Have you always been interested in courtroom proceedings? Are you a person who watches Court TV with fascination? You may have what it takes to be a Volunteer Bailiff here in Chisago County. If you are 55 years of age or greater, enjoy working with people and would like to be a integral part of making your local courtroom system more efficient -- keep reading.

Volunteers of America of Minnesota's RSVP Volunteer Program and the Chisago County Sheriff's Department and Court Services are instituting a new Volunteer Bailiff Assistant Program.

As each case finishes, the Volunteer Bailiff Assistant takes the case paperwork and insures the defendant fills out their portion correctly. The volunteer bailiff then distributes the paperwork copies to the appropriate parties. This allows the regular, armed bailiff to remain focused on security issues in the courtroom, without distractions. This also allows the next court case to proceed without interruption.

Each volunteer undergoes a required background check and specialized training for their duties. Volunteers serve at least one four-hour shift per week, with shifts running Monday?--?Friday from either 8 a.m.?--?noon, OR 1 p.m.?--?5 p.m. Volunteers who work two shifts in a day receive lunch free. Volunteers also wear an identifying polo shirt and picture i.d. while serving.

The project has been done in Sherburne county with great benefit to the public. Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Blatz, who visited the Sherburne County Volunteer Bailiff Assistant Program, said that what the volunteers do helps people to cope during stressful times. "When people get to court they have anxiety. They don't know where they have to go or whom they have to talk to. These are not small things," she said.

"Some people are very frightened," said volunteer Pat Endres of Becker. "They may only be there for a parking ticket but many of them have never been in the court system before." She believes a smiling face and pleasant voice can sometimes help calm people down. "If we can do anything to make them a little less frightened, it makes me feel good,' said Pat. Pat and her husband, Carl, have been with the program since the beginning. They liked the program because they like working with people. It also allows couples to work together.

Bob Robideu says most of the people he meets in the system are pleasant enough. Some ask a lot of questions. Most are glad to have someone pleasant to make their day in court a little easier. "We help make things run smoothly," said Bob. "We're the first and last contact."

Ed Wortman of Elk River, was the first volunteer to sign up. "I always had an interest in the court system and I still do."

Volunteer Bob Olson said that being a Volunteer Bailiff Assistant is different than any other kind of volunteer work he's done. "It does give you an appreciation of the justice system," he said. "You get a whole different understanding and view of it. Every day is different."

For more information or to sign up to become a Volunteer Bailiff Assistant, please contact: Monique Mendyke, Director, Volunteers of America of Minnesota, RSVP -- East Central Minnesota at (320) 679-1080 or (612) 390-5218, or e-mail at mmendyke@voamn.org.

Volunteers of America of Minnesota is a non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of services to more than 35,000 children and their families, students, adults with special needs, youth and adult ex-offenders and seniors each year. Visit their Web site at www.voamn.org.