Monday, May 20, 2019

81st Birthday Thoughts


No talk of birds and bees.  I saw a bird at Safeway this afternoon and she even cheeped at me.  Alas, while still allured by the honey on the vine, I have forgotten the pleasure of the wine.
No, even though I should be thinking of wine, women, and song, (or even a forthcoming Warriors sweep), my pleasure and reflections tonight turn to my grand jury involvement.
Distracted by growing awareness of the impacts to me of the recent flood, I let slide some of my duties and responsibilities to Sonoma County’s grand jury (GJ) system.  I was awakened in a recent State Association video conference call for a comment on how my small portion of a call-around was proceeding, I said, “I don’t have that in front of me now”, and frantically wrote action item notes for myself to do something.
That was last week, and I’ve done all the things I was supposed to have.  In the process, I’ve learned that Marin and Napa counties were recently in the throes of what I have aspired to accomplish in Sonoma County – a partnership with the county courts to recruit and interview candidates for prospective grand jurors.  Each County chapter’s new President was a boomer, who had an energetic team of past grand jurors.  I also learned about Solano county’s fall.  I interviewed every member of Solano County’s now defunct chapter.
The difference between these success and failure cases, I am betting, is energetic and inspirational leadership.  CGJA have asked me to lead a Chapter President’s breakfast meeting for the California Grand Jury Association (CGJA) annual meeting in Sacramento next October.  I was going to pull together 3-4 standard GJ topics for each table to discuss while we ate breakfast, and then moderate the table by table thoughts and ideas.
I’m now thinking of writing a speech, which I’m good at, (but which usually gets me in trouble), to stir change in thinking, and take risks for rewards, and to honor the proven leaders.  There are 27 chapters (for 58 counties), [there’s a challenge already], and I know of, and will find, more, who are excelling in what they do.  I will let them tell their stories

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