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Thank you for your interest in developing a student chapter of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice in your area. We look forward to you joining this professional organization in its nationwide efforts to address and impact issues as they relate to the field of criminal justice.
A minimum of twelve charter members are needed to begin a NABCJ student chapter. When developing a new student chapter, every effort should be made to encourage membership and participation from a broad representation of the community including religious, educational and civic leaders, as well as other individuals who are concerned about the impact of the criminal justice process and people of color.
One or two interested individuals, who may already be members of the Association should undertake the initial chapter development efforts.
Letters and phone calls to prospective chapter members should be directed to those individuals who may be most interested in being a part of NABCJ.
It is important to remember that membership in the Association is open to all, without regard to race, creed, religion, or national origin, who share our concern of improving the criminal justice system and lessening the negative impact of the process of African-Americans and other people of color. |
A date, time, and place for an initial meeting should be set. One of the initial chapter organizers should chair the meeting. At the initial meeting, information regarding the Association, its mission, objectives, membership requirements, and accomplishments should be presented. At that meeting, if a consensus is reached regarding the need to establish a new student chapter, the following action should be taken before the conclusion of the meeting:
- The prospective student chapter must adopt a set of bylaws which are consistent with those of the National Office. Most student chapters utilize the National bylaws in designing their bylaw document. The bylaw will become the initial governing document of the new student chapter. The bylaw can, at a later time, be modified to reflect any needed changes.
- Copies of the terms and conditions of affiliation with NABCJ can be distributed. This document outlines the responsibilities and duties of the State to its chapters and vice versa.
- Dues should be collected consistent with the information listed.
- A slate of officers should then be elected. The officers may be elected to serve for a period of one year, or they may be elected to serve until some other time at which the expanded chapter will vote in permanent slate. A president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer are the required officers. In addition, a parliamentarian and corresponding secretary may be elected as well. A resolution authorizing the Treasurer to open a local bank account in the name of the student chapter should be offered and adopted by the membership of the new student chapter.
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Several operating committees should then be established. These may have as their focus: a) membership; b) public relations/publicity; c) fund-raising; d) a time, date, and place for holding the monthly membership meetings should be established. A standard date and time for the monthly student chapter meeting generally works best. A decision should be made as to the exact name of the new student chapter. Finally, the secretary or president of the new student chapter should be authorized to acquire a local post office box to serve as the official mailing address of the new student chapter.
What will the new student chapter receive from the National Office?
When all the necessary information and fees are received by the National Treasurer, a decision to grant a charter to the prospective student chapter will then be made by the national Board of Directors at its next meeting. After the decision to grant a charter has been made the president of the new student chapter will receive the following:
- formal written notification of the action of the National Board regarding the decision to grant the new student chapter;
- a typed list of the names and address of each student chapter member whom the National Treasurer has been provided a completed membership application form and membership dues;
- two copies of the official student chapter charter. (The official charter certificate allows for the name of each charter officer of the new student chapter to appear on it. A decision may be made to have the new charter presented at the next Annual Business Meeting of the Association);
- membership cards for each of the new members, along with copies of the most recent national publication.
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As is the case with every professional association, there are fees associated with affiliation and membership in NABCJ. Remember, the Association is incorporated as a nonprofit organization. The financial affairs of the Association are subjected to an annual audit and are totally open to its members. All funds generated by the Association are used to carry out its official activities, e.g., educational programs, training conferences, scholarships, research, and public awareness. All officers and members of the national Board of Directors and local chapters are volunteers and serve without monetary compensation.
The annual dues paid by each member is $15.00 per year. Memberships are on a calendar year basis. For each student chapter member, $5.00 of the annual membership dues stays with the local student chapter and $10.00 is forwarded to the National Treasurer. Finally, each student chapter pays annual chapter dues to the National Treasurer in the amount of $50.00. Annual chapter dues are due on January 1st of each year. The annual chapter dues represents the only assessment received by the National Office and are used to defray the ongoing operating costs of the Association.
What should be forwarded to the National Office?
A new student chapter is required to forward to the National Treasurer the following:
- completed membership application forms for all of its new members;
- a copy of the adopted local bylaws including the official name of the new student chapter;
- a listing of the names, positions, and office phone numbers of the chapter's officers;
- the first year's annual chapter dues of $50.00, along with $10.00 of all individual membership dues collected by the new student chapter.
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As is the case with every professional association, there are fees associated with affiliation and membership in NABCJ. Remember, the Association is incorporated as a nonprofit organization. The financial affairs of the Association are subjected to an annual audit and are totally open to its members. All funds generated by the Association are used to carry out its official activities, e.g., educational programs, training conferences, scholarships, research, and public awareness. All officers and members of the national Board of Directors and local chapters are volunteers and serve without monetary compensation.
The annual dues each individual member pays is $50.00 per year. Memberships are on a rolling calendar year basis. For each chapter member, $25.00 of the annual membership dues stays with the local chapter and $25.00 is forwarded to the National Treasurer. Finally, each chapter pays annual chapter dues to the National Treasurer in the amount of $150.00 and a one-time chapter charter fee of $100.00. Annual chapter dues are due on January 1st of each year. The annual chapter dues represents the only assessment received by the National Office and are used to defray the ongoing operating costs of the Association.
What should be forwarded to the National Office?
A new student chapter is required to forward to the National Treasurer the following:
- completed membership application forms for all of its new members;
- a copy of the adopted local bylaws including the official name of the new student chapter;
- a listing of the names, positions, and office phone numbers of the chapter's officers;
- the first year's annual chapter dues of $50.00, along with $10.00 of all individual membership dues collected by the new student chapter.
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All payments should be submitted in the form of a certified check or money order payable to NABCJ.
The completed student chapter affiliation application package should be forwarded to:
National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice
North Carolina Central University
Post Office Box 19788
Durham, NC 27707 |
The National Office is responsible for processing your student chapter's application packet. If you have any questions regarding the information contained in this document, please phone the National Office at 919.683.1801 or fax us at 919.683.1903. The National Office will be glad to assist you with chapter development.
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