REVIEW BOARD MEMBER
Job Description

Agency Description
The Court Diversion program is a confidential, voluntary alternative to the formal court process for eligible offenders. Most participants are charged with a misdemeanor, first-time offense, although felony offenses and persons with prior charges may be eligible in certain circumstances. The program is community-base, county-wide, and is responsive to the needs of victims and the municipalities of Bennington County, while promoting accountability on the part of our participants.

Volunteer Duties
Review Board Members serve regularly on the Court Diversion citizen Review Board. After reviewing the case summary and background investigation information, Review Board Members interview Diversion candidates by asking questions that will effectively elicit information as well as offer the offender an opportunity to learn from the context of the questions. Board members vote whether to accept or reject each case for Diversion. Upon acceptance, board members collectively discuss and decide appropriate mandates for each participant, keeping in mind the type of offense, circumstances involved, the victim's requests, and suitability. Volunteers may be asked to assist in special fundraising activities, as needed.

Qualifications
Prospective Board Members will be interviewed by the Program Director and/or designee and are required to observe at least one full Review Board Meeting. After a member has participated in three full Review Board meetings, the Program Director and/or designee will evaluate the member's appropriateness for continued participation as a permanent Diversion Review Board member.

Volunteers are expected to be familiar with the contents of the Court Diversion Training Guide and to keep up-to-date on matters pertaining to the Program (newsletters, memoranda, etc). Ongoing, information supervision and evaluation of performance will be provided as needed. Review Board Members are encouraged to attend in-service training sessions offered by the Program and to take advantage of other available training materials.

Knowledge and Skills
Respect for confidentiality is mandatory. Good interviewing and communication skills are a must. Objectivity, common sense, compassion, concern, and a fair sense of justice are important traits of Court Diversion Review Board Members. Awareness of community resources within Bennington County is very helpful.