Chapters are an essential part of CGJA
The Member and Chapter Relations Committee (MCRC) works with CGJA chapters by offering support, networking opportunities, and the sharing of helpful resources.
There are 23 local active county chapters that are members of the statewide CGJA family.
This map shows where the current active chapters are located.
CGJA, Chapters, Jury Forepersons, and others develop and share resources for use by all members of CGJA. You are invited to download them as needed. A sample of the resources include but are not limited to:
- Juror Recruitment, Recruitment Public Service Announcements, Juror Orientation, Chapter Recruiting
Chapter Officers and Regional Meetings
Chapter Officers meetings are hosted by the Chapter Relations Subcommittee to help promote collaboration across California.
A Chapter Formation Guide helps guide former and/or current jurors who wish to establish a local chapter. The following steps to form a chapter are outlined here:
- How to form a chapter (see link above)
- Chapter Bylaws (see link below)
- Tax-exempt status (see links below)
- Liability issues (see link below)
- Operational guides
The template is a sample set of bylaws for new CGJA chapters that reflects CGJA policy. Existing chapters should use this template when amending their bylaws.
The language provides guidance for drafting your bylaws including General Provisions, the Purpose, Governing Rules and Policies and Membership guidelines.
CGJA will assist as new chapters are established and wish to take advantage of the federal and state income tax group exemption.
CGJA obtained a federal income tax group exemption on behalf of its chapters from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 1999, and a state income tax group exemption on behalf of its chapters from the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) in 2013.
CGJA maintains current contact information for active chapters as well as assisting CGJA in responding to IRS or state inquiries. Chapters complete the Chapter Status Filing Form annually or whenever changes take place.
Chapter Insurance and Liability Issues
College and university course designed to bring broader recognition of the California Civil Grand Jury system to its citizens. The purpose is to learn about the constitution and function of the civil grand jury, how it has helped to improve government, how it operates, and how course registrants and other citizens can apply to serve on the civil grand jury in any of the 58 counties in California.