Before I address several issues related to our great organization, it goes without saying that along with many of you it was with great pride and admiration last week when I witnessed God's blessings on our country in the election of Senator Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. This historic event will resonate, in the annuls of history for centuries to come. In celebration of this golden opportunity for our country, NOBLE provided a congratulatory press release to Senator Obama and Senator Joseph Biden on their historic achievement and our desire to work with the new administration on issues impacting our communities.

As part of my ongoing commitment to maintain an open dialogue with our members, I want to take a few minutes to bring you up to date on several activities that I have been involved with during the past month in representing our great organization at a variety of events.

Recently I served as a panelist on youth and gun violence at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Forum. In addition, I represented NOBLE at the African American Drug Policy Coalition Symposium along with Past President Chief (Retired) Clarence Edwards and Congressional staff members to advocate policy issues related to NOBLE's goals and objectives.

I also represented NOBLE at the annual wreath laying ceremony, which was held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Finally, while traveling to Chicago to represent NOBLE at a Technologies for Critical Incident Preparation Conference, I was able to witness first hand the Chicago Chapter's efforts in advancing our Domestic Violence strategies initiative at a town hall forum and workshop.

There should be no doubt that all engagements supported a central theme -NOBLE is actively engaged in being an active partner in policy making decisions and is at the forefront of identifying effective strategies to positively impact communities across our great country.

First Vice President Ernest Greene, Executive Director Jessie Lee and Mark Logan, Chair of our Education and Training Committee are aggressively developing the agenda and infrastructure to make our winter Bracey Leadership Symposium a resounding success. As you begin to plan efforts for the first part of next year, please block out the dates of February 6-7, 2009 and plan on joining us in Atlanta, Georgia for a symposium that will "drill into identifying contemporaneous solutions to pressing issues in the areas of offender re-entry and police excessive force." Only when we collectively come together and strategically approach criminal justice issues that impact our communities, will we be capable of developing sound solutions, which can be implemented.

In an effort to develop long term strategies related to our youth, I have placed the Law and You Advisory Committee under our Youth Committee. This reorganization will ensure the activities of both are seamless and integrated. In addition, we recently engaged the National Association of Black Prosecutors in discussions to host joint "Law and You" presentations in the ensuing months. As you receive information related to supporting our various youth initiatives, please be diligent within your communities in advancing NOBLE's goals. Collectively we can make a greater impact than singularly. So let's come together for the common good of our communities and advance these programs various initiatives in an effort to change behavior and keep our kids out of the proverbial "system."

Please remember those members in Region 5 adversely impacted recently by a natural disaster. Where possible please donate to this worthy cause. We need and appreciate your support for this effort.

Finally, by now you should have received information related to our National fund-raiser. As I stated in my prior correspondence, if you are unable to sell the car raffle tickets in your communities, please consider purchasing one. The combined efforts of the entire membership, are needed to make this initiative a success and meet our financial obligations. Only with your help can we ensure NOBLE remains on the right course. Through the effective stewardship of your elected officials and the National Office, coupled with support from you and our sponsors we are able to advance various organizational programs.

Since our past Annual Conference, we collectively embarked on a journey to elevate NOBLE to a higher level and address vital issues consistent with our organizational goals and objectives. Our combined efforts will ensure success and achievement of results as we identify and enhance policies and methods of policing in our communities.

The National Office has received several calls regarding the 2009 Presidential Inaugural events in Washington, DC. The Martin Luther King Day Observances take place on January 19th and the Presidential Inaugural is on January 20th.

The Inaugural events include but are limited to the following:

• Swearing in Ceremony for the President and the Vice President at the US Capitol
• Inaugural Parade
• Inaugural Balls

Most of the events are ticketed and are controlled by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC). The Committee should be appointed in the next couple of weeks. Beware of purchasing tickets to these events from sources other than the PIC.

There will be large video monitors on the Mall which will be open to the public at no charge. Seating in the bleachers along the parade route is reserved for ticket holders.

Hotels in Washington, DC are already booking for a minimum of $500 per night; many with a 3-5 night minimum, paid in advance and no refunds. Some hotels are reportedly getting upwards of $1,500 per night. if you plan on attending the events, look for a hotel in Maryland or Virginia but inside of the I-495 Beltway. Try to find one close to the Metro subway as driving in DC will be difficult.

We have established a section on the NOBLE Forum, for members to post to share hotel rooms and for housemates for the Inaugural. You must be logged in: (membership number and first name) in order to access the Forum. (www.noblenational.org, touch Members Only then click on Member Forum),

The Plum Book web portal (for presidential appointments) is linked from the NOBLE Website , under the Career Center link.

The 2009 Presidential Inaugural Badge is available for sale. Click on the image below.

Tickets to the inauguration ceremony are free and distributed through the newly elected and re-elected members of Congress in January 2009. Members of the public interested in attending should contact their senator or congressman to request a ticket. Congressional offices will get the tickets about a week before the swearing-in ceremony in January; in-person pickup is required.

A number of groups automatically gets tickets, such as members of Congress, former lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, Medal of Honor winners and of course, the president-elect, vice president-elect and their families. The remaining tickets are distributed to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Most people will have to stand through the ceremony at the Capitol, as there are just 30,000 seats.

The President and First Lady usually attend the 12 or so official Inaugural Balls. The Hawaiian Ball is already sold out at $200 per ticket.

In photo: (L-R) who Jerry Demmings won election as Orange County Florida Sheriff pauses for photo with his wife, Orlando Chief of Police Val Demmings and President-elect Barack Obama.

The Project Hopeline phone collection program has been extended until November 30, 2008, to ensure that each chapter gets an opportunity to participate.

Please send all collected phones to Verizon Wireless by December, 10, 2008.

All final reports will be due by December 5, 2008.

President MacArthur Holmes and the members of the Georgia Chapter are pleased to report that Theodore "Ted" Jackson has been elected Sheriff of Fulton County, GA.

Jackson is a 33 year veteran of the FBI. He retired as Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office. In 2004 he was appointed Interim Sheriff by Governor Sonny Purdue.

President Ralph Godbee and the members of the Metro Detroit Chapter are pleased to announce that John N. Vinson, who currently is Undersheriff for the Isabella County Sheriff's Department in Mount Pleasant, Mich., has been selected as the chief of police at the University of Washington. His appointment will be effective in February 2009.

Vinson, who holds a Ph.D. in public administration from Western Michigan University, has 15 years of law enforcement experience, including ten years of supervisory and administrative experience.

"We are delighted to bring John Vinson to the UW as our new chief of police," said Vice Provost for Student Life Eric Godfrey. "He has an exceptional combination of policing and management skills, as well as an accomplished educational background. Under his leadership, I am confident the UW Police department will continue to provide outstanding service in keeping our community safe for our students, faculty, and staff."

As the second in command in Isabella County since 2005, Vinson directs and organizes the day-to-day operation of the divisions of the department, including road patrol, the detective bureau, records and jail operations. Isabella County has a population of 65,000. The department has a 196 bed jail, 60 employees, three labor unit contracts and a $4.2 million budget.

Vinson also worked at the Central Michigan University Police Department in Mount Pleasant from 1996 to 2004, serving first as a police officer and for six years as a sergeant. Central Michigan has an on campus student population of more than 19,500.

Vinson holds a bachelor of science in business administration from Central Michigan and a master of science in administration. He also has received training at the FBI National Academy.

The UW Police Department, a CALEA accredited police agency with a staff of 100, including 50 commissioned officers, provides law enforcement to a campus population of roughly 67,000 students, faculty, and staff. Among the services it provides are crime prevention, uniformed patrol response, crowd control, dignitary protection, facilities security, traffic control and enforcement, criminal investigations, and emergency management.

Vinson's annual salary will be $160,000. It should be noted that President Les Young and the Washington State chapter members are preparing a "Starbucks welcome" for Chief Vinson.

Region Five Vice President Vera Bumpers-Pentecost is pleased to announce that the NOBLE National Executive Board approved the charter of the Baton Rouge Middle District Chapter.

The chapter officers are:

• President Larry Navarre
• First Vice President Charles Armstrong
• Second Vice President Anthony Ponton
• Treasurer Marc Tabor
• Recording Secretary Genora Tilley
• Executive Assistant to the President Reginald Brown, Sr.

2008 has been a good year for Region Five with the Nebraska Chapter approved at the National Conference, the reinstatement of the Central Texas (Austin) Chapter and the proposed Laredo Chapter both pending.

Dear NOBLE Brothers and Sisters:

As we continue to strive to endow the NOBLE National Scholarship Fund and award scholarships to qualified and deserving students, we need your support.

Listed below are fundraisers to benefit the National Scholarship.

1. The: 2008 White House Christmas Ornament and 2008 Secret Service Benefit Fund Christmas Ornament: these make excellent gifts for friends, family, teachers, neighbors or any guests who drop by for the holiday. Orders must be received by November 14, 2008.
2. The NOBLE Commemorative Prints by Brenda Joysmith.

• Developing a Winner
• 25th Anniversary Print "The New Lieutenant"
• 30th Anniversary Print - "Acknowledge the Past, Inspire Positive Change And Create a Better Future"

All donations to the NOBLE National Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.
Please forward your order to:
Hubert Bell
5906 Reservoir Heights Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22311 Together we will make this a successful fundraiser.

February 2009 will be a busy month for NOBLE and the Hilton Atlanta Atlanta, GA 30303
will be the venue NOBLE's most important winter events.

President John Dixon and the members of the Central Virginia Chapter will host their 2008 Christmas Gala on Saturday, December 13, 2008 from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. at the Henrico County Volunteer Rescue Squad 5301 Huntsman Road, Sandston, VA 23150

Music by: DJ John Miles Donation: $20 (Set-ups included) BYOB Proceeds to Benefit CVC Scholarship Fund & Youth Initiatives

President Willie Mayes and the members of the Northern Illinois Chapter cordially invite you to their Christmas Steppers Set. The event will be held on Friday, December 19, 2008, from 8:00 P.M. until 1:00 A.M. at Pipers banquets, 1295 Butterfield Rd, Aurora, Il.

Music by Maurice "ICE" Culpepper There is a donation of $15 in advance and $20 at the door. You must be at least 21. Hors d' oeuvres will be served and there is a cash bar.

A donation will be made from our Steppers Set to benefit Josiah Jackson, an infant heart transplant candidate, visit http://www.cotaforjosiahj.com for more information about Josiah.

President Eugene Williams and the members of the Chicago Metropolitan Chapter invite you to the annual Dinner Dance, which will be held on Friday Nov 14, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 151 W. Wacker Drive, Downtown Chicago.

Tickets are $75 each (One Table seats 10 people) and everyone will need a ticket because there will be no ticket sales at the door.  ALL TICKET MONEY IS DUE BY OCTOBER 31 2008. The sooner you get your money in, the closer you sit to the action!  

For sponsorship opportunities and tickets please contact one of the following:

Erroll Davis (CPD- 4th Dist) 312-747-5108; Email address: secureye@aol.com

Marjet Hall- Wysinger (CPD - Unit 188) 312-745-6085; Email address: amwys4@yahoo.com

Sharita Lewis-Anderson (CPD - Unit 212) 773-430-6310 Email address: sharita.anderson@yahoo.com

Eugene Williams (CPD - Area 2) Email Address: gene1716@excite.com

You may also call the NOBLE Chicago Chapter Hotline # 312-458-9711.