This association shall be known as Citizen Policy Academy Alumni of Aurora.

This association shall function in the City of Aurora, in the State of Illinois.

A.  The Citizen Police Academy Alumni of Aurora (hereafter known as CPAAA) exists to  assist the Aurora Police Department (hereafter known as APD) in its overall  Mission. 

B.  The Organization is provided education by the department in law enforcement  issues and community concerns.

C.  The CPAAA supports the APD by volunteerism, fostering the belief that preservation  of public welfare is the duty of every citizen. 

D.  As a citizen group we will offer a helping hand to our community to improve our  quality of life. 

E.  We will assist the APD in developing and coordinating various projects that are  meaningful, rewarding experiences for our community when necessary.

A.  Full membership is only available to those who have completed the Citizen Police Academy as provided by the City of Aurora Police Department, State of Illinois.

B.  No person shall be denied membership in this association because of race, sex, religion or ethnic background.

C.  Only full members in good standing shall be able to vote on association business or hold office. A full member in good standing is one who is current in their dues.

D.  Honorary members are chosen by action of the Executive Board (hereafter known as  Board) based on significant direct or indirect support of the CPAAA. Those chosen  by the Board shall be ratified by a majority vote of those present at the general  membership meeting and will have all privileges of membership except for voting  rights and participation as a board member. 

E.  Since this is a participation driven organization, all members are expected to  participate by attending meetings and functions.

F.  All members and officers will serve on a voluntary basis.

A. Except as otherwise provided, membership requires payment to the association of  annual dues which shall be set by the Board and reviewed annually, payable on or  before the January meeting. 

B. Members who have not paid renewal dues by the end of the January meeting will be  dropped from the membership list. To attend meetings, receive newsletters, obtain  access to social media, or volunteer for CPAAA activities, past members will need to  be reinstated. After the January meeting, there will be a reinstatement fee as  determined by the Board. Dues invoices shall be mailed out to the membership by  the Treasurer at least one month prior to the January meeting. 

C. No dues or fees will be assessed to Honorary members. 

D. Initial membership fees will be set by the Board and reviewed annually.

A. All funds shall be derived from dues, donations from any source, or proceeds from  fundraisers. 

B. Funds secured by the CPAAA shall be used in support of the APD and furthering the  education of the CPAAA and the Citizen Police Academy (CPA) programs including  the Adult CPA and a Youth CPA. 

C. Any funds remaining at the end of the calendar year (year to be from January 1st to  December 31st) shall be carried over to the next calendar year. 

D. An internal financial review shall be conducted annually at the end of the calendar  year. An independent audit shall be conducted at the end of any calendar year in  which gross receipts exceed $300,000. This process shall ensure the non-profit  objective of this organization. 

E. In the event of the dissolution of this association all funds shall be disposed of  according to present statutes. 

F. All requests for donations from the CPAAA must be submitted to the Board for  preapproval. Those requests the Board considers worthwhile must be presented to  the membership for their approval. 

G. The CPAAA will pay for the registration fee for two (2) Board members and one  general member to attend the National Citizen Police Academy Association annual  conference. If multiple general members attend there will be a lottery to select  whose registration will be paid. Additionally, the CPAAA will pay for the registration  fee for up to three (3) Aurora Police Department law enforcement officers to attend. 

H. Funds raised for a specific purpose shall be expended for that purpose. If the  purpose ceases to exist after the funds are secured, the funds can then be reallocated  by a majority vote of the Board.

The elected officers of this organization shall be as follows:

1. 1. President

   2. First Vice President

   3. Second Vice President

   4. Recording Secretary

   5. Treasurer

   6. Membership Coordinator

   7. Communications Coordinator

   8. Event Coordinator

   9. Project Coordinator

   10. Past President

A. The offices of President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, Membership  Coordinator, and Past President shall begin in even numbered years.

B. The offices of First Vice President, Recording Secretary, Communications  Coordinator, Event Coordinator, and Project Coordinator shall begin in the odd  numbered years. 

C. The duties of the officers are provided in CPAAA Policies. 

D. It is expected that elected officers will attend most (80%) of the board meetings held  in any given year. Failure to attend meetings may result in disqualification from the  Board. Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis if discussed with the  Board at the beginning of the year or with the President within a reasonable time prior to the board meeting. 

Nominating Committee/Elections 

E. The nominating committee shall convene in October and shall consist of the First  Vice President and two members at large. The committee shall be responsible for  identifying at least one qualified and agreeable candidate for each office that is open  in a given year. Those interested in running for office should be a member for at  least 2 years and be in good standing. They must be willing and able to attend  monthly executive and general meetings. Those members who desire to hold an  elected position shall notify the nominating committee. The nominating committee  shall present their slate at the November meeting for those members elected taking  office January 1st of the following year. 

F. An uncontested slate should be accepted by verbal vote at the November meeting.

G. If nominations are added from the floor, the slate will be voted on by ballot at the  December meeting.

H. The terms of said officers should be for a period of two (2) years. No officers may  succeed themselves two (2) consecutive terms unless the slate is uncontested and  approved by membership at the November meeting. 

I. If an officer leaves office during their term, the replacement shall be nominated by  the Board and approved by the membership. 

J. The Board of this association shall have the control, direction, and general  management of the affairs, business, and funds of this association.

K.  It is desirable for a board member to be a member of each committee, when  possible. The Committee Chair shall keep the Board updated on their respective  committees. Board meeting agendas shall include committee report updates.

A. Executive board meetings will normally be held once a month during session. All  agenda items for Board meetings should be brought to the attention of the President  and/or 1st Vice President no less than 3 days prior to board meetings so that  members can have appropriate answers/materials available at meeting. This does  not pertain to special meetings called by President or 1st Vice President. 

B. The President or 1st Vice President, upon reasonable notice to Board members may  call a special meeting of the Board. 

C. The majority shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.

D. Membership meetings shall be held the second Tuesday of most months at a place  and time to be determined by the Board. The members shall have reasonable notice  of said meetings. Typically, there are no general meetings in June or July.

E. A majority vote shall decide any questions at any meeting except as otherwise herein  provided. 

F. Special meetings of the members may be called by action of the President of the  Board, with reasonable notice to the Membership.

A. A member of the CPAAA may be disqualified from this organization for the following reasons:

1. 1. Conviction of a felony or Class A or B misdemeanor.

   2. Violation of any policy or procedure of the APD or the lawful directives of any police officer when acting as a member of the CPAAA.

   3. Any activity or action that is disruptive to the goals and objectives of this organization.

   4. Any act that is considered unethical or would cause a negative image of the CPAAA.

   5. Any member may be removed at any time by directions of the Aurora Chief of Police, or his designated representatives without a disqualification hearing.

   6. Any member of the association, except honorary, may institute disqualification requests. The request must be submitted in writing to the Board, detailing the reason warranting disqualification.

   7. If the Board determines there is no justification for disqualification, the matter is dropped. The member registering the complaint will be notified of the Board’s decision.

B. All disqualifications shall be part of the permanent record along with the Board ruling.

C. Disqualifications should be be reported to the membership or others.  If asked, the response shall be that the individual is no longer with the organization.  This is the appropriate response whether the action is by the Chief of Police or the Board.

These by-laws may be amended at any meeting of the members of this association by a two-thirds vote of the members in attendance.

Notification of amendments to the By-Laws and Constitution will be given to members for review and first reading. Second reading and vote to take place at the following meeting.

Revised and approved in May 2025.