NLPOA Newsletter. President's Message. In This Issue. Dear Members & Supporters:

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1 (March) Honoring Family, Education & Community through Service & Mentorship NLPOA Newsletter Maech 2014 In This Issue 1. President's Message 2. Jan/Feb Expenditure 3. Candidates Page 4. Upcoming Event George Aranda National President President's Message Dear Members & Supporters: I hope this letter finds everyone in good health. As we continue to progress the NLPOA into the right direction, I continue to be privileged to serve as the National President of this great Association. As a member since 1992 and having served as the Dallas Chapter President for over 10 years, I have seen and felt the highs and lows of this Association. I am determined to get us back to the powerhouse we once were. Within the last few months I have taken many notes and have heard many comments/concerns as to the many things that need to be fixed and/or addressed. The biggest concern has been the lack of communication and dissemination of information from the National Executive Board to the State and Local Chapters. Transparency My top priority for the NLPOA is to have the highest level of transparency. Below are just a few steps that have been added to make the association more transparent: Stephani Hernandez Business Manager All NLPOA information: Upcoming Events, Photos of Events, Treasurer Report, President s Letter are all placed on the NLPOA website. Increased the use of Social Media (Facebook) to promote the NLPOA and keep the membership informed of future events, hot topics, and important LE information. To improve our revenue base, the Executive Board, has agreed to cut back 25% of the total cost from each national board members travel for this year s 2014 National Conference. It is not huge, but it is a start and a concentrated effort to all work together. Patty SanMartino National Treasurer We have also eliminated a couple of services that were being paid for by the NLPOA to improve savings. The Executive Board has retained a Pro-Bon IRS Tax Attorney in Stephen Gildes, and also looking into adding (2) Pro-Bono Law Firms. Fiscal Responsibility As the national audit is in the final stages of being completed, I have dissected the treasurer reports and have found that the Executive Board did not travel any more nor any less than previous years. To continue the political and law enforcement relationships across the nation, whether to include sister chapter s such as HAPCOA, NOBLE or ILEA or our relationships in Washington D.C., just to name

2 Andy Cruz National Webmaster a few, members of this association must travel to have face to face dialogue to be effective and to have a driving force at the table. Many of you know that because of the economy, several funds that were accessible to the NLPOA have been depleted along with the cutbacks of the LEOS and training funds for every major police department. Several of the major sponsors who had donated monies in the past and helped offset the costs of travel of the NLPOA, have been reduced or are no longer allowed to donate until the economy improves. This is uncontrollable, but what is controllable is the manner in which it can be approached and remedied. There are many other items being looked into but it must be done together as one cohesive unit. We can no longer afford or tolerate to be divisive and I ask you, the membership to expect and demand the same. Marco Alvarado NLPOA Received over 12,039 Pageviews, in Feb % were new visits If you would like your event or Chapter information to be sent out via the National Newsletter just the information to Andy Cruz Once again I must address the issue of the payment of National dues. Each chapter is mandated to pay their chapter dues of $15 per member by March 15, 2014, as directed by the SOPs. If these are not paid members/chapters will not be able to participate in this year s elections in May. Standard Operating Procedures and By-laws Another complaint was that there were several versions of the By-laws and SOPS being disseminated. The NLPOA only recognizes the ratified and voted on By-laws from July 3, 2010, Austin, TX, and the ratified and voted on SOP s from May 17, 2003, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you or any one of you chapter/members needs a copy, they can be found on the NLPOA website at Leadership I would also like to quell and address some of the bad information that certain individuals are putting out there towards the National. First, let me say SHAME on them for making every opportunity to hinder progress and attempting to turn membership against membership. That is a true sign of lack of leadership and unprofessionalism. Instead of finding avenues to improve or remedy the process, certain individuals look for opportunities to put out negative and inaccurate information that can only hinder this association. Please refrain from making things personal. As leaders we must learn to effectively navigate and build consensus amongst our multiple and diverse stakeholders. The diverse nature of the NLPOA creates the need for a diverse matrix of skills, experience, and perspectives in individual members. Members are not always clear about how they can best contribute to the NLPOA s growth and direction, but creating rumors and putting bad information out there is not a way to grow a successful Association. Future Opportunities I have been in some very productive talks with the Department of Homeland Security and they have extended some key position openings with the DHS. I have asked Andy Cruz to continue to place these and other job postings on the national website. If anyone is interested please submit your resume to the addresses and the NLPOA would be happy to write a recommendation letter. :

3 2014 National Conference Please make every effort to book your rooms for the 2014 National Conference. I have been privileged to have attended every National Conference or Spring Conference since 1996(Orlando, Omaha, Puerto Rico, Minnesota, New Jersey, Miami, Washington DC, San Diego, 2-Las Vegas, 3-Dallas, Austin, Denver and have met some of the best people and created friendships and a brotherhood that is unexplainable. If you have never attended an NLPOA Conference, you are missing out on a grand experience. See everyone in Las Vegas!!!!!!!!!! In closing, if you or anyone of your members needs to get a hold of me, I am a phone call away. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone or by . Respectfully, George Aranda President NLPOA Jan/Feb Expenditure Report From Patty SanMartino The January and February Expenditure Report has been completed and placed on the National Website. If you would like to view the report just go to an click on NLPOA DOCUMENTS. Then enter your user name and password. If you need a user name and password just Andy Cruz, our National Webmaster an he will assists you. Candidates Web Page From Andy Cruz, National Webmaster I have created a Candidates Page on the National Website. If you are running for a National Office please me your photo and bio. So far the following NLPOA Members will be running for National Office in May. George Aranda, from Dallas, running for National President Andrew Peralta, from Las Vegas, running for National President Rafael F. Nieves, from Ventura County CA, running for National Western Vice President.

4 Upcoming Conference From: Marco Alvardo, Clark Co/Las Vegas Hotel Reservations at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino I would like to remind everyone that the conference date is approaching fast and I would like to invite everyone to come and be a part of the 41st National Latino Peace Officers Association Law Enforcement Training Conference. This is going to be a great opportunity for all those in law enforcement to network with one another and share new ideas in the fight against crime. NLPOA Members will receive great training all while enjoying what our fabulous City has to offer. The importance of this year s conference is only magnified by the opportunity for each member to cast their vote during this year s elections. I look forward to seeing everyone in Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada. Thank you. Sincerely Marco Alvarado President National Latino Peace Officers Association Las Vegas/Clark county Chapter. Phone: [email protected] Website:

5 This Newsletter was written and produced by Andy Cruz, NLPOA National Webmaster. Any questions regarding the content of this newsletter should be directed to Andy Cruz