Standing Committees

The Community Coordination Committee focuses on maintaining strong, consistent connections between the branch and the community it serves. This includes building relationships with civic groups, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. The committee works to ensure that the branch remains informed about local concerns, emerging issues, and that accurate information about branch initiatives is shared in a clear and responsible manner.

The Committee on Community Coordination shall:

(1) enlist the support of other community organizations on issues affecting the interests of African Americans and other communities of color.

The Committee on Criminal Justice shall: (1) seek to eliminate harsh and unfair sentencing practices that are responsible for mass incarceration and racial disparities in the prison system, (2) support and seek to increase trust and public safety by advancing effective law enforcement practices, (3) fight for the restoration of the voting rights of formerly incarcerated people and the removal of barriers to employment, (4) elevate the voices of crime victim survivors in order to identify and advance systemic breakdowns existing in the criminal justice system that perpetuate crime, (5) resolve to end the war on drugs for its disproportionate collateral consequences harm communities of color, (6) seek the institution and availability of alternatives to incarceration including education, employment, and mental health services, (7) eliminate zero tolerance policies implemented in our schools which are keeping kids out of the classroom and putting them on a path from the schoolhouse to the jailhouse, (8) investigate programs implemented in our local law enforcement agencies which derail from their main purpose of safety and order to conduct the work of federal agencies for which they do not have the capacity, and (9) seek budget modifications in states where incarceration receives more funding than education.

The Committee on Economic Development shall implement local efforts and support national programs to preserve and expand economic empowerment among African-Americans and other communities of color by: (1) researching and establishing relationships with private and public entities; (2) supporting the work of the National Office in monitoring the progress and activity of private and public entities designated by national programs; and (3) implementing local efforts to promote the growth of business ownership; (4) increasing employment and job creation; and (5) encouraging business development and home ownership.

The Committee on Education shall: (1) seek to eliminate segregation and other discriminatory practices in public education; (2) study local educational conditions affecting minority groups; (3) investigate the public school system and school zoning; (4) familiarize itself with textbook material there from which is racially derogatory; (5) seek to stimulate school attendance; (6) keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses were found; (7) investigate the effects of standardized and high stakes testing practices; (8) teacher certification; (9) promote parental involvement in education; and (10) aim to be a center of popular education on the race question and on the work of the Association.

The Environmental and Climate Justice Committee shall: (1) seek to address environmental inequities at the local level and advocate for civil rights issues (2) develop a comprehensive and holistic agenda to reduce pollution (3) advance energy efficiency and clean energy (4) build disaster resilient infrastructure policies and practices.

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 shall be responsible for drafting an adequate annual budget.

Members:
Charlotte Dunham
Phyllis Gant

The Grants Committee researches and applies for grants that fund our projects. The committee also ensures compliance with grant guidelines and objectives.

The Freedom Fund Committee shall 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.

The Health Committee shall: (1) work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans; (2) assess the health needs of the community; (3) advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans; (4) sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color; and (5) support health initiatives of the Association.

NAACP ACE Your Health Report

The Legal Redress Committee shall: (1) investigate all cases reported to it; (2) supervise all litigation in which the Unit is interested; and (3) keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give general legal advice.

The Membership Committee shall: (1) work throughout the year to maintain and increase the membership of the Association; (2) be responsible for planning and organizing the annual membership campaign; (3) be responsible on a continuous basis for soliciting new members and for securing renewals; and (4) initiate all possible means to obtain Life Members and sponsor a continuing program towards this end.

The Political Action Committee shall: (1) seek to increase registration and voting; (2) work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups; (3) seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation; (4) work to improve the administration of justice; (5) work to secure equal enforcement of the law; and (6) keep the National Office and the Unit informed of all proposed legislation which affects minority groups. The Committee shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office.

The Prison Branch Support Committee shall support the work of the Prison Branch in accordance with Article VIII, Section 6 (1- 11) by (1) working closely and directly with the members of their respective Prison Branch and the Regional Prison Coordinator; (2) maintain contacts with, and report regularly to the Regional Coordinators; (3) build, cultivate and maintain positive relationships between prison officials, Prison Branch members and members within the local Branch; and (4) solicit community organizations and business to establish a volunteer bank (teachers, writers, poets, businessmen, ministers, lawyers, policemen, judges, government officials, politicians and media personnel) to assist the Prison Branch in carrying out its programs.

The Religious Affairs Committee shall include ministerial and lay religious leaders who are members of the Unit. It shall: (1) promote an educational program designed to give moral and ethical interpretation to the civil rights struggle; (2) interpret the work of the Association to organized religious groups of all faiths; (3) enlist the support of such organized religious groups for membership, fundraising, and the struggle for equality and full civil rights; and (4) provide resource assistance for religious education and social action activities, associated with the improvement of race relations.

The Committee on Young Adult shall consist of Branch members twenty-one (21) – forty (40) years of age. It shall be the function of the Committee to: (1) support all branch activities; (2) stimulate interest through advocacy training and solicit membership of twenty-one (21) – forty (40) years of age; (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.

The Committee on Youth Work for State/State-Area Conferences shall consist of all Youth Council Advisors, Youth Council Presidents and five (5) persons appointed by the State/State-Area Conference President. The Committee on Youth Work for Branches shall consist of the Youth Council Advisor(s), the Youth Council President(s), and five (5) persons appointed by the Branch President. The Youth Council Advisors and Youth Presidents shall choose the chair of the Committee. The Youth Work Committee shall develop and coordinate the programs of the senior and youth groups.

State/State-Area Conferences, Branches, Prison Branches of the Association may organize Women in NAACP (WIN) committees subject to the control of the Executive Committee and to such rules and regulations as the Board of Directors may enact. WIN committees shall consist of a Chairperson and/or Co-Chairperson and at least three (3) other members. WIN shall address, within the framework of the NAACP, 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. The purpose WIN is (1) to enhance the leadership role of women; (2) to serve as an advocacy vehicle to address the social, economic, political, educational, health and welfare issues affecting women; (3) to advocate for the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual development of children and (4) to support the policies as well as the ongoing mission and vision of the NAACP.