A child of the 1960s and '70s, Felicie Leech grew up in a politically aware household that emphasized the slogan "think globally, act locally."
Because of an unplanned break in her working career, Leech - who goes by the nickname Fel - got to put that principle into practice by serving on the 2013-14 Sonoma County grand jury.
"It was on my bucket list," said Leech, 63. "I wanted to be active in the community and do something for it."
The Santa Rosa resident since 1984 said she had read previous grand jury reports and was impressed by some of their findings, including last year's critical assessment of the Graton Community Services District.
Two incumbents on that board subsequently lost their seats in the wastewater district's first-ever election.
Sworn to secrecy about everything they do, jurors cannot comment on their investigations until their annual report is released in June.
With the deadline for their report looming, Leech said she and her fellow jurors are in overdrive, synthesizing the work they've done since their term started last July 1.
It's a demanding chore, she said, noting that "the facts better be right" to have any chance of effecting change.
Civil grand juries, authorized by state law, have wide latitude in selecting topics - typically the performance of local government agencies - for investigation. Agencies are required to respond to the jury's report, but it has no force of law.
Jurors spend at least 20 hours a week in meetings, research and interviews, Leech said. "It's our job to triangulate," she said, meaning to cover each subject from all angles.
A former solar-industry sales representative, Leech lost her job after missing work during a lengthy illness. She decided to spend a year on the grand jury, and said it has been "an incredible experience."
It's been hard work, frustrating at times, she said, but ultimately rewarding.
"You learn the true definition of collegiality," she said, referring to the process of gaining consensus among 19 individuals.
Leech and other jurors are dismayed by the jury's lack of diversity. With an average age of 65, all 18 current members are retired or self-employed. One grand juror is African-American; the others are white.
They wish younger people and more members of minority groups would apply, but realize that the time demands are an obstacle for most working people with families at home.
Jurors are selected at random from qualified applicants, which also makes it impossible to guarantee diversity, Leech said.
The deadline for applying to serve on the 2014-15 grand jury is April 9. For more information, go to www.sonoma.courts.ca.gov.
Jurors receive about $220 a month for attending meetings and reimbursement for mileage, but it's basically a voluntary position, Leech said.
"I highly recommend it. It's fulfilling," she said.
(You can reach Staff Writer Guy Kovner at 521-5457 or guy.kovner@pressdemocrat.com.)
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