOGO
TUMBLER WITH STRAW
NAVY BLUE POLO SHIRT WITH EMBROIDERED LOGO
WHITE POLO SHIRT WITH EMBROIDERED LOGO
GRAY POLO SHIRT WITH EMBROIDERED LOGO
EXCLUSIVE ASSOCIATION BRACELET
BLACK FLEECE JACKET (L, XL, OR 2XL)
GRAY FLEECE JACKET (L, XL, OR 2XL)
ORIG.
PRICE
$4.00
$4.00
$7.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$30.00
$30.00
$30.00
SALE
PRICE
$1.00
$1.00
$5.00
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00
$20.00
$25.00
$25.00
QTY
SIZE
TOTAL
PLEASE SUBMIT ANY MERCHANDISE ORDERS TO CRYSTAL CROUSE
Shipping costs will be calculated according to weight of the package that is shipped. Cash, Checks and Credit
Cards are accepted as forms of payment for Clerks Association Merchandise.
There is a 4% convenience fee added to all credit card payments.
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT CRYSTAL WITH ANY QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR IDEAS FOR NEW
MERCHANDISE.
ADDRESS: TAZEWELL GENERAL DISTRICT COURT
104 Court Street, Suite 3
Tazewell, VA 24651-1081
EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 276-385-1377
NEW MERCHANDISE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE APRIL, 2017 CLERKS
ASSOCIATION AND JUNE, 2017 DISTRICT COURT CLERKS CONFERENCES
February, 2017
10