JudiciaryProfessional Development Conference

On November 21-22,2022,the Judiciaryheld its Professional Development Conference at the Kensington Hotel in Saipan.The Mental Health Court Docket ("MHCD") team kicked off the conference with an introduction and overview of their docket and an explanation of communitybased treatment programs. Afterwards,MHCDled the team building exercise. The conference consisted of a full-daybreakout session with the topicsof the Strategic Plan: Accessto Justice,Capital Improvements,CommunityOutreach Programs,Court Technologyand Data Systems,Human Resourcesand Professional Workplace,Maintaining Fair and Efficient Case Flow and Time Standards,and Treatment Courts.On the second day,the conference began with four breakout sessionsin the morning.The categorieswere PublicSpeaking,Mindfulness,Court Branding and Self-Defense.After the breakout sessions ended,the Judiciarystaff assembled in the main hall for the first of two plenarysessionsof the day.

Carmen Ulloa-Kasperbauer,MPA,and Suki Lau Santos, Mental Health Counselor,gave presentationson Emotional Quotient ("EQ"). The Judiciaryhaspartnered with the PacificJudicial Council in its"Focuson Emotional Quotient"program.Developing EQhelps individualsunderstand,use,and manage emotionsin a positive way.There are five basiccomponentsof EQ: (1) Self-Awareness,(2) Self-Control,(3) Empathy,(4) Social Intelligence,(5) and Motivation.

Shawn Quimby,former Chief Information Officer ("CIO") of Cimarex Energy,delivered the next plenarysession on Cybersecurity.Cybersecurityinvolvesprotecting computer systems,networksand data against cyber criminals.There are numerouswaysto protect personal and important information,such ascreating strong passwords,using antivirussoftware,data back up,keeping your software up to date,etc.