Brief history on WAORCA

EST. APRIL 2021

Mission of WAORCA

“Working together to develop new, and innovative ways to combat Organized Retail Crime and other crimes impacting the business community.”

 

Goals of WAORCA

  • To stop or disrupt illicit ORC networks from committing crimes

  • To develop new and innovative ways to combat property related crimes

  • To educate the public on the problems associated with crime

  • To utilize advance technology to enhance the sharing of information to members

  • To support groups like the National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which advocate to strengthen laws, and assists our efforts to combat ORC

  • To conduct training conferences and symposiums to educate law enforcement and the private sector regarding current and emerging crime trends

  • To encourage members to meet regularly to share high level intelligence with one another

  • To unite businesses, city officials, and law enforcement in a plan to reduce crime and build awareness, in order to create safer areas to live, work, and shop

  • To encourage retail competitors to collaborate with law enforcement to resolve ORC and other criminal investigations

History of WAORCA

Born from the ashes of the Washington State Organized Retail Crime Alliance, the Washington Organized Retail Crime Association (WAORCA) was founded in April 2021 as an organization dedicated to fostering partnerships between law enforcement professionals and loss prevention professionals to provide training, combat Organized Retail Crime (ORC) and other crimes impacting the business community. 

The partnership will aid in the sharing of cross jurisdictional information to help identify, disrupt, and apprehend ORC suspects in Washington and other states.

 

Committees of WAORCA

WAORCA Committees is a fundamental importance to delivering quality service to its members. Although member’s participation is completely voluntary, they are expected to provide full participation once committed.  Committee chairs and members must be in good standing to be appointed.  Serving term is for one-year, unless serving as a Board Member, which is until the next annual Board Meeting and/or until his or her successor is selected.

 

Annual Training Conference Committee

The Annual Training Conference Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and designated member(s) of the Association who are responsible for planning the annual conference, approved by the Board.  The Board will appoint the members prior to the event.  The responsibilities include identifying a venue, budgeting, managing event logistics, marketing and securing the necessary personnel for day of event, all subject to Board of Directors approval.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and designated member(s) of the Association.  The Law Enforcement Director shall appoint the member(s) at the beginning of each year to review and certify the Treasurer's report prior to the annual training conference.  The committee will be responsible to examine the Association's accounts and prepare a report to the membership.

Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and designated member(s) of the Association.  The Executive Director will appoint the members at the beginning of each year.  The member(s) will be responsible to review the Articles of the Corporation and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors in writing prior to any Board Meeting.

 

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee chairperson will be the Treasurer and designated member(s) of the Association.  The Committee will review the financial practices of the Association and suggest fund raising ideas to the Board of Directors.  

Awards Committee

The Awards Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and designated member(s) of the Association.  The Board of Directors will appoint the member(s) prior to the Annual Training Conference.  The Awards Committee will be responsible for advertising and soliciting nominees for the award categories approved by the Board of Directors.  The awards shall be presented during the Annual Training Conference.

Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and designated member(s) of the Association.  The Board of Directors will appoint the members at the beginning of each year to be responsible for the integrity of the nominations and election procedures.