LOOKING BACK AT 2009
Another year has come and gone, and in addition to counting our many blessings, it is time to reflect on the many achievements your association accomplished in 2009. The following are only some of the achievements of the DSA, the ones I had a part in, whether small or large. Elsewhere in this issue, other directors have outlined some of the other activities they were involved in.

PORAC LDP
One of the most noteworthy benefits that occurred for the membership was joining PORAC’s Level II Legal Defense Plan. This plan, for the small cost of just $2 per payday, gives additional coverage over and above our already excellent legal defense plan. This plan covers all costs associated with a criminal prosecution instituted against a member for actions committed during the course and scope of his or her employment.

Our pre-existing plan covered lawyer’s fees only, but would not have covered the costs of independent investigations or expert witnesses; costs that can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a lengthy criminal case. Your legal coverage is now the best in the state with the combination of the DSA’s plan plus PORAC’s Level II plan.

GIVING BACK
Charitable work is an area your Association has long been involved in and there were two this year that particularly stand out for me. We partnered with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for their Great Strides Walk. Enlisting the assistance of elected officials and former Miss California Carrie Prejean, we raised over $5,000 for this great cause. Another charitable partnership we were involved in was Chili’s Create-a-Pepper event, which benefits Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. In one short evening at the restaurant, we were able to raise over $500 for this worthy cause.

CHAPLAINS
An accomplishment I am particularly gratified with is teaming with the Sheriff’s Chaplains. Our meetings now routinely open with an invocation, and we have been blessed to get to know many chaplains we would otherwise not have occasion to meet. Each month, the chaplain’s report appears in the Silver Star, and it is a welcome addition to our magazine. Many members inform me it is the first thing they read when they receive the Star.

Of course there are also all of the day-to-day operations that are required in running an association of this size: board meetings, committee meetings, meetings with elected officials, meetings with attorneys, phone calls from attorneys, phone calls from members, phone calls from other directors, and phone calls to other directors are all just some of the activities that make up my duties as your director. When all is said and done, it is gratifying to do the work of this association and I thank you for the privilege of serving you. 