Present:    Joyce Barkel, Nicole Bierema, Jennifer DeYoung, Alice Holliman, Michael Kersman, Robin Rett,  Al Rios.
Absent:    Duane Baker, Chelsea Brown, Mark Geister, Lee Hoeksema and Cindy VanderPeyl

I.     Call to Order

• The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. at City Hall, 270 South River Avenue, Holland, Michigan by Michael Kersman.

II.    Approval of Minutes

• The minutes of the June meeting were approved with changes as noted. In the future the minutes will be printed off of the web site and brought for approval.

• Robin Rett reported that we have no new cases scheduled.

• Josh sent a letter in April to Allegan County District Court requesting formal permission for referrals on the Allegan side of the city. There are locations on the Allegan side of the city that could increase our case load. There was no response to Josh’s letter. A letter was found dated March of 2000 from Duane Baker to Prosecutor Fred Anderson’s office.
• Al Rios will personally contact Marge Baker from the prosecutor’s office requesting written permission.

• Adam Rett, as student representative from Zeeland High School, was given an award commending his three years on the Advisory Board.
• Alice Holliman recently received a Spirit of Volunteerism award for 12 years of service as a founding member of the Teen Court Program and consistent member of the Teen Court Advisory Board.
• Discussion took place regarding the lack of cases currently being referred to Teen Court. Many cases cannot be referred to Teen Court because the juvenile is a repeat offender.
• Robin Rett attempted to contact Pierre Sirois, a teacher at Zeeland High School in hopes that he would serve as a Teen Court board member and Zeeland High School faculty representative. Her calls have not yet been returned.
• Discussion took place regarding whether or not to amend the bylaws to include representatives from Holland and Holland Christian High Schools only. This item has been tabled.
• Updating the Community Service Handbook was discussed. In order for this to be useful, organizations need to be contacted to determine if they still can use the offenders for community service hours. Names of non-profit organizations were suggested to Robin to begin the process.

• The next meeting is scheduled for August 21, at 3:30 p.m. in the third floor conference room, at City Hall, 270 South River Avenue, Holland, Michigan. Please contact Joyce Barkel at (616) 355-1324 by August 13, 2002 if you are unable to attend.