2009 PISA Symposium March 27-29 Williamsburg, VA

Because Virginia's DCJS is not sponsoring their annual conference this year due to the financial strain of the economy, the PISA symposium will be the only opportunity to opt in for a variety of in-service training hours which are required by DCJS for continuing education through this type of format. Details of the symposium can be viewed at this link.
http://www.pisa.gen.va.us/symposium.html
While PISA has always had a strong PI presence, PISA stands for Private Investigators and Security Association and encompasses all DJCS regulatory branches including Bail Bondsmen, Bail Enforcement, Security Officer, Private Investigator, Special Conservator of the Peace, Personal Protection, Compliance Officer, Canine Handler and the newest group to join the state's regulatory agency, Locksmiths. PISA is for all of us, not just Private Investigators.
I was at a committee meeting today and had the opportunity to visit the Marriott at Williamsburg and I can tell you it's a very nice location. The hotel is beautiful and the staff was exceptionally attentive. Room rates for the symposium is about half price of the usual rates. It's location, close to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg/Jamestown and other area attractions, make this symposium a good opportunity to combine business with a family get away.
PISA wants to invite all those regulated by DCJS to attend this conference. The symposium is also open to all those who are interested in becoming licensed in one of the DCJS Private Security Services including the criminal justice students currently attending any of the CR programs in Virginia are also welcome to attend.
In order to anticipate how many will be attending, a free pre registration is going to be advertised shortly.
PISA operates as a collective voice to DCJS both in watching legislation and in protecting the advantages our industry currently enjoys.
You don't have to be a member of PISA to attend the symposium, although it does come with benefits including a discounted rate for the symposium. There are going to be plenty of vendors who will be participating as well as networking opportunities. I was expressly asked to encourage the Virginia based Bail Bondsmen and Bail Enforcement industry to attend and participate in this symposium
Jenifer.

_________________
Jenifer Jewell
AT YOUR SERVICE BAIL BONDS & RECOVERY
Private Investigator/Bail Enforcement Agent/Bail Bonds
DCJS 99-183465
Virginia

Good things.........thanks for the heads up Jen!


P.S. Your cup-o-noodles is in the mail

Ok Jenifer... thanks for that info.

As usual... I am into the questions... I know virtually nothing about this organization... I just read a bit about them on 'their' website and as a bondsman only... I am evaluating their relation to me and my business. Their obvious tie to DCJS in Virginia is certainly reason for me to be interested in their 'agenda' but I want more...

So I am sure there are members here who are familiar with this organization.

I would appreciate some input and your take on this group.

I might mention that I am seriously considering working on my PI license... I have found that anything of an associated business nature would certainly give me an additional 'edge' and an often times needed source of information and insight and besides... it might even be "fun" as well as... can I say... rewarding?

BTW Jenifer... did you contact those folks I told you about??? I do recommend them.

_________________
Bill Marx, Sr.
"FREE STATE BAIL BONDS"
"FREE STATE INVESTIGATIONS"
DCJS: 99-176979
Cell: 434-294-0222

"Endeavor to Persevere" "Lone Watie"

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that , comes from bad judgment" "Will Rogers"

A little history -- at least as much as know --
PISA was primarily a NOVA group until last year when they decided to open a Tidewater chapter. Its been a slow start but the group is growing and establishing a presence in SE VA. I am certain PISA is open to developing other area chapters in the state.
They have open meetings and I have tried in the past to induce Bail Bondsmen and BEA's to attend their meetings..but so far to no avail.
I wrote the President of PISA this morning to recommended that should they get enough interest from BB's and BEA's that they alter their training schedule to include training credits more specific to these fields. They still have time to make changes in the symposium training seminars.
I was at one DCJS conference where Bail Enforcement held training but this was before I was involved in this aspect of the profession so I don't remember who it was in Virginia Beach. Perhaps someone here can take credit for that.
Everywhere in VA the Bondsmen/BEA's are complaining about how the economy and pretrial is affecting their profession, yet, I am not aware of any effective grass roots organization which is truly an effective watch dog group to protect their interest under DCJS. I am sure there must be, but I have not yet been approached to join such a group.
Sometimes even a single word in proposed regulation text can alter the outcome of the whole agenda. Such was the case with the canine handlers who's training in the military could not be used to qualify for VA's canine handlers certification as the text was proposed. PISA brought his to their attention and the proposed text was changed to include the previous training, since it is well known that most drug/bomb canine handlers received their experience and training though the military.
If pretrial is not working and we can statistics to prove it, then this should be brought up to DCJS. Doing this via a professional organization has much more impact than a few individuals just bemoaning the fact.
The keynote speaker at this symposium, Leonard Cooke, reappointed by Gov Kaine, is the man who is in charge of DCJS. What better time to show to him, that BB's and BEA's have an additional presence in the regulating community.
Dave Adelman, President of PISA, is very approachable with ideas and suggestions. His contact information is on their web site. Like everything else in life, you get out of something exponentially what you put into it. If more needs to be done for BB and BEA's then effort could be put in though PISA and other state BB/BEA organizations.
Jenifer

_________________
Jenifer Jewell
AT YOUR SERVICE BAIL BONDS & RECOVERY
Private Investigator/Bail Enforcement Agent/Bail Bonds
DCJS 99-183465
Virginia

Very good info Jenifer...

I will be there and I will try and get my son and daughter and maybe my son in law... all bondsmen involved...

... only other comment at this time..........."squeaky wheel gets the grease"

I will be back from Florida by then and my wife said... "Oh... Williamsburg!!!... take the camper... the dog... the parrots... all my paperbacks and I can relax while you go to your meeting...."

So, baring any unforeseen ... I will be there...

Would they be upset if I brought a couple of Parrots to the meeting........???????? (please, just kidding)

_________________
Bill Marx, Sr.
"FREE STATE BAIL BONDS"
"FREE STATE INVESTIGATIONS"
DCJS: 99-176979
Cell: 434-294-0222

"Endeavor to Persevere" "Lone Watie"

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that , comes from bad judgment" "Will Rogers"