TEXAS JUSTICE COURT TRAINING CENTER

SS T A N D A R D T A N D A R D

OO P E R A T I N G P E R A T I N G

PP R O C E D U R E SR O C E D U R E S

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PUBLISHED BY THE TEXAS JUSTICE COURT TRAINING CENTERPUBLISHED BY THE TEXAS JUSTICE COURT TRAINING CENTER AN EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOR OF THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AN EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOR OF THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

AND CONSTABLES ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS, INC.AND CONSTABLES ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS, INC.

FUNDED BY THE TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALSFUNDED BY THE TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

2011 2011 -- 20122012

Roger Rountree Executive Director

Angie Varela Associate Director

Bronson Tucker General Counsel

Rob Daniel

Program Attorney

Thea Whalen Program Attorney

Gabe Ayson

Accountant

Janice Hardaway Program Administrator

Justice of the Peace Programs

Heather Hidalgo Program Administrator Civil Process Programs

Amanda C. Sharp Program Administrator

Court Personnel Programs

Laura Villarreal

Registrar

Funded by a grant from the Court of Criminal Appeals In association with Texas State University-San Marcos and The Justices of the Peace and

Constables Association of Texas, Inc.

Our Address Is

701 Brazos Street, Suite 710 - Austin, TX 78701 Toll Free (800) 687-8528 Phone (512) 347-9927

Fax (512) 347-9921

www.tjctc.org

“The mission of the Texas Justice Court Training Center is to provide quality educational opportunities for justices of the peace, constables and court personnel, insuring the credibility of, and confidence in, the justice courts enabling them to better serve the people of the State of Texas.”

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CHAPTER 1 - Authority and Organization 1.1 Texas Justice Court Training Center (TJCTC) ...................... 6 1.2 Authority ................................................................................ 6 1.3 Court of Criminal Appeals ..................................................... 6 1.4 Grant Conditions ................................................................... 6 1.5 Rules of Judicial Education ................................................... 6 1.6 Texas State University-San Marcos (TSU) ........................... 6 1.7 The Association and the Training Center .............................. 6 1.8 Association Politics and TJCTC and Staff ............................. 6 1.9 Adoption and Annual Review of Standard Operating Procedures .......................................................................... 6 1.10 Non-scheduled Modifications of Standard Operating Procedures .......................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 2 - Budget and Oversight Committee 2.1 Membership of the B&O ........................................................ 7 2.2 B&O Meetings, Attendance, Quorum, Votes by Proxy ......... 7 2.3 B&O Agenda.......................................................................... 7 2.4 B&O Duties, General ............................................................. 7 2.5 B&O Duties, Training Seminars ............................................ 8 2.6 B&O Attendance at Training Seminars ................................. 8 2.7 B&O and TJCTC Staff ........................................................... 8 2.8 B&O Executive Officer, Education Committees .................... 8 CHAPTER 3 - Education Committees Policy Statement ................................................................... 9 3.1 Committee Membership ........................................................ 9 3.2 Education Committee Duties ................................................. 9 3.3 Instructor Selection, Generally .............................................. 9 3.4 Instructor Selection, Specifically, by Committee ................. 10 3.5 Instructor Application Procedures ....................................... 10 3.6 Instructor Rotation ............................................................... 10 3.7 Notification of Instructors Who Are Not Invited to Return ... 10 3.8 Education Committee Attendance at Training Seminars .... 11 3.9 Unbudgeted Committee Meetings ....................................... 11 3.10 Faculty Rules ....................................................................... 11 3.11 Executive Officer, B&O ........................................................ 11

Table of Contents

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CHAPTER 4 - Executive Director Policy Statement ................................................................. 12 4.1 Authority .............................................................................. 12 4.2 Accountability ...................................................................... 12 4.3 Duties .................................................................................. 12 CHAPTER 5 - Program Administrators Policy Statement ................................................................. 13 5.1 Employee Accountability ..................................................... 13 5.2 Duties .................................................................................. 13 5.3 Staff Rules and Procedures ................................................ 13 5.4 Accessibility and Attendance at Training Events ................ 13 5.5 Deportment at Training Events............................................ 13 CHAPTER 6 - Legal Personnel and Procedures Policy Statement ................................................................. 14 6.1 Duties .................................................................................. 14 6.2 Accessibility ......................................................................... 14 6.3 Courtesy .............................................................................. 14 6.4 General Counsel and Program Attorney ............................. 14 6.5 Bar License.......................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 7 - Funding, Expenditures, Travel 7.1 Court of Criminal Appeals and Grant Conditions ................ 15 7.2 Annual Audit by Judicial Auditor .......................................... 15 7.3 Texas State University-San Marcos (TSU) ......................... 15 7.4 Travel Reimbursement Regulations .................................... 15 7.5 Airline Reservations and Reimbursements ......................... 15 7.6 Deadlines for Submitting Reimbursement Vouchers .......... 15 7.7 Rental Vehicles ................................................................... 16 7.8 Registration Fees/Texas Overhead Assessment ................ 16 CHAPTER 8 - Miscellaneous ......................................................... 17 8.1 Alternate Certification and Medical Waivers ....................... 17 8.2 Authorization for Honoraria for Certain Instructions ............ 17 8.3 Whistle Blower Protection ................................................... 17 8.4 Duty and Obligation ............................................................. 17 8.5 Moral Turpitude ................................................................... 17

Table of Contents

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CHAPTER 9 - Participant Requirements ...................................... 19 9.1 Seminar Attendance ............................................................ 19 9.2 Exceptions ........................................................................... 19 9.3 Tardiness ............................................................................. 19 9.4 Dismissal, Notification ......................................................... 19 9.5 Associated Costs, Registration and Lodging Costs ............ 19 9.6 Failure to Attend .................................................................. 19

Table of Contents

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1.1 Texas Justice Court Training Center (TJCTC) Article XV, Section 10 of the By-laws of the Justices of the Peace and Consta-bles Association of Texas, Inc., (JPCA) creates the Texas Justice Court Train-ing Center. 1.2 Authority Chapter 56.001, Texas Government Code, creates the Judicial and Court Per-sonnel Training Fund, which mandates training for judges. Chapter 56.003 provides a formula for the division of the funds among the levels of courts and stipulates that court personnel shall be trained using grant funds. Constables acting as a court officer are considered court personnel for the purposes of Chapter 56.003. 1.3 Court of Criminal Appeals Chapter 56.003(e) places with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals the pro-grammatic and financial responsibility for judicial education. Funding for the programs shall be awarded to eligible organizations by the court via grant ap-plication. 1.4 Grant Conditions The Court of Criminal Appeals promulgates the Grant Conditions. The Grant Conditions contain the rules and regulations under which judicial education grantees must operate. It takes precedence over all internal rules made by JPCA committees and rules and regulations set forth by Texas State Univer-sity-San Marcos. A rule or procedure cannot be made that is in conflict with any provision in the grant conditions without express prior authorization from the Court of Criminal Appeals. 1.5 Rules of Judicial Education Chapter 56.006 Texas Government Code stipulates that the court may make rules for judicial education. The Rules of Judicial Education set forth certain policies and procedures for each level of the judiciary. Therefore, funding and operational decisions will follow State of Texas laws and, where practical, the Grant Guidelines. 1.6 Texas State University-San Marcos Chapter 27.005(b) allows judicial education for justices of the peace to be as-sociated with an accredited state university. JPCA has contracted with Texas

Chapter 1: Authority and Organization

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State University-San Marcos to administer the grant it receives from the court since 1971. It is an annual contract. 1.7 The Association and the Training Center The Grant Conditions authorize the expenditure of grant funds only for training purposes. Therefore, TJCTC staff, equipment, and supplies cannot be as-signed to or used for Association needs or other purposes not directly related to the judicial training. 1.8 Association Politics and TJCTC and Staff Neither TJCTC nor its employees shall become involved in Association poli-tics. 1.9 Adoption and Annual Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) The Standard Operating Procedures should be considered a living document that, in order to be useful, is open to change and evolution as the need arises. The B&O shall review these SOP’s at the first B&O meeting of the new fiscal year. Modifications and deletions shall be made at that time. 1.10 Non-Scheduled Modifications of SOP’s Occasionally, a need arises that dictates immediate action or is mandated by one of the funding agencies or the Court of Criminal Appeals. In these limited instances, the change shall be made following the notification of the Chairman of the B&O. The change shall then be an agenda item at the next B&O meet-ing.

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POLICY STATEMENT: It is the policy of the Justice of the Peace and Consta-bles Association that the Budget and Oversight Committee (B&O) provides policy guidance to TJCTC. 2.1 Membership of the B&O The membership of the B&O is controlled by JPCA Bylaws. 2.2 B&O Meetings, Attendance, Quorum, and Votes by Proxy The B&O will meet quarterly at pre-selected dates, times, and locations to co-incide, where possible, with on-going training seminars. The dates, times, and locations will be determined for the upcoming year at the final B&O meeting of the proceeding fiscal year. Members will attend each meeting unless pressing business mandates their absence. A quorum is 6 members present. Votes by proxy are controlled by the JPCA By-laws. 2.3 B&O Agenda The meeting agenda is a collaborative document between the TJCTC Execu-tive Director and the B&O. Each member may submit agenda items for formal discussion and or consideration during the meeting, as may the Executive Director. The Executive Director will prepare the document, called the Re-source Book, with all submitted items prior to the meeting. The Executive Di-rector will ensure that each member will receive a list of the proposed agenda items within a reasonable time prior to the meeting. The Executive Director will send supplemental item documents to individual members upon request. The Resource Book will be finalized and given to the B&O prior to the begin-ning of the meeting unless the travel schedule of a B&O member precludes it. 2.4 B&O Duties, Generally

General oversight of TJCTC.

Completion of the contract with TSU.

Creation and approval of educational and procedural policies not covered elsewhere.

Promulgating written standard operating procedures for the B&O and the education committees.

Ensuring that fair written policies and procedures exist for staff.

Resolution of conflicts between the Court, TSU, and TJCTC.

Ensuring that all grant and contract guidelines are followed.

Chapter 2: Budget and Oversight Committee

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2.5 B&O Duties, Training Seminars

Ensuring the training seminars are of acceptable quality.

Delivering the welcoming speech if the President is not available.

Monitoring the performance of the education committee members.

Monitoring the performance of the staff.

Maintaining a visible presence for the B&O throughout the seminar. 2.6 B&O Attendance at Training Seminars The President is encouraged to attend each training seminar. B&O members will be assigned selected training events to attend by the president. Assign-ments will be made for the upcoming training year at the final B&O meeting of the year. Deviation from the assigned schedule may be made only with the prior approval of the President. 2.7 B&O and TJCTC Staff The staff at TJCTC are employees of Texas State University-San Marcos and are under the supervision of the Executive Director. The B&O does not in-volve itself with staff issues, leaving that to the Executive Director. Issues that may arise regarding staff should be taken to the President and then to the Ex-ecutive Director, or directly to the Executive Director. By contract with TSU, however, the B&O may provide input on selected personnel issues. The Ex-ecutive Director may solicit input from the B&O or individual B&O members regarding staff when appropriate. 2.8 B&O Executive Officer, Education Committees The JPCA Bylaws create a position of one executive officer for each education committee. The intent is to familiarize the vice presidents with the methods of the education committees prior to their ascension to the president’s chair. The executive officer is expected to attend each committee meeting and multi-day training seminar. The role is designed to be active in committee meetings (but vote only to break a tie) and training events, where the executive officer is to be given regular committee type assignments by the Chair and to act, when needed, as a liaison between the committee chair and the B&O. It is not man-datory for the executive officer to attend routine functions unless the executive officer so desires. The executive officer may vote only to break tie votes. As-signments:

1st Vice President - Justices of the Peace, Education Committee

2nd Vice President - Civil Process Education Committee

3rd Vice President - Court Clerks Education Committee

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POLICY STATEMENT: It is the policy of JPCA that the education committees play a vital and constructive role in the education of their respective personnel. Article XV, Section 7, JPCA Bylaws, states”…[e]ach Education Committee shall be responsible for developing curriculum and standards for the education of either Justices of the Peace, or Justice Court Personnel/clerks as indicated by the name of the Committee, and shall monitor the implementation of their curriculum throughout the year so as to insure a high level of effectiveness.” 3.1 Committee Membership The membership of each committee is controlled by the JPCA Bylaws. 3.2 Education Committee Duties

Developing curriculum.

Writing course descriptions.

Writing course learning objectives for every class.

Assisting with registration.

Introducing speakers.

Taking roll.

Administering evaluations.

Monitoring instructors.

Ensuring proper classroom decorum exists.

Ensuring prompt attendance to classes.

Being continuously available to handle problems.

Reviewing denials of certification, where appropriate.

The attire for committee is business. 3.3 Instructor Selection, Generally Faculty membership is by invitation only. Each committee shall identify and propose for consideration qualified individuals to serve as faculty for their pro-gram. It shall be each committee’s responsibility to determine what qualifica-tions are desirable for its faculty. However, instructors or potential instructors shall not be selected or eliminated because of JPCA membership or lack thereof, friendship or other relationship to committee or staff, or any other cri-teria unrelated to effective teaching. It is the duty of the committees, program administrators, and executive director to continually recruit qualified instructor candidates for teaching posts.

Chapter 3: Education Committees

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3.4 Selection of Instructors It is the duty of each committee to select instructors for all teaching assign-ments related to their program. The method of selection shall be consistent among the three committees. When required, individual variation by commit-tee is allowed. Changes in the basic method of selection must have prior ap-proval by the B&O. METHOD OF SELECTION: At an annual meeting, each committee will nomi-nate and choose those who are to be invited to become instructors for the coming year’s seminars. The decisions are a group process, which each member having one vote, including the chair. A hand vote is not necessary unless the chair deems it so. The Training Center may submit names and will participate in the discussions, but may not vote. In emergency situations where last minute substitutions must be made, the chair and the Training Cen-ter will make the decision. The committee will be notified after the fact within a reasonable time period. In situations where the chair cannot be contacted, the Training Center will make the decisions with notifications made as soon as practicable. When agreed upon, the selection of instructors may be delegated to the Training Center. Instructor selection for specialty schools will use the same method. 3.5 Instructor Application Procedures Candidates wishing to be considered for a faculty post shall submit a resume and complete an application prior to the submission of their name to the com-mittee for consideration. This may be waived in special instances. 3.6 Instructor Rotation Periodically, instructors shall be rotated to attain a fresh perspective for the program. Instructors should not expect an automatic invitation to teach every year, regardless of their evaluations. All decisions to rotate or discontinue the invitation to teach shall be made by the committee. In an emergency situation that calls for the replacement of an instructor, the chair may make that deci-sion with the full committee notification afterward. 3.7 Notification of Instructors Who Are Not Invited to Return The chair of the committee shall notify each instructor who is not being invited back to teach. The notification shall be first by telephone and then by a follow-up letter. The chair may delegate this to the training specialist. Each commit-tee member shall be informed by the chair which instructors were not invited back and the reasons why prior to informing the instructors.

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3.8 Education Committee Attendance at Training Seminars The chair of each committee shall assign an appropriate number of committee members to successfully administer each training event. It is recommended that three committee members be on site during a 20-hour training event (16 hours for clerks.) This number may not apply to programs that have dual committee-instructor roles. 3.9 Unbudgeted Committee Meetings Unbudgeted committee or faculty meetings involving any expense shall be authorized by the president prior to the meeting. The committee chair must then seek approval from the executive director that funds exist to pay for the meeting without infringing on other budgeted activities. 3.10 Faculty Rules Generally, each committee will set rules for the faculty of its program. How-ever, certain rules apply to all faculty. They are:

Faculty shall be budgeted for only one night’s stay at events, unless prior authorization is obtained from the program administrators or the executive director. Unauthorized stays will result in the faculty member’s credit card being billed for the extra stay.

Faculty must notify the Training Center if they will arrive late.

Faculty must notify the Training Center as soon as practicable if they can-not attend a seminar.

The Training Center will obtain substitute instructors, not the faculty.

The attire for faculty while teaching is business. 3.11 Executive Officer, B&O See 2.8, B&O Executive Officer, Education Committees.

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Chapter 4: Executive Director

POLICY STATEMENT: It is the policy of JPCA that the Executive Director of TJCTC shall be responsible for the overall management of TJCTC and its staff. The Executive Director shall be responsive to the formal directives of the B&O. The Executive Director shall actively manage the Training Center and provide leadership to its employees. The Executive Director shall create and maintain open communication with the B&O and the Education Commit-tees. It is the express policy of the B&O that the Executive Director super-vises the staff. 4.1 Authority Article XV, Section 10 of the JPCA Bylaws creates the position of Executive Director. 4.2 Accountability Article XV, Section 10 states, “The Executive Director shall accept direction only from the B&O.” 4.3 Duties

Preparing and administering the budget.

Managing and supervising the staff.

Scheduling quarterly B&O meetings.

Creating and maintaining open communication with the B&O.

Creating and maintaining open communication with the Education Com-mittees.

Seeking supplemental funding opportunities.

Responding to the demands of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Responding to the demands of the Judicial Auditor.

Coordinating directives of the B&O with those of the Court of Criminal Ap-peals.

Coordinating directives of the B&O with those of TSU.

Mediating any conflict between Court of Criminal Appeals and TSU.

Staying abreast of current judicial education trends.

Participating in meetings with other Texas judicial educators.

Ensuring training events are of high quality and efficiently operated.

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POLICY STATEMENT: It is the policy of TJCTC that the program administra-tors play a vital role in the education of judges, clerks, and constables. Each program administrator shall be active and informed about the special nature of the assignment. Additionally, each shall be aware of the duties, challenges, and requirements of the office (judge, constable, or clerk) for which they are responsible. 5.1 Employee Accountability Training Center staff are under the direction and guidance of the Executive Director. 5.2 Duties Funds permitting, there will be one program administrator assigned to each of the three programs. The program administrators will coordinate closely with their respective committee chairs to ensure the quality of the training at the seminar sites. See job descriptions in Appendix. 5.3 Staff Rules and Procedures Staff members shall abide by the TSU personnel guidelines and the TJCTC rules and procedures. 5.4 Accessibility and Attendance at Training Events A primary duty of the program administrator is to coordinate the training events. The program administrator shall be accessible during the training event within the assignment unless prior arrangements have been made with the Executive Director. 5.5 Deportment at Training Events The program administrator (and all Training Center employees) shall maintain a professional and business appearance at training events. While off duty, the program administrator shall act in a professional manner. Behavior that dis-credits either TSU or the Training Center is not acceptable.

Chapter 5: Program Administrators

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POLICY STATEMENT: It is the policy of the B&O that licensed attorney(s) or paralegal(s) will provide technical legal assistance to judges, constables, and clerks who request such assistance. 6.1 Duties Duties include but are not limited to:

Providing technical legal assistance.

Reviewing instructor papers for accuracy.

Interpretating new laws passed by Legislature.

Editing and revising Deskbook, Guide to Civil Process, all other publica-tions.

6.2 Accessibility The General Counsel and Program Attorney (and all employees) shall be ac-cessible to staff and judges, constables and clerks. 6.3 Courtesy The legal staff (and all employees) shall be courteous at all times to judges, constables, and clerks. 6.4 Legal Staff The General Counsel is responsible for the volume of and accuracy of all legal material leaving the Training Center. The position of Program Attorney or paralegal, is assigned to select topics, programs, tasks, or issues. 6.5 Bar License State Bar licensing for the legal staff cannot be paid by grant funds.

Chapter 6: Legal Personnel and Procedures

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7.1 Court of Criminal Appeals and Grant Conditions The Grant Conditions promulgated by the Court of Criminal Appeals control all grant expenditures. The Judicial Auditor administers the Grant Conditions. Repeated failure to abide in spirit or letter by the Grant Conditions may result in the withdrawal of funds already granted or the refusal to award future funds to that organization. Disagreements and appeals go directly to the presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals. 7.2 Annual Audit by Judicial Auditor The judicial auditor annually audits the Training Center financial transactions. All disallowed items shall be repaid by (1) deducting a comparable amount from the current year’s funding; or (2) by reimbursement to the court from the person(s) who benefitted from the expenditures(s). 7.3 Texas State University-San Marcos TJCTC is a unit of Texas State University-San Marcos, which is a state univer-sity. All non-travel expenditures shall conform to state laws, rules, and regula-tions applicable to all state universities and employees. 7.4 Travel Reimbursement Regulations The Grant Conditions contain the rules by which travel, meals, and lodging will be reimbursed for those traveling on behalf of the Grant and applies to staff, faculty, and committee. 7.5 Airline Reservations and Reimbursements TSU no longer allows direct billing through a private travel agency for airline tickets. Therefore, travelers should make their own airline reservations. The lowest fares can be obtained via the internet. It is highly recommended that the lowest changeable fare be obtained since the fee for changes may not always be reimbursable. Staff must follow current TSU travel office guidelines when making reservations. Reimbursements will be made using the standard reimbursement form. 7.6 Deadlines for Submitting Reimbursement Vouchers Faculty, committee, and staff must submit claims for reimbursement within 60 days of the last day of the event for which they are seeking reimbursement. Claims received after that will be placed in a pool to be held until the end of the year for reimbursement, funds permitting.

Chapter 7: Funding, Expenditures, Travel

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7.7 Rental Vehicles Rental vehicles are permitted only with the prior approval of the Executive Di-rector. Rentals made without prior approval will automatically result in a denial of funds. Requests for the use of individual rental vehicles in all but extreme cases is discouraged. Only State approved rental agencies may be used. 7.8 Registration Fees/Texas Overhead Assessment The Court of Criminal Appeals expressly authorizes grantees to charge regis-tration fees and assessments. Judges, Constables, and clerks cannot be de-nied admittance for inability to pay the fee/assessment. Proof of inability to pay the fee may be required by the grantee.

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8.1 Alternate Certification and Medical Waivers For judges, routine requests for alternate certification and medical waivers are granted by the Executive Director. Non-routine requests shall be presented to the Justice of the Peace Education Committee for determination. 8.2 Authorization for Honoraria for Certain Instructors The preferred methodology for instructors is to recruit those who will volunteer their teaching time, receiving reimbursement only for travel, lodging, and meals. Occasionally, however, topics of instruction arise that require the ser-vices of a professional instructor. In these instances, the executive director is authorized to spend a predetermined amount to secure a qualified instructor. 8.3 Whistle Blower Protection There shall be no retaliation against employees who inform the Court of Crimi-nal Appeals, in good faith, of internal control breakdowns, or instances where management bypasses existing controls, or otherwise performs questionable acts. 8.4 Duty and Obligation TJCTC has a duty and obligation to investigate any allegation of misconduct originating at an event. 8.5 Moral Turpitude All staff, committee, faculty, and attending participants are expected to adhere to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct at all seminars, workshops, and meetings hosted by TJCTC. Failure to comply may result in the loss of a position for staff, loss of an appointment for committee or faculty, or permission to attend for a participant. 8.6 Rules for TJCTC Scholarships Scholarships to “outside” training programs, such as the National Judicial Col-lege or similar institutions, may be provided when there is sufficient money in the budget. The criteria for selection will be determined each year by the Chairpersons of the three education committees with the chair of JP education committee acting as the spokesperson. The criteria and the process used to solicit and select attendees shall be public to ensure confidence in the fairness of selection and the credibility of the three person sub-committee.

Chapter 8: Miscellaneous

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8.7 Sub-Committee Projects Complex or long-term projects are occasionally best achieved using a sub-committee of relevant experts, such as judges, clerks, or constables. The fol-lowing rules apply when the project requires a sub-committee and the expen-diture of funds. 1. Prior to the expenditure of funds, The Chair of the committee from which the project comes must submit to the B&O in writing:

A description of the project.

Goals and objectives.

Target audience who the project is intended to serve.

How will they benefit.

How many sub-committee members will be required.

How many meetings will be required to completion.

A timeline for completion and milestones. 2. The executive director must in writing provide:

Assessment of benefit to the intended audience.

Actual total costs.

Assessment of cost-benefit.

Availability of funds and staff time.

3. The chair of the submitting education committee and the Executive Director are co-chairs of the project. The chair shall make a progress report to the B&O at each B&O meeting until the project is completed. Projects initiated by the B&O or TJCTC shall be co-chaired by the JPCA president and the execu-tive director and shall make progress reports to the B&O at each of their meet-ings until the project is completed. The chair of the committee under the pro-ject was approved shall remain in charge of the project until its completion even if the chair’s term expires or the chair is replaced by appointment, except if the removal or non appointment is related to the project. The president shall appoint sub-committee members. The president may remove a sub-committee member prior to the completion of the project. 8.8 Site Locations for Meetings Unless a compelling reason exists otherwise, sites for meetings shall be at cities with a full service airport capable of landing large jet aircraft and be ap-proved by the executive director.

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Chapter 9: Participant Requirements

Policy Statement: It is the policy of TJCTC that each participant who attends any event paid for by grant funding must attend each training hour for that event. 9.1 Seminar Attendance All seminar and workshop attendees are expected to attend all training for that event to receive full credit or certification. There will be no partial credit. 9.2 Exceptions Exceptions to attending any or all training hours in which they are in atten-dance may include illness, family emergency or departmental emergency. These exceptions must be approved on a case by case basis by the Executive Director and/or Committee Chairman, or in the absence of the Executive Di-rector and/or Committee Chairman then the Committee Vice Chairman but only after consultation with the Executive Director and/or committee Chair-man. 9.3 Tardiness A) Attendees who are absent from the first 45 minutes of the opening ses-

sion will not be allowed admission to that event. B) Repeated tardiness, or an unexplained or an unexcused absence will be

cause for dismissal from that event. 9.4 Dismissal, Notification The Elected Official shall be notified of any participant from that department who is dismissed from an event. 9.5 Associated Costs, Registration and Lodging Costs Upon the dismissal of a participant all lodging costs and registration fees will be charged against that participant and their County by TJCTC. Attendance by that participant to any other event sponsored by TJCTC will not be allowed until all financial charges have been paid. 9.6 Failure to Attend Any participant choosing to cease participant in an event, for personal or busi-ness reasons, forfeits their opportunity for certification in that even and is therefore subject to dismissal and responsible for all associated costs and fees as stated in Section 9.5 above.