Results of Board Elections

The results are in for the 2020/2021 Board of Directors election.  The following individuals have been elected to a two year term on the Board in the following positions:

• Kat Goulart - Vice President
• Erica DeBlois - Communications
• Mike Vincelli - Education and Training
• Robert Silvestri - Compliance

As two of these represented incumbent candidates running unopposed, during the Board meeting on December 12, 2019, the Secretary cast a vote for each unopposed name on the ballot, thereby ratifying the slate of Officers.

Congratulations to all – we look forward to another successful year with your help and expertise!

Note that the remaining board positions (President, Treasurer, Secretary and Membership) will continue to serve until the end of 2020.

As announced in October 2018, for the term of 2019 through 2020, the following Board positions were up for election:

·         Membership

·         President

·         Secretary

·         Treasurer

The closing date for notifying the Nomination Committee for any member in good standing who was interested in running for one of these positions was November 20, 2018.

No new potential candidates for office were identified; that is, no responses were received to the Nomination Committee’s solicitation.  However, the incumbents have graciously agreed to continue their respective terms:

·         William Wade – President

·         Elizabeth Getrost – Secretary

·         Ed Goldberg – Membership

·         Adam Kilic – Treasurer.

As these incumbent candidates were unopposed, during the Board meeting on December 5, 2018, the Vice-President cast a vote for each name on the ballot, thereby ratifying the slate of Officers.  Congratulations to those elected and “Thank You” for your willingness to continue!

For the second year, the Association joined the Connecticut FBI in partnership with Connecticut State Police and Quinnipiac University as they honored and highlighted members of Law Enforcement from across the state. FLEYA was also a featured participant.

The presenting officers were first generation immigrants to the USA from around the globe that have chosen public service. This educational, yet fun forum, was designed to enlighten youth and adults on the diversity within the Connecticut law enforcement community, and was packed with content and highlights of the great work being done by law enforcement each and every day.

Click Here for the link to the news broadcast

Message from Charles Grady

All, please share this invite with friends, family, community organizers, cultural groups and civic leaders. This event is designed to promote the cultural and ethnic diversity of CT law enforcement statewide. Our key note speaker this year Arno Michaelis has an extremely powerful message about his journey from hate ideology and his change of mind and heart. He spoke last year and was fantastic. This year's event will be packed with great content and highlights of the great work being done by law enforcement each and every day. CG

FBI

Charles Grady

Community Outreach Specialist COS

600 State St. New Haven, CT 06511

203-503-5207

_________________________________________________________________

OCTOBER 29, 2018 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY (BURT KAHN GYMNASIUM )

275 MOUNT CARMEL AVENUE, HAMDEN CONNECTICUT

The New Haven chapter was well represented by three Board members and two members at the annual National CAAA conference in San Antonio last week.  Our field office community outreach team of two also attended, showing their support for our chapter’s activities and mission. 

The conference was also well represented by the FBI, including Paul Bresson, Unit Chief FBI HQ, who covered our compliance obligations partnered along with Keven Jensen, the National CAAA President . Jackie Maguire, FBI Acting Assistant Director of the Office of Public Affairs, covered the State of the FBI and took attendees’ many curious questions. 

In both cases, it was emphasized that the FBI sees us as not just an important partner in deploying its community outreach mission, but literally a part of the FBI family.  Many positive messages and thanks were received for our efforts, including from Tracy Ballinger, Community Outreach FBI HQ, who we met during our Washington, DC trips.

A video from Director Wray created specifically for our conference was shown (the National website will have a link to it).  He expressed his support for the Association and continued the sentiment that we’re considered part of the FBI family.

The annual best practices survey results were released and made available on the National website – recommended reading for all Board members for many insights into chapter operations best practices and ideas.  As is the new chapter guidance policy manual (“Red Book”) we received – hoping to have the online links to all of you in the near term.

Chapters shared their programs and initiatives (as did New Haven of course)

In the compliance area, 1) a new form of Memorandum of Agreement was introduced and 2) a consolidation of the three Board certifications was announced.  Background was provided as to why these are being introduced. 

 
Chapters now have access to a vendor which will offer chapter merchandise, with many products available and all in compliance with the CAAA logo requirements.  This will include the challenge coins and  booth tablecloth.
 

The major crimes coverage by the investigating FBI special agents covered the Las Vegas mass shooting as well as public corruption that devastated a small Texas town. 

President Bill Wade continued to develop important relationships among the National Board and other chapter leadership, which will help us in the various nation-wide programs we’re supporting.  In addition, our chapter posted our vote for the slate of National officers and we have posted other photos on our Facebook page.

On August 8^th, 2018, The FBINHCAAA held the training program Until Help Arrives. This program instructs the average non-medical citizen on techniques to use to stop severe bleeding.

The program was held at the New Haven Police Sub Station at 332 Whalley Avenue, New Haven. At the end of the training the attendees had a skill set to assist during an emergency such as a motorcycle accident or a multiple trauma incident. 

The program was led by experts Mike Vincelli and Dave Heiden

In connection with our new program supporting the FBI New Haven field office’s victims’ assistance unit, the Association assembled three backpacks full of the requested items, including gift cards and a note of encouragement from a member’s young daughter.  Courtney Litowitz, Victim Specialist, accepted the delivery and had the following to say:

The election results are in for the 2018/2019 Board of Directors.  The following individuals have been elected to a two year term on the Board in the following positions:

·         Bob Caplan - Vice President

·         Elizabeth Getrost- Communications

·         Mike Vincelli - Education and Training

·         Dave Heiden - Education and Training

·         Robert Silvestri - Compliance

Congratulations to all – we look forward to another successful year with your help and expertise!

Note that the remaining board positions (President, Secretary, Membership, and Finance) will continue to serve until the end of 2018.

Another successful coat drive at the West Haven VA!

In December, members sorted and then distributed hundreds of coats and other winter wear to the patients and visitors at the VA.  These will also be used to support the homeless veterans center associated with the West Haven VA Hospital, as well as local women and children shelters.

Our thanks to Bill,  Bob C, Mike, Lou, Vesna, Angela, Elizabeth and Sandra for their help! 

And many thanks to the individuals and organizations who donated: 

·         Backyard Humanitarian

·         New Life Church (Trumbull CT)

·         Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven

·         FBI New Haven Field Office (New Haven, CT)

·         FBI New Haven Citizens Academy Alumni Association

 

On Saturday, October 28, the New Haven CAAA joined other community and law enforcement organizations at the first Community, Cops & Culture event, held at Albertus Magnus College.  Below is Charlie Grady’s summary of the event and also some photos.  Bill and Annabelle were given the opportunity to speak, and both Senator Blumenthal and SAC Ferrick were in attendance.  A great event!

_______________________________________________________________________

From Charlie Grady:

NHFO, this past Saturday the FBI Outreach Team in partnership with Connecticut State Police, New Haven Police and the Anti-Defamation League of CT held the first Community, Cops & Culture event at Albertus Magnus College. Ten (10) different countries were represented by CT police officers that are 1st generation immigrants from those countries as they presented stories of their journey to the United States and their career paths. Over 125 attendees were educated in cultures and histories typically not discussed in other forums.

One of the highlights of the day was the showing of the documentary "Waking In Oak Creek" with guest speakers from the film Arno Michaelis and Pardeep Kaleka. Arno a former "Skin Head" spoke passionately about his past as a "solider of hate" and how he was transformed by the very individuals that he once hated. Pardeep's father was killed by a member of the same hate group Arno once belonged to and helped to create. Both men formed a non-profit called "Serve2Unite" and now travel the country teaching tolerance and understanding of cultures as a way to unite all Americans.

Our Citizen's Academy and Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA) Alumni also presented about our program's personal impact on themselves and the community.

I would like to thank:

And Supervisors for allowing their staff to participate:

         Judie Driscol, Tanya Hall, Marvin Kolaric

Bill Wade, Elizabeth Getrost, Dr. Vesna Markovic, Dr. Lou Iorio, Bob Caplan and Anna Belle Bass.

FLEYA Alum

And anyone that helped in any way to make the event a success. NHFO leading the way!

 FBI

Charles Grady

Community Outreach Specialist COS
600 State St. New Haven, CT 06511
203-503-5207

Milford PD Virtual Range Training

Our Association was offered two sessions at the Milford Police training facility’s high tech virtual range.  We each took a turn running through various scenarios posing as police in order to gain a better understanding of the decision making process they face.  We received both an orientation and a debrief when we had all completed our turns.  

The three police department employees who coordinated it couldn’t have been more professional.  The event also allowed for social time for members.

Saturday 6/24/17 was the culmination of the 2017 Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy – the graduation ceremony took place on Yale’s West Campus and was well attended by students, parents, FLEYA alumni, law enforcement, the FBI, and our Association. 

Charlie Grady, as the master of ceremony made it clear this endeavor includes a great collaboration between FBI, Yale and law enforcement, as well a unique opportunity for the students.  Their keynote speaker was Connecticut’s first US Attorney, Deidre Daly, who clearly understood the spirit of the Academy and provided inspiration to students and attendees.  All of this was preceded by a dignified color guard, who marched out the flags and we all stood for the pledge of allegiance.

During the luncheon, Charlie thanked our Association and had Annabelle, Bob and Elizabeth stand to applause.  Senator Richard Blumenthal said some encouraging words and the FBI had its resident DJ setting the mood with music. 

The FBI hung a banner with the FBI, FLEYA and CAAA logos

Many thanks to:

·         Bill, who had many communications with Yale to arrange for the food  

·         Adam and Bob for working the chain of custody for the payment to Yale.

·         Annabelle, who arrived just in time to assist with banner hanging and the FBI store.
         Elizabeth, who brought flowers and balloons to dress up the location

An FBI New Haven Citizens Academy Alumni Association member presented on Social Media Risks to parents at the Lincoln Basset Community School, which is based in New Haven, CT.  The presentation, designed by the New Haven Field Office, was well received:   

“I would like to take this opportunity thank you for the…presentation for the parents and community last night it was a wonderful opportunity see how well-organized the presentation was…thank you so very much for your commitment to families and community.”

Florence Caldwell

Title 1 Liaison