MEETING MINUTES OF THE MONTCLAIR BRANCH NAACP

DATE OF MEETING: FEBRUARY 17, 2011

Call to Order

In attendance:

The February 17, 2011 meeting was called to order at approximately 6:50 p.m.

President Reynolds opened the Executive Committee meeting with the following action items:

Banking:

Call for adoption of the Resolution to authorize signature changes on the bank account.

Telephone Service:

Research the feasibility of using Google Voice as the unit’s service provider as an alternative to the current Verizon Wireless land line. Some of the features Google Voice offers are:

• Option to utilize the current telephone number;
• Option to create multiple greetings;
• No monthly fee - a one-time Google fee is all the unit would pay;
• Option to have transcript of all voicemails left on the system or a downloadable audio transcript;
• President Reynolds will also reach out to former President Taylor to see if he can obtain the code or password on the existing phone so that we can update the greeting.

Education:

President Reynolds and Annette Norvell discussed the Board of Education’s plans to change the current busing criteria for students in the district. The current plan requires that a student live beyond 2 miles to qualify for busing and the discussion on the issue is currently contingent upon 1) budget cuts; and 2) a proposed disaster model.

One of the major concerns raised is that busing is critical to the magnet schools’ effort to maintain diversity.

Questions:

• Should the unit voice concerns about busing at this time?
• Should we voice concerns about budget cuts affecting the jobs of aides in the district?

Recommendations:

• Schedule a platform or forum to gauge the concerns of the community;
• Reserve position until we have more information;
• Communicate with Dana Sullivan to determine demographic (exactly who will be affected by this plan?)

Motion to Suspend Agenda:

At approximately 7:30 p.m., President Reynolds called for a motion to suspend the agenda to allow James Gee, a representative from the New Jersey Redistricting Commission to address the body.

After a brief introduction, Mr. Gee indicated that every 10 years, after the census is taken, efforts must be taken by the state legislature to ensure that each legislative district has the appropriate number of representatives.   To carry out this requirement, a total of 10 commissioners are appointed (5 by the Speaker of the Assembly; and 5 appointed by the Senate Majority Leader) whose duties are to review the census data and present a legislative map that properly demonstrates how population growth justifies the need for increased representation and/or where certain changes, particularly in instances where gentrification is evident, there could be a need to make adjustments. Whatever the case may be, the law requires that minorities are properly represented. These commissioners have 30 days to come up with a redistricting plan. Should that not happen within the designated time frame, or if “reapportionment” is to the disadvantage of minority voters, then an 11th appointment is made in order to ensure a more fair and just distribution of legislative power. Mr. Gee pointed out that a series of public hearings have already taken place in Toms River, Jersey City and Newark giving residents an opportunity to voice their concerns about potentially losing a legislative seat.

Mr. Gee discussed how the concept of packing and cracking affects the redistricting process. He stated that both are common methods of gerrymandering, used to minimize the impact of a voting bloc. Packing concentrates members of a group into a single district.   Where minorities may represent a significant percentage of the voting bloc within a given district, the number of legislators that would typically correlates with that percentage may be seriously compromised by reassigning residents from one district to another and attempting to use population as a justification for doing so. Not only does this weaken the vote but it also presents the threat of losing minority representation in the Trenton. Similarly, cracking is an effort to split a bloc of voters among multiple districts which diminishes the impact of a collective vote and prevents them from emerging as a majority. Mr. Gee reemphasized the importance of letting people know how redistricting affects voter turnout, particularly in districts where minorities make up a significant percentage of the legislative district but whose voice may not be heard depending upon their representative in Trenton

Action Item:

Mr. Ewing made a motion to have the secretary prepare a release for the Montclair Times regarding the significance of Mr. Gee addressing the Association regarding redistricting.

Return to Agenda:

At 8:30 p.m., the meeting was called back to Order.

Minutes from prior meeting:

It was properly moved and seconded to accept the Minutes from February 2011 meeting.

President’s Report:

President Reynolds reported that he attended the following meetings during the month:

• African-American State Police
• CWA – ONWT
• Rev. Thomas and other members of the community at MSU – regarding forming a coalition to bring together people around the issue of public safety;
• Council Meeting regarding careful approach to undertaking new projects;
• S. Park Street renovation

Committee Reports:

It was moved and properly seconded to accept the following committee reports and their action items:

Armed Services and Veteran’s Affairs

• Begin investigation to determine whether financial institutions are in compliance with the Service Members Civil Relief Act;
• Black history film fest on February 18, 2011 at American Legion Crawford Crews post 251

ACT-SO

• Jennifer Escobar reported on the previously scheduled “Picture with Santa” fundraiser which took place in December 2010.

See attached final report from that fundraiser.

• State Competition April 16, 2011
• Next ACT-SO meeting March 5, 2011
• Easter fundraiser to be planned;
• Appeal to churches for a venue; the firehouse is also a possibility
• Request that the Education Committee assist.

Communication Press & Publicity:

• Web update completed;
• Investigate whether Montclair Times is affording fair coverage on issues of concern to the black community;

Education

• Tutoring initiative focusing on all grade levels including students in the area of Bloomfield, Belleville and West Orange;
• Reach out to guidance department regarding if and how suspended students can be tutored;
• Appeal for help based upon the rate in which things are developing in education;
• Draft letter to Superintendent of Schools;
• Draft survey for dissemination to the community;
• Prepare Education Committee flyers;
• Obtain contact info of former Education Committee members
• Promote awareness regarding upcoming Board meetings
• Next meeting: March 8, 2011 at Montclair Public Library

Ms. Norvel made an appeal for help based upon how things are developing in Education. All who are interested please join the committee on March 8^th at Montclair Public Library.

Membership

• Secure date for 4^th Annual Membership Luncheon (possible dates 5/1/, 5/15.
• Confirm cost of rental;
• Research possible sponsorship;
• Next meeting March 5, 2011

Health

• Plan event Women’s History Month for March
• Host Sickle Cell Blood Drive in April

Young Adult

• Plan possible Town Hall meeting/mixer;
• Networking event;
• Continue to create a presence on Facebook; search: NAACP Montclair Branch
• Continue to create a presence on Twitter http://twitter.com/montclairnaacp;
• To create a presence on Tumbler http://montclairnaacp.tumblr.com.

Economic Development

• Promote financial literacy – emphasize the importance of developing good saving habits at an early age; building wealth;
• Partner with ACT-SO;
• Sponsor a public forum inviting parents and young adults;
• Educate on how to plan for economic decline eg. losing a job;

Treasury

• Look into possibly changing banks;
• Approval to pay Montclair Florist $75.00;
• Approval to pay Verizon

Youth Work:

• Youth Council to participate in Black History Month event showcasing inventions by African Americans.

Complete copies of all committee reports adopted at this meeting can be obtained either on the website or by request.

For the good of the Order:

A report on private versus public schools: 

• Kali Baucum presented a report entitled “Education Systems” which explored various types of public and private school systems. Ms. Baucum discussed Private/Catholic/Parochial Schools, Vouchers, Comprehensive Public High Schools, Magnet Schools, and Charter Schools, in which she points out where each receives their funding, and the current debate around them (eg. high achieving versus low achieving; those attracted to each, etc.).

Ms. Baucum expressed concern about the NAACP position on vouchers and requested that she go on record as being opposed to it.

Christine Roz Samuels mentioned that the unit should concentrate our efforts on issues pertaining to the Board of Education;

• Dr. Renee Baskerville urged attendance at the upcoming BOE meetings and budget hearing meetings. Emphasize the importance of attending the meetings.
• Black History Month celebration next Wednesday at Glenfield School.
• Mandatory training makeup at MSU
• Youth & College Division meeting March 8.

Meeting adjourned.