MEETING MINUTES OF THE MONTCLAIR BRANCH NAACP

DATE OF MEETING:  MAY 19, 2011

CALL TO ORDER:

President Reynolds called the May 19, 2011

The Executive Committee meeting was called to order at approximately 6:40 p.m.

The following Officers and members of the Executive Committee were present at the time:

Executive Committee Meeting:

President Reynolds opened the meeting with a discussion about fundraisers.  He noted a list of fundraising ideas, some of which are currently in the planning phase and asked that the body start thinking about different ways to increase revenue.  The following is a scheduled fundraiser for the ACT-SO program:

• ACT-SO fundraiser entitled “Bringing it Back Old School Jam” to take place on Saturday, June 18, 2011.  Admission: $20.00.  Fundraising goal: $2,000.  Price of hall: $200.00. Fundraising potential: $2,000.
• ACT-SO Co-Chairs Jennifer Escobar and President Reynolds to take the lead on the fundraiser.

President Reynolds indicated that the startup money to fund the event would be used from the ACT-SO treasury.

Action Item: It was moved and properly seconded to support the ACT-SO fundraiser.

President Reynolds also discussed the upcoming Heritage Day Parade. Marcia Brewington emphasized the importance of fully supporting the event and that all committee chairs have information on the table for dissemination.  President Reynolds mentioned that he would prepare a brochure which includes a membership application and that it would be available at the time.

Also discussed was the Y75 Membership Campaign initiated by the National Office.  Y75 is a Youth & College Division initiative celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the Youth & College Division.  The campaign objective is to encourage all units to sell and report 75 new memberships by July 1^st, 2011.   Units that wish to participate must have an active Youth Council. The Montclair unit has already met this goal.

Annual Toast to Teachers: Discussion involved the possibility of our unit hosting a toast next year.  Lois Whipple to assist with ideas.  Vice President Ali emphasized the idea of reputation building in our fundraising efforts.

President Reynolds discussed the State and National conventions and our responsibility to send delegates.  President Reynolds presented a cost estimate for the National convention to be considered by the Executive Committee.

Action Item: It was moved and properly seconded to send our President to the national convention as a voting delegate at 100% of the cost.  The total cost for flight and hotel will be  $1446.30 and an additional cost of $249.00 would be mailed to National to cover the cost of registration for one person.

Marcia Brewington presented the treasury report as follows:

Balance in Accounts as of May 19, 2011:

ACT-SO:                                             $  651.00

General Operating Account:               $6,399.01

Life Account:                                       $6,891.57

A complete copy of the treasury report may be obtained upon request to the Secretary and/or Treasurer.

Action Item: It was moved and properly seconded to receive the report of the Treasurer for informational purposes.

MNDC Annual Fundraiser:

It was moved an properly seconded that the unit will support the MNDC June 11, 2011 fundraiser as follows:

The unit will pay for two event tickets at a cost of $75.00 each.  Nine additional tickets will be purchased by the following officers and executive committee members:

• Thomas L. Reynolds
• Roz Samuels
• Keith Ali
• Beverly Bussey
• Marcia Brewington
• Rosita Dotson
• Elizabeth Oakley Thompson
• Lois Donegan
• William Ewing, Esq.

It was agreed that all monies were to be presented to the treasurer for deposit and one check from the unit will be tendered to the MNDC.  The motion was successful noting one abstention: Roz Samuels.

General Membership Meeting

The General Membership Committee began with an introduction by President Reynolds of Brendan Gill, candidate for the office of Freeholder.

Mr. Gill introduced himself as a candidate for the office of Freeholder representing the 5^th District which includes Montclair, Bloomfield, Belleville and Glen Ridge.  He described himself as a native of Montclair, committed to fostering new energy and a new type of leadership.  He indicated that in addition to his position at the President of the Montclair Democratic Committee, he was also actively involved in the campaigns of Senators Lautenberg and Pacrell.

Mr. Gill noted that Montclair is the second highest plurality in the State of New Jersey for democratic candidates and he was interested in a partnership with the unit to address areas of concern to local residents.  His primary focus areas are as follows:

• Shared services to reduce the financial burden on local municipalities;
• Property taxes;
• County parks and roads;
• Health care exchange; and
• Medicaid reimbursement (Government wants to lower median income to $5K a year which would have a huge impact on qualifying Medicaid recipients).

It was suggested that Mr. Gill help the unit with its Voter Registration/Get-Out-The Vote effort.  He said that he would be happy to assist wherever and however he could.

Vice President Ali also pointed out that the election day change is an issue of concern to Montclair residents.

Meeting Minutes:

Action Item:

It was moved and properly seconded to accept the Minutes of April, 2011 meeting.

Officer’s report:

Vice President Samuels announced an action alert regarding a health benefit exchange which was authored by Senators Lautenberg and Menendez.  Initiative is not getting much support.  She suggested that we invite people to the community to promote awareness on these issues and that we start building alliances.

Vice President Samuels commented on the letter to Mr. Choice regarding the Catchings/Owens Suite.  After it was confirmed that the letter had been sent out, VP Samuels indicated that we should allow some time for healing and then proceed.

Vice President Ali indicated that Congressman Payne is having a health fair.  We should contact his office for particulars.

Committee Reports:

Marcia Brewington presented the Membership Committee report as follows:

Total new membership from Membership Campaign 2011:    123 memberships solicited

Regular:                      96

Silver Life:                     6

Youth:                          20

Youth Fully Paid Life     1

Sponsors for the 2011 Membership Campaign:

Grove Pharmacy

Grove Laundromat

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., County Executive

Investors Savings Bank

Law office of Ashenfelter, Slous, McDonough & Trevenen, LLP

The results of the survey passed out at the membership campaign is as follows:

Age Group Most important areas of concern

20-30               Affordable Housing

31-41               Affordable Housing

42-52               Education

53  and up       Gangs

A copy of the report of the Membership Committee is attached with the full results of the survey.

ACT-SO

President Reynolds announced that he is still looking for volunteers to work with the ACT-SO program.

Armed Services Committee:

Cheryl Turner presented the Armed Services Committee report.  She mentioned that 16 young adults were sent to Boys State and Julien Blaney, incoming Youth Council President would be our candidate.

Ms. Turner also presented a list of meetings and activities that she has been actively involved in and pointed out the following current initiatives:

• Initiative to help veterans finish high school;
• Initiative to promote awareness regarding burial rights/flags and grave markers;
• American Legion to have annual dinner dance on May 29, 2011

A copy of the Armed Services report is available for review.

Communications, Press & Publicity:

The CPP Committee reported that pamphlets/brochures have been completed and the “Styles Guide” has been forwarded to the National Office to try to promote a more uniform way of communicating nationally.

Community Coordination Committee:

No written report at this time.

Criminal Justice:

President Reynolds reported that the Criminal Justice Committee participated in State conference Criminal Justice conference call.  Committee activities:  The CJC is currently working on promoting awareness about expungements.  Detective Ricky Singleton, Chair of the committee can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Economic Development:

Bond Nthenge, Chair of the Economic Development Committee reported on the success of the Financial Literacy workshop sponsored by the unit.  He indicated that the workshop was well attended and that Gwen Battle facilitated the event.  The keynote specifically addressed the importance of life insurance and having a Will.   Topics to be addressed in future workshops are investments; and credit cards.

Education Committee:

Education Committee Chair Annette Norvel discussed the following in her report:

• Healthy lunch (Abraham Dickerson to attend the June 15 Education Committee meeting to discuss his concerns about the healthy lunch initiative)
• School zoning;
• IMANI
• STARS
• Ways to raise money
• Complaint regarding allegations of discrimination at Glenfield and Watchung Schools dropped due to insufficient information and the failure to file a formal complaint.
• Met with Principal Earle, Montclair High School

Lois Whipple suggested that the committee speak with Robin Collin from the Board regarding healthy lunch.

Freedom Fund Committee:

Roz Samuels, Chair of the Freedom Fund Committee reported that an ad hoc Freedom Fund committee had met and presented the committee report as follows:

• The deposit amount of $500 to secure the site has been presented;
• The event will take place on October 23, 2011 at Valley Regency;
• Potential speakers currently being considered;
• Next meeting: June 13, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.  at Crawford Crews.

Committee report available for review.

Legal Redress Committee:

Mr. Ewing reported that he had investigated the incident that took place at the Montclair Public Library and been in contact the lawyer involved in the matter who has advised that No Further Action was required.

Political Action:

Roz Samuels, Chair of the Political Action Committee reported that she had attended the workshop regarding the affordable housing Master Plan.

Mr. Ewing expressed concern again about local issues that should be covered by the Political Action Committee.  He strongly suggested that the Political Action committee meet and report back to the body on local issues.

James Harris described the duties of the Political Action Committee as being strongly involved in civic engagement and voter registration/get-out-the vote initiatives. He also suggested that in light of the upcoming primary and 2012 election which are fast approaching, we need to really step up our level of activism.

Action Item:

President Reynolds moved and it was properly seconded that the Political Action Committee is meet and report back to the body by the next meeting (June 16, 2011) on the issues brought forth by James Harris.

The Political Action Committee report is available for review.

Young Adult Committee:

Kreg Mullings presented the following report of the YAC:

• Next scheduled meeting:                    June 8, 2011
• Goal is to increase young adult membership

Youth Work Committee:

No report presented at this time.

Action Item:

Motion to receive all committee reports moved and properly seconded.  Unanimously carried.

For the Good of the Order:

James Harris reminded the body of the upcoming State Convention and the importance of sending our delegates.  He mentioned that this year is an election year which means that delegates will be voting for the officers and members of the Executive Committee who will lead the New Jersey State Conference for the next two years.  Mr. Harris also announced that he will be seeking another term as President of the New Jersey State Conference.

Meeting adjourned:  Approximately 9:23 p.m.

Submitted the 16^th day of June, 2011by:

Beverly A. Bussey, Secretary