Justice of the Peace
Newsletter
Autumn 2006
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In This
Issue: |
In the interests of building an online community of Justices of the Peace, we've added a Discussion Forum (aka Bulletin Board) to the jpUS.org website. It is a place for JPs to share their concerns, questions and good ideas with each other and with us. We think you'll find it fun and not difficult to use.
You'll find a link to the Forum on every page of www.jpUS.org. Any visitor to the site can read the topics in the forums, but only registered users may post replies or create new topics. So the first thing to do is Register. If you need help, see the category called "How to Use the Forum."
Our Forum is very powerful; it comes with many features that we will be implementing over time. Soon we'll be offering members of www.jpUS.org -- those JPs with featured listings on www.findaJP.com -- special privileges and access to the Discussion Board's advanced features. That's another reason to become a member, but all JPs are encouraged to participate in the discussions! And if there are any JPs out there who have experience with Invision Power Board forums and would like to help administer this one, please let us know.
What to talk about? Here's a perfect example: excerpts of an email conversation among Connecticut JPs who have gotten to know each other through their activities with jpUS.org :
When I mail the signed license to the town clerk, I also enclose a stamped envelope addressed to my couple, with a letter from me to the couple in the envelope. I also enclose $5 and a letter to the Town Clerk asking her to mail the license to the couple. It has not been a problem thus far! Bettie-Jeanne Rivard-Darby
I advise couples to pay for additional certified copies of their marriage license ($5 each) at the time they apply for it at the Town Clerk's office. Usually the woman needs certified copies to change her name for social security, 401K, banks, etc. They both may need a copy for traveling out of the country. I have had to make a copy of the signed license (not certified) - because they were leaving the next day on their honeymoon and then mailed the original to Town Hall. Kathy Taylor
Procedures are not always consistent between towns. For example, I did a wedding which was originally scheduled for one place but due to inclement weather was moved to another town. There is a statute that allows the JP to do the ceremony in another town if need be. Then you have to take the license to that town for certification by the clerk. Apparently not every town is aware of that statute. I had to get Vitals involved to straighten it out. Now they know. Cheryl R. Constantine
Ed. Note: We expect these concerns to be addressed by the State speakers at the CT Conference.
Plans for the Connecticut Justice
of the Peace Conference are progressing. All we need is YOUR
participation. Occupancy in the meeting rooms is limited, so sign up today to ensure that you get
your choice of discussions as well as the best price. The
conference starts with a Continental Breakfast (including fresh fruit) and
includes a Buffet Lunch. Besides the program, a very important benefit
is the opportunity to network throughout the day with your colleagues... that's the
"building community" part!
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Morning Program Highlights (Constitution Room, Memorial Hall)
- Keynote: Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of State of Connecticut
- JPs as Small Business: Harland Henry, Director of Community Outreach, State of Connecticut
- Update on civil unions: Elizabeth Frugale, Registrar of Vital Records, Department of Public Health, State of Connecticut
- and more....
Afternoon Program ( a short walk to the Student Center)
- Breakout Sessions
- Civil Unions Workshop
- JP Primer for Newbies
- Couple Problems: How to Cope
- Marketing Your Services
- A Year of Civil Unions
- Cultural and Religious Traditions in Your Ceremony
- My Most Unforgettable JP Experience
- Pricing Your Services
- Exhibition of Vendor products for JPs to purchase such as multi-media advertising, robes and stoles, marriage and civil union certificates, license plate frames, etc.
Deadline Extended to October 15 for Low Price!
$30 for www.jpUS.org members, $35 for non-members
After
October 15, it's $40 for www.jpUS.org members, $45 for non-members.
At the door: $50 for all.
We hope you will save $10 by registering
now.
Price includes admission to all program events, continental breakfast
and a catered lunch.
Join www.jpUS.org
and save more.
You can register online at www.jpUS.org/conferenceregister.htm#form. For those who prefer to print and mail the form, we're including it at the bottom of this newsletter.
| Look for a Survey Coming Soon by Email Margaret Leicach , a jpUS.org member from Connecticut, has volunteered to administer a survey of JP experience and opinions. We do these periodically and publish the results in the newsletter. They are very popular with JPs who want to know how they compare to other JPs regarding fees, number of ceremonies performed, etc. There will be some new topics surveyed in this one. Stay tuned! |
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Questions and Comments One couple, two ceremonies
I was asked
to perform a ceremony for a couple who were married by a
Buddhist priest not authorized to perform marriages in CT. I
made sure that they had obtained a valid license from the Town
Clerk. Then I performed a very brief ceremony at their home
that acknowledged that we were giving legal status to the
religious marriage that had already occurred. I felt that
approach respected both their own cultural traditions and CT
laws. Oh, and they spoke no English so I had a relative
translate the ceremony, sentence by sentence. Margaret
Leicach, Farmington CT
Related Questions from Margaret
I have been getting a number of
requests from couples who, essentially, want two
ceremonies. They contract for me to perform a full-scale
wedding, and also to perform a private ceremony so that they
will be legally married by a date a few months earlier. Are
other JPs getting similar requests and, if so, how have you
been handling them?
Let us know.
I agreed to be the official 'pronouncer' at a wedding that
will be performed by a relative who is out-of-state clergy
not authorized to perform ceremonies in CT. I let him decide
how much and how to incorporate my presence into the
ceremony, but wonder whether I ought to be more directive
about my role.
How have others handled similar
situations? Advice for New JPs Responding to the JP who hasn't yet done her first wedding, Elaine Baskin, Worcester, MA, suggests: "Perhaps she can attend wedding ceremonies at a nearby country club, golf club, or restaurant. If she stands or sits in the back and just observes, she may get pointers about performing a ceremony. In this way, she will gain some experience. She might offer to officiate at a friend's wedding. Or even do mock weddings just to feel more confident. She might also ask the town or city clerk if she can assist at a ceremony. Share your experiences on any of these topics. Send to: newsletter@jpus.org |
New Hampshire JPs In THE NEWS Nashua JP Stanley Morton died July 1 at the age of 100. He officiated at more than 1,700 weddings since1954, his final one five years ago for the wedding of his step-grandson. “He’d just had his license renewed on his 99th birthday,” said his son, Robert Morton. “It would have been good until he was 103.” NH couples no longer need wait three days after getting their marriage license before the ceremony. Lawmakers agreed to eliminate the waiting period effective last July 4. In NH, a couple can get a marriage license from any town, regardless of where they live or where they plan to hold the ceremony. The license is valid for 90 days. The waiting period was a deterrent to out-of-state couples wanting to tie the knot quickly. (Thanks to NH JP Dave Berman for this news item.) Recommends Mass Wedding Venue If you know of anyone wanting a big wedding in Central MA, I just performed a wedding at the Devens Commons Center in Ayer. They do not charge for the Hall for the weddings at this point, (they are including the hall in the cost of the reception) though they might start in 2008! They are relatively new and are trying to get their name out there. Gail Sawyer, Acton MA Update on Same Sex Marriage
On the same day in July, New York and Georgia courts rejected efforts to allow marriage between same-sex couples. Georgia's Supreme Court upheld an amendment banning such unions, and New York's Appellate Court upheld a 100 year old definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. NY said that it was up to the State Legislature, not the courts, to decide whether it should be changed. So far only Massachusetts recognizes same-sex marriage since 2004. New Jersey and Washington State both have similar lawsuits pending. |
CONNECTICUT JP CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
YES!
I am a JP ____ Town
Clerk ___
Other ____________________________
First
Name
(for nametag) _____________________
Last Name ____________________________
Address __________________________Town/City ___________________ State _____ Zip_______
Phone
________________________
Email
____________________________________
We welcome help publicizing the conference and encouraging other JPs
to attend. Check here if you can distribute flyers to JPs in your
town; perhaps your Town Clerk will help.
(Members have featured listings on www.findaJP.com)
Price after October 15: www.jpUS.org member $40
non-member $45
$50 (cash or check) accepted at the door
Please mail with check to: Justice of the
Peace Association • 8 Webb Road • Westport CT 06880
For
further information: 203-226-1710 or Email: conference@jpUS.org
This form can be filled out online at www.jpUS.org/conferenceregister.htm#form if you prefer.
Directions to CCSU are at http://jpus.org/conferencedirections.htm and will be emailed upon confirmation.
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and appreciate news or features of interest to JPs. Please send your suggestions,
comments and submissions to
newsletter@jpus.org
Saul Haffner saulhaffner@jpus.org