Nonpartisan Court Plan Committee Year End Reports

2010, Chip Sheppard, Chair:

Number of Active Committee Members: 20 Number of Times Committee Met: 6 Early in the year the Committee organized and discussed venues and opportunities to provide public education about the new judicial selection process in Greene County. Ideas such as public service announcements and a speakers' bureau were discussed. The committee attempted to keep abreast of the challenges and proposed changes to the current judicial selection process both legislatively as well as by initiative petition. The committee assisted and supported the efforts of the newly formed judicial performance evaluation committee. On September 1, 2010, a press conference was held at the SMBA to announce the publication of the results of the judicial performance evaluation committee. The results were published in a brochure entitled "Judging the Judges" and more comprehensive evaluation was available online to assist voters. The committee was instrumental in providing public information and information about the new judicial selection process. Over 10,000 brochures were distributed to schools, businesses, law firms and other entities in Greene County. The Committee also secured venues and media opportunities to publicize the new judicial selection process, including thorough coverage in the News-leader and presentations at civic organizations..

2009, Chip Sheppard, Chair:

The Non Partisan Court Plan Committee had 15 members and met 8 times in 2009. On the heels of the successful 2008 election in which Greene County adopted the Missouri Court Plan, this Committee developed the following mission statement: To educate and inform the members of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association on the judicial selection process and any changes proposed thereto educate and inform the residents of Greene County on the judicial selection process and any alterations proposed thereto. Community education will be provided primarily through a speakers bureau and a brochure produced by the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association. To develop an informational brochure to be used internally and externally with a simple description of the process for selecting judges in the 31st judicial circuit.To monitor proposed changes to the judicial selection process and provide education to SMBA members, the local legislative delegation and the community with regard to any proposed changes. To provide education and resources to the Chamber of Commerce and local legislative delegation on the judicial selection process, as they develop their legislative priorities each year. To communicate the activities of the 31st circuit judicial selection commission to the members of the bar. To conduct all of its activities at the advice and consent of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association Board of Directors and to regularly communicate activities and issues of interest to the board.