History of the Association, cont'd    


History of the Association, cont'd.

By February of 1989, nearly ten years after the official formation, the membership had grown to 530 members. The Association continued to conduct educational sessions throughout the state. Barbara Hodom is the current President in 1989 and the Corporation further amended it's by-laws on February 20, 1989 and then again on October 15, 1990. In October of 1992, the Association was granted sales and income tax exemption by the IRS and New York State; further acknowledging it's status as an educational organization.

Since it's inception in 1979, the primary objective of the Association has been education. To further that goal, the Association regularly disseminates educational materials to the members. Initially, that was accomplished by sending material to clerks via the State Magistrate's magazine, the "Magistrate." Subsequently, during the term of President Bonnie Reed in 1984, the Association established their own magazine, the "Docket." The "Docket' became the official medium of the Association with Patricia Coffey as it's first Editor. Amelia Harter succeeded Patricia Coffey in 1988 and continues in the capacity as Editor today.

Now in 2004, awaiting the 25th anniversary, the Association has over 840 members. In addition to the Presidents mentioned above, Arnold Bronstorph, Barbara Renaldo, Joyce Mahoney, Lynette Lemcke, Sharon Wilder, Richard Szarowicz and Terri Bolt rose to the Presidency of the Association. The current President, Mary Shufelt took office in 2002.

 Today the Association continues to reach out to Town and Village court clerks across New York State in a continued effort to educate. In conjunction with the Unified Court System, the State Magistrate's Association and the various state agencies that serve the Town and Village Courts, the Association conducts training sessions statewide and regionally. In keeping with the current automation process, the courts are working closely with the various agencies to bring all of our members into the 21st century.  We hope that this brief synopsis conveys our history and we urge the reader to join with the members of this great Association in writing the history for our third decade.

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