Sixth Annual County and District Clerks' Association of Texas Fall Conference

Welcome and Announcements - Hon. Julie Smith, Potter County Clerk

Welcome from Brazos County - Hon. Duane Peters, Brazos County Judge

Invocation - Hon. Chuck Konderla, Brazos County Commissioner, Pct. 2

Presentation of Colors - Brazos County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard

National Anthem - Mr. Johnny Saculla

Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge - Hon. Chuck Konderla, Brazos County Commissioner, Pct. 2

Turning the Tails on Terror in Our Uncertain and Scary World
Mr. Michael Hingson, New York Times Best-Selling Author and 9/11 Survivor

As a survivor of the 9/11 tragedy, as well as a person who happens to be blind, Michael Hingson has captivated audiences worldwide with his unique perspective on life and relationships. He will provide guidance on exploring how we may sabotage our own efforts, and how fear, courage, denial, trust, beliefs and philosophies have a tremendous impact on our personal lives, on our organizations and our world.

Moving From Diversity to Inclusion: Accessibility and Inclusion For All
Mr. Michael Hingson, New York Times Best-Selling Author and 9/11 Survivor

In this second session, Michael Hingson, a subject matter expert on inclusion and assistive technology for persons who happen to be blind, shows us that diversity is not enough. He illustrates why it is time to move from diversity to real Inclusion on the job and in our lives. Take aways from this session include ideas about how to gain loyal and hard-working employees as well as how to help make the existing workforce more welcoming to those who are different from them.

Your Move: Effectively Responding to Inmate Correspondence
Mr. Demetri Anastasiadis, Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Wichita County

Inmates use documents as tools to challenge their judgment and sentence and conditions of confinement. Government officials have an interest in competently processing inmate documents relevant to such disputes. Accordingly, it is important that district and county clerks process inmate communications with diligence and in a manner that instills confidence that clerks are knowledgeable in their duties and administer such duties effectively for everyone including those who are incarcerated.

HR Session: Ways to Hire the Right People and Keep Them During Tough Times
Dr. Shellie McNabb, Owner, McNabb Enterprises

This session comes with a specific goal of assessing workplace needs, environments, cultures and stakeholders. Hiring good team members is a collaborative effort with long-term goals in mind. It should be the mission of the organization to acquire the right people and guide those team members through all seasons of life, professional and those the world imposes. The objective of this session is to suggest real-world tools that the organization can implement, creating the necessary environment in great teams doing great work!

All Things Service of Citations
Hon. Michael A. Truitt, Denton County Constable, Pct. 2

This class is an overview of what happens with civil process once it is received by a sheriff's office, constable's office or a private process server. This class will discuss the process of receiving civil process, the different ways that civil process may be delivered to a defendant, and how the returns should be filled out and returned to the court.

All Weird Writs
Ms. Jennifer Balido, Assistant District Attorney, Chief, Appelate Division, Dallas County District Attorney's Office

Did you ever get a filing and think, "What in the world is this?" or "What is that lawyer/criminal defendant/civil litigant trying to pull now?" Welcome to the world of All Weird Writs. Dallas County DA's Office Appellate Division Chief Jennifer Balido will try to make sense of the use of these archaic legal vehicles in the modern legal world.

Transfers and Senate Bill 41 Cleaned Up
Hon. Sharena Gilliland, Parker County District Clerk

This session will provide updates on implementing House Bill 3474 and Senate Bill 1612, specifically as they relate to transfers and fees.

A Night at the Museum: Reception at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Sponsored by Kofile Technologies

Access the Presidential Library and enjoy the current displays: "A Century of Aggie Football" and "Honor, Courage, Commitment: Marine Corps Art."

Transportation provided to and from host hotel. First bus leaves at 5:45 p.m.

9-10 a.m. House Bill 616: Petit and Grand Jury Training
Hon. Sharena Gilliland, Parker County District Clerk
In compliance with House Bill 616, instruction and information in impaneling petit and grand juries, including changes from House Bill 3474.

10-10:30 a.m. District Clerk Roundtable
Hon. Bobbye Christopher, Polk County District Clerk
Hon. Sharena Gilliland, Parker County District Clerk
Hon. Edith Wagner-Harrison, Lampasas County District Clerk

Dropoff Wills and Wills for Safe Keeping
Hon. Karren Winter, Archer County Clerk

Clerks' responsibilities for the safekeeping of wills. What happens when someone wants the clerk to keep safe a will? What happens when an attorney decides to retire and drops off all the wills she has been safekeeping? Join this presentation to learn the answers to these questions.

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 Payment of Costs Not Required - Inability to Pay Court Costs
Mr. Pablo Javier Almaguer, Attorney, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA)
Hon. Laura Hinojosa, Hidalgo County District Clerk
Hon. Velva L. Price, Tavis County District Clerk
Ms. Mary Christine Reed, Director, TRLA

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 145 Payment of Costs Not Required provides low-income Texans access to the courthouse. The Texas Supreme Court updated the Rule and the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs form in 2021. Legal aid attorneys will provide an overview of the Rule, explain what costs are covered and proper procedures for contesting the Statement, highlight recent developments including the Public Information website and Interpreter coverage, and address the common concerns and questions of clerks. They will be followed by district clerks, who will provide their perspectives on the practical aspects of Rule 145.