​PRESIDENT’S CORNER

BY kate weaver (oakland)

Thank You!

I would like to thank all members who attended the annual RAM conference at The H Hotel in May of 2023.  We had record-setting attendance with 82 Referees from all over the state participating.  The conference received rave reviews in evaluations complimenting the hotel, speakers, food, and content.  With a look toward future conferences, Referees hoped for new content, including more juvenile-specific content, and suggested various new locations.

We announced our conference location for RAM Conference 2024, at the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, on May 15, 2024 – May 17, 2024.  Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.  I am excited for our membership to experience a new venue coupled with some great speakers and guests. 

Our Board is going into their second year of their terms and reflects as follows:

• President: Kate Weaver works in Oakland County as a Domestic Referee. She has been on the RAM Board since 2015. She is co-chair of the Conference Committee and formerly chair of the Law and Court Rules Committee.
  
  
• Vice President: Janet Mendez works in Ingham County as a Domestic Referee. She has been on the RAM Board since 2017. She served as the Secretary since 2017.​
  
  
• Treasurer: Amanda Kole works in Macomb County as a Domestic Referee. She is a former RAM President and is dedicated to the Board. She is our long-standing Treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee.
  
  
• Secretary: Melissa Sytsma works in Cass County as a Domestic Referee. She has been on the RAM Board since 2019. She is a newly elected Secretary and an Assistant Editor of the Referees Quarterly.

Members at Large

• Ilyssa Cimmino works in Oakland County as a Domestic Referee and serves as the Social Committee chair.  She is newly appointed as a member at large. Welcome Ilyssa!
  
  
• Lisa Harris works in Oakland County as a Juvenile Referee. She is co-chair of the Law and Court Rule Committee. 
  
  
• Sahera Housey works in Oakland County as a Domestic Referee. She is a Past President and co-chair of the Conference Committee.
  
  
• Agnes Jury works in Mason County as a Domestic Referee. She is working on the Communications Committee and contributing to the Referees Quarterly. 
  
  
• Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy works in Oakland County as a Domestic Referee. She is a Past President and former chair of the Membership Committee. She is working on the Membership Committee. 
  
  
• Tyler Martinez works in Oakland County as a Domestic Referee and is chair of the Communications Committee and Editor of the Referees Quarterly.
  
  
• Lynn Perry works in Kent County as a Domestic Referee. She is a long-serving RAM Board member and serves on the Child Welfare Board.
  
  
• Stephanie Witucki works in Wayne County as a Domestic Referee and serves as the chair of the Membership Committee.

Thank you again to those who are serving on the Board. Please reach out to any of us if you would like to participate in RAM more, we are always looking for help.  Board and Committee member contact information can be found here.  

Sincerely,
Kate Weaver