SUMMARY
In 2018, the Board of Directors, in collaboration with the FBI Norfolk Field Office, completed a Strategic Plan to ensure that our mission to support the community outreach efforts of the FBI continues to thrive in the years to come. Fundamentally, this plan is about strengthening connections with the community and the FBI, and building the tools to make that happen.
MISSION
Our mission as official ambassadors of the FBI is to support the community outreach efforts of the FBI Norfolk division through education, events and community service programs that improve public safety.
GOALS
STRATEGIC FOCUS
Three areas of strategic focus will guide our work:
Community Connections. Deepening and strengthening connections with the FBI, law enforcement and communities across southeastern Virginia and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Member Engagement. Cultivating greater member participation and volunteerism to achieve our education, outreach, and community service goals.
Organization Development. Building the infrastructure, systems, resources and capacity to support continued growth and development of our Chapter.
PLAN HIGHLIGHTS
Community Connections
Cyber Safety for Children and Seniors
Shining a Light on Human Trafficking
Causes and Cures for the Opioid Crisis
Active Shooter Awareness and Response Training
FBI CREST (Community Relations Executive Seminar Training) Events
Member Engagement
Organization Development
REACHING FOR THE FUTURE
As the future unfolds, new needs and opportunities will no doubt emerge, and we must be prepared to embrace change while staying on course. Board members meet with the FBI each year to address any changes in the Bureau’s priorities, given ever-evolving community needs and public safety threats, and our plan is updated accordingly.
Engaging our community, our members and our FBI partners in meaningful conversations and activities that build trusting, productive relationships is imperative to achieve our goal of creating safer communities. We believe this plan provides a thoughtful roadmap to set direction, define priorities, and focus limited resources on programs to make that happen.
Linking community service, prevention, and law enforcement is a national trend spurred by grass roots efforts around the country, and FBI employees have joined this movement, volunteering in a wide variety of community-related efforts. The FBI Norfolk CAAA joins them in this effort.
FBI Norfolk Field Office personnel and the FBI Norfolk CAAA will come to your community if requested to present any of the FBI outreach programs. We prefer there to be at least 20 people in attendance at any program. Please visit https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/norfolk/community-outreach to see the programs that we are currently offering, or Contact Us.
The FBI Norfolk Field Office also offers Community Outreach programs (CREST). You can choose three topics for the FBI to cover in your community, and they will give a half day program in your community. Contact Us to set one up in your community.
The FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association [FBINORCAAA] was formed in November 2006 by 14 alumni from the 2004 through 2006 Citizens Academy classes. FBINORCAAA is chartered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the state of Virginia. We have enjoyed steady membership growth from the FBI Citizens Academy classes conducted each year by the FBI Norfolk Field Office and have expanded our community outreach employing members’ skills. Our served area includes the seven Hampton Roads cities and extends west to Williamsburg and north on the Eastern Shore. Initially, we met quarterly, but growth in both membership and activities led to more frequent participation anchored by monthly meetings. Activities are coordinated each year by the FBI Norfolk Field Office Senior Agent in Charge and our Community Outreach Specialist. We focus on community outreach goals aligned with FBI goals and appropriate to our communities. In addition to providing support for each Citizens Academy class, activities sponsored and supported through the years have included the annual Law Enforcement Memorial bicycle ride, FBI Child ID programs, informative training on cyber bullying, avoiding internet risks, identity theft, opioid addiction awareness, human trafficking, and local gang activity.
In 2008, we initiated a Law Enforcement Symposium, a day-long opportunity for all branches of law enforcement to network and learn. This symposium has become a well-attended event that over 200 local law enforcement leaders look forward to attending every April.
Our community outreach extends to sponsorship of Hampton Roads Diversity and Inclusion consortium, participation in the annual Mayflower Marathon food drive, and Norfolk Neighborhood Expo increasing our exposure to community leaders.
In 2018, we coordinated with the FBI Norfolk Field Office to conduct a week-long training for teens called Future Agents In Training (FAIT) Teen Academy. In addition to the outreach objectives, we have several social gatherings each year including movie nights at Cinema Café, Tides games at Harbor Park and an annual kickoff gala in January where the goals and objectives for the coming year are previewed.
We enjoy outstanding relations with the FBI Norfolk Field Office and our outstanding performance has been awarded for the last three years with the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Chapter of Excellence.
The FBI Norfolk CAAA has been honored with several national awards throughout its history. Click here to see the full list of awards given by the FBI National CAAA, and the qualifications for each.
Below is a list of the awards received.
Chapter of Excellence: A Chapter of Excellence must have completed the following:
Years received: 2018, 2019
Chapter of Distinction: A Chapter of Distinction must have completed the following:
Years received: 2017
Pacesetter Award: The Pacesetter Award, started in 2019, is awarded to chapters that have continuously improved their programs and are leaders in their regions.
Years received: 2019
FBINCAAA Gold Medal Award: The FBINCAAA Gold Medal Award is given to members who have performed above and beyond expectations on behalf of the FBI in their community.
Presented to:
Innovation Award: The Innovation Award is presented to one chapter each year, that has developed and delivered a highly impactful education and outreach program in their community. Years received:
The FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association is part of the FBI National CAAA, an organization that joins together more than 42,000 community and business leaders who are dedicated to making our neighborhoods safer and serving as volunteers in 60 chapters around the nation who graduated from the FBI’s Citizens Academy program.
To learn more about the FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy, go to the FBI Norfolk Community Outreach page. To nominate yourself to attend, complete the nomination form (available only mid-September through December 31 each year for the next year’s class).
The FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBINCAAA) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that supports local, state and federal law enforcement through community engagement, education and outreach.
The FBI National CAAA Goals are to:
To learn more, please visit the FBI National CAAA webpage.
