WASHINGTON STATE ASSOCIATION OF YOUTH COURTS

The officers of the Washington State Association for Youth Courts held a two-day retreat in Seattle on April 13 and 14, 2012 to set forth proposed long and short terms plans for the association. These included President Terri Cooper from Cheney, Student President Amy Pollard from Bellingham, Vice President Tracey Lassus from Port Angeles, Secretary/Treasurer Susan Goettsch from Granite Falls and Special Advisor, Margaret Fisher, Seattle. On Friday night, Matt Etter joined us. He is one of six law students from Seattle University School of Law, heavily involved in the new Seattle Youth Traffic Court.

Here is a link to the Whatcom County Teen Court Facebook page. It's a work in progress! If your youth court has a Facebook page, please feel free to share the link here, as well as tips and ideas on how to effectively use social media in promoting youth courts! https://www.facebook.com/WhatcomCountyTeenCourt

Dave Wood passed away this fall, leaving a legacy of hope.  Dave was the director of Sky Valley Resources based in Sultan, Washington.  Several years ago, he founded "The Giving Tree," which became one of his favorite projects. He would spend hours and hours after work buying, sorting and wrapping thousands of Christmas gifts for local children in need. This year in honor of Dave Wood and his work developing the Sky Valley Youth Court program, the WSAYC board voted to donate $50 to the Giving Tree.  Susan Goettsch, WSAYC board secretary/treasurer was able to double that donation through additional contributions at her workplace.

Treasurer/Secretary Susan Goettsch filed the annual report with the Washington State's Secretary of State's Office.

On the chilly morning of November 19th, student representatives from youth courts around Washington state assembled in Bellevue for the annual WSAYC Training Day. In the morning, student representatives tackled the challenge of a ropes course or a climbing wall, while adult representatives held a meeting to address issues of concern to adult coordinators of youth courts. The Bellevue Youth Court had organized the location and made arrangements for this event. Funding from the Washington Judges Foundation supported the costs of event. After a delicious lunch of doughnut holes and delicatessen, students and adults gathered for an anti-bullying workshop put on by Atlanta-based Heather Schultz, a widely-acclaimed speaker on youth issues. Ms. Schultz's participation was made possible by a grant to the Clallam County Youth Court from the Ben & Myrtle Walkling Foundation. At the end of the day, students and adults attended an Association meeting where motions to amend the by-laws ...