Fellow Alumni,

As we move into the final months of the year, I’m reminded once again of what makes the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association so special: our members’ willingness to serve, support one another, and give back to the communities we represent.

We have several exciting opportunities ahead, and I encourage each of you to get involved.

National Night Out — Volunteers Needed

Our local communities will soon be participating in National Night Out, an important opportunity to bring law enforcement and the public together. Our chapter has the opportunity to support these events and help strengthen the relationships between citizens and the law enforcement professionals who serve them.

We will need volunteers from our alumni membership to assist at National Night Out activities. Whether you can give a few hours, help with an activity, talk with members of the public, or simply represent our FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, your participation makes a difference.

Watch for additional information on dates, locations and volunteer opportunities. I hope many of you will join us.

Elder Fraud Awareness

Another important program on our calendar will take us into a Birmingham-area assisted living facility, where we will present an Elder Fraud Awareness program.

Financial fraud targeting older Americans continues to be a serious concern, and education is one of our best tools for prevention. This presentation will give residents and their families practical information about recognizing scams, protecting personal and financial information, and knowing what to do when something doesn't seem right.

This is exactly the kind of community outreach where our organization can make a meaningful difference — taking information and resources directly to people who can benefit from them. Please let me know of churches, senior centers, assisted living centers and other places where seniors gather and you have influence. Help us get more locations to share these presentations. Contact me at president@fbicaaa-bham.org .

Birmingham FBI Citizens Academy Graduation

In early November, we will celebrate the graduation of another class of the Birmingham FBI Citizens Academy.

Graduation is always a special occasion for our Alumni Association because we know firsthand the impact the Citizens Academy experience can have. These graduates have spent weeks learning about the FBI, its mission, its people and the many challenges facing our communities and our nation.

I encourage our alumni to welcome these new graduates you knowand invite them to become active members of our Alumni Association. They are the future of our organization.

Annual Meeting — Cullman

And in December, we will gather in Cullman for our Annual Meeting.

Beyond conducting the business of our organization, the Annual Meeting is an opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, recognize accomplishments from the past year and look ahead to the opportunities before us.

I hope you will make plans now to attend. The strength of our association comes from having our members in the room, sharing ideas, renewing friendships and working together. Look for details in you Inbox.

As your President, I am proud of what this Chapter continues to accomplish. But our success is not measured simply by the number of programs we conduct or meetings we hold. It is measured by the difference we make in our communities and the relationships we build with the FBI and our fellow citizens.

Thank you for your continued support, your friendship and — most importantly — your willingness to serve.

I look forward to seeing many of you at these upcoming events.

Fidelity. Bravery. Integrity.

Rish Wood