FBI BIRMINGHAM
CITIZENS ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

 

Donate

National Website

Find us on Facebook

Find us on LinkedIn

 

President's Message

<< First  < Prev   1   2   3   4   5   ...   Next >  Last >> 
  • 05 Mar 2024 4:15 PM | Christopher Huys (Administrator)

    Happy March Team!!

    I hope that this March Edition of our FBICAAA Newsletter finds you well!!!

    I want to first start off by saying THANKS AGAIN to all the Board Members in attendance{especially the Huntsville Contingent} on February 3rd at our Annual Board Summit held on the beautiful campus of Lawson State Community College. My sincere gratitude also goes out to Dr. Cynthia Anthony who provided the facility and the equipment to ensure that our meeting was resourceful and productive. A lot of great recommendations came out as a result of this gathering and as a Neophyte in my role as President, I am reinvigorated as to what the group has committed to accomplish this year.

    One main consensus from the meeting was for the CAAA to be more involved with FBI-related activities in the community at a minimum on a “Quarterly Basis”. With that focus in mind, plans are in the works for the following activities:

    Ø One-On-One Meeting with SAC Carlton Peeples{Board Members Only} - March 11th

    Ø FBICAAA First Day Huntsville Class{YEAH!!!} - March 26th (Details-To-Follow}

    Ø FBICAAA March Board Meeting – March 19th @ 6:00 Via TEAMS {Details-To-Follow}

    Ø Meet and Greet Reception with the Huntsville Class (TBD)

    In our efforts to increase promotion of the CAAA, I am encouraging my fellow members to submit any special announcements, highlights and any newsworthy items you would like for us to include in our monthly publication. As an extra bonus, we will be featuring “Member Spotlight” articles with bios to showcase what our Membership is doing to promote Servant Leadership in the community.

    A special “thank you” to Tanveer Patel, one of our newest Board Members who not only volunteered to host some chapter events this year to keep our membership engaged but who will also be assisting Chris Huys as part of our IT Team. We are still in need of a Treasurer for the CAAA and would love to have someone in place by the end of the first quarter so please let me know ASAP if anyone is interested in filling this position.

    In closing, I would appreciate you taking a moment to send out some words of encouragement to Alex Brewer and Rish Wood who are both experiencing some health challenges at this time and I’m sure would welcome hearing a friendly voice to help boost their recovery efforts.

    Best regards,

    Coop


  • 02 Jan 2024 11:09 AM | Christopher Huys (Administrator)

    Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to all of my FBICAAA Family!!

    Hope you and yours are doing well.

    In what is our 17th year, it is my honor to address all of you as the incoming President for the FBICAAA.  I follow in the footsteps of the incredible Jennifer Cofer who led our organization these past 2 years in unprecedented ways by providing her guidance, expertise and leadership skills with a myriad of community projects and opportunities. I think each new person in this role wants to start with a solid foundation and I am committed to making sure that the accomplishments, accolades and momentum achieved under Jennifer’s tenure continue to grow under my direction.

    I also want to give a huge “SHOUT OUT” to our “ Huntsville Team” that continues to support us in numerous ways and now with the multi-billion-dollar capital investment for the FBI’s 2nd Headquarters at Redstone Arsenal it is just the major step needed for us to reach our full potential.

    Our new Board will be convening in January 2024 and I have some pretty lofty goals with regards to fundraising that I think can be accomplished if we all make a “personal commitment” to support this organization.

    Three Strategic Areas Are:

    • 1.     F/Fundraising……Financial sustainability is what I would like to focus on so that as we engage in various projects throughout the year that require financial support we don’t cause any unnecessary strain on our reserves.
    • 2.     B………………………Bring any and all great ideas/suggestions/recommendations to the Board so that we can discuss them in length to determine which ones will best assist us in serving our community stakeholders.
    • 3.     I……………………….Important to always remember one of the key focal points of the FBICAAA is  “to promote public safety and security through community engagement, education and service initiatives”. As everyone is aware, there have been several local as well as world-wide events that serve as constant reminders of how now, more than ever, we need to be ever vigilant and ready to support our Partners in Law Enforcement.

    Each of us plays a role in ensuring that the mission of the FBICAAA is upheld at every opportunity possible and we are very fortunate to have now in place Birmingham SAC Carlton Peeples who has encouraged this organization to take a more active role in assisting him and the local office in promoting positive community initiatives.

    As we move into 2024, I also want to personally challenge each of you to reach out to any Alum that you know and inquire if they are active and if not, encourage them to renew their membership on an Annual or even better, Lifetime basis. The Board is committed to providing activities to keep you engaged, programs to keep you trained and partnership opportunities to help build safer communities through Servant Leadership and we look forward to strategizing on ways to help us accomplish all of these goals.

    “LET”S MAKE 2024 THE BEST FBICAAA YEAR EVER”!!!!

    Yours,

    Coop J


  • 30 Nov 2023 9:50 PM | Ginger Ory (Administrator)

    Hello friends!

    As we go into the holiday season, I reflect back to two years ago when I was asked to serve as President of the Birmingham Citizens Academy Alumni Association. What a journey the last two years have been! I would be remiss if I didn’t use this opportunity to thank the Board Members who have worked so hard to continue the mission of the FBICA. It is their dedication and hard work that enables our alumni members to continue with opportunities to stay involved and serve the FBI and our communities. 

    As I end my tenure as your president, I want you all to know that you will be in great hands moving forward! Lisa Cooper, who has served as Treasurer for the last two years and one of the most active members of the board, will be stepping up to serve as President. It has been a blessing to get to know Lisa over the last two years. While all of our board members have shown their hearts in serving their communities, Lisa has stood out with her passion for community service. I can also say that she NEVER meets a stranger. I have no doubt that she will take our chapter to new heights with her ideas and outgoing personality. She has a true heart for serving and we are so lucky to have her step into this leadership role. 

    I would also like to thank SAC Carlton Peeples, and the local FBI field office for their continued partnership. It has been a pleasure to get to know Carlton since he has been in Birmingham. Also, we could not have had such amazing FBICA classes in Huntsville and Birmingham without Season Allen and Nathaniel Rutledge at the helm. Thank you for everything! 

    While I will be stepping down as President, I will continue to serve as an advisor to Lisa as Immediate Past President. I will always remain active as a Lifetime Member of the organization and I will be seeing you all at future events. Thank you all so much for your support as I have served in this position. I feel blessed and honored to have met so many wonderful people I would not have met outside of this organization. May God bless you all this holiday season. 

     

    Blessings,

    Jennifer

     


  • 01 Nov 2023 9:54 AM | Christopher Huys (Administrator)

    Greetings Alumni and Welcome New Graduates! 

    As I start to wrap up my tenure as President of this organization I want to take a moment and reflect on how THANKFUL I am to have met so many of you and to have served on this Board. The FBICA alumni group is unique in that it encompasses such a diverse group of people with one goal, to assist the FBI in their mission to make our country safer for our families, children, grandchildren and future generations. I am thankful to have worked on this mission alongside so many people whose paths I may have otherwise never been fortunate to cross. 

    You will soon be receiving emails regarding renewing of your dues. Please remember that we now offer a $500 lifetime membership option, or you could continue to pay the $75 annual fee. We can’t have an organization without YOU! The infamous Lisa Cooper will be taking over as President in January and she has already firmed up the date for the Quantico trip in 2024. Save the date for the week of July 29th for the trip to DC, with the Quantico tour falling on July 31st. Our FBI field office is already working on other tours to solidify our trip. More details will be coming in January but our date for this trip is already confirmed. 

    Continue to watch for our end of year gatherings. We hope you can join us for our After Dark Event or for our Stocking Stuffer party! We look forward to great response for our Stocking Drive not only in raising the funds, but also in the fellowship of pulling it all together for these women and children at the WellHouse. 

    Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
    See you soon,

    Jennifer

  • 01 Oct 2023 9:55 AM | Christopher Huys (Administrator)

    Greetings Alumni,

     

    The Fall FBI Citizens Academy class is in full swing and the attendees are so energized to learn about all things FBI. As I sit in the classes I remember back to when I first attended in 2016 and the energy and excitement buzzing throughout the class. I would like to encourage every one of you to think back to your experience in the class and the amazing people you were able to meet. As an alumni of the FBICAAA you continue to be a part of that amazing network of people. WE NEED YOU AND YOUR NETWORK!

     

     For the second year in a row we have adopted the women of the WellHouse for a stocking drive. This year, we have also committed to provide stockings and gift cards to the children of the WellHouse. The residents of the WellHouse, both women and children, have all been victims of human trafficking and we want them to know there are people out there that care. 

     

    Last year’s drive was amazing and this year we want to do even more. We recently sent out a letter to all alumni, along with a link to a Word document letter for you to customize and send to your friends and local businesses to raise money for these stockings.A copy of that announcement is inside this Newsletter as well. A page of snapshots from last year’s effort is also inside this Newsletter.

     

     We would love to have 100% participation. Even if every alumni gave a little it would go a long way. You can also donate directly through our Website at https://secure.affinipay.com/pages/fbicitizensacademyalumniassociation/payments?reference=2023%20Wellhouse%20Stocking%20Drive

     

    As always we value your partnership and your participation to keep our Chapter energized and successful. It takes all of us to remain committed to the mission of our Chapter, which is to partner with the FBI in providing resources in support of their mission in North and Central Alabama. 

     

    Thank you for your continued commitment to the FBICAAA. 

     

    Jennifer


  • 05 Sep 2023 9:51 PM | Ginger Ory (Administrator)

    Hello friends!

     

    September is upon us, which means the FBICA class in Birmingham is about to begin. It is our hope to have more than 20 attendees at the Fall Class to learn more about the FBI and their mission! I know that many of you remember the excitement of that first class. It is sure to be another great experience for those fortunate to be selected this year. 

     

    With many changes this year in personnel at the local Birmingham field office, the FBI was unable to coordinate the trip to Quanitico and D.C. this year. They have assured us that it will be a priority next year. 

     

    Just a reminder that the WellHouse Stocking Drive is coming up as Fall is around the bend and the Holidays will soon follow. If you signed up to assist on the Human Trafficking Team, be looking for an email in the next month asking for volunteers with this effort. We can’t do it without you. 

     

    Thank you for your continued support of the FBICAAA!


    Blessings,

    Jennifer

     

     

     

     


  • 05 Sep 2023 9:49 PM | Ginger Ory (Administrator)

    Greetings Alumni,

     

    Wow! What a wonderful turnout for our Redstone Arsenal Tour! It was great to see some new faces and some familiar faces! I would like to give a huge shout out to our Birmingham Vice President, Rish Wood, for helping to organize our tour and making sure the attendees were cleared for the tour. Without Rish we wouldn’t have had such a great event for our alumni members.

     

    Every year we strive to assist the FBI in their outreach programs. There will be several events coming up this fall where we will need volunteers. If you volunteer for one of the events, please do everything you can to attend or at least contact the coordinator or myself if something were to come up so that we can call on other volunteers to cover the gaps. We hope to have MORE than enough volunteers! 

     

    The Birmingham Civil Rights Conference                 

    September 24 & 25th at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

    Information on times TBD

     

    The FBI Diversity Agent Recruitment Event

    September 26th at the Red Mountain Theatre 5-8 PM

     

    National Nights Out

    October dates and locations TBD

     

    Wellhouse Stocking Drive

    Team members needed

     

    Please be looking for information on these events in upcoming announcements. If you already know you would like to volunteer at one of these events, please email me at president@fbicaaa-bham.org

     

    Our organization is a service organization and we can’t do it without you. Thank you for getting involved!

     

    QUANTICO TOUR - Please be looking for a separate email to members in the next couple of weeks if you are interested in this tour. The FBI Field Office is hoping to make it happen, but they will need enough participants and a lot of things need to coalesce to pull it off due to personnel changes at the FBI office. 

     

    Jennifer


  • 05 Jul 2023 7:00 PM | Christopher Huys (Administrator)

    Greetings Alumni,

    I hope that many of you are going to be able to attend the FBI Redstone Campus Tour on July 18th! It should be a phenomenal day of exploring and learning. I hope to see you there!

    Recently the FBIBCAAA Board nominated and voted in the next President of our Chapter. Lisa Cooper is now the President-Elect and will officially take office on January 1, 2024. Lisa has served as Treasurer for the past year and a half and has been an amazing resource when it comes to getting things done. Lisa is extremely passionate about our organization and I know that she is going to do amazing things! I am excited about showing her the ropes over the next 6 months as she gets ready to take the helm.

    I would like to take a moment to thank Board Members Brian Smith, Deb Jaramillo and Ginger Ory along with FBICAAA Past President, Paul Franklin, for attending the national conference in Boston. This group accepted our Chapter of Excellence Award and we are grateful for their dedication and contributions to our Chapter. 

    Everyone stay cool during this heat wave! I hope to see you at some of our upcoming events!

    Jennifer


  • 04 Jun 2023 7:18 PM | Christopher Huys (Administrator)

    Hello Alumni! 

    We did it again!! Our Chapter has won the Excellence in Chapter Operations Award for the 2nd year in a row. The Birmingham FBICAAA has a long standing history of winning this award and it wouldn’t be possible without your support and the hard work of our Board Members. This year our Chapter submission reviewed several areas where our chapter thrived in 2022. Here is a brief summary: 

    Our chapter works with Infragard several times throughout the year to conduct counterintelligence briefings for research facilities and defense contractors. In 2022 we held 8 of these events which were very well received. Topics included: 

    1) An overview of the FBIs Behavior Analysis Unit

    2) Made in Bejing: the plan for Global Market Domination

    3) FBI Birmingham Cyber Squad

    4) All things about the World Games

    5)FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, IC3.gov

    6) Overview of the Online Gaming Scene

    7) The Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center

    8) Threat Overview of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Group Vehicles 

    Our Chapter also extended community outreach at National Night Out events in both Huntsville and Birmingham. Through these events we were able to hand out FBI pamphlets to attendees and act as ambassadors to share the good works and programs of the FBI. The National Night out event in Helena, AL brought through approximately 3,000 attendees. The National Night out in Huntsville also had a great turnout. We plan to continue setting up for these events each year and continue this outreach program. 

    Our goal for 2022 was to have a fundraiser for our Stockings of Hope Drive. Through the use of social media, e-mail, and word of mouth, we were able to raise $500 for our Stocking Drive. With the monies collected we were able to purchase stocking stuffers for the residents of the Wellhouse who are female victims of human trafficking. Our Chapter came together to assemble the stockings and two of our board members delivered them to the Wellhouse before Christmas. We plan to continue this fundraiser this year.   

    We have several members of our board who will be attending the FBICAAA National Conference this summer to accept this award for our Chapter. We look forward to them sharing information on how to continue to grow our Chapter upon their return.  

    Thank you all for your continued support! 

    Jennifer


  • 01 May 2023 8:13 AM | Christopher Huys (Administrator)

    May 1, 2023

    Greetings Alumni,

    The countdown is on for another graduating class of the FBI Citizens Academy. Graduation will be on May 16th and we are looking forward to having new members join our alumni association. I would personally like to thank Season Allen, FBI Birmingham Training Specialist, for everything she has done to organize the class and keep things running smoothly. Season is currently covering some of the past duties of Paul Daymond since he has transitioned to his new role.  

    EVENTS YOU DON”T WANT TO MISS

    July 18th - There will be a tour of FBI @ Redstone 

    September 28th - Tour of Quantico

    Look for Redstone Tour Agenda and  link to sign up in this Newsletter- Paid Alumni Only

    Your board of directors puts a lot of time and effort into organizing special events for you. Our chapter has been historically successful in having a Chapter of Excellence in organizing events, outreach and chapter partnerships. Please take advantage of the opportunities that are offered and also let us know what type of events you would be interested in attending. 

    As always we value your partnership and your participation to keep our chapter energized and successful. It takes all of us to remain committed to the mission of our chapter, which is to partner with the FBI in providing resources in support of their mission in North and Central Alabama. 

    Thank you for your continued commitment to the FBICAAA. 

    Jennifer


<< First  < Prev   1   2   3   4   5   ...   Next >  Last >> 

            The FBI Birmingham Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBIBCAAA) is a nonprofit organization separate and apart from the FBI.


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software