Membership Benefits

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. This is a permanent membership card and is not replaced annually.

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 - Published online on the ACJA-LAE website. 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, a Certificate of Recognition and Keys (a distinctive charm/pin with the ACJA-LAE logo) are awarded to members who exemplify themselves academically. To obtain the Key Award, please fill out the Scholastic Honor Awards Form available on Site Map page or Forms page of this website after you have graduated. Send the completed Form with a Certified Copy of your GPA transcript with the degree awarded to the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter. Candidates also must be members of the Association when they apply for the Key Awards. Upon verification that the candidate meets the requirements for the Award, the Certificate of Recognition and Key Emblem will be mailed to the recipient. Key Award recipients are also printed in the Association's National Newsletter.

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. The Scholarship Form is available on the Site Map page or the Forms Page.

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 December 31st of each year. Awards are announced at the National Conference held each year. The Student Paper Form is available on the Site Map page or the Forms Page.

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. Each recipient shall be notified that his or her registration fee for the National Conference will be paid, immediately following the acceptance of this Award. Upon receiving confirmation that the Award has been accepted, the Executive Secretary shall transfer the registration fee for each recipient from the Ron Pincomb Memorial Fund to the National Conference fund. 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. The Form is available on the Site Map Page or Forms page. 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.

Ron Pincomb Memorial Fund Award

The Ron Pincomb Memorial Fund may be given may be given to one deserving professional from each region each year. Each recipient shall be notified that his or her registration fee for the National Conference will be paid, immediately following the acceptance of this Award. Upon receiving confirmation that the Award has been accepted, the Executive Secretary shall transfer the registration fee for each recipient from the Ron Pincomb Memorial Fund to the National Conference fund. Minimum criteria for all recipients of this Award shall include: (1) be an ACJA-LAE member in good standing; (2) have been active within his or her region; (3) have attended at least two (2) Regional meetings; and completes and submits the Ron Pincomb Memorial Fund Nomination Form. The Form is available on the Site Map Page or Forms page. Completed forms shall be submitted to the appropriate Regional President by December 1st. The Regional Presidents shall select and submit the recipient and one alternate. The Regional Presidents are responsible for submitted their award winners to the Executive Secretary by December 31st.

NOTE: The National Scholarship and Student Paper Competition are only open to
ACJA|LAE members. You may submit 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 other ACJA/LAE items are available to members from the National Office. Please see the Trophy and Awards Form and the Supplies Form for a complete list. See: Forms & Documents