NEWSLETTER

Arkansas Municipal and City Court Clerks Association

September - 2001

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From the President’s Desk

Welcome to our Fall Certification Program.

It looks like the Certification Committee again put together a program that will certainly be informative and beneficial to all of us. These are subjects that you and others have requested, therefore, please give the speakers the attention they deserve. You might not be interested in a certain subject, but there are probably others around you that want to hear.

Due to health problems, I was out of pocket for two months this summer and find myself trying to catch up on everything. I will be as eager as you to learn how the automation project is progressing. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Judy West for handling everything at the last minute. I also owe a big "Thank You" to Kay Palmer. They took over in my absence and "kept it going." I can’t tell you how much all your cards and phone calls meant to me. I discovered that Clerks have spirits. Yes, more than one spirit; the spirit of compassion, the spirit of teamwork, the spirit of volunteering and the spirit of true friendship. You are the greatest!!!

Enjoy your stay in Eureka Springs and have a great fall!

Geneva Vance

President

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News Around Arkansas

Connie Carmen’s daughter, Kristal graduated in May from UAMS with honors. She received a Bachelors Degree in Respiratory Therapy. Kristal will also be getting married January 26, 2002 so Connie will have to lay her travel plans aside for awhile!.....Sheryl Kibat’s daughter, Carrie is expecting Sheryl’s seventh grandchild this month.....A daughter, Kinsley Grace was born to Mark and Stephanie Hall on December 20, 2000. She joins big brother, Hayden who’s four.....Tan and Audra Nguyen celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary in July.....Brent, son of Phyllis Rickard graduated from Paron High School in May. Brent finished 2nd in the Arkansas V.I.C.A. competition and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship to Diesel Technology Institute, a $9,000 scholarship to Nashville Diesel Academy, and a full scholarship to Oklahoma University in the Associate Program of Diesel Technology at Okmulgee, Oklahoma.....Holly Pate is expecting her fourth child in November.....Kristy Schneider is working on getting her Associates of Applied Science degree in the paralegal program at Westark College and expects to earn it in May of 2002. Kristy got married July 7th to Terry Ray and they spent their honeymoon in Dauphin Island, Alabama.....Sandy Easley’s son, Lt. Brian Easley will be married to Tara Treadaway in a military wedding on November 18, 2001 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York....

Certification  Committee  Report

The Certification Committee had a very successful workshop in July to plan the year’s educational programs. Thank you to committee members, Regina Beeson, Ruth Calloway, Dena Titsworth, Judy Carlisle, Judge David Saxon, Judge John Finley, and Judicial Educator Kay Palmer for their constant and continued hard work and dedication to this program.

The program schedule for our September meeting includes a variety of topics to enhance your skills as a professional. We are extremely fortunate to have the excellent speakers we have for this meeting.

The criteria for our November Program will be for Chief Clerks and will include sessions on interviewing, audits, communication and budget management.

Thank you for your comments and evaluations on our May Program. We really appreciate these suggestions.

Sandy Easley 

Chairman Certification Committee

Sayings For High Stress Days

  1.  You - Off my planet!

  2.  Not the brightest crayon in the box now, are we?

  3.  Well, this day was a total waste of makeup.

  4.  Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.

  5.  And your crybaby, whiny opinion would be...?

  6.  I’m not crazy. I’ve just been in a bad mood for years.

  7.  I’m just working here until a good fast-food job opens up.

  8.  I can’t remember if I’m the good twin or the evil one.

  9.  How many times do I have to flush before you go away?

10.  Can I trade this job for what’s behind door #2?

11.  Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?

12.  Chaos, panic, and disorder - my work here is done.

13.  Earth is full. Go home.

14.  Is it time for your medication or mine?

15.  How do I set a laser printer to stun?

16.  I’m not tense, just terribly, terribly alert.

17.  You say I’m a B--ch like it’s a bad thing.

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Clerk’s Spotlight

Elizabeth  R.  Reed

Elizabeth is a deputy clerk for Cabot. She has three children, Jeremy 22, Trish 21, and Tiffany 12. She is a new clerk having been hired March of this year. Elizabeth has always worked in offices and small retail and this is her first experience working in the court system. She says she really enjoys her work. In addition to her three children, Elizabeth has three grandsons and one granddaughter - Tyler, Andre’, Noah and Sophie. She has another grandchild on the way. Elizabeth enjoys camping, fishing and boating.

Jennifer  Davidson

Jennifer is a deputy clerk at Fort Smith. She was employed by her court on October 10, 1999. She is married to Mike and they have three children, Bradley 4, Jared 3, and Abby 2. Jennifer says in the two years she has been in her job that she has learned something new every day and she finds that interesting. Rachel and Stephanie who work with her have been very patient and understanding. They are great! Jennifer looks forward to working with them for a very long time. Jennifer’s favorite activity is playing with her children. She has also gone back to college to work on her degree.

Audra  Nguyen

Audra is also a deputy clerk at Fort Smith. She has been with her court since May 19, 1997. She is married to Tan and they have one daughter, Emily who is two. In the four years she has been a court clerk, Audra has worked on her certification and she received her certification this past May. She enjoys shopping and spending time with her family.

Carmel Curiel

Carmel is a deputy clerk for Benton Municipal Court. She is a new clerk having started work there in April of this year. Carmel has three children, Crystal 19, Cheryl 10, and Scott 8. Carmel enjoys all water sports, but she enjoys camping the best.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Vicky!!!

On behalf of MSI Consulting Group, LLC, it is my pleasure to congratulate Ms. Vicky Maxwell on receiving the 4th Annual Clerk of the Year Award during the AMCCCA meeting, May 19, 2001, in Springdale. Vicky has been a valued customer of MSI and personal friend of mine since 1991. Her dedication to her work, family and this association surpasses the highest levels of excellence. Vicky is a very important part of the MSI family, having been with us for over a decade. Her knowledge and self-motivation allows her to address and find solutions to many of the issues that the clerks of this association are facing everyday. I know I speak for many of you in saying it is an honor and a privilege to have Vicky Maxwell as a colleague and I am extremely honored to call her my friend.

We here at MSI have always known that our clerks are special in many ways. Now by a vote of their peers, 3 of the first 4 clerk of the year winners, including Vicky, have been MSI customers. Thus proving our clerks are indeed very special people. And with over 60 courts in Arkansas, I expect we will be seeing several more of our clerks be added to the list as clerk of the year for several years to come!

Sincerely,

Bryan D. Smith

MSI Consulting Group, LLC

News For The Newsletter

If you have any news for the newsletter you may send it to: Marla Wallace, P. O. Box 367, Gillett, AR 72055. You can call her at 870-548-2541, fax her at 870-548-3121, or e-mail her at gillettpd@cji.net. The next newsletter will be published for the November meeting. In order to give Irene time to get the newsletter published, I’ll need your information by the end of October. Thanks for all your help!

Upcoming  Meetings

2001

                Nov. 16:           Clerk’s Certification

                                           Holiday Inn Select, Little Rock

2002

                March 15:        Clerk’s Certification

                                           Holiday Inn Select, Little Rock

                May 16-18:      Clerk’s Certification and Judges Spring College

                                           Arlington Hotel, Hot Springs

                Sept. 20:          Clerk’s Certification

                                           Holiday Inn Select, Little Rock

                Nov. 15:           Clerk’s Certification

                                           Majestic Hotel, Hot Springs

A Friend

(A)ccepts you as you are

(B)elieves in you

(C)alls you just to say "HI"

(D)oesn’t give up on you

(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)

(F)orgives your mistakes

(G)ives unconditionally

(H)elps you

(I)nvites you over

(J)ust "be" with you

(K)eeps you close at heart

(L)oves you for who you are

(M)akes a difference in your life.

(N)ever judges

(O)ffers support

(P)icks you up

(Q)uiets your fears

(R)aises your spirits

(S)ays nice things about you

(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it

(U)nderstands you

(V)alues you

(W)alks beside you

(X)-plains things you don’t understand

(Y)ells when you won’t listen and 

(Z)aps you back to reality.