The work of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP is done by Standing Committees and not in the General Membership / Public meeting. Committees serve as the backbone of the Chesterfield County NAACP. Only in rare instances when the President and/or Executive Committee has determined that a matter is time sensitive and pressing should any Committee discussion be allowed to take place during a General Membership / Public meeting. In those instances, when they arise, the respective standing committee will take the lead by investigating and verifying/validating all facts, prior to the Branch taking any action.
To join a Committee, please contact the respective Committee Chairman.
The Standing Committees of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP are as followed:
Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)
(ACT-SO) is a youth program of the NAACP that is “designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African American high school students.” The year-long program recognizes and awards young people who have demonstrated academic and cultural achievement. Gold, silver, and bronze medals, along with cash awards, are awarded to winners in each of 25 categories. The program is informally named the “Olympics of the mind.”
Armed Services and Veteran Affairs
Works closely with agencies responsible for providing services to members of the Armed Forces and Veterans to ensure programs are administered fairly and justly to the minority community.
Communications, Press and Publicity
The “media relations” mission is to keep the community informed and aware of the organization’s mission, goals, accomplishments, events and to make people aware of the benefits of becoming a member of the organization.
This committee will also encompass the duties of the Community Coordination Committee and enlist the support of other community organizations on issues affecting the interests of African Americans and other communities of color.
Criminal Justice
Advocate for smarter, results-based criminal justice policies to keep our communities safe, including treatment for addiction and mental health problems, judicial discretion in sentencing, and an end to racial disparities at all levels of the criminal justice system.
The Committee works closely with the members of the Regional Prison Coordinator; maintain; build, cultivate and maintain positive relationships between prison and jail officials; solicit community leaders to assist in carrying out programs.
Advocate for a better public safety system that reduces the reliance on prisons as means of solving social problems, advances effective law enforcement and remove barriers to voting and employment for formerly incarcerated people.
Work towards ending disproportionate incarceration, racially motivated policing strategies, and racially biased, discriminatory, mandatory minimum sentencing. Also, works to build stronger families and communities by including community advocacy, direct action, letter writing campaigns, phone banking, panel discussions and workshops to engage the community on building a better criminal justice system.
Education
Seeks to eliminate segregation and other discriminatory practices in public education, study local educational conditions affecting minority groups; investigate the public school system and school zoning; seek to stimulate school attendance; keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses where found; and promote parental involvement in education.
Finance
The Finance Committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer and Freedom Fund / Fundraising Committee Chairman. Collectively they will study the financial needs of the Branch and shall be responsible for drafting an adequate annual budget.
Freedom Fund Committee (Fundraising Committee)
The Freedom Fund / Fundraising Committee shall plan and conduct fundraising activities, entertainment and other projects, for local and state purposes within the scope of the Branch’s missions. The committee is responsible for the Branch’s largest annual fund raiser, the Freedom Fund Banquet and Awards program. It shall work closely with the Finance Committee.
Health
Work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans; assess the health needs of the community; advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Chesterfield County citizens; 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 organization.
Legal Redress Committee
The Legal Redress Committee shall: (1) investigate all cases reported to it; (2) supervise all litigation in which the branch is interested and; (3) keep the National office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give legal advice.
The Legal Redress Committee will also encompass the duties of the Labor and Industry Committee which works to eliminate discriminatory employment practices in industry and government, wage differentials based on race, unequal opportunities for training, promotion and unfair dismissals; securing the enactment of state and federal fair employment practices legislation and working for improved opportunities in vocational and apprenticeship training.
Membership and Life Membership Committee
The Membership Committee shall: (1) work throughout the year to maintain and increase the membership of the Association & Branch; (2) be responsible for planning and organizing the annual membership campaign; and (3) be responsible on a continuous basis for soliciting new members and for securing renewals.
Political Action Committee
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 secure equal enforcement of the law and; (5) keep the national office and the branch informed of all proposed legislation which affects minority groups. The committee shall be non-partisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office.
Religious Affairs
The mission of the Religious Affairs Committee is to enlist the support of religious leaders to promote an educational program to give moral and ethical interpretation to the civil rights struggle. To work with religious groups on the membership, fundraising and political empowerment activities.
Women in NAACP (WIN)
The Women in NAACP (WIN) Committee 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 of WIN is to (1) enhance and promote the leadership roles of women in the community (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.
Youth Work Committee
The mission of the NAACP Youth Division shall be to inform youth of the problems affecting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities; to advance the economic, education, social and political status of African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities and their harmonious cooperation with other people; to stimulate an appreciation of the African Diaspora and other people of color’s contribution to civilization; and to develop an intelligent, disciplined effective youth leadership group.