Volunteer Clerk Ambassadors Add Human Touch to Courthouse Experience - St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller

Volunteer Clerk Ambassadors Add Human Touch to Courthouse Experience In the imposing hallways of the St. Johns County Courthouse, where anxiety often walks hand-in-hand with those entering its doors, volunteer Clerk Ambassadors lend a helping hand. These individuals help set the tone for the Clerk’s Office by guiding people through the judicial complex. “Helping someone have a little better day has helped me to be a better member of our community,” says Robert Shannon, who retired from Verizon Communications after 39 years. During National Volunteer Month, Shannon’s sentiment captures the essence of this program that’s transforming how citizens experience their judicial system. Human Kindness in a Procedural World The courthouse – with its labyrinthine corridors and legal terminology – can feel coldly institutional. Yet before encountering judges or attorneys, visitors find themselves welcomed by Clerk Ambassadors with a warm smile and guidance. These volunteers answer questions with patience and assist with hospitality during jury selection and special events. Their laptops and folders filled with information represent something profound: Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller Brandon J. Patty’s commitment to accessibility and human connection. Ambassadors undergo comprehensive training. They walk the courthouse alongside staff members, memorizing layouts and learning to interpret court dockets. They master emergency procedures and, perhaps most crucially, develop communication techniques tailored to the diverse needs of courthouse visitors. Their preparation reflects their purpose: to humanize an institution that can otherwise feel impersonal. Whether celebrating with couples during courthouse weddings or guiding someone to a difficult hearing, these volunteers adapt to each situation with versatility. Portraits of Service: The Faces Behind the Program The Ambassador team represents a mosaic of experiences and expertise, each member bringing unique perspective to their role. Lisa DuBois, who practiced law for more than three decades before retiring in 2016, now channels her intimate knowledge of legal systems toward helping others navigate the judicial complex. Her career spanning criminal appeals to state procurement regulations gives her a rare ability to demystify complex processes with calm authority. The international perspective comes from Assumpta O’Brien, who emigrated from Ireland in 1983 and has embraced St. Johns County as her home since 2017. After a fulfilling career with Ring Power Corporation, she now divides her time between the courthouse and her passions for local beaches, hiking trails, baking, and gardening. Rosa Clark represents healthcare expertise among the volunteers. This recently retired nurse, whose career culminated at the prestigious National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, moved to Florida in 2020. Together with her son and “two fur babies,” she has found new purpose in community service, where her professional calm and attentiveness make visitors feel instantly at ease. For Sharon Gesek, volunteering her time represents a natural evolution of her two-decade commitment to social services and senior programs, including significant contributions to the St. Johns County Council on Aging. Her career-long dedication to advocacy and connection now benefits courthouse visitors of all ages. Janice Smith brings financial acumen from her distinguished accounting career, including her role as CFO of the Ohio School Boards Association. Since relocating to St. Augustine in 2022, she has discovered in this volunteer program what she calls “a warm and caring place” that complements her remote client work and longstanding involvement with equine therapy. Pat Sartini, originally from the Chicago area, retired to St. Johns County. Pat spent her professional career as a mental health counselor, specializing in marital and relationship therapy. Michael Hammons earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering and worked as a researcher in the U.S. military. He’s lived in Florida for two decades, and also volunteers as a site interpreter at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. Reciprocity of Service What becomes clear in conversation with these Ambassadors is that they receive as much as they give. The program offers them continued engagement, social connection, and purpose –powerful factors in well-being, particularly in retirement. “It’s a way to stay connected to community,” one volunteer explains, “to use lifelong skills in new contexts.” This reciprocity may explain the program’s success and the authentic enthusiasm of its participants. In creating space for retirees to contribute meaningfully, the Clerk’s Office has gained an invaluable resource: wisdom, patience, and genuine care. A Model for Civic Engagement As public institutions nationwide search for ways to become more approachable and user-friendly, the Clerk Ambassador program is a compelling model. In an era when efficiency often trumps humanity, these Ambassadors remind us that sometimes the most important service is simply being present and offering a smile, or a word of encouragement. For those considering how to invest their time and talents in retirement, the Clerk’s Office doors are open. Whether your background lies in law or healthcare, finance or education, your presence could be the difference between a courthouse visitor feeling lost or feeling welcomed.