As a NACM member, you can access an incredible resource in the CORE®. This curriculum has been honed and is regularly updated by NACM’s CORE® Committee to ensure the content remains relevant.
The purpose of the CORE® Champion Program is fourfold:
- Strengthen court professionals
- Provide greater exposure to the CORE®
- Recognize attendance at qualified CORE® sessions
- Allow participants to demonstrate a basic understanding of the 13 CORE® Competencies
The program, which began in 2021, has demonstrated success and growth in recent years. To date, 26 court professionals have received the CORE® Champion award. There are currently 256 participants who represent 36 states. Oregon holds the lead with 30 court professionals currently engaged in the program.
To participate, NACM members attend qualified sessions or view qualified recorded sessions. It is notable that some sessions of the midyear and annual NACM conferences are designated as approved courses for the CORE®. Once completed, participants submit a structured response test (SRT), which the CORE® committee reviews for credit. Certificates are awarded for milestones throughout the program.
Engagement continues to grow as the program reaches a broader audience. In 2023, there were 356 approved SRTs. The momentum grew to 768 approved SRTs in 2024, with 26 already submitted just two weeks into 2025.
NACM has also offered the CORE® curriculum to groups in person, in coordination with interested court systems. Known as the “CORE® Unleashed,” this course provides an overview of the CORE® with a focus on the Leadership, Public Trust and Confidence, Purposes and Responsibilities of Courts, Caseflow, Accountability, and Operations Management competencies. This course is interactive and participants are encouraged to share and discuss successes and challenges in their courts. Participants will receive the CORE® Explorer award upon completion of the SRT as part of our CORE® Champion Program.
The final step to achieving the CORE® Champion designation is to submit a short article discussing your experience, which also serves as a completion application. The prompt for this essay reads: “Indicate and explain the benefits that you have gained from your exposure to the CORE® and how you intend to use this knowledge in the future.” Applicants indicate whether they consent to the publication of their submission.
The 2024 NACM Award of Merit recipient, T.J. BeMent, made that designation, and provided a succinct and meaningful description of his experience:
Completion of the CORE® Champion Program has been a personal and professional pleasure. It represents more than the culmination of watching some of the best leaders in our field and taking some notes. The CORE® Champion Program gives us a glimpse of our unique and important profession through the wisdom of some our own colleagues. For some, this may be as far they go in their court administration education. Hopefully for most, it is just the beginning of their professional development journey. For those of us who may be a bit more seasoned, it has been an opportunity to reflect and reconnect with the foundation, the CORE® if you will, of our profession.
The tenets of the CORE® Champion are the underlying CORE® Competencies. As we learn and master these, we must use that knowledge to give back.
Throughout history, great leaders have emerged, not just through their own achievements, but by recognizing the power of mentorship. They understood that the key to progress lies not in self-centered pursuits, but in nurturing and guiding others, lighting their way and lifting them up. As court leaders, we have a unique opportunity to embrace this powerful role of mentorship, acting as guiding lights for those who come seeking justice and solace.
Mentorship goes beyond merely imparting knowledge and experience; it involves fostering growth, nurturing potential, and instilling a sense of purpose. Through exposure to the CORE®, we should be able to recite the 8 purposes of and responsibilities of courts and know how to incorporate those into our actions. We know how courts operate, how to manage and develop our workforce, provide vision and strategic planning to guide our courts, and more. But just as important, we can extend a helping hand to others, we can shape the next generation of court professionals, instill in them the values of integrity, compassion, and fairness all grounded in the CORE®. Remember, mentoring is not just about teaching the intricacies of the law and how our courts operate; it is about imparting the wisdom that comes from lived experiences, inspiring others to overcome challenges, and guiding them to make a positive impact on the courts they work in and the lives they touch.
However, mentorship alone is not enough. In a world filled with injustice and inequality, lending our voice to those who need it the most becomes an ethical imperative. As court leaders, we are not merely administrators but also stewards of justice. Note that the NACM Leadership Competency refers to 8 different roles of court leaders. I like this concept of “steward of justice” as a rephrasing of idea of statesman or trusted leader. As a “steward of justice,” we have the power to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, socioeconomic status, or circumstance, has equal access to justice. Our role in making legal concepts like due process a reality is not enough. By being present and asking questions, using data, being informed, and grounding our actions in the CORE®, we can use our voice to be the instrument of change that reshapes the narratives of the marginalized, the vulnerable, and the voiceless.
In our pursuit of a just society and justice in the courts, we must not shy away from raising our voices against injustice, discrimination, and inequality that we see. This should be done internally in our courts and in our community. We must lend our voices to those who cannot speak for themselves. It is our responsibility to advocate for fairness, impartiality, and inclusivity in every decision we make. By doing so, we can create a legal system that truly reflects the values of justice and equality that we hold dear.
To lend our voice effectively, we must be fearless and unwavering in our commitment to justice and the tenets of the CORE®. We must embrace empathy as the foundation of our actions, for it is empathy that allows us to connect with the pain and struggles of others. We must listen actively, seek to understand, and empower those who have been silenced. We must use our position of influence to amplify their voices and bring their stories to light. Remember that change begins with a single voice, and by lending ours, we can inspire others to follow suit.
Speaking up is not always easy. It requires courage, perseverance, and a deep-rooted sense of responsibility for the greater good. When we speak up, we empower ourselves and others. We ignite a spark of hope in the hearts of those who feel powerless, showing them that they are not alone in their convictions. We become catalysts for change, reminding ourselves that collective action can turn the tide, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. And we know through the CORE® that we must embrace change and look for the opportunities to create better courts and better justice.
As individuals, as a community of court professionals, we must come together to protect due process and the rule of law, as well as our fellow beings and our shared future.
As we move forward in our careers, we must never forget the importance of mentorship and lending a voice to those who need it the most. Let our actions be a testament to the power of compassion, integrity, and fairness. Remember that every decision we make, every person we mentor, and every voice we uplift has the potential to transform lives and shape the course of our justice system. May the CORE® continue on through those that we mentor and support.
T.J. BeMent
District Court Administrator
10th Judicial Administrative District, Georgia
Submitted May 2024
For more information about the CORE® Champion program, go to our website at nacmnet.org/nacm-core. Should your court be interested in learning more about the CORE® Unleashed, reach out to the CORE® Committee at nacmnet.org/CORE-committee.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melinda Brooks is the specialized dockets manager, Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio.
