Representatives from all Associations in the Southern Region attended the 2 day Conference under the careful and considerate guidance of Southern Regional Rep Cathy Hurst

President Denise advised that across the country the accreditation rate sits at 33%. The Federation is aiming at 50% accreditation by  June 2018. "It is not about age, If you are committed to being JP then you need to committed to Keeping Up To Date (KU2D) and getting accredited". 

The view from the Conference is that Associations are also challenged by the number who are not willing to stay up to date by attending  KU2D (Keeping Up To Date) education sessions so as to provide the best service possible. The Associations asked  the Royal Federation to consider taking a harder line with these Justices as they have the potential to harm all JP's reputations. Associations exchanged many great ideas about how to support members gaining accreditation.

The new National Manager Tony Pugh advised that they receive about 10 complaints a week about Justices with most about Justices who are not accredited.  

There is a significant increase in the number of financial providers that are contacting the National Manager to identify Justices who have not properly identified themselves by including their name and number on documents.  

Tony shared some interesting statistics which the Federation is using to inform thinking, funding applications and decisions

• On average in the past few months 5 JP's  a day are achieving  accreditation. However in the past couple of weeks this has reduced down to 1 a day in last week.
  
• JP's across the country provide 1152 hours a week on Service Desks.
  
• 2075 JP's  out of 6300 members are accredited. 
  
• The current list of JPs has provided a total of 113000 years service with the average 18 years per JP.
  
• The average age of JPs is 68 across country.
  
• JP's aged under 75 years make up 35 % of all JPs

Our biggest asset is we volunteer our time but we are not volunteers. Federation is seeking more funding from the MOJ  to support us to provide this free service.

Conference attendees discussed following questions and came up with the following ideas.

What does JP service mean to us?

• Be available -Services desks and at home or work. 
  
• Check our details on 'Find a JP' and up date it contact details and availability.
  
• Check the yellow pages and follow the on line steps to correct if needed.
• Keeping Up To Date and gaining accreditation

What are we doing as Nationally and within Associations to serve our community better?

•  Pursuing all members becoming a member of an Association.
  
• Continue to provide and expand ongoing education. 
  
• Inform community more of what we do. Publicise/advertise on the website, service centres, radio stations and in newspapers etc the services we provide. Speak with service and local community groups. 
  
• Match our communities  cultural and geographic demographic.

The  most important aspect of service we can provide is  competence, accuracy, KU2D, availability and ensuring our publicised contact information is current.

"Service is the rent we pay  for living on this earth" Shirley Chisholm

The West Coast JP Association looked after all delegates well including nice weather and a special tour of the Monteith's Brewery. With the white bait season a day old the Canterbury contingent all succumbed to the temptation at the Kumara Hotel on the way home.

Graeme Barber

Communications Convenor