SPECIAL AWARDS
The Juvenile Justice Association of Michigan (JJAM) is an organization formed in 1973 by the merger of the County Juvenile Officer's Association. JJAM provides representation for all juvenile justice personnel promotes and maintains standards of efficiency within the Michigan Juvenile Justice System and encourages progressive legislation, resolutions and other desirable programs representing the common interest of children and their families in the State of Michigan.
The Association provides a Newsletter to the membership containing current information and ideas. The Newsletter includes information regarding legislation that is being proposed, changes within agencies, and changes and programming within the courts of Michigan.
JJAM provides quality conferences available to the membership. This year the Midwinter Conference has been scheduled in March and will be held in Lansing. The Annual Conference has been scheduled in September and will be held at Shanty Creek. Historically, the Association has provided quality speakers and topic issues.
The Association also presents two awards annually recognizing special individuals. At the Midwinter Conference, the Association presents the Youth Achievement Award to an individual who has succeeded in our programs and has turned their life around. The recipient is awarded a plaque, a $500 Savings Bond and a $100 Gift Certificate. Also, a $100 Savings Bond is presented to an individual from each region that has been selected as a regional representative. An application for this award was printed in the Winter 2006 Newsletter.
At the Annual Conference, the Association recognizes a member who has contributed to their Court, their community and the Association with the Mary S. Coleman award. Members will receive further information regarding this recognition in the future.
MARY S. COLEMAN AWARD
JJAM’s Annual Conference at Treetops in Gaylord is just around the corner and now is the time to select and nominate your choice for the Mary S. Coleman Award honoring the court worker of 2010.
Make Sept. 22-24 2 really special for your co-worker. Not only will their expenses for the annual conference be paid by JJAM… but they will also receive a beautiful engraved plaque for their office wall to acknowledge their hard work and the high esteem bestowed upon them by their co-workers.
Many members fail to nominate very deserving staff under the mistaken notion this is the “Martha Stewart Award” requiring that the recipient:
- Work a 40-hour week at the sponsoring court;
- Donate 20-40 hours additional service without requesting compensatory time;
- Keep the family home comprised of spouse, three children and two foster children running smoothly and happily;
- Volunteer weekends at the local animal shelter; and
- Coach weekday evenings for the neighborhood Little League.
In contrast, the Mary S. Coleman Award is intended to honor the court worker whose contributions cast a special glow upon their court. Past winners tend to be individuals who:
- Make coming to work a pleasure for their judges and their co-workers;
- Turn obstacles into challenges;
- Perform their job competently and professionally;
- Freely give their assistance and talents to others;
- Tend to look for the brighter side of a situation;
- Perform their jobs without self-serving or hidden agendas;
- Treat judges, co-workers, and clients with respect and positive regard
- Contribute heavily to their court’s being viewed in a very positive light by the manner in which they conduct themselves privately and professionally in the community.
Take the time to identify and honor those special individuals within your workplace by completing the enclosed nomination forms today. Win or lose, it’s a nice feeling to be recognized and appreciated by those with whom we work.
Nominations must be received no later than September 9, 2010. Nominations may be sent to: Cindy Morley, 3360 Hospital Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603. Phone: (989) 799-2821 ext. 4128. Fax: (989) 799-2171.
MARYLYNN MORAWA YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
In 1985, the Juvenile Justice Association of Michigan established the Juvenile Justice Association Youth Achievement Award. In 2009 it was renamed the Marylynn Morawa Youth Achievement Award. This award is presented to a Michigan youth who meets the criteria outlined below.
It is the intent of the Association, through this award program to (1) recognize an individual who has overcome some personal hardship, i.e., neglect, abuse, delinquency; (2) encourage civic responsibility; (3) recognize an individual who has excelled within an area of interest to the individual, not necessarily scholastic; and (4) to bring the public’s attention an example of the constructive contribution being made by the youth.
TYPE OF AWARD AND RECOGNITION TO BE GRANTED
Regional Award winners are presented: A $100.00 Series EE Savings Bond from the Association. Regional winners will be chosen from those applicants submitted to the Regional Director. The full Board will choose an annual winner from the Regional winners. The Youth will then receive at the Mid-Winter Conference: (1) a $500.00 Series EE Savings Bond, (2) $100 gift certificate, (3) an engraved wall plaque which indicates, in appropriate wording, the name of the Association as the donor, the name of the recipient, and the date of the presentation; and (4) an engraved wall plaque that is presented by the Association to the sponsoring court from which the recipient is nominated. Reasonable expenses for the recipient and his/her parents, guardian, or custodian for the day of the award ceremony at the Mid-Winter Conference will be paid by the Association.
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
The Association will furnish nomination forms to any member. These forms are to be used to identify deserving nominees and the court may use any selection process they desire.
The Court must be a current member of the Juvenile Justice Association of Michigan in order to submit a candidate. The Court may nominate more than one youth.
The youth nominated must be between 17 years of age and 21 years of age and discharged from the Court’s jurisdiction.
Please remember, this award may well provide the funds and recognition necessary for continued achievement by some outstanding young person in your community.