NAACP - SPRINGFIELD, MO BRANCH
Standing Committees
Communications, Press & Publicity
Seek to promote media content consistent with the National NAACP goals which include the elimination of racial isolation and fear and the furtherance of multiracial and cultural understanding;
Work to eliminate employment segregation and discrimination in those industries, [comprising the communications arts and sciences] (radio, telephone, television, motion pictures, newspapers, books, related computer communications, business, cable television);
Seek to ensure Historically Excluded Groups ownership and control of print and electronic media - both} hardware and software;
Monitor local and national media, especially advertising performance;
Provide the National Office with research and data on those local businesses engaged in communications arts and sciences;
Seek to ensure that all people have a meaningful right to choose from and have access to a variety of high quality telecommunications goods and services at reasonable cost;
Endeavor to secure publicity for the work of the Unit and the Association in the local press and on radio, television and other media;
Attempt to interest persons in charge of local news media on conditions affecting minority groups;
Seek to counteract derogatory and erroneous statements in local news media about Blacks and other minority groups;
Responsible for forwarding to THE CRISIS items covering Unit activities and important local affairs; and act as far as possible as an agency for the promotion and sale of THE CRISIS. No publicity shall be released without first being approved by the President of the Unit.
Community Coordination
Enlist the support of other community organizations on issues affecting the interests of Historically Excluded Groups.
Armed Services and Veterans Affairs
Seek to establish a working relationship with those agencies in 'government, national, state and local, having the responsibility in the affairs of members of the various Armed Services and Veterans and to see that the programs to which they are responsible are administered fairly and justly to members of the minority community;
Study conditions pertaining to veterans and members of the Military Service and their dependents and/or survivors in the community;
Serve as a center of information on matters affecting the members of the Active Military, Reserves, State National Guard and Veterans;
Maintain a repository of materials, information and forms to be used in assisting veterans and/or dependents of veterans and military personnel with their problems;
Receive and act on all complaints relative to acts of discrimination on account of race, color, creed, or denial of benefits to which they are entitled because of discrimination;
Prepare a quarterly report on committee activities to be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Unit and the National Director of Armed Services and Veterans Affairs.
ACT-SO ACT-SO is an acronym for Afro Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. It is a major project of the NAACP. With ACT-SO, the NAACP is providing an instrument through which Black youths are encouraged and inspired toward excellence in academic and cultural pursuits while benefiting from the maximum support of their communities.
Health
Work to promote, protect and maintain the health of Historically Excluded Groups;
Assess the health needs of the community; advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans;
Sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color; and support health initiatives of the Association.
Legal Redress
Investigate all cases reported to it; Supervise all litigation in which the Unit is interested; and
keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give general legal advice.
Political Action
Seek to increase registration and voting;
Work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of Historically Excluded Groups;
Seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation; Work to improve the administration of justice;
Work to secure equal enforcement of the law; and keep the National Office and the Unit informed of all proposed legislation which affects Historically Excluded Groups. The Committee shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office.
Promote an educational program designed to give moral and ethical interpretation to the civil rights struggle;
Interpret the work of the Association to organized religious groups of all faiths;
Enlist the support of such organized religious groups for membership, fundraising, and the struggle for equality and full civil rights; and provide resource assistance for religious education and social action activities, associated with the improvement of race relations.
Women in the NAACP
Address civil rights issues affecting women and children and shall carry out other civil and cultural activities to enhance membership and provide financial support to the Branch.
Implement local efforts and support national programs to preserve and expand economic empowerment among Historically excluded Groups and other communities of color by:
Researching and establishing relationships with private and public entities;
Supporting the work of the National Office in monitoring the progress and activity of private and public entities designated by national programs; and implementing local efforts to promote the growth of business ownership;
Increasing employment and job creation; and encouraging business development and home ownership.
Housing
Study housing conditions in the local community; Receive and seek to address complaints of discrimination;
Oppose all restrictive practices whether public or private; and disseminate information and render such other assistance, which may eliminate discrimination in housing.
Education
Seek to eliminate segregation and other discriminatory practices in public education;
Study local educational conditions affecting Historically Excluded Groups;
Investigate the public school system and school zoning;
Familiarize itself with textbook material there from which is racially derogatory;
Seek to stimulate school attendance; keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses where found;
Investigate the effects of standardized and high stakes testing practices;
Teacher certification;
Promote parental involvement in education; and aim to be a center of popular education on the race question and on the work of the Association.
Finance
The Finance Committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer, and at least one other member. It shall study the financial needs of the Unit and responsible for drafting an adequate annual budget.
Freedom Fund
Plan and conduct fund-raising activities, entertainment and other projects, for local and national purposes within the scope of the Association's program. It shall work closely with the Finance Committee.
Membership Develop and coordinate the programs of the youth groups. Young Adult The Young Adult Committee consists of Branch members, ages 21-40. The function of the Committee is to: Labor & Industry
Work throughout the year to maintain and increase the membership of the Association;
Be responsible for planning and organizing the annual membership campaign;
Be responsible on a continuous basis for soliciting new members and for securing renewals; and
Initiate all possible means to obtain Life Members and sponsor a continuing program towards this end.
Youth Work
1) Support all branch activities;
2) Stimulate interest through advocacy training and solicit membership of 21-40 year olds;
3) Create a mentorship program (Branch to Young Adults and Young Adults to Youth Units) to serve as a support bridge from Youth and College to Branch participation;
4) Provide networking and social opportunities for young adults in the local community; and
5) Encourage the participation of young adults in all activities and leadership within the Branch.
Work to eliminate discriminatory employment practices in industry and government, wage differentials based on race, unequal opportunities for training, promotion and unfair dismissals;
Encouraging greater participation in the trade union movement;
Work to end discriminatory practices in labor unions;
Secure the enactment of state and federal fair employment practices legislation; and work for improved opportunities in vocational and apprenticeship training.
Prison Branch Support
Work closely and directly with the members of their respective Prison Branch and the Regional Prison Coordinator.
Maintain contacts with, and report regularly to the Regional Coordinators.
Build, cultivate and maintain positive relationships between prison officials, Prison Branch members and members within the local Branch.
Solicit community organizations and businesses to establish a volunteer bank (teachers, writers, poets, businessmen, ministers, lawyers, policemen, judges, government officials, politicians, media personnel) to assist the Prison Branch in carrying out its programs.
