The PORAC South San Joaquin Chapter is Chapter 6 in Region 2. Our chapter encompasses Tulare, Kern, and Inyo Counties. We are comprised of 38 Associations and over 2300 members. Of those 38 Associations, 31 have 50 members or less. We currently have one Association large enough to hold a Director at Large seat on the Board of Directors.
In 2022 the South San Joaquin Chapter continued to move in a positive direction. We continue to hold regularly scheduled meetings alternating between Tulare and Kern County locations and are held in the even numbered months of the year. Our meetings are currently held in person with a ZOOM option for those who cannot attend in person. This has been beneficial in that we are now able to have participation from our Inyo County members who otherwise would not be able to make it to the meetings due to time and distance.
In August of 2022 Our Chapter Meeting was held in person in Inyo County. Penni Brown with Inyo County Probation Officers Association is credited with coordinating this meeting. We had a good turnout. All Inyo County Associations in our Chapter were present except one.
We welcome visitors from non-PORAC Associations at our meetings who are interested in becoming members of PORAC and we look forward to growing the chapter by way of adding associations.
Our members continue to reach out to our smaller associations to encourage participation.
The Chapter Executive Board Members continue to learn and apply the necessary knowledge for providing a professional leadership to our chapter. We rely on and learn from the wisdom and experience of veteran members of PORAC for guidance. In addition to this we look to our sister chapter to the north of us, the Central California Chapter, for additional wisdom and guidance.
During 2022, Our Vice President, Kevin Kimmel, stepped down from his role with the Chapter as he is moving to Northern California for family reasons. Kevin was a tremendous asset to our chapter and had previously served as Chapter Secretary, 6/21/18 to 12/31/20, before becoming Chapter Vice President, 1/1/21 to 6/23/22. Kevin will be missed by the Chapter, but we wish him the best in his future endeavors.
Our primary goal for the upcoming year is to continue the growth of the chapter by membership participation.
The SSJ Chapter Board Members and Directors are:
President Bryan Tenhet, Retired Tulare County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
Vice President Tim Caughron, Kern Law Enforcement Association
Secretary – VACANT
Treasurer Bryan Tenhet, Retired Tulare County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
Chapter Director Vincent Medrano, Arvin Police Officer’s Association
Director at Large Tim Caughron, Kern Law Enforcement Association