Survey: Friends and Family
One of the nice things about being a part of a professional membership association is the connectedness with fellow JPs and notaries. We share stories. We hear about the good – and the not-so-good. We learn and we grow and we benefit. One such story is the officiant who performs a ceremony for their family member. As an example, perhaps you’ve noticed the photo to the right, which is also on this website’s homepage slider. This is our co-founder, Saul Haffner, officiating at his granddaughter Abby’s wedding to Mike. This opportunity gave Saul so much joy, and Abby treasures the memory.
When Saul did Abby’s wedding, he was already a pro. Alternatively, sometimes the officiant is a newbie. They are either so overcome with the love that they get hooked and continue performing weddings for others. Or, was it a once-was-enough, been there, done that?
Take the Survey
We’d like to quantify these subjective stories. Whether or not you’ve performed a wedding for a friend or family member, please complete our survey.
VT Action Alert – Child Marriage
CALL TO ACTION in VERMONT
End Child Marriage
Ask the YOUR REPRESENTATIVE to Vote YES on H 148
Your steps
- Call or e-mail YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
- Let the know who you are and where you live and what you do
- Ask them to vote YES on H 148 – Raising the Age of Marriage to 18
Talking Points
- As a professional marriage officiant or town clerk, you are faced with the ethical dilemma: performing a ceremony that you know is not in the best interest of the minor child or violating the law by refusing.
- This is about legal rights, NOT about maturity.
- A child cannot retain an attorney, access domestic violence shelters, or sign a lease on a rental. If married, child protective services cannot protect them.
- We do not want Vermont to become the destination marriage state in the Northeast for child traffickers to further their control over their victims.
Related Links
- See JPus’ advocacy and legislative activity about child marriage in Vermont
- Watch the workshop about child marriage in Vermont, recorded on January 25, 2023
NH Bill to End Child Marriage
On January 22, 2023, the Justice of the Peace Association submitted testimony to New Hampshire’s Children and Family Law Committee in support of HB34. The legislation would change the minimum age to marry in the state to 18 – no exceptions. Read JPus’ testimony.
Related Links
- Information about our advocacy and partnerships for officiants about child and forced marriage.
- JPus has been on the forefront of legislative activity to end child marriage in other states
- Follow our state-by-state changes to marriage laws
- How membership voted to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage
- Education and training for officiants about child and forced marriage
Child Marriage Workshop – Connecticut
February 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Join the Justice of the Peace Association and the National Association of Social Workers – CT for an interactive workshop that exposes the harm of child marriage and efforts underway to end it in Connecticut. Esteemed panelists will highlight the social, emotional, and ethical problems connected with child marriage, the need for “brightline” (no exceptions) laws, and what Connecticut marriage officiants, clerks and citizens can do to advocate for change. Read more and registration.
Vermont Workshop on Child Marriage
JPus works to both raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and advocate for no-exceptions legislation. This virtual workshop, to be held on January 25, 2023 at 12:00 Noon, is focused on the issue in Vermont, and addresses officiants’ quandary if asked to perform such a union. This informative workshop will highlight the social, emotional, and ethical problems connected with child marriage, the need for “brightline” (no exceptions) laws, and what Vermont marriage officiants, clerks and citizens can do to advocate for change. More information and registration info.
Our Partners and Co-Hosts
