Chapter Relations and Chapters – Growing Stronger Together

Chapters Officers Meetings: Most chapters participate regularly in the Chapter Officers Meetings, which promote collaboration across the state. The meetings are designed to help improve the health and strength of chapters. Meetings hosted by the Chapter Relations Subcommittee (CRS) are held three times a year via Zoom.

 Upcoming Meetings

Chapter Officers Meeting

  • June 10, 2026 via Zoom
  • November 18, 2026 via Zoom

Past Meetings

Chapter Officers Meeting

  • November 19, 2025: 30 attendees representing 17 chapters in attendance. Click this link to view the minutes.
  • June 11, 2025: Thirty people from 22 chapters met to discuss what the Chapter Relations Committee could do to help chapters. Items discussed included relationships between the court and grand jury, how chapters are structured, website availability, making the website more user friendly, and future training for chapters.
  • February 11, 2026: The Chapter Relations Sub-committee (CRS) of the Member and Chapter Relations Committee (MCRC) held its first Chapter Officers’ meeting of 2026 on February 11.  Attending were twenty-seven participants representing sixteen active chapters.

The meeting was a dynamic exchange of ideas, highlighted by several updates from the CRS members and a presentation from one of the local chapters.  Topics covered               included:

  • CGJA website – Marsha Caranci announced that there have been several updates to the website and recommended that everyone become familiar with what is offered to CGJA members and Chapters on the website. Additionally, she encouraged Chapter officers to share their activities by submitting articles for posting.
  • Combined Membership Renewal Program – In Mike Hofman’s absence, Marsha Caranci reported that twelve Chapters and twenty-seven members have signed up for the Combined Membership Renewal Program so far. Mike asks those chapters not currently participating in the program to please reconsider.
  • Tax Filing – Marsha reminded the attendees that those Chapters operating on a calendar year are to file taxes by May 15th if required. Those operating on a fiscal calendar year should file in November if required to do so by their by-laws.
  • Chapter Liaison Program – Dar Swenson, Co-Chair of CRS announced that a Chapter Liaison program will be implemented soon. A Liaison will be assigned to each Chapter and will function as the contact and resource for the Chapter members. More details will be forthcoming.
  • Awards Committee – John Bradley announced that Martha Saldana-Wolfe is the new Chairperson of the CGJA Awards Committee. The new recognition program “Above and Beyond” guidelines were addressed.  It was stated that this new program will recognize more members for their contribution to CGJA.
  • Recruitment – this topic was the key focus of the meeting, with a discussion of chapters contributing their recruiting materials, strategies and documents that can be posted in the resource section of the website for shared use.
  • Chapter Development Presentation – David Heinzt gave a presentation on the revitalization of the Santa Cruz County Chapter. Following CGJA guidelines for Chapter organizations, and filing as a non-profit, the Chapter has been able to obtain and utilize software programs at little or no cost to the Chapter. Over the past few years, the Chapter has reorganized with software programs that allow all members to share Chapter information and use working documents.

 

Regional Meetings: Any chapter interested in organizing or participating in a regional meeting (a gathering of chapters who are in close proximity) please reach out to CGJA for more information. Contact Sharon DeBenedetti at membership@cgja.org.