Our Strategic Plan

Overarching Goal

By the year 2027, the Royal Association of Justices for South Australia Inc. (RAJSA) is the respected body of a network of Justices of the Peace and other authorised witnesses in South Australia and the Northern Territory, responsible for serving the public through witnessing important documents from birth to death.

Our training is the accredited professional development for all JPs and witnesses. We are the definitive source of information to the community about understanding and finding witnesses.

Purpose

Everything we do as an Association is done to improve the service provided by Justices of the Peace (JPs) and authorised witnesses (AWs) to the community to ensure that every document is witnessedto the highest standard as required in law.

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Goal 1: Professional Development & Information Dissemination

Our Training Academy offers regularly updated, accredited courses for JPs and AWs on ethical standards, legislative changes, and the official requirements and best practices for witnessing.

KPI - Establish the Training Academy

 

Strategy 1

Highlight new members' connection to training.

Strategy 2

Develop accessible training to JPs and other AWs in regional South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Strategy 3

Assist JP Services in updating a JP and AW Handbook.

Strategy 4

Promote the LMS Awards to all JPs. Examine accreditation for professional associations' PD points.

Strategy 5

Maintain the program of training to JPs and open it up to authorised witnesses. Offer refresher training.

Strategy 6

Develop the online platform on information with an emphasis on reaching out to members directly, including the use of AI.

Strategy 7

Expert panels.

  • Make sure all JPs and AWs know who to contact for assistance.
  • Interpreting the JPs role in complex matters.

Projects

  1. Refresh the onboarding package for new JPs.
  2. Create a regional training program with the existing grant funds.
  3. Work with JPS to update the Handbook.
  4. Develop AI-assisted ways to interrogate our website for information.

2nd Level Projects

  1. Increase the training component of the Honorary Magistrate.
  2. Obtain accreditation suitable for professional associations to recognise witnessing training as having OPD value.
Goal 2: Advocacy & Representation

We advocate for JPs and authorised witnesses, collaborating with the Government, legal entities, end users, and other stakeholders to enhance community service through cooperative efforts and actively engaging in legislative discussions for positive changes in JP and AW-related matters.

KPI - Respected by all key stakeholders

 

Strategy 1

Partnership with AGD. Subcontract work; enhance their existing offerings; better info in their letters to JPs.

Strategy 2

Participate in legislative discussion and policy development to influence positive change in JP-related matters.

Strategy 3

Raising Issues

  • Difficulties people have with complying with Government forms.
  • (Compulsory) training for Authorised witnesses, including JPs.

Strategy 4

Find new opportunities for JPs.

Projects

  1. Negotiate with JPS re requiring training in the 'Code of Conduct' and elsewhere for AWs.
  2. Develop a rapid response group to examine possibilities for JPs and AWs when there are external changes to witnessing procedures.

2nd Level Projects

  1. Establish an expert reference group for technical questions.
  2. Work with JPS to ensure their first letters give sufficient information with opt-out referral of their name to RAJSA.
Goal 3: Community Engagement & Outreach

JPs and AWs are encouraged to actively engage with their communities, including city-based, underserved, and remote communities. We develop ways of outreach.

KPI

 

Strategy 1

Emphasise all stage offerings at public sites (Country fairs, malls, conferences, etc.).

Strategy 2

Local Government is an important partner, but can do more with our help.

Strategy 3

Resource materials

  • Including whole of life literature re the role of JPs, and
  • Information about where to get help (legal and non-legal).

Strategy 4

Specialised services... prisons, hospitals, residential care facilities, Aboriginal outreach, Courts, universities. JPs in every school.

Strategy 5

Media stories.

Strategy 6

Build relationships with Volunteering SA and others with information about JPs and how to become one.

Strategy 7

Encourage and target people to become JPs, especially in underserviced areas.

Projects

  1. Develop a proposal for LGA to increase local government support using examples like the work on AESJG.
  2. Develop a kit of PR information for use at public events.

2nd Level Projects

  1. Rebrand RAJSA to be inclusive of all authorised witnesses (2025), including the name of "The Honorary Magistrate".
  2. Create a list of useful contacts for JPs for non-legal referrals (translation services, Notary Publics, emergency services, shelters, income support, domestic violence)
  3. Deal with the problem of people ringing too many JPs unsuccessfully.
Goal 4: Networking & Social Exchange

We organise events, seminars and conferences that give JPs and authorised witnesses a chance to network, share experiences and exchange knowledge. We create online forums and discussion groups to facilitate peer support and information sharing among JPs and authorised witnesses, where possible.

KPI - Increase member satisfaction.

 

Strategy 1

Contribute to the National network of JP associations.

Strategy 2

Organise events and conventions/special forums.

Strategy 3

Grow local groups and ensure the existing ones are supported.

  • Groups meetings
  • Exchange of ideas.

Strategy 4

Encourage participation of young JPs in governance.

Strategy 5

Use social media to showcase our work, e.g., TikTok and student projects.

Strategy 6

Facebook Page.

Strategy 7

Recognition of service certificates.

Projects

  1. Develop a recognition system for meritorious JPs.

2nd Level Projects

Goal 5: Sustainability

We maintain an Association that not only serves the public but is financially sound.

KPI - Balanced budget with 12 months of operating costs in reserve.

 

Strategy 1

Rationalise the roles and responsibilities of the RAJSA and MAPL (both jointly and Severally) in relation to AWs in SA.

Strategy 2

Embrace 250,000 authorised witnesses.

  • Approach SA professional associations in conjunction with Marturein.
  • Highlight training packages to decision makers.

Strategy 3

Merchandise sales/price competitive tools of the trade. Increase sales.

Strategy 4

Increase sales of online products.

Strategy 5

Stabilise accommodation.

Strategy 6

Change status to reduce costs.

  • ACNC then DGR.

Strategy 7

Brand revamp to incorporate other witnesses.

Strategy 8

Fee for service for non-members.

Strategy 9

Sponsorship from companies insisting on JP certification of ID.

Projects

  1. Agree on a way forward with the MAPL Board in the first quarter of 2024 in relation to the roles and responsibilities of AWs.
  2. Approach organisations with authorised witnesses and offer the services of Marturein and RAJSA.
  3. Find accommodation.
  4. Propose sponsorship from companies that depend on JP certification.

2nd Level Projects

  1. Investigate ways to attain Charitable/DGR status.

Royal Association of Justices of S.A.

ESTABLISHED 1898

(08) 8297 4044

registrar@rajsa.com.au

22 Chancery Lane, Adelaide S.A 5000

Open Monday to Wednesday, 9:30am - 4pm by appointment