Absent:  Al Rios, Chelsea Brown, Duane Baker (exc.), Alice Holliman (exc.).

I.   Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order at 3:38.

II.  Welcome/Introductions

• No introductions as no visitors present.

III. Approval of Minutes

• Minutes of the December meeting were distributed and accepted.

IV. Unfinished Business

• A Teen Court session was held on January 14 with three cases heard by Holland High School.
• Jurors requested copies of essays written by sentenced teens. It was decided copies of the essays would be provided as long as contents of essays weren’t revealing and names removed.

V.  New Business

• Two new cases have been received. We are unable to schedule a session date because Duane Baker was not present.
• Chanda will discuss, with Duane, the need to have a Holland Christian High School student representative on the Teen Court Board.
• A Volunteer has been recruited  to translate the Teen Court brochure into Spanish.
• Chanda reported she is working with Denise DeYoung, a WMU student, on an internship to update the program brochure, and Community Service contacts.
• Add younger jurors: After discussing the increased number of younger referrals (ages 10-13), the board asked Chanda to contact West Middle School Administration to explore the possibility of adding middle school student jurors to the high school jury. Thus providing defendants with a 'jury of their peers.'
• Expand Sentencing Guidelines: After discussing the need for younger defendants to follow up with contacting/meeting with their school counselor, the board requested the option be added to the list of 'Sentencing Guidelines.' The addition will be 'Recommended' not 'Required.'
• Chanda wrote and submitted a grant application to the Junior Welfare League, requesting funds to produce an informational video to assist with training and to increase awareness.

VI. Announcements

• The next board meeting is on Wednesday, February 19, at 3:30 PM, Third Floor Conference Room at city hall. Please contact Joyce Barkel (by email barkel@ci.holland.mi.us  or by phone 616-355-1324) if you are unable to attend the meeting.

VII. Adjournment

• Meeting adjourned at 4:18 P.M.