MEETING MINUTES OF THE MONTCLAIR BRANCH NAACP

DATE OF MEETING:  October 20, 2011

CALL TO ORDER:

President Reynolds called the October 20, 2011 Executive Committee meeting to order at approximately 6:48 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 the District Four debate in Verona which occurred in early October.  He indicated that while the candidates are not in our area, the debate was a collaborative effort between the Montclair NAACP and the League of Women Voters.  Representing the unit was: President Reynolds, Bond Nthenge and Beverly Bussey.

Appointment of Officers:

President Reynolds moved to appoint the following individuals to serve on standing committee:

Sefu Fuller      -   Housing Committee

*Sylvia Bryant - Executive Committee at-Large

The action items was properly seconded and agreed upon noting a concern by Rev. Campbell, and explanation by President Reynolds as to the process in which individuals may be appointed to the Executive Committee.

Committee Reports:

Beverly Bussey presented the Freedom Fund Committee report noting the date, time and place of the event, the importance of ticket sales and the importance of maximum participation by all unit members and Executive Committee members.

President Reynolds pointed out that if we sold 250 event tickets, the net profit for the unit would be $15,000.

President Reynolds also pointed out that there would be a discounted ticket rate for youth which will be $45.00.

Rev. Campbell expressed interest in placing an ad in the ad journal.

President Reynolds also expressed interest in showing diversity among the ministers giving the invocation and benediction.  It was suggested that he reach out to Keith Ali to represent the Muslim faith.

Elizabeth Oakley Thompson placed the following ads:

1 full page ad

1 quarter page ad

With no other business discussed at the time, the Executive Committee transitioned to general membership at approximately 7:20 p.m.

President Reynolds opened the general membership meeting expressing the need to push for a successful fundraising effort on October 30^th.

Report of the 1^st Vice President:

• The Obama Administration has adopted a 3.2% increase for those who are receiving Social Security benefits.
• James Harris reinstated at President of the New Jersey State Conference pending new election.

Committee Reports:

Armed Services:

• Thanksgiving drive
• Fish Fry on October 28

ACT-SO

• 2012 calendar currently being organized
• Request that Board share in responsibility for programming;
• Current efforts to have ACT-SO State Awards Ceremony take place in Montclair

Community Coordination:

• Jennifer Escobar to schedule conference call in November to discuss second annual Santa fundraiser; and possible bus trip to Atlantic City in January.

Communications, Press & Publicity:

• November meeting to be cancelled.
• President Reynolds to be involved in organizing help for student involved in journalism.

Criminal Justice:

• Chairman Singleton to organize Criminal Justice forum possibly outside of Montclair to discuss topics of concern; and
• Encourage a dialogue/collaborative on police in community;

Junior Youth Council:

• JYC involved in safe trick or treat event;

Economic Development:

• President Reynolds reported that the Economic Development Committee is working on a schedule for workshops.

Education Committee:

• Chairperson Annette Norvell reported that she met with MEA President regarding various areas of concern raised by the Education Committee:
• Development of a standardized core curriculum.  She indicated that the academic achievement gap tends to widen at the middle school level and as such, there is a need to reach our students well before they reach the middle school level.
• Factors that tend to have an adverse effect on academic achievement are: lack of parental involvement; and lack of participation on the PTA and school review board;
• We need a strategy in which we can measure the achievement of our male students; and perhaps looking at attendance records to get some idea as to why the problem exists.

Rev. Campbell expressed concern as to where we are in terms of activism.  In view of this discussion, it was moved and properly seconded that the Education Committee develops a template to be discussed at the next monthly meeting and eventually presented to the Board for review and possible adoption.  The template will focus on every day and connected math.

The action item was unanimous.

Health Committee:

• Elizabeth Oakley Thompson reported that the Health Committee met on September 20, 2011.
• Members of the committee participated in the October 16, 2011 Breast Cancer Walk.

Political Action Committee:

• The Obama Administration has adopted a 3.2% increase for those who are receiving Social Security benefits.
• James Harris reinstated at President of the New Jersey State Conference pending new election.

Young Adult Committee:

• The new start time for the Young Adult Committee is 6:30 to 8 p.m.

It was moved and properly seconded to adopt the committee reports.

For the Good of the Order:

• President Reynolds reported that the unit will be exploring an AIDS Awareness grant.
• Marcia Brewington reported that the second annual Meet and Greet is to be planned for December 10, 2011.  A possible location for the event will be the Tapestry.

Tom Reynolds introduced Cynthia Walker, Executive Director of SOFIA who was invited to the meeting by Elizabeth Oakley Thompson on behalf of the Health Committee.

Ms. Walker described SOFIA as a non-profit organization designed to assist victims of domestic violence, focused on non-clinical workshops; inner healing; bullying at all ages and promoting general awareness about domestic violence.

SOFIA meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Elizabeth Oakley Thompson recommended that our unit collaborate with SOFIA on issues related to Domestic Violence.

Meeting adjourned:  Approximately 9:23 p.m.

Submitted: November 14, 2011

by:_____________________________

Beverly A. Bussey