Every year in the fall, CGJA holds an Annual Conference/Membership Meeting at a different location. The conference provides an opportunity for members and grand jurors to meet and discuss experiences, ask questions, and otherwise engage in activities to enhance everyone’s understanding of the grand jury system in order to contribute to CGJA’s role in protecting and enhancing California’s county grand jury system.

The 2023 CGJA Annual Conference will be held October 22-23, 2023, at the Embassy Suites in Walnut Creek. Our theme this year is Building Bridges with Outreach and Awareness. We have secured a commitment from Dan Borenstein, Editorial Page Editor and Columnist for the East Bay Times and strong grand jury supporter, to address the conference and share his thoughts on building grand jury awareness. Ethan Rarick, Executive Director of the Little Hoover Commission, as reported earlier, remains as the Keynote Speaker.

New this year will be breakout sessions where members can learn about topics of interest to them. Attendees may choose the topic that most interests them. Attendees may choose the topic that most interests them. Each topic will have a pre-designated leader who will lead the discussion for about 35 minutes. After that, a representative from each group will be asked to report out a summary of their findings and conclusions. Topics are:

• Building Bridges with Technology
• Are You Being Duped:  Making Ballots Make Sense
• Your Association – Attracting, Motivating, and Recruiting Members
• Recruiting Jurors through Filming
• Creating Awareness Through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Program

The conference committee is excited that the different format of this program has the potential for a more engaging experience on the part of our attendees. We will also celebrate significant achievements of our members and chapters, receive an update on the status of the association, and renew old acquaintances and make new friends over a gala Sunday evening dinner. The ever-popular silent auction will open on Sunday afternoon and conclude at the evening dinner.

We hope you’ll save the date on your calendar and join us for our next fun and informative gathering.

Scroll down for the agenda, conference registration, and link for hotel reservations.

40th Annual 2023 CGJA Annual Conference

Building Bridges with Outreach and Awareness

Embassy Suites, Walnut Creek, California

Sunday, October 22, 2023
Contra Costa Ballroom

1:00 – 1:15 PM:   Conference and silent auction opens:  Pledge of Allegiance and opening remarks
Lloyd Bell, Annual Conference Chair

1:15 – 2:15PM:    Topic to be announced
Daniel Borenstein, Editorial Page Editor and Columnist, East Bay Times

2:15 – 2:30PM:    CGJA President’s Report on CGJA Activities and the State of the Association
Travis Gibbons, CGJA President

2:30 – 2:40 PM:    Election Results
Gary Cooper, Chair, Nominations-Elections Committee

Swearing in Officers and Directors

2:40 – 3:10 PM:    Presentation of Excellence in Reporting Awards
Barbara Sommer, Chair, Excellence in Reporting Subcommittee

3:10 – 3:25 PM:    Break

3:25 – 4:00 PM:    Breakout sessions (five different topics from which to choose)
1. Building Bridges with Technology
2. Are You Being Duped: Making Ballots Make Sense
3. Your Association: Attracting, Motivating, and Recruiting Members
4. Recruiting Jurors Through Filming
5. Organizing and Launching an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Program
Juliana Jones, Chair, Public Relations Committee, Moderator

4:00 – 4:05 PM:    Stretch break

4:05 – 4:55 PM:    Report out from session leaders

4:55 – 5:00 PM:    Wrap up by Breakout Moderator

5:00 PM:                 CGJA Annual Conference recesses

6:30 – 9:30 PM:    CGJA Annual Conference Dinner – Alameda Room

Angelo Rolando Service Award presentation
Joann Landi, Chair, Angelo Rolando Service Award Subcommittee

8:00 PM:                  Silent Auction Closes

Monday, October 23, 2023
Contra Costa Ballroom

9:00 – 9:10 AM:      CGJA Annual Conference resumes
Lloyd Bell, Annual Conference Chair

9:10 – 10:10 AM:    Keynote Address:  Creating Awareness Through Action
Ethan Rarick, Executive Director, Little Hoover Commission

10:10 – 10:25 AM:    Break

10:25 – 11:25 AM:   Panel Discussion:  The Role of Chapters in Juror Recruitment and Selection
Spencer Sias, Marin County, Moderator

11:25 – 11:45 AM:    Member Comments and Q&A

11:45 AM – Noon:   Conference wrap up (Q & A) and closing remarks
Travis Gibbons, CGJA President

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: The Embassy Suites by Hilton Walnut Creek is now accepting reservations for your attendance at the CGJA Annual Conference.  Their street address is 1345 Treat Boulevard, Walnut Creek, California 94597.

You may make your hotel reservation in either of two ways:

• Make your reservation on-line at : https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=SFOPHES&groupCode=CESCGJ&arrivaldate=2023-10-22&departuredate=2023-10-23&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT
•  NOTE:  You may need to “edit your stay” to reserve the night(s) you wish to stay at the hotel.

– OR – 

• Call 800 498-7397 and request the California Grand Jurors rate. 

The hotel is offering an EARLY BIRD rate of $159 if your room is booked by July 31, 2023. Effective August 1, 2023, the CGJA daily room rate is $179 for a standard two-room king suite.

• Sleeping Room Reservations must be made by October 13, 2023 to receive the CGJA room rate.   Reservations made after that date will be subject to the prevailing hotel rates and room availability at the time of booking.

Please Note:  Sleeping rooms must be secured with a valid credit card along with a first night’s deposit, which is refundable up to 48 hours in advance of your reservation.

Hotel valet parking daily rate is $30.00.

There is no self-parking option at the hotel.

Numerous off-street parking options are available nearby and can be located using the hotel website.

Download Conference Registration Form (PDF)    Note: Lifetime members who receive free registration will need to use the downloadable form.

Important Note: If you are registering online using the link below and wish to make payment with your credit card, you must click on the down arrow on the right side of the Payment Method box. Then select Credit Card.