Letter Writing Campaign To Educate State Legislators On Plight Of Magistrates.
In light of stagnant salaries and rising food prices, the VMA recently sent out an email to its members urging them to contact their state representatives to request a cost of living increase for all state employees and to advocate for the restoration of regular salary increases for judicial employees. Members were urged to use figures from the Association’s salary study to demonstrate how Virginia’s Magistrates are falling behind compensation for similar positions in other states, most notably Maryland. Although Virginia’s current budgetary outlook remains grim, the Association hopes that this campaign will pave the way for positive change in 2015.
In light of stagnant salaries and rising food prices, the VMA recently sent out an email to its members urging them to contact their state representatives to request a cost of living increase for all state employees and to advocate for the restoration of regular salary increases for judicial employees. Members were urged to use figures from the Association’s salary study to demonstrate how Virginia’s Magistrates are falling behind compensation for similar positions in other states, most notably Maryland. Although Virginia’s current budgetary outlook remains grim, the Association hopes that this campaign will pave the way for positive change in 2015.
Election 2014: Members To Vote On
Bylaws, Regional Reps.
The full membership of the VMA is scheduled to elect a new batch of Magistrate Region Representatives this Summer and vote on two important proposed changes to the Associations’ by laws. Candidates for five of the eight Magistrate Regions will appear on the ballot after being successfully nominated for office. Unfortunately however, Regions 2, 3,and 4 are on track to not have a Region Representative for the upcoming term.
The full membership of the VMA is scheduled to elect a new batch of Magistrate Region Representatives this Summer and vote on two important proposed changes to the Associations’ by laws. Candidates for five of the eight Magistrate Regions will appear on the ballot after being successfully nominated for office. Unfortunately however, Regions 2, 3,and 4 are on track to not have a Region Representative for the upcoming term.
Bylaws To Ease Quorum Requirement: The two proposed bylaws would change
quorum requirements for the VMA Executive Board and would allow former
Magistrates who had not officially retired to retain their full membership in
the Association.
Under the proposed change to the quorum requirement, the Executive Board would only need to have a majority of filled positions, as opposed to total positions to meet quorum requirement. The membership will vote on the proposed bylaw changes and Region Representatives via an electronic survey that will be sent out through the Association’s email list.
Under the proposed change to the quorum requirement, the Executive Board would only need to have a majority of filled positions, as opposed to total positions to meet quorum requirement. The membership will vote on the proposed bylaw changes and Region Representatives via an electronic survey that will be sent out through the Association’s email list.
Magistrate Arraignments? VMA
Contemplates Next Major Initiative.
Will Magistrates ever be allowed to take over some of the functions of General District Court Judges? That was the question contemplated by the VMA Executive Board at its July 2014 meeting. According to anecdotal accounts, at least one jurisdiction has expressed an interest in outsourcing some arraignment functions to its Chief Magistrate, but is unable to do so without statutory authorization.
While the members of the VMA Board were intrigued by the idea, some members were concerned that the proposal would be perceived by some as a step toward a two tiered Magistrate system that could undermine constructive employee relationships in many offices. In the end, the Board resolved to study this issue more thoroughly before taking any further action.
Will Magistrates ever be allowed to take over some of the functions of General District Court Judges? That was the question contemplated by the VMA Executive Board at its July 2014 meeting. According to anecdotal accounts, at least one jurisdiction has expressed an interest in outsourcing some arraignment functions to its Chief Magistrate, but is unable to do so without statutory authorization.
While the members of the VMA Board were intrigued by the idea, some members were concerned that the proposal would be perceived by some as a step toward a two tiered Magistrate system that could undermine constructive employee relationships in many offices. In the end, the Board resolved to study this issue more thoroughly before taking any further action.
Lacey Appointed As Interim
Secretary.
Acting interim secretary Paula Marquis resigned from her position as Interim Secretary for the VMA during the closing session of the July 2014 meeting of the Association’s Executive Board. The Board immediately accepted a motion to appoint Region 5 Representative Kevin Lacey to the position of Interim Secretary. In addition, Paula accepted an appointment to the position of alternate representative for Region 6. A new Region 5 Representative will be elected in the upcoming 2014 election. New elections for Secretary and other key offices on the Board will be held in fourth quarter of 2015.
Acting interim secretary Paula Marquis resigned from her position as Interim Secretary for the VMA during the closing session of the July 2014 meeting of the Association’s Executive Board. The Board immediately accepted a motion to appoint Region 5 Representative Kevin Lacey to the position of Interim Secretary. In addition, Paula accepted an appointment to the position of alternate representative for Region 6. A new Region 5 Representative will be elected in the upcoming 2014 election. New elections for Secretary and other key offices on the Board will be held in fourth quarter of 2015.
