The Third Quarter Comes to a Close
March 31, 2008 brought a close to the third quarter of the membership year. Totals far exceed that of any previous year. We currently have 1047 members, 55 more than this time last year. Wow, every quarter has record breaking numbers!
The membership breakdown by district is as follows:
DISTRICT |
2006-07 |
2007-08 |
BLUE RIDGE |
66 |
90 |
CAPITAL |
219 |
338 |
NORTHERN |
156 |
125 |
SOUTHWEST |
76 |
77 |
TIDEWATER |
389 |
322 |
VALLEY |
86 |
95 |
TOTALS |
992 |
1047 |
Many folks are joining for more than one year at a time. We have 52 members who have already paid for the 2008-09 year, and six have paid through the 2010-11 membership year. Paying membership dues in advance is welcome. The new rates were effective July 1, 2007, and it is probably safe to say that they will not increase again in the near future.
( But don’t look for it to be another 20 years!)
Oh! Speaking of paying in advance reminds to let folks know, anyone who joined after January 1, 2008 at the $20 rate needs to contact me. The membership year runs July 1 to June 30 and the dues for the first six months of the calendar year is reduced to $10.00. I ask that you let me know if you would like your additional $10 credited to the 08-09 dues or if you would like to donate a portion to the Child Advocacy Fund.
2008 brought new features and new faces to the VJJA website. A complete list of State Board Officers, Local District Officers and Committee Chairs is available with pictures and biographies. An Information Center has been added along with a Professional Development page and Advocacy page. The Job Bank has been also expanded. The website now offers advertising opportunities for our providers and an option to pay your dues online.
If you are interested in becoming more involved with VJJA, visit the website’s Committees page. There are committee chair positions still available. And for those of you who do not know, there is now a Member Benefits Committee. This committee is charged with securing benefits like coupons and discounts to various businesses and will more than likely begin to utilize membership cards.
For the Membership Committee, I would like to organize a “working” committee. A committee comprised of a representative, or representatives, from each district to assist with the distribution of membership renewals, certificates and stickers, and to be the go to person in your district for member updates. With a consistent 1,000 members and a current membership committee of one (me), I’m finding it difficult to keep the pace. So any interested party is encouraged to contact me by email at membership@VJJA.org .
Membership Tip: Add your VJJA
membership renewal
to your
Outlook or other electronic calendar.
The new year begins July 1, 2008. |
As always, don’t forget to send me updates to your employment, email and mailing addresses! Email addresses are especially helpful for quick cost-effective communication. Membership renewal notices will be coming out soon, but if you would like to get a jump on it, the 2008-09 renewal forms will soon be available on the website at www.vjja.org.
(Samantha Higgins is employed by the 25th District Court Service Unit in Lexington. In addition to serving as VJJA's Director of Membership, she also serves as Valley District Chair.)
