The State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) is off to a great start for the 2011-2012 League year.  Our focus continues to be on human trafficking awareness and school nutrition reporting.  


Human Trafficking
Last year the Junior League was recognized for its tremendous work on the issue of human trafficking.  Michigan was one of only a handful of states that passed legislation to create harsher penalties for human trafficking offenders.  Now, a person convicted of human trafficking is not only guilty of a felony, but may face up to 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine for recruiting, harboring, transporting, or otherwise obtaining, via fraud, force or coercion, a person for involuntary servitude or debt bondage.  If the violation of this law was committed against a minor, or included a commercial sex act or serious harm, the penalty for offenders increases to a 20 year sentence and/or a $20,000 fine.  For trafficking that results in death, offenders are subject to a sentence of “life or any term of years” (usually 25+ years) in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.  The bills also require full restitution to the victim.

There are two upcoming human trafficking awareness events coming up in October.  First, is the Michigan State Council of Junior Leagues (MSC) Training and Networking Event on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College in the Morris Lawrence Building.  This training will give an update on human trafficking in Michigan and identify what are the next steps for local action.  Second, the Catholic Churches of Ann Arbor are hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness and Action Seminar on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Thomas Parish in Ann Arbor.  Additional information will be distributed at the GMM and can be found on the website.  If you have further questions, please contact Heidi Hendrick at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

School Nutrition Reporting
SPAC is in the beginning stages of its school nutrition reporting initiative and has decided to take a grassroots approach to this issue.  Soon, league members will be called to action and asked to contact their local school boards to begin assessing the current status of school nutrition.  Depending on what the school nutritional inquiries reveal, SPAC may choose to continue working at the local level to improve school nutrition or the research results may indicate the necessity for SPAC to garner support for change state-wide through legislation.  

The MSC training in October will also feature special guest Peter Spadafore, the Assistant Director of Government Relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards who will guide participants on developing a local strategy to work with school boards to develop healthy lunch programs.  

SPAC Meetings
Anyone interested in SPAC as a future placement is encouraged to attend the scheduled committee meetings and MSC trainings.  Here is the schedule of the 2011-2012 SPAC Meetings and MSC Trainings:

Oct 22 - MSC Training, Ann Arbor (morning)
Nov 12 - SPAC Meeting, Lansing (Univ. Club)
Dec 10 - SPAC Meeting, Conference Call
Jan 14 - SPAC Meeting, Conference Call
Jan 21 - MSC Training, East Lansing (Hannah Community Center)
Feb 11 - SPAC Meeting, Lansing (Univ. Club)
Mar 10 - SPAC Meeting, Conference Call
Mar 14 - DAY AT THE CAPITOL**
Apr 14 - SPAC Meeting, Lansing (Univ. Club)
May 12 - SPAC Meeing, Lansing (Univ. Club) w/new placement

**Please note that March 14, 2012 has been scheduled for this League year’s Day at the Capitol.  Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

Pictures from the 2008 Day at the Capital Event

Click Images Below to Enlarge