Announcements

Mobilize NH: HB1599

Your voice is needed!

New Hampshire’s Special Marriage Officiant bill, HB1599, is expected to come before the House of Representatives for a vote tomorrow. And then it will go to the Senate. That’s where we come in. We’ll need all NH JPs to get involved if we want to defeat this legislation.
We have a Zoom call scheduled for Monday to answer your questions, and talking points to help you focus your message.  Read more about our strategy and get the details.

Statement on Racial Injustice from JPus’ Managing Member

Along with the rest of the country and world, I have watched the recent harrowing events unfold, and felt anguish and anger. George Floyd’s horrific murder, and the callousness of the police officers on scene who failed to intervene to save his life, illustrate the most heinous parts of our society.

I believe with all my heart that, in the words of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, “No one is free until we are all free.” Like many of you, I routinely put these values to practice in my daily life. But that is not enough. To make change, each one of us must speak out and be heard — in all aspects of our lives.

In light of this, where does the Justice of the Peace Association fit in? JPus and findaJP were built upon a foundation of love. All love. Quoting MLK again, “We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love…” We stand against racism and discrimination and will work for the change we want to see. We are an inclusive organization that believes in equality of all people. And our activities must reflect these values.

How can our marriage-focused organization be a part of the solution to end racism and discrimination? Our team is finding our voice and determining what steps we should take to do better.

First Steps:

• We strengthened our policies to better reflect our beliefs.
• We are revising the Code of Ethics that all members agree to when they join the Justice of the Peace Association. They are currently in DRAFT form, and we invite members to comment before we finalize them.
• Please view the DRAFT of the revised Code of Ethics and send me an email with your feedback.

Next Steps:

• Formally updating the Code of Ethics
• Implicit bias training for officiants

We also renew our commitment to ensure that our space is welcoming and safe for people of color. We encourage all members of our community to join us in solidarity with our friends and neighbors and to speak out and demand policies and laws that address systematic racism. Some steps we can all take include:

• Join peaceful protests to let your voice be heard.
• Contact your legislators.
• Have conversations. Even if they are uncomfortable.
• Support organizations that address racial inequality. A couple that we like:
  NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Color of Change

I always welcome your calls and emails, but especially during this time. Together we will be better by working for the change we want to see.
In health and safety,
Loretta

Loretta Jay
Managing Member
203.255.7703
lorettajay@JPus.org

Related Links

• Member support article Exploring Our Own Implicit Bias
• The Justice of the Peace Association’s Code of Ethics

Draft – Revised Code of Ethics

As part of the Justice of the Peace Association’s efforts to be a part of the solution to eradicate racism and discrimination, we have updated our Terms of Use policy. We are also revisiting our Code of Ethics. The existing language requires members to act in clients’ best interest and in ways that reflect favorably on self and others. As part of our plan to take an active role addressing racism and discrimination, we are now making our expectations more explicit. Following is a DRAFT revised Code of Ethics. Before we finalize it, we invite our members to please review and provide any feedback or suggestions before June 26, 2020.

DRAFT Code of Ethics

As a member of the Justice of the Peace Association LLC, www.JPus.org, having accepted the state authorized responsibility to officiate marriage ceremonies, I will faithfully discharge my duties with both competence and integrity.

I resolve that I will adhere to the following standards of conduct:

• To execute the statutes of the State in which I am empowered, as promised when I took the oath of office
• To perform all tasks and responsibilities to the best of my ability
• To complete and submit all documentation accurately, on time and to the proper authorities
• To be honest with my clients and to act in their best interests
• To charge a fee for my services that reflects my expertise, effort, time and involvement in the preparation and performance of my duties and that is in compliance with state statute, if applicable
• To always act in a manner that reflects favorably on myself, my office, and the Justice of the Peace Association
• To treat people of all backgrounds and identities fairly and with respect.

Acts of discrimination by omission or commission toward any individual or group based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics.

Related Links

• The current Code of Ethics
• The rules governing enforcement of violations to the Code of Ethics are explained in our Terms of Use Policy
• Issues that JPus actively fights for on our Advocacy page

Coronavirus Update #3

Updated May 13, 2020
We are approaching two months of Stay Home Stay Safe orders, and our state leaders are exploring how communities can begin to safely resume some activity. It is likely that we’ll be socially distancing for quite some time – maybe even a year or two. With this in mind, the Justice of the Peace Association is focusing on marriage officiant guidance that is safe and sustainable.
Our strategy is two-fold. We’re advocating with state governments to identify and implement policies that facilitate marriages during the pandemic. And, in conjunction with federal agencies, we are developing safety protocols for all marriage officiants to follow.

Municipal and State Operations

In order for marriage ceremonies to happen during COVID, municipal offices need to maintain operations: receiving intentions/applications and issuing licenses, and then processing the completed documentation. While many wedding celebrations must be postponed, steps need to be taken to facilitate essential marriages now. Consequently, JPus is advocating to state leaders in the executive and legislative branches to improve protocols and communication.
We maintain that professional officiants can be trusted to act responsibly and follow the CDC’s and local/state government’s guidance. Similarly, we are differentiating ourselves from amateur officiants who don’t have the professional training and mindset that sets us apart. Please do your part by fully complying with CDC recommendations while performing essential marriages.

Mitigating Risk

Members of the Justice of the Peace Association agree to abide by our Code of Ethics. This includes acting in the best interest of clients, and in a manner that reflects favorably on themselves, their office and the Justice of the Peace Association. Medical professionals have advised that we can carry COVID with no symptoms, which means that when out in public, we should assume we have it, and assume everyone else has it, too. We need to conduct ourselves accordingly.
JPus is coordinating with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to develop a COVID certification for marriage officiants. This would have two purposes:
★ Safety: Providing the steps for officiants to mitigate risk when performing a marriage ceremony.
★ Assurance: So clients know that the officiant has completed appropriate training, to keep all parties safe
It is important that JPs (and notaries in Maine and Florida) follow the guidance provided when performing marriages. Otherwise, our efforts to represent members is undermined, and our argument that some rules should be loosened because professionals can be trusted is called into question.

Related Links

★ JPus’ COVID-19 pages, regularly updated with resources and support for marriage officiants
★ Be a part of the coronavirus-management conversation with fellow officiants in JPus’ members-only Facebook group
★ Face masks for the officiant and marriage couple. Made by JPus’ seamstress in quality satin fabrics
★ Follow JPus’ Facebook page for coronavirus news and updates

Coronavirus Update #2

As we enter the third week of distancing ourselves from each other, it is becoming clearer that we’re in this for the long haul. There will not be a quick fix, and how we navigate our new normal will affect our own personal health and safety, as well as that of our loved ones and community.
This pandemic is testing our resolve, and that of our communities. Marriage officiants must confront this reality and consider multiple factors.

Physical safety and community health

Whether it is our own personal health, or that of our loved ones, safety must come first. Similarly, recognizing our personal responsibility to limit the spread of this deadly virus is critical. Content on our COVID-19 resources page is continuously being updated and has links to reputable sources with information.

Performing marriages

We recognize that some marriages are essential. Accessing health insurance coverage is a benefit that for many can only be secured through marriage. This need will only increase as millions lose their job because of this crisis. Military deployments and legal rights that come through marriage are other reasons. Our lives feel uncertain, and the pandemic is forcing people to confront their mortality. Marrying one’s love can give a huge sense of comfort and alleviate anxiety about the future.
For marriages to take place during Stay Home orders, there must be an acknowledgement and coordination between state and municipal governments, and officiants who are able and willing to perform them. See JPus’ article about closed town buildings that has state-by-state information. We also have 5 Things to Do if performing weddings during this time. Not to be repetitive, but the COVID-19 page is the centralized hub for up-to-date information.
You may also choose to let your couples know about findaJP’s new COVID-19 page which has resources specifically for them.

Staying Connected

I’ve been reading about different ways to think about social distancing. A better term is physical distancing, because that is what we all must do. Nonetheless, maintaining our social connections is imperative, for our own well-being, and to help us navigate these challenging circumstances. This Friday, April 3rd, JPus is hosting our first members-only Zoom happy hour! It will be held from 6:00-7:00 EST. We’ll start with Q&A, so you can ask questions of the JPus team and fellow officiants, and of course networking too. Details and login information are available on this page. Please note that because it is for members only, you must be logged into JPus to access the information on the page.
Please know that JPus continues our work to support you during these unprecedented times.
Be well and safe,
Loretta Jay
JPus Managing Member