FBI Dallas Citizens Academy Alumni Association 2024 Annual Report
We are pleased to share with you the 2024 Annual Report of the FBI Dallas Citizens Academy Alumni Association. This report highlights our Chapter's achievements over the past year, showcasing the dedication and hard work of our all-volunteer membership in supporting the FBI's mission and engaging with our community.
In 2024, we made significant strides in community outreach, organized impactful events, and supported important initiatives in collaboration with the FBI Dallas field office. These accomplishments would not have been possible without your active participation and unwavering support.
We invite you to read the report to learn more about our programs, events, and the positive impact we have made together. Your commitment continues to strengthen our organization, and we look forward to achieving even more in the coming year.
Thank you for being an integral part of our community.
Link to PDF version of the report
Introduction
The 2024 Annual Report of the FBI Dallas Citizens Academy Alumni Association highlights the
Chapter’s achievements in alignment with the goals and objectives outlined in Exhibit A of the
2024 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the FBI Dallas field office. Since its founding in
2000, our Chapter has remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting the FBI’s mission
and community outreach efforts. This is evident through the various programs, events, and
community service initiatives led by our dedicated, all-volunteer membership, in close
collaboration with the FBI Dallas field office. Below are the key highlights of our goals and
accomplishments for 2024.
2024 MOA Goals and Accomplishments
MOA Goal #1: Community Outreach Events
● The FBI Dallas CAAA organized its third quarterly meeting in conjunction with National
Night Out, featuring a distinguished panel that included FBI Dallas SAC Chad
Yarbrough, DEA Dallas SAC Eduardo Chavez, and the Chiefs of Police from Frisco, Fort
Worth, and Irving. This event served to promote the collaborative efforts of local, state,
and federal law enforcement agencies. Over 90 attendees participated in this event.
● The FBI Dallas CAAA held its second quarterly meeting focusing on Elder Abuse
Awareness. Led by Brandi Schiflet, Chief Operating Officer of North Dallas Bank and
Trust, the event took place at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and
included a private viewing of the Dimensions in Testimony exhibit, offering attendees a
deeply educational experience as well as a tour of the museum.
● The FBI Dallas CAAA supported the 2024 Human and Child Sex Trafficking event,
hosted at the Grand Prairie Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie, TX. The event brought
together numerous organizations, including the FBI, ATF , Grand Prairie ISD, Grand
Prairie Police Department, Harvest Christian University, and the NAACP , to address and
raise awareness about human trafficking in our community.
● On a monthly basis, the FBI Dallas CAAA continued to support Bring the Light Ministries, a local non-profit organization that provides food, shelter, and training opportunities toreenter the workforce for the homeless community in Dallas. The FBI Dallas CAAA provides opportunities for its general membership to volunteer their hours to help serve this cause.
MOA Goal #2: FBI related Community Outreach Events
● The FBI Dallas CAAA spearheaded the FBI Day initiative, which welcomed
approximately 200 students from the following school districts: Mesquite, Forney,
Rockwall, Richardson, and Garland. This event provided students with valuable insights
into the work of the FBI and its impact on the community.
● The FBI Dallas CAAA awarded two $1,200 Criminal Justice Scholarships to Irene
Katsanis and Brayden Sanford. One of the recipients, Irene Katsanis, attended our
second quarterly meeting with her family furthering her connection to the Chapter and
the important work we do.
● The FBI Dallas CAAA continued our long time support of the FBI Dallas T een Academy
by providing snacks for the event.
MOA Goal #3: Additional Initiatives
● The FBI Dallas CAAA launched its first quarterly meeting, centered around the theme of
Cyber Ransomware – Cyber Threats and Security: Personal, Business, National &
International. This event aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing risks of
cyberattacks and the importance of cybersecurity. The meeting saw a strong turnout of
more than 90 attendees, during which new Board Members were introduced, as well as
the new Special Agent in Charge, Chad Yarbrough.
● The FBI Dallas CAAA organized a special event at the National Medal of Honor
Museum, set to open in March 2025. The Medal of Honor represents the highest military
distinction in the United States, awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional
courage and sacrifice in service to our country. The National Medal of Honor Museum
Foundation is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of these heroes. In
advance of the museum’s opening, the FBI Dallas CAAA has arranged an exclusive
preview for our members to honor the legacy of these extraordinary individuals.
● The FBI Dallas CAAA organized two separate events to promote connections and
friendships between members of the Chapter, family and friends. The first event was a
Meet-n-Greet held at a local restaurant with approximately 40 attendees. The second
event was a Holiday Social with approximately 25 attendees and a special invitation to
the recent 2024 Dallas CA graduates.
MOA Goal #4: Programming Involving FBI Personnel and Executive Management
● The FBI Dallas CAAA Board participated in the 2024 FBI Dallas Citizen Class as
ambassadors representing the Chapter in a professional capacity. During the session,
members maintained a presence, adhering to the protocol of remaining visible but
refraining from speaking unless invited by the COS.● The Board successfully increased the Chapter’s LinkedIn following by 52.25% growing from 178 to 271 followers over the course of the year.
Board of Directors
President – Dr. Bettye Heath
Vice President – Scott Kim
Secretary – Elisa Morales
Treasurer – Lori Dodson
Director of Education – Sherman Burns
Director of Community Outreach – Phil Glauben
Director of Community Outreach – Darryl Loy
Director of Chapter Engagement – T ammy Cotton Hartnett
Director of Chapter Support – Ejike Okpa
Director of Chapter Services – Hannah Francis
Director of Chapter Development – Dave Harben
Interim COS: Ashley Groover - (Permanent COS has been interviewed; will be selected soon.)
Membership Development
Our overall membership grew from 465 to 481 members this year. Of these, 287 are paid
members, reflecting a slight decrease of 3 compared to the previous year. Notably, the number
of lifetime members increased by 7, bringing the total to 164.
Volunteer Hours
In 2024, Chapter members dedicated over 2,000 volunteer hours to plan, organize, and execute
various outreach programs, while also managing Chapter operations. This extraordinary
commitment reflects the dedication of our members to supporting both the Chapter and the
broader community.
Chapter Recognitions
The Board proudly received the prestigious 2024 Gold Star Chapter designation which is a
significant honor that recognizes our exceptional proficiency in operations. This esteemed
designation serves as a symbol of our continued excellence in community outreach and is a
testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering strong partnerships with the FBI Dallas
Field Office. The Gold Star designation highlights our Chapter’s leadership, efficiency, and
impactful contributions to strengthening community relations and advancing the mission of the
FBI.
Chapter Operations Improvements
In 2024, the Chapter made a strategic shift by transitioning our board meetings from a remote
format to fully in-person gatherings. This change was aimed at fostering greater engagement,
participation, and stronger relationships among board members. Additionally, the Board held its
first-ever retreat at the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine, where we focused on setting initiatives and
goals for 2025. This retreat was a significant milestone, led by the President, and provided an
opportunity for the Board to collaborate on long-term strategic planning.
While we experienced a few resignations from Board members due to personal health
circumstances, we were able to quickly recruit new members to maintain our operational
strength. T o streamline our efforts, each Board member was assigned specific responsibilities,
with regular updates and progress reports to the President and Vice President, ensuring
accountability and efficient execution of our objectives.
Fundraising
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all of our income is derived from donations, either
designated for specific events or as general contributions, as well as membership fees. These
funds are used to support a variety of programming expenses, including event venue rentals,
contributions to organizations that aid in victim recovery and support at-risk populations, and
other operational costs. In 2024, we received a total of $12,800.00 in monetary donations, which
directly contributed to the continued success and impact of our initiatives.
Summary
Our achievements in 2024 can be partially attributed to the increase on our Board from 5 to 11
members in Director positions. By expanding our Board, the Dallas FBI CAAA was able to
launch new initiatives, define priorities, share diverse ideas and create new opportunities for its’
members.
Our future goals are to continue to provide opportunities for our members to be engaged in both
the Dallas FBI CAAA and the community. We believe that the positive attitude of our Board of
Directors will be a great motivation to increase our member engagement.
The Dallas FBI CAAA will dedicate the year 2025 to seeking out opportunities in NorthT exas to
provide the much needed support for the mental health of first responders and veterans. As
one of the main concerns which was brought to our Chapter’s attention by area Police Chiefs -
we hope to demonstrate to the community that the Dallas FBI CAAA heard the call and are
responding with enthusiasm and a deep appreciation for all members of law enforcement.
SUBMITTED BY
Name: Dr. Bettye Heath
Board Position: President
Chapter: Dallas, TX
Contact Email: bheath@fbidallascaaa.org
Written in collaboration with Dallas FBI CAAA Vice President - Scott Kim