Message from the President
Thank you for another opportunity to serve as President of this association. This is a great responsibility, and one that I do not take lightly. Representation matters, and it is my intent to represent this association to the best of my ability by serving you and ensuring we are addressing and supporting your needs and concerns. I am a collaborator, motivator, leader, educator and supporter of all things related to judicial administration. I am a servant leader who takes pride in helping, developing and supporting others. I am empathetic, compassionate, and inclusive. I believe these are necessary qualities needed in a servant leader in order to truly meet the needs of those in need. My primary goal is to serve you well, and here is how I plan to do so:
Highways and Hedges Program – This is a program I started back in 2012. The purpose is to engage with the courts throughout the state. It gives the officers of the association the opportunity to hear directly from the courts outside of the bi-monthly board meetings with an emphasis on rural courts and those located in the outer regions. Our immediate past president, Ellen Attebery, invited the president of the Misdemeanant Probation Association (MPA) to join us. The meetings were engaging and brought to lite some of the challenges our courts are facing as well as ways the association can support their efforts.
Cross Association Collaboration – Collaboration is one of my many passions. I enjoy working to improve, encourage and motivate others in the courts of limited jurisdiction. I believe we are better when we work together. It is my intent to reach out to the District & Municipal Court Judges Association (DMCJA) and Misdemeanant Probation Association (MPA) to schedule a summit of the leaders of each association for discussions on improve working relations in our courts. I am very excited about this, and I believe we will see measurable changes in our courts.
Passing the Baton (Succession Planning) – Over the next 5 years there will be a large percentage of our membership retiring. It is paramount that we prepare the next leaders to carry on the work of this noble profession. I will continue to encourage our members to begin the process of passing the baton incrementally, while we are present to guide, support and encourage our successors. We must set them up to succeed and cheer them on in the process.
While these three items will be my primary focus areas, I will continue to be fully engaged in the work of the association and the support the standing committees. I intend to do all that I can to continue this great work of the District and Municipal Court Association. Again, thank you for allowing me to be your president.
Humbly,
LaTricia Kinlow
LaTricia Kinlow
President