Present Judge Dan Narum
Dennis Herbeck Paul Ronningen Judge Sonja Clapp Judge Doug Mattson Connie Portscheller Dave McGeary Cheryl Kulas
Absent Robin Huseby Judge David Reich Peter Welte
Judge Clapp, Chair of CIP, called the meeting to order. She asked for comments on the
minutes from June 12, 2007, meeting. One correction was made: Connie Portscheller was not
listed on the previous minutes as being absent at the meeting. With that notation, Paul
Ronningen moved to approve minutes; Connie Porscheller seconded. Minutes approved.
Next item of business was sub-committee reports. ICWA sub-committee, Dennis
Herbeck, chair: Dennis indicated he could not get a meeting of the sub-committee pulled together
prior to this meeting today. A sub-committee meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2007.
Dennis identified sub-committee members: Theresa Snyder, Brad Peterson, Cheryl Kulas, Vince
Gillette, Karen Kringlie, and Judge Christofferson. He indicated that invitations would be sent
out to the tribal ICWA workers. He indicated that the group would continue the work of the
previous sub-committee. Louie advised the committee about the Juvenile Policy Board efforts to get ICWA Active
Efforts language added to NDCC 27-20.
GAL sub-committee - Dave McGeary, chair: Dave reported that he had convened a
planning committee July 25. Dave received input as to who should be on the sub-committee:
Brad Swenson, Lanny Serrano, James Schnabel, Pat Podoll, Dale Rivard, Vince Ament, Larry
Bernhardt, Justin Roness, John Grinsteiner and Barb Oliger. A meeting is set for November 15,
2007. Dave identified a few of the topics that the sub-committee will discuss: Quality of
Representation, Future funding, Roles and Responsibilities.
Education and Training sub-committee - Robin Huseby, chair: Robin was not at the
meeting; however, Lee Ann Barnhardt, Education and Special Projects Coordinator, who staffs
this sub-committee, submitted a report of activity. It was dispersed to the members present. The
report identified the following activities: Lay GAL Training Conference, Attorney Training and
Regional Workshops. It also made reference to two conferences coming up in 2008: ICWA
Conference, January 29-31, 2008 and Children's Justice Conference, July 22-24, 2008. See
attached report.
Data Collection and Analysis sub-committee: Paul Ronningen, chair: Paul reported that
he has not scheduled a meeting as of yet, but has some folks in mind to invite and is starting to
identify certain types of data.
Next, the sub-committees received additional volunteers to serve from the full CIP
committee: ICWA: Connie Portscheller Education: Judge Mattson Data Collection: Judge Narum
The committee assigned the recommendations from the Chief Justice's Children's Justice
Initiative Task Force to the sub-committees for follow up an monitoring:
#1 Support Meaningful, Ongoing Collaboration: Paul and Louie continue
to meet frequently and will be responsible for: 1a; ICWA sub-committee
will monitor 1b and 1c.
#2 Facilitate Access to Justice: already addressed by Rule.
#3 Measure Court Performance: Data Collection and Analysis sub-committee assigned.
#4 Ensure Effective Representation for all parties: GAL sub-committee
assigned.
#5 Utilize Legal Guardianship as a Permanency Option: GAL sub-committee assigned.
#6 Comply with ICWA Requirements: ICWA sub-committee assigned.
#7 Explore Alternatives to an Adversarial Process: Education and Training
sub-committee assigned.
#8 Provide Resources to Support a Seamless System of Service: Data
Collection and Analysis sub-committee assigned.
Louie informed the committee that funding was available for up to three folks from each
state to attend the Agencies and Courts Conference in Washington D.C., December 10-13, 2007.
Louie and Judge Clapp have already registered and there was room for one more. If anyone is
interested, let Louie know very soon.
The committee set the meetings for 2008: March 14, 2008; July 21, 2008; and November
14, 2008. No other business. Motion to adjourn: Connie Portscheller, Paul Ronningen, seconded.
Meeting adjourned.