MEMBERSHIP ENTITLEMENTS

As a member of the American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon, you are entitled to several benefits. The Entitlements the Association offers are granted to each individual member or earned through competitive activities. These entitlements include:

 

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
 

Upon acceptance into ACJA-LAE, members receive:
 

Membership Certificate - that is frameable and printed on parchment paper. It contains the member's name; the Association's logo and seal; the date of acceptance; and the approval of acceptance by the signatures of the National President and the Executive Secretary.
 

Membership Card - that identifies them as a member of ACJA-LAE. After initial acceptance, the card is issued annually upon renewal of Association membership.
 

Membership Pin - a gold organizational identification pin that is a facsimile of the ACJA-LAE logo. To be worn with pride.
 

ACJA-LAE Sticker - to be placed on books, cars, etc.
 

National Journals and Newsletters - distributed to each active member. The publications contain articles and manuscripts related to the criminal justice field; synopses of released publications in the criminal justice field; Association activities at the National, Regional, and Chapter levels; and accomplishments and news of individual members.
 

Job Information - The Association has found the best source of job information to be on the Internet.  It is impossible to keep up with employment information and "job banks" that are available throughout the United States in the criminal justice field.  We have noted many sites on our "Other Links of Interest" page that list job information.  The Association also holds a "Job Fair" at each National Conference for those members looking for employment.

SCHOLASTIC HONOR AWARDS
 

In recognition of outstanding scholastic attainment in the field of the administration of criminal justice, Keys (a distinctive charm/pin with the ACJA-LAE logo) and a Certificate are awarded to members who exemplify themselves academically. To obtain the Keys, candidates must submit a certified copy of the GPA transcript along with a cover letter, and the degree awarded to the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter. Upon verification that the candidate meets the requirements for the award, the Certificate and Key Emblem will be mailed to the recipient.
 

Graduate Keys - are awarded to those members who meet the requirements with a Graduate/Masters Degree. In order to qualify for a Graduate Key, a member's grade point average must be at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0.
 

Gold Keys - are awarded to those members who meet the requirements with a Bachelors Degree. In order to qualify for a Gold Key, a member's grade point average must be at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0.
 

Silver Keys - are awarded to those members who meet the requirements with an Associate Degree. In order to qualify for a Silver Key, a member's grade point average must be at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0.
 

COMPETITIVE AWARDS

Members may compete nationally for the following monetary awards:
 

Scholarships

A competitive program, which makes annual monetary scholarship, awards to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a course of study in the criminal justice field. Three categories of awards have been established to include a Graduate Division, an Upper Division, and a Lower Division. The winners of the Scholarship competition are selected by the Scholarship Committee. Annual awards are announced at the National Conference of the Association held each year. The deadline for Scholarship applications is December 31st of each year. Interested members may contact the Executive Secretary to obtain applications and information.
 

Student Paper Competition

Any student member is eligible to compete who is enrolled in an academic program. Three categories of awards have been established to include a Graduate Division, an Upper Division, and a Lower Division. All entries must be original papers dealing with issues and problems in the areas of criminology, law enforcement, juvenile justice, courts, corrections, prevention, planning and evaluation, and career development and education in the field of criminal justice. The deadline for Student Paper Competition applications and papers is January 31st of each year. Awards are announced at the National Conference held each year. Interested members may contact the Executive Secretary for an application and information.

Richard McGrath Memorial Fund Award

The Richard McGrath Memorial Fund may be given to one deserving student from each region each year.  The purpose of the Award is to pay the Conference Registration Fee for the upcoming National Conference.  The minimum criteria for all recipients of this Award shall include:  (1) be an ACJA/LAE member in good standing; (2) be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program consistent with the criminal justice field; (3) have been active in chapter and regional activities; (4) have attended at least one regional meeting; and (5) sign and submit a completed Richard McGrath Memorial Fund Nomination Form.  Completed forms shall be submitted to each Regional President by December 1st of each year.  The Regional Presidents shall select and submit the recipient and one alternate.  The Regional Presidents are responsible for submitting their award winners to the Executive Secretary by December 31st of each year.  Interested members may contact the Executive Secretary for an application and information.

NOTE:  The National Scholarship and Student Paper Competition are only open to ACJA/LAE Members.  You may request an Application for Membership and the Scholarship / Student Paper Applications at the same time.

CONFERENCES
 

National Conference

Once a year, a weeklong National Conference is held comprised of workshops; seminars; written, practical, and physical competitive events. Five written competitions include Criminal Law, Police Management and Operation, Juvenile Justice, Corrections and an LAE Knowledge exam. A Crime Scene Investigation is held as well as a Pistol Competition for individuals and team competition. A Physical Agility competition is also offered. The National Conference is held in a different city each year and is structured around a specific theme chosen by the Board of Directors. A National Business Meeting is held as well as banquets with guest speakers. A closing banquet is scheduled at each National Conference and trophies are awarded to the winners who competed in the competitions throughout the week.
 

Regional Conferences

Once a year in the Fall, a mini-conference is held in each of our six regions. This Conference is usually 2-3 days long and consists of competitions, seminars, workshops and Regional Business Meeting. A closing banquet is scheduled at the end of the Conference and trophies are awarded to the winners who competed throughout the week.

ASSOCIATION ACCESSORIES

Selected plaques, trophies, binders, and ACJA/LAE mouse pads are available from the National Office. For a complete list of Association Accessories, contact the Executive Secretary.