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Special Projects Committee
Part 4
IV. GRAND JURY RECRUITMENT
BACKGROUND
The 1999/2000 Grand Jury began late in their term. One reason was due to lack of
applications from the community at large. It was learned that many citizens did
not fully understand the exact nature of the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury
acknowledged that there is an ongoing need to educate the public about the purpose
and duties of a Grand Juror.
The charge of the Special Project Committee was to actively pursue recruitment of
community members for upcoming Grand Juries for years to come. This was to be
accomplished in three ways: First, by establishing a web site; second, to design
an informational brochure; and third, to find other means of making contact with
the community.
A web site was designed and put into use as of June 2000. The web site is
www.sanbenitocountygrandjury.org; this web site is updated regularly.
A handout was developed to make information more available to the public. It was
designed as a tri-folded single page informational brochure along with a bookmark.
The “Spotlight on Hollister” event offered the Grand Jury members an opportunity
to meet and answer questions of the local citizens. It also afforded the Grand
Juries of 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 a chance to distribute the information that
lists the basic requirements necessary to become a juror.
In an effort to educate the public in more than a single event, the 2000/2001
Grand Jury elected to purchase literature holders to display the brochures. These
can be located at various local government agency offices and businesses. The
Special Projects Committee restocks the brochures regularly. The response from
the participating agencies displaying the brochure in their offices has been very
positive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
| 1. |
Recruitment should be actively pursued in an effort to maintain a
culturally diverse Grand Jury in future years. |
| 2. |
Current web site and informational brochures be continued and upgraded, as
necessary. |
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