MEETING MINUTES OF THE MONTCLAIR BRANCH NAACP

DATE OF MEETING: JANUARY 20, 2011

The following Executive Officers and members of the Executive Committee were present for the January 2011 meeting:

After a brief introduction by those in attendance at the meeting President Reynolds discussed some of the goals and objectives for the unit for the next two years. He indicated that he expected that the unit would work together as a “team” and that all committees would be meeting regularly. He recommended that in the future, in the event that he is held up and could not make the meeting on time, that the next presiding officer open the meeting.

Bank Account:

President Reynolds indicated that the Secretary has prepared a Resolution verifying the election of new officers. This document will be placed on record with the bank authorized to do business with the unit and also authorizes the bank to create new signature cards. He indicated that we would be looking into changing from Wachovia/Wells Fargo to a bank that is more community service oriented or sensitive to the needs of our community. The recommendation was that before any decision is made, the Treasurer is to communicate with different banks regarding their products and services, particularly their community service efforts and come back to the board with 2 or 3 recommendations for review and approval. This could either be accomplished by live meeting or during a scheduled conference call.

Mandatory Training:

President Reynolds announced the January 29, 2011 mandatory training and called for a count of those officers and executive committee members that would be attending. He also mentioned that training would be offered in Philadelphia for those who were unable to attend and that those members would have to contact the Philadelphia unit to determine the date, time and location. The body agreed that it would be good to try to coordinate transportation (car pooling, leasing a van, etc.); and post directions on the website so that we can make travel arrangements accordingly. President Reynolds indicated that he would look into this.

Public meetings:

President Reynolds announced the following scheduled meeting dates:

Montclair Town Council

• February 1, 2011
• February 5, 2011

Montclair Board of Education:

• February 24, 2011

League of Women Voters:

• February 27, 2011 – Montclair Women’s Club

Discussion regarding changing the date for the general election.

Action Item: A motion was made that the unit collect information regarding the proposal to change the date of the general election from May or June to November and report back to the body.

President Reynolds recommended that all committee reports be submitted electronically so that they can be included as a package for the next meeting and so that they can be reviewed in advance.

General Membership Meeting:

The general membership meeting was called to order at approximately 7:45 p.m.

President Reynolds moved to swear in the Officers and Executive Committee members who were not in attendance at the January 16, 2011 installation. The following officer was sworn in:

Keith Ali, 2^nd Vice President

The following Executive Committee members were sworn in:

Lois Donegan

William J. Ewing, Esq.

Lois Whipple

President’s Report:

President Reynolds reported that the Installation of Officers held on January 16, 2011 was well attended. He indicated that he plans for an improved level of communication through email, Facebook, Twitter and outreach to the membership.

Correspondence:

President Reynolds reported receipt of the following correspondence:

• Letter from FBI regarding holiday party
• Letter from County Executive Joseph D’Vencienzo
• Membership Applications from Drs. Barnes and Carter
• Flyers from New Jersey Citizen Action

It was moved and properly seconded to receive the President’s report and the body unanimously agreed to adopt same.

Committee Reports:

President Reynolds called for committee reports as follows:

ACT-SO Chairman Thomas Reynolds reported that the committee would meet on February 5, 2011 at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. He mentioned that Van Bruner, FAIA (Founding Member of the National Organization of Minority Architects) would be present for the meeting.

Action Item:

It was moved and properly seconded to receive the ACT-SO Committee report. The report was unanimously adopted.

Armed Forces Committee:

The Armed Forces Committee had not report at this time except to announce that absence of Chairman Kit Turner, President Reynolds announced that the committee would have a Fish Fry on January 28, 2011 at 6 p.m.

It was moved and properly seconded to receive the Armed Forces Committee report. After the AF Committee report was unanimously adopted, 2nd Vice President Ali called for a Point of Order recommending that all committee reports be read in their entirety and one motion to accept be given. Hearing no objections, the following reports then came forth:

Communications, Press & Publicity Committee:

Chairman Reynolds announced that the committee would meet on February 8, 2011 at Panera Bread.

Criminal Justice Committee:

Chairman Ricky Singletary announced that the CJ committee will meet on February 12, 2011 at the library. He indicated that he was in the process of coordinating the committee, conducting some preliminary investigations as to how to run an effective committee; and reaching out to other units to determine how best to model it. His preliminary plans are to conduct workshops (e.g. what to do when stopped by police). Chairman Singletary expects to have his plans completed in approximately one week.

William Ewing suggested that Mr. Singletary invite young adults and possibly collaborate with the Youth Council in an effort to promote awareness and to influence more youth involvement.

Vice President Ali indicated that the ACLU would also be willing to partner with our unit on criminal justice related issues. He also mentioned that statistically there has been a reduction in crime.

Economic Development:

Chairman Bond Nthenge announced that the ED Committee will meet on the first Tuesday of each month at Panera Bread and would be focusing on the following issues:

• Financial literacy
• Debt reduction
• Issues affecting families as it relates to financial stability; and promoting the importance of promoting financial literacy from a young age;

Education

Chairman Annette Norvell announced that she would be in attendance at the next scheduled Board of Education meeting on February 24, 2011 and report back to the body. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Little Theatre.

Freedom Fund Committee Co-Chair Roz Samuels announced that the Freedom Fund dinner will take place on the last Sunday in October. She encouraged those present to sign up to work on this committee. Ms. Samuels mentioned that the goal is to have a dynamic speaker for this year and welcomes any suggestions.

Mr. Ewing commented that he would work with this committee and will help to promote its principal objective which is to fundraise. Marcia Brewington also expressed interest in working with the FF Committee.

Finance Committee:

The Finance Committee did not have a report at this time but it was recommended that once the bank account has been established, that a meeting be scheduled. President Reynolds noted that the role of the Finance Committee is to monitor the financial status of the unit and to make recommendations regarding any scheduled fundraising efforts. President Reynolds mentioned that he would like to have a golf outing scheduled.

Health Committee:

In the absence of Health Committee Chair Eddie Hall, Rosita Dotson announced that the HC will conduct a forum at Glenfield School on February 11, 2011 in recognition of Dental Health Month. She mentioned that the committee will be conducting free dental screenings for the students; and she will be participating in the event as a Dental Hygienist.   Ms. Dotson encouraged everyone to come out,

Housing Committee:

There was no report on housing at this time.

Labor & Industry:

There was no report from Labor & Industry at this time.

Legal Redress:

Chairman William Ewing introduced himself as the Legal Redress Chairman. He mentioned that the committee is basically dormant until legal issues arise that prompts the committee to take action. He recommended that any matters requiring legal attention be forwarded to his attention and he will investigate and make a recommendation.

Membership:

Chairman Marcia Brewington announced that the Membership Committee will meet at noon on February 5, 2011 at Panera Bread. She welcomed anyone that is interested in working on the committee to attend the meeting at that time. Ms. Brewington indicated that the committee has been very active in the past doing door-to-door membership solicitation; conducting two successful membership luncheons and actively carrying out their duties. She acknowledged those that have served on the committee and asked that if anyone else was interested, that they feel free to join.

Political Action:

Chairman Christine Roz Samuels did not have a political action report at this time but discussed the following issues of concern and suggested that we help promote parental awareness

• Charter Schools
• Focus on the efforts of Governor Christie to legislate more budget cuts; and
• Labor & Industry, Political Action and Education work together

Religious Affairs:

The Religious Affairs Committee had no report at this time. President Reynolds mentioned that he was in the process of reaching out to the clergy in an effort to get more churches involved with the NAACP.

WINN

The WINN Committee did not have a report at this time. President Reynolds mentioned that the committee will be conducting a workshop which will focus on dressing back for work.

Young Adult

Chairman Kreg Mullings reported that the YA Committee would be focusing on the following:

• Expanding outreach to young adults 18-35 throughout the town;
• Making a strong online presence by the use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Mr. Mullings indicated that the YA Committee will meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Panera Bread.

Youth Work:

Youth Advisor Elizabeth Oakley Thompson reported that the Youth Council will meet on Sunday, January 23, 2011s at 1 p.m. She mentioned that the Youth generally meet at the offices of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation, 228 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ.

After all committee reports were brought forth, Mr. Ewing moved to adopt the committee reports as presented. All reports were adopted by unanimous decision.

Old Business:

Marcia Brewington, Treasurer recommended that the unit do the following to secure the records from the Freedom Fund Committee regarding last year’s fundraiser: 

• Request that the records be immediately turned over to the unit and that there be a report from the former President or the former Chairman of the Freedom Fund Committee regarding any uncollectible or outstanding monies. 
• President Reynolds to reach out to former President Taylor regarding the records 

There was also a brief discussion regarding the telephone line as to whether the unit would prefer maintaining the current system with an available port for each committee or if it was more preferable to have one line.

Discussion:

• 1st Vice President Christine Roz Samuels felt that we did not need all of the ports that we currently have.
• Lynne Williams brought out the fact that if there was just one line, the President would have to filter through all of the call and refer the calls to the proper parties.  
• President Reynolds mentioned that he would look into Google voice as an alternative.

New Business:

• The Resolution regarding the bank account to be electronically circulated upon the completion of the investigation by the Treasurer as to which bank we choose to do business with.
• Announcement of “Stop the Violence Summit” (organized by WISOMM, Federica Bey) to be held on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 7 p.m., WISOMM headquarters, James Street, Newark.
• Mr. Ewing recommended that those in attendance bring information back to Criminal Justice Committee.
• Kauli Baucum announced that an ‘Education panel will be held at Rutgers University on January 26, 2011 at 6:30.. Shavar Jeffries to speak..
• 2^nd Vice President Ali mentioned that we are moving more and more towards the idea of shared resources and the unit should discuss this in the future.

For the Good of the Order:

• Fourth Ward Community meeting: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at the Montclair Firehouse.

Nothing else was discussed at this meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Submitted by:

Beverly A. Bussey, Secretary

Dated: