1. POWER TO GO TO

2. TRAINING CONTENT
• Charge for Units
• Vision & Mission
• National Office
• Officer Duties
• Parliamentary Procedures
• Advocacy

3. CHARGE FOR NAACP UNITS
The NAACP must be so strong in numbers
and so effective in method that no one –
no Mayor of any city, no Governor of any
State, no Congressman of any party, no
President of the United States and no
Foreign Ambassador will dare to commit
any indignity against people of color
without realizing the NAACP will challenge
them on the platform, in the press, in the
courts, in the streets and at the ballot box.
Author Unknown

4. VISION STATEMENT
• The vision of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored
People is to ensure a society in which
all individuals have equal rights and
there is no racial hatred or racial
discrimination.

5. MISSION STATEMENT
• The mission of the National
Association for the Advancement of
Colored People is to ensure the
political, educational, social and
economic equality of rights for all
persons and to eliminate racial
hatred and racial discrimination.

6. OVERVIEW
• National Board of Directors
• National Office
• State/State Area Conference
• Units

7. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

8. NAACP: MANAGEMENT
• The management and governance of the NAACP
is vested in the National Board of Directors.
• The Board of Directors has full power and authority
to:
– Establish all major administrative and other policies
governing the affairs of the NAACP
– Designate and/or elect all officers of the NAACP
– Fill all vacancies in the offices of the Association and
unexpired terms of the Board of Directors as
specified in the NAACP Constitution (ref: NAACP
Constitution— Article V Section 7)
– Acquire, own, manage, invest, and dispose of
property, both real and personal, stock, certificates
and securities or otherwise, in the name of the
Association

9. NAACP: MANAGEMENT
(cont’d.)
• The Board of Directors has full power and
authority to:
– Create Standing Committees as prescribed in the
NAACP Constitution (ref: NAACP Constitution—
Article VIII)
– Create and dissolve such special committees of the
Board of Directors as it considers advisable to carry
out the purposes of the Association
– Create from time to time such regions, divisions,
departments, or bureaus of the Association as it
may deem advisable to carry out the objectives of
the Association
– Establish such Units of the Association in such
places and under such conditions as it sees fit.

10. NATIONAL OFFICE CHARGE
• Coordinate the work of all NAACP Units in
support of the Association’s mission.
• Provide general support for the work of the
Units in the form of technical assistance and
limited legal assistance.
• Ensure that information on the work of local
Units is disseminated to the general public
through the NAACP website, Crisis magazine
and other communication vehicles.
• Coordinate national membership campaigns
and ensure the efficient processing of
membership reports from Units
• Mobilize Units around the Association’s
programmatic and federal legislative priorities
through the Washington Bureau.

11. NAACP: REGIONS
• The NAACP is divided into seven (7)
geographical regions for the purpose of
electing representatives to the Board of
Directors and to various committees of
the Annual Convention

12. NAACP ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

13. STATE/STATE AREA CONFERENCE
• Name: Virginia State/State-Area
Conference of the NAACP
• Each State/State-Area Conference
shall have a Youth and College
Division.
• Name: Virginia State Conference of the
NAACP Youth & College Division
Article 1, Section 1 Bylaws for Units

14. STATE AREA CONFERENCE: OBJECTIVE
• Stimulate
Non-compliant units
• Lack prerequisite members
• Failed to file yearend financial reports
• Failed to pay assessments
• Revive
Non-functioning Units
Article II, Section 1(b)

15. STATE YOUTH & COLLEGE DIVISION
• All units must be in good standing with there
State/State Area Conference.
• File reports (quarterly reports)
• Pay state assessment ($100 annually)
• Attend quarterly meetings
• All Youth Councils and College Chapters shall
be part of State/State Youth & College Division
• There is only 1 State/State Area Conference
Article IV, Section 3
Bylaws for Units

16. REVIVE NON-FUNCTIONING UNITS
• Failure to hold monthly meetings (per Article V,
Section 1)
• No functioning Standing Committees, the work
of the NAACP is accomplished through its
committees (a standing committee shall have
no less than 3 members and meet monthly, per
Article V, Section 7)
• Failure to attend State/State-Area Conference
Quarterly meetings (per Article I, Section 2[d])
• Failure to provide quarterly written reports, (per
Article X, Section 1)

17. Cycle of Success
• We are stronger
when we pass on
that which we have
learned to the next
generation!
• VaYCD aims to
ensure our
members are apart
of the “Cycle of
Success” and
move on to bigger,
and greater things.

18. Properly Running Unit

19. UNIT COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
• A College Chapter is required to:
– Maintain a minimum of 25 members
– Pay all annual assessments
• National: $75.00
• State: $100.00
– File an End-of-Year Financial Report
• Copy with Original Signatures Submit to National
Office
• Copies: State Office, and College Chapter
– Attend State Conference meetings/conventions
Article III, Section 3 (et al), Bylaws for Units & Article IV, Section 3

20. Record Keeping
• Units shall maintain some type of
financial record keeping system.
• Units shall submit an annual financial
report each year. The due date for
the report is March 1st, which shall
include a copy of the unit’s bank
statements for the entire report year .
• All reports received after March 1st
deadline will be assessed a $100.00
late fee.
• All reports must be signed by both
the current President and Treasurer.

21. UNIT TAX STATUS
• All NAACP Units are 501(c)(4) organizations, only
the National Office is a 501(c)(3) organization.
• They were specifically organized as 501(c)(4) so
that they can:
– (1) seek to increase registration and voting;
– (2) work for the enactment of municipal, state and
federal legislations 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;
– (6) keep the National Office informed of all proposed
legislation which affects minority groups.

22. Unit Meetings
Regular membership meetings for
Branches and Youth Units shall be held
at least once a month. Meetings shall be
held on a fixed day or date of each
month.
Article V, Section 1 Bylaws for Units

23. Unit Annual Meeting
• During the Annual meeting of a unit, a
completed audit report should be given, so
that the financial records can be closed out
for that year.
• “Written notice of the time and place of the
Annual Meeting shall be sent by the
Secretary to each member of the Chapter,
at least seven (7) days in advance of the
date of the Annual Meeting. Notice of the
regular monthly or special meetings shall
be published in the campus publication.”
Article V, Section 4 (et.al.) – page 23

24. POWER TO GO TO SCALE
Duties of Officers
(Article VII of Bylaws for Units)
&
Executive Committee
(Article VIII of Bylaws for Units)

25. Tenure
• Members of the Executive Committee and
standing committees of Branches shall
hold office for two years or until their
successors are elected and qualify.
• Youth Units shall hold office for one year.
Article VIII, Section 9

26. Qualifications of College Chapter
Officers
• “Only members in good standing shall be
eligible to run for office or vote in a
College Chapter election.” – Article VI,
Section 2 (et al)
• To run for office, the candidate must be
a paid member no later than 30
calendar days prior to the date of
elections.

27. Qualifications of College Chapter
Officers ctd.
• To be nominated by the Nominating
Committee, the candidate must be a
paid, “bona-fide” member of the College
Chapter by 12 noon the day of the
meeting that precedes the Annual
Meeting.
• Life Members and Members-at-Large
must be actively affiliated with the
College Chapter at least 30 calendar
days prior to any meeting they are
nominated for office or seek to vote.
Article VI, Section 2 (et al) – page 29

28. Duties of the President
 The duties of the President shall be:
◦ Preside at NAACP meetings of the Unit
◦ Serve as Chair of the Executive Committee.
◦ Appoint the Chair and members of all Committees
not otherwise elected by the General Membership.
◦ Between meetings of the Executive Committee and
the NAACP Unit, to exercise general executive
authority on behalf of the NAACP Unit, subject to
ratification by the Executive Committee.
◦ Countersign all checks and properly supported
requisitions for disbursements from the NAACP
Unit Treasury.
Article VII, Section 1 Bylaws for Units

29. Duties of the Vice President
• Perform all the duties of the President in their
absence. In case of more than one Vice
President, the Vice Presidents shall perform
their duties according to their numerical rank.
• In the event of the departure of the President,
the 1st Vice President shall automatically
ascend to the position of President.
Article VII, Section 2

30. Duties of the Secretary
The duties of the Secretary shall be:
 To keep full and accurate records of
the proceedings of the NAACP Unit
and of the Executive Committee
 To keep a record of all NAACP Unit
members and their dues.
 To submit reports to the NAACP Unit
and the Executive Committee at all
regular meetings.

31. Duties of the Secretary
• To give receipts for all membership fees
received and to transmit such fees to the
NAACP Unit Treasurer; to send promptly to the
Association lists of all membership fees
received; and to secure from the Treasurer and
forward to the Association that portion of
membership fees due to the Association within
15 days.
• In conjunction with the President, to sign
requisitions for disbursements from the NAACP
Unit Treasury and to maintain a file of receipts
and disbursements.
Article VII, Section 3

32. Duties of the Treasurer
• Receive all monies
• Promptly deposit
• No money shall be withdrawn from any account
except by check signed by the Treasurer and
countersigned by the President.
• Serve as chief financial officer and chair of the
Finance Committee.
• Remit through the Secretary to the Association
the proportion of membership fees to which, the
Association is entitled, as hereinafter provided,
within fifteen calendar days after their receipt.
• To submit reports to the NAACP Unit and the
Executive Committee at all regular meetings.
• Submit year-end financial reports to the National
Office on or before March 1st.
Article VII, Section 4 Bylaws for Units

33. DUTIES OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY
& ASSISTANT TREASURER
THE DUTIES OF THE ASSISTANT
SECRETARY
Bylaws For Units: Article VII, Section 5
The duties of the Assistant Secretary shall be: To
perform the duties of the Secretary in his/her absence,
unavailability or disability. The Assistant Secretary may
perform specific duties of the Secretary under the
supervision of the Secretary.
The Duties of the Assistant Treasurer
Bylaws For Units: Article VII, Section 6
The duties of the Assistant Treasurer shall be to
perform the duties of the Treasurer in his/her
absence, unavailability or disability. The Assistant
Treasurer may perform specific duties of the
Treasurer under the supervision of the Treasurer.

34. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Elected Officers Committee Chairmen (Appointed)
President Chairman, Membership Committee
Vice President(s) Chairman, Press & Publicity Committee
Secretary Chairman, Programs & Research Committee
Treasurer Chairman, Education Committee
Assistant Secretary Chairman, Employment Committee
Assistant Treasurer Chairman, Political Action Committee
Chairman, Juvenile Justice Committee
Chairman, Health Committee
• The total membership of the Executive Committee cannot
exceed 18 without written authorization of the National Board of
Directors. Any position additions to this list must be in National
Board-approved local bylaws.
• The Faculty Advisor is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the
Executive Committee.
Article VII, Sections 1 & 4 (et al) – page 39, 42

35. Community Service??
• The NAACP was founded as a civil and human
rights organization in 1909. Our strategic focus
is not on community-based service.
• However, we periodically may conduct a
Community Service “Day of Action” to reach out
to those whom we serve.
• Our formula for success should be 5%
community service, 95% litigation and advocacy.
• If your campus requires a Mister and Miss for
Coronation/Homecoming purposes, that is fine.
However, these positions are not voting
positions of the Executive Committee and there
is no standing “Community Service Committee.”

36. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 The Executive Committee shall have general
control of the affairs and program of the Unit,
subject to the authority of the Unit and the
provisions of the Constitution and approved
bylaws.
 The Executive Committee shall render a report,
containing the reports of all standing and special
committees, at the regular meetings of the Unit.
 At its first meeting following the election, and at
any time during the term of office, the Executive
Committee shall approve the Unit President's
appointments of Chairpersons of the various
Standing Committees as presented by the
President.
Article VIII, Section 2 Bylaws for Units

37. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
• For any officers who shall be absent from three (3)
consecutive meetings without notice or explanation to
the Secretary or President, or
• Who shall not perform the required duties for three (3)
consecutive months, or
• Who shall be absent from any six (6) meetings with or
without notice in a twelve month period, the National
Office is to be notified by the Secretary by way of a
petition signed by the Secretary, the President and one
(1) other member of the Executive Committee.
• If the President or Secretary is in violation, then any
three members of the Executive Committee shall sign
the petition.
• The National Office shall recommend the removal of
said officer by the Board of Directors at the next
meeting of the Board of Directors following receipt of
the petition.

38. REMOVAL PROCEDURE STANDING
COMMITTEES
• Non-functioning committees shall be discharged
promptly by the Executive Committee.
• Any member of the Executive Committee, except
officers or of any standing or special committee who
shall be absent from three (3) consecutive meetings
without notice to the Secretary or President or
• Who shall not perform the required duties for three (3)
consecutive months, or
• Who shall be absent from any six (6) meetings with or
without notice in a twelve month period shall be removed
by the Executive Committee by written notification to the
delinquent member and replaced in accordance with
Article VIII, Section 2(e).
Article VIII, Section 10

39. Standing Committees
 The work of the NAACP is done by Standing
Committees and NOT in the General
Membership meeting. Only in rare instances
when the President and/or Executive
Committee has determined that a matter is time
sensitive and pressing should any discussion
be allowed to take place during a General
Membership meeting.
 In those instances, when they arise, the
respective standing committee should take the
lead by investigating and verifying/validating all
facts, prior to the Unit taking any action.
Remember, there are always two sides to every
story. The facts must be clear and documented
in writing.

40. College Chapter
Standing Committees
1. Membership
2. Finance
3. Press and Publicity
4. Programs and Research
5. Education
6. Employment
7. Political Action
8. Juvenile Justice
9. Health
- Article VIII, Section 4 (et al) – page 42

41. DUTIES OF THE STANDING
COMMITTEES
• All Standing Committees shall report in
writing to the Executive Committee and the
General Body at each regular meeting.
• If there is no “written committee report”,
how is anyone suppose to know what your
have done?
• The written committee report should contain:
– Minutes of the past committee meeting
– Outline of committee meeting agenda
– Action items (what do you need the Executive
Committee and general body to vote on in
order for you to proceed?
Remember: The report is not a place to list your
ideas, thoughts or “what we want to do”

42. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
MEETING
The work of the NAACP is done in the
respective Standing Committee meeting,
not the General Membership meeting.
During the General Membership meeting
members receive a review of the work of
the various Standing Committees, vote on
action items that were approved by the
Executive Committee, after which there
should be a presentation of information
that empowers the Unit to do it’s work!

43. ONE HOUR
MEETING!

44. ONE HOUR
MEETING!

45. PUTTING IDEAS BEFORE A
GROUP
1. Obtaining the Floor
Address the Presiding Officer by his or her
official title. Wait for recognition. Once you have
the floor, you may speak and with exceptions, no
one may interrupt you.
2. Making a Motion
All proposals for action by the group must be
presented by a "motion." Begin by saying: “I
move that . . . “ Make your motion brief and
concise. If possible, have it written out ahead of
time. The Secretary may request a written copy
of any motion.

46. PUTTING IDEAS BEFORE A
GROUP
3. Seconding a Motion
Before an idea may be discussed, it must be
seconded. You need not agree with a motion in
order to second it. If the Chair overlooks the
absence of a second and debate or voting has
begun, the second becomes immaterial. An
absence of a second does not affect the validity
of the motion's adoption.
4. Amending the Motion
To add to, substitute or subtract from a motion
that someone else has made, submit your idea to
the group by "amending the motion."

47. PUTTING IDEAS BEFORE A
GROUP
5. Amend the Amendment
Altering the motion can be carried one step
further by "an amendment to the amendment."
You now have a primary amendment and a
secondary amendment to the MAIN motion. You
may not have more than these two.
6. Point of Information
If the issues become confusing, you may ask for
clarification by asking for a "point of clarification"
from the chair.

48. PUTTING IDEAS BEFORE A
GROUP
7. Divide the Question
It is often possible that a motion may contain two
or more parts that you wish to be considered
separately. You may ask that each part be
considered separately. This often helps clarify
the entire motion and keeps only those parts that
most benefit the group. This is usually done by
general consent as it only requires a majority
vote.

49. STICKING TO THE FACTS
1. Point of Order
If you feel a violation in parliamentary procedure
exists, call for "point of order" to enforce the rules.
The Chair rules, but is obliged to recognize you and
pass on your inquiry to the group
2. Appeal the Decision of the Chair
If you don’t agree with the decision of the Chair, you
can appeal (it must be done immediately following
the ruling). It does require a second, then, the Chair
must state the question and the whole group votes
on whether to over-rule or sustain the Chair. Either
a majority vote or a tie will sustain the Chair.

50. STICKING TO THE FACTS
(cont’d.)
3. Orders of the Day
If the meeting goes off on a tangent and
does not: follow the agenda or the order of
business, you may remind the Chair by
calling for "orders of the day." This
requires a 2/3 – vote – and is put to the
vote at the discretion of the Chair.

51. STICKING TO THE FACTS
(cont’d.)
4. Motion to Limit Debate
To prevent a discussion from dragging on
endlessly, you can:
A. Move to limit each speaker's time
B. Move to limit the number of speakers
C. Move to limit the overall time of debate
D. Move to close debate at a set time and
vote
These questions require a 2/3 vote - this is an
important safeguard as it proves that twice as
many vote for an issue as against

52. STICKING TO THE FACTS
(cont’d.)
5. Motion to Refer
When it is advisable to give further study
to a proposal, move that the matter be
referred to a Committee.
NOTE: The kind of committee, size
and power should be included in the
motion.

53. STICKING TO THE FACTS
(cont’d.)
6. How to End Debate
"Call for the Previous Question" – This
will close debate on a pending question
and require immediate vote by the
group on whether to close debate. 2/3
vote is required.

54. POSTPONING
CONSIDERATION
1. Motion to Table
A move to "lay on the table" means to
temporarily put aside one action to
consider another. It is not debatable and
after a matter has been tabled, it may be
taken from the table at the same meeting
(if other business has intervened) or at
the next regular meeting. After that, it
would be "DEAD" and the matter would
have to be reintroduced.

55. POSTPONING
CONSIDERATION
2. Postpone to a Certain Time
"I move that action on this matter be
postponed until _____________
(state time)." If carried, the matter is
postponed to the time specified and
comes up as "unfinished business."

56. VOTING AND
ADJOURNING
1. Division of the House
To get a more accurate count than a voice
vote - call for a "division of the house." A
demand of a single member compels the
division. This is really a request for a revote. If
no request for a division is made when the
vote is announced, the only motions that can
change a vote are to reconsider or to rescind.
2. Motion to Adjourn
May be made any time - requires a majority.

57. LEADERSHIP STRENGTHS
• Be a good listener
• Be sensitive to the needs of others
• Be cooperative, rather than overly
competitive
• Advocate inclusive (participative)
leadership
• Compromise rather than dominate
• Build rapport through conversations
• Be compassionate and understanding

58. POWER TO GO TO SCALE!
ORGANIZING A
SUCCESSFUL ISSUE
CAMPAIGN
The unique structure of the NAACP,
specifically both the geographical and
organizational, has made us a force to be
reckoned with for over 100 years. Our ability
to address issues at a National level as well
as in the local community, allows us to have
the ability and force to make change happen.

59. POWER TO GO TO SCALE!
“If there is no struggle there is no
progress. Those who profess to favor
freedom and yet depreciate agitation,
are men who want crops without
plowing up the ground, they want rain
without thunder and lightening. They
want the ocean without the awful roar of
its many waters.”
Frederick Douglass, 1857

60. POWER TO GO TO SCALE!
The methods used to obtain the
Association’s objectives shall be:
•Direct action
•Litigation
•Legislation
•Political Action.
Article II, Section 2 Bylaws for Units

61. THE WORK OF A
CAMPAIGN important
• Time is a very element in
determining how quickly a response will be
needed.
• To be effective it is important that the
nucleus or decision makers in a particular
effort is not to large to inhibit the campaign.
• Always make sure the group of people at the
table have the ability to make decisions,
especially if a response must be given within
24 to 48 hours.
• Issue Campaign Organizing training can
help! Contact your Regional Director

62. POWER TO GO TO SCALE!
Direct Action
• Examples: Direct action includes agitation,
demonstrations, marches, picketing,
boycotts, economic sanctions and other
appropriate action.
• No Unit shall initiate, endorse or participate
in direct action on behalf of the
Association, or any Unit of the Association,
without the express written authorization of
the President and CEO and General
Counsel.

63. POWER TO GO TO SCALE!
• Requests for approval within 15
business days before the date of
proposed action. The President and
CEO shall respond within 10 business
days after receipt of said request.
• The President and CEO and General
Counsel, at their discretion and in
accordance with the objectives of the
Association, shall communicate
approval, or disapproval of said
proposed direct action in writing to the
Unit.

64. POWER TO GO TO
SCALE!
Legislation
No Unit of the Association shall support
any legislation or policy that is contrary to
the official position of the Association
adopted by the Board of Directors.
No Unit of the Association shall initiate,
endorse or participate in the passage of
federal legislation, including, but not limited
to, bills, statutes, regulations or resolutions
on behalf of the Association, or any Unit of
the Association, without the express
written authorization of the President and
CEO.

65. POWER TO GO TO
SCALE! the Association seeking
• Any Unit of to
initiate, endorse or participate in the
passage of federal legislation as described
above shall seek prior, timely authorization
in writing from the President and CEO.
• After reasonable opportunity to evaluate
said proposed federal legislation, the
President and CEO, at his or her discretion
and in accordance with the objectives of
the Association, shall communicate their
approval, or disapproval of said proposed
federal legislation in writing to the Unit.

66. POWER TO GO TO
SCALE! of the Association
• All Units are
expected 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
minority groups; work to repeal racially
discriminatory legislation; improve the
administration of justice; secure equal
enforcement of the law.
• All political action shall be non-partisan
and shall not endorse candidates for
public office.

67. Are there any questions?
Our agenda is full, the challenge is great and we
are the best equipped to get it done!
Leadership is action, not position!