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President’s Report

Dear Members of MMACJA, It is with great pride that I have served as President of this remarkable organization for the past year. Since 2000, when I was first elected as Judge for the City of Raytown, I have had the privilege of being a member of MMACJA. Traci Fann Over the years, one of the greatest MMACJA President strengths I’ve witnessed within this Association is its members. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many outstanding individuals from across the state—people I may not have encountered otherwise— and building friendships that I value deeply.

Our Association plays a vital role in connecting judges across Missouri, not only through professional networking but also by providing critical education and training. The continued success and vitality of MMACJA rest in the hands of its dedicated membership. In May 2025, we proudly celebrated our 60th Anniversary—a testament to the enduring commitment and impact of our Association. And we look forward to the years to come.

All of our members are volunteers, working diligently to ensure that this year’s Annual Court Conference is filled with meaningful and practical information for everyone in their official roles. Each event is thoughtfully curated by our conference chairs, who introduce timely and relevant topics.

If there are areas of interest you would like to see covered in future seminars, we encourage you to share your ideas with us.

Contents President’s Report.................................. 2

By-law Amendment to President’s

Advisory Board by Kevin R. Kelly ..............3

Board of Directors..................................3

Proposed Change to By-Laws................4-5 MMACJA 60th Anniversary.............,...6-7

Conference Pictures..........................8-12

Mark Your Calendars .......................... 13

Benchmark Editor: Shannon Norman 819 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. St Peters, MO 63376 636.387.7470

MMACJA Office Jean Harmison Newsletter Coordinator 4730 S. National, Building A1 Springfield, MO 65810 417.886.8606 jean@cmsmgt.com The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the MMACJA, its board of directors, or the editor.

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It is both a privilege and an honor to serve as your President this year. I look forward to working together to further the mission and legacy of MMACJA. Warm regards, Traci Fann President of MMACJA 2

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BYLAW AMENDMENT TO PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY BOARD

by Kevin R. Kelly

The Board of Directors at the March meeting amended the By-Laws of MMACJA to limit the number of the President’s Advisory Committee to six (6) former directors or officers. This amendment will be effective in May 2027.

The President is empowered to appoint any former director or officer to the President’s Advisory Committee.

Members of this committee may attend and participate in board meetings but are not entitled to a vote. Previously, there was no limit to the number of former directors or officers the President could appoint to the Committee.

The amended section is set out below: Article Five Section 5 The President shall be empowered to appoint no more than six (6) former directors or officers as members of the President’s Standing Advisory Committee. These appointments

shall be reserved for members whose active participation on the Board, in the President’s opinion, will assist the President and Board of Directors during the President’s term of office in accomplishing the duties of the Board and the purposes of the Association. Those judges appointed to the President’s Standing Advisory Committee shall receive notice of every meeting of the Board of Directors, including Special Meetings and Votes under Section 6, and shall be permitted to attend and speak but shall have no vote on any matter. Subject to the advice and consent of a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors, the President, in his or her discretion, may confer on any retired member serving on the President’s Standing Advisory Committee, the title of Director Emeritus. Directors Emeritus shall be exempt from the payment of annual dues to the Association, and they shall be compensated for their reasonable registration, food, lodging and mileage expenses for attendance at the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Annual Conference.

2026 Board of Directors

March 2026

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PROPOSED BY-LAWS AMENDMENT The Board of Directors at the March Board meeting passed a proposed by-laws amendment to reduce the size of the board of directors. This amendment was precipitated due to the reduced number of municipalities maintaining their own municipal courts, either eliminating them altogether, have been transferred to another municipality or have been transferred to be heard at the Associate Circuit Court. It was determined the size of the Board of Directors should be reduced.

The by-laws of MMACJA provide that any amendments to Section 1, Article 5 (Board of Directors), and all sections of Article Seven (Elections) require approval of the membership at the annual membership meeting.

Therefore, the amendment is set out below will be presented during the Business meeting at the MMACJA Annual Conference on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The amendment, if approved, would take effect at the May 2027 Conference. First version is the current By-Law with language to be removed stricken and amended language in bold print.

Second version is the by-laws if the amendment is approved.

ARTICLE FIVE – BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1 The Board of Directors shall consist of: 1.

The four (4) officers listed in Article 4.1, 2.

The immediate past-president, the executive secretary when that position is held by a member meeting the qualifications of Article 3.1, 3.

Twelve (12) at-large directors, and 3.

Six (6) at-large directors, and 4.

Thirteen district directors; consisting of two (2) directors from District One and one (1) director from each of the other eleven (11) districts.

4.

Twelve (12) district directors; consisting of two (2) directors from District Three (St. Louis) and one (1) director from each of the other ten (10) districts.

The districts are shown on the state map attached hereto and hereof as Exhibit A and on the District Designations by Circuit and County attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit B (PDF). The at-large directors and district directors shall take office immediately following their election at the annual membership meeting and shall serve one (1) year or until their successor is elected and qualified. A director’s position shall not be deemed vacated solely because during such term their judicial services cease. Each officer’s term on the Board of Directors shall coincide with their respective term as an officer. The immediate past-president and, when eligible, the executive secretary shall serve one (1) year on the Board of Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to vote on any matter before the Board.

The districts are shown by the District Designations by Circuit and County attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A (PDF).

The at-large directors and district directors shall take office immediately following their election at the annual membership meeting and shall serve one (1) year or until their successor is elected and qualified. A director’s position shall not be deemed vacated solely because during such term their judicial services cease. Each officer’s term on the Board of Directors shall coincide with their respective terms as an officer. The immediate pastpresident and, when eligible, the executive secretary shall serve one (1) year on the Board of Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to vote on any matter before the Board.

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ARTICLE SEVEN – ELECTIONS Section 3 Following the election of officers at the annual membership meeting, the election of District Directors shall proceed as follows: 4. Each caucus shall elect one (1) member by plurality vote to serve as that district’s representative; provided the caucus for District One shall elect two (2) members by plurality vote as its district representatives. The caucus chairperson shall report the name of the district representative to the President.

6. Each member shall attend and vote in only one (1) caucus. Each member at the caucus for District One shall have two (2) votes to cast for its district representatives.

ARTICLE SEVEN – ELECTIONS Section 3 Following the election of officers at the annual membership meeting, the election of District Directors shall proceed as follows: 5. Each caucus shall elect one (1) member by plurality vote to serve as that district’s representative; provided the caucus for District Three shall elect two (2) members by plurality as its district representatives. The caucus chairperson shall report the name of the district representative to the President.

6. Each member shall attend and vote in only one (1) caucus. Each member at the caucus for District Three shall have two (2) votes to cast for its district representatives.

ARTICLE FIVE – BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1 The Board of Directors shall consist of: 1.

The four (4) officers listed in Article 4.1, 2.

The immediate past-president, the executive secretary when that position is held by a member meeting the qualifications of Article 3.1, 3.

Six (6) at-large directors, and 4.

Twelve (12) district directors; consisting of two (2) directors from District Three (St. Louis) and one (1) director from each of the other ten (10) districts.

The districts are shown by the District Designations by Circuit and County attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A (PDF). The at-large directors and district directors shall take office immediately following their election at the annual membership meeting and shall serve one (1) year or until their successor is elected and qualified. A director’s position shall not be deemed vacated solely because during such term their judicial services cease. Each officer’s term on the Board of Directors shall coincide with their respective terms as an officer. The immediate past-president and, when eligible, the executive secretary shall serve one (1) year on the Board of Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to vote on any matter before the Board.

ARTICLE SEVEN – ELECTIONS Section 3 Following the election of officers at the annual membership meeting, the election of District Directors shall proceed as follows: 5.

Each caucus shall elect one (1) member by plurality vote to serve as that district’s representative; provided the caucus for District Three

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shall elect two (2) members by plurality as its district representatives. The caucus chairperson shall report the name of the district representative to the President.

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Each member shall attend and vote in only one (1) caucus. Each member at the caucus for District Three shall have two (2) votes to cast for its district representatives.

PROPOSED CHANGE TO BY-LAWS MMACJA DISTRICT DESIGNATIONS BY CIRCUIT AND COUNTY EXHIBIT A TO BY-LAWS

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MMACJA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY In May of 2025 at the annual conference, our organization celebrated 60 years with an elaborate fireworks display and a presentation of the history of the organization by the Honorable Kevin Kelly. In January of 1965, the organization’s formation was announced in the MoBar Bulletin as the Municipal and Traffic Judges Association.

In 1967, the organization began to host an Annual Conference.

In 1969, the organization officially changed its name to Missouri Municipal and Magistrate Judges Association, eventually becoming the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association.

In 1966, Missouri Bar Bulletin announced the first board members of the organization: Judges Albert J. Haller, McCormick V. Wilson, Louis David, Louis Huston, and Paul Panek. That year, the first Missouri & Traffic Judges Journal was published.

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Over the years, the organization’s newsletter became known as the Benchmark.

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2025 ANNUAL COURTS CONFERENCE

MMACJA Past Preseidents

Traci Fann 61st President 8

Dennis Chassaniol Past President

MMACJA M I S S O U R I M U N I C I PA L AND A S S O C I AT E C I R C U I T J U D G E S A S S O C I AT I O N

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2025 ANNUAL COURTS CONFERENCE

March 2026

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March 2026

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2025 ANNUAL COURTS CONFERENCE

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