Membership
2012 Caps Membership Letter and Application
January 30, 2012
Greetings! As we embark on a new year in 2012, it’s time once again to renew your CAPS membership or consider joining for the first time. Our association needs your membership to support its activities, annual training conference and the continued advancement of our pretrial profession.
The annual membership rate remains at $30 and entitles you to all of our mailings, benefits (including reduced conference registration fees) and the opportunity to join the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) at the Affiliate level rate of $20. This represents a significant reduction as membership rates for NAPSA are $50 for line staff and $75 for managers and administrators.
On behalf of the Board of Directors I strongly encourage you to support our association with your membership. In addition to providing financial support for our annual training conference and other activities, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to the only professional association designed exclusively to meet the needs of pretrial services professionals in California. This is particularly important as many of our programs continue to face a difficult budget situation and are in need of a strong advocacy. During these times of economic hardship and funding curtailments, it has never been more important to belong to an organization that diligently works to support and promote pretrial services throughout the State of California.
This promises to be another exciting and challenging year for our association. The nation’s economic crisis has many county-based pretrial services programs fighting for their survival. The commercial bail industry lobbyists have been extremely active at legislatures in a number of states. Your membership support will greatly assist the association in combating any similar legislative efforts in our state.
I can assure you that the CAPS Board of Directors stand ready and committed to providing the necessary leadership to address the professional needs of the association and our pretrial colleagues throughout the state.
I want to thank the Board of Directors for their hard work on your behalf this past year. Some of the association's significant accomplishments included the following:
- The association’s membership totaled 115 pretrial professionals in 2011. This was particularly impressive given the staffing curtailments and hiring freezes experienced by many of the pretrial programs. Each member received a new membership card which is renewable each year.
- The 25th Annual CAPS Training Conference, held in Palm Springs, was extremely successful and well-attended. The theme of the conference was "Dealing with a Screwed Up World: Risk Assessment of High Risk Populations" which was moderated by Cherise Burdeen of the Pretrial Justice Institute. Attendees enjoyed a very informative and engaging workshop curriculum throughout the conference.
- Board Officers Frank McCormick and Dan Castellini represented the association at the annual NAPSA Conference in Louisville, KY. CAPS President Frank McCormick was acknowledged for his meritorious service and tenure while on the NAPSA Board of Directors.
- The CAPS Board of Directors authorized significant improvements to the CAPS website to significantly enhance utilization of this communication tool to keep the members abreast of current pretrial news and activities. Please visit the improved site at http://www.pretrialservicesca.org.
- The CAPS treasury remained sufficiently healthy and fiscally sound during 2011 and is well positioned to address the association’s ambitious agenda for 2012. Special recognition goes out to the CAPS Conference Committee who donated their time and energy in ensuring a well attended conference and very successful fundraising efforts.
- The CAPS Board of Directors approved the allocation of two (2) additional scholarships for the 2011 Annual Training Conference. This provided the membership with a total of four (4) full scholarships which included funding of the registration fee and lodging expenses. The scholarships were awarded to deserving applicants from a number of our state programs.
- The CAPS Board of Directors successfully secured affiliate funding assistance ($500) from NAPSA to help offset the 2011 training conference related expenses.
One of the major focuses for 2012 will be the incorporation of our professional association. This will allow CAPS to be reimbursed for special projects and work conducted on behalf of the association. The Board of Directors recently reviewed and revised the CAPS By-Laws which have been submitted to an attorney for the initial processing of our incorporation effort.
The 26th Annual Training Conference will be held March 22-24, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Anaheim, California. Please save these important dates. The Board has been working diligently to ensure a great training and networking experience for everyone. Further details will be sent out in a few weeks as we finalize the curriculum. Please send in your membership early to make sure you receive the conference mailing.
Your association needs your support. Your membership ensures that your voice will be heard and your input solicited and valued. Also, we have set an ambitious goal of increasing our current membership level this year. This can only be achieved with your help. Please join. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Frank McCormick
President
