Branch Committees

The Standing Committees shall meet regularly once a month at places they may determine. The Standing Committees  may hold  their meetings  in person or  via hybrid  or video conference. They shall inform the President of the time and place of each meeting. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or by two members on two days’ written notice. If the meeting is to be held via teleconference or electronic meeting, the conference call number or sign-in code must be provided.

Standing Committees of Branches. The  Standing  Committees  of  the Branches shall   be   ACT-SO,   Armed   Services   &   Veterans   Affairs; Communications,  Press  &  Publicity;  Community  Coordination;  Criminal Justice;  Economic  Development;  Education;  Environmental  and  Climate Justice; Finance; Freedom Fund; Health; Housing; Labor & Industry; Legal Redress;  Membership  and  Life  Membership;  Political  Action;  Prison Branch; Religious Affairs; Young Adult; Youth Works; and WIN.

Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO):The  Committee  on  ACT-SO  shall  follow  these  rules:  (1)  must  be properly  registered  annually  with  the  National  Office  and  follow  all directives outlined by the National ACT-SO Program; (2) understand that it is a major project of the NAACP. With ACT-SO, the NAACP is providing an instrument through which African-American youth are encouraged and inspired   toward   excellence   in   academic   and   cultural   pursuits   while benefiting from the maximum support of their communities; (3) uphold its goal  of  ACT-SO  that  affords  the  same  respect  for  African-American scholastic  and  cultural  achievement  that  is  given  to  heroes;  and  (4) recognizing  that  ACT-SO  conducts  annual  academic  competitions  for students  in  grades  nine  (9)  through  twelve  (12)  in  NAACP  Branches throughout the country in accordance with the published guidelines of the National  Office  and  oversight  of  the  National office.

The Committee on Armed Services and Veterans Affairs shall (1) seek to establish a working relationship with those   agencies   in   national,   state, and   local government,   having   the responsibility in the affairs of members of the various Armed Services and Veterans  and  to  see  that  the  programs  to  which  they  are  responsible  are administered fairly and justly to members of the minority community; (2) study  conditions  pertaining  to Veterans  and  members  of  the  Military Service and their dependents and/or survivors in the community; (3) serve as a center of information on matters affecting the members of the Active Military,  Reserves,  State  National  Guard, and  Veterans;  (4)  maintain  a repository  of  materials,  information, and  forms  to  be  used  in  assisting Veterans and/or dependents of Veterans and Military Personnel with their problems;  (5)  receive  and  act  on  all  complaints  relative  to  acts  of discrimination  on  account  of  race,  color,  creed,  or  denial  of  benefits  to which  they  are  entitled  because  of  discrimination; and (6)  prepare  a quarterly  report  on  committee  activities  to  be  submitted  to  the  Executive Committee  of  the  Unit  and  the  National  Director  of  Armed  Services  and Veterans Affairs.

The  Committee  on Communications,  Press, Publicity, and Technology shall (1) seek to promote media content consistent with fundamental NAACP goals, which include  the  elimination  of  racial  isolation  and  fear  and  the  furtherance  of multiracial and cultural understanding; (2) work to eliminate employment segregation   and   discrimination   in   those   industries, comprising   the communications, arts, and  sciences  (radio,  telephone,  television,  motion pictures,  newspapers,  books,  related  computer  communications,  business, and cable  television);  (3)  seek  to  ensure  Black  minority  ownership  and control   of   print,   electronic   media,   and   technology   enterprises—both hardware  and  software;  (4)  monitor  local  and  national  media,  especially advertising performance; (5) provide the National Office with research and data on those local businesses engaged in communications, arts, sciences, and technology; (6) seek to ensure that all people have a meaningful right to    choose    from    and    have    access    to    a    variety    of    high-quality telecommunications  goods  and  services  at  reasonable  cost;  (7)  work  to ensure that various current and newly advanced technologies are used in a manner  that  promotes  truth,  avoids  inherent  programming  biases,  and provides  education  on  the  positive  and  negative  attributes  of  a  constantly changing technology environment; (8) embrace technology as a key social determinant  of  health  and  for  positively  advocating  and  educating  at  the grassroots  level;  and (9)  monitor  social  media  and  other  outlets  for appropriate branding, marketing, and proprietary use. The Committee on Community Coordination shall enlist the support of other community organizations on issues affecting the interests of African Americans and other communities of color.

The  Committee  on  Criminal  Justice  shall  (1)  seek  to eliminate harsh and unfair sentencing practices that are responsible for mass incarceration and racial disparities in the prison system;(2) support and seek to increase trust and public safety by advancing effective law enforcement practices;(3)  fight  for  the  restoration  of  the  voting  rights  of  formerly incarcerated people and the removal of barriers to employment;(4) elevate the  voices  of  crime  victim  survivors  in  order  to  identify  and  advance systemic breakdowns existing in the criminal justice system that perpetuate crime;(5) resolve to end the war on drugs for its disproportionate collateral consequences and harm to communities of color;(6) seek the institution and availability    of    alternatives    to    incarceration, including    education, employment,  and  mental  health  services;(7)  eliminate  zero-tolerance policies implemented in our schools which keep kids out of the classroom and put them on a path from the schoolhouse to the jailhouse;(8) investigate programs implemented in our local law enforcement agencies which derail from their main purpose of safety and order to conduct the work of federal agencies  for  which  they  do  not  have  the  capacity; and  (9)  seek  budget modifications  in  states  where  incarceration  receives  more  funding  than education.

The Committee on Economic Development shall implement  local  efforts  and  support  national  programs  to private and public entities; (2) supporting the work of the National Office in  monitoring  the  progress  and  activity  of  private  and  public  entities designated by national programs; (3) implementing local efforts to promote the  growth  of  business  ownership; (4)  increasing  employment  and  job creation; and (5) encouraging business development and home ownership.

The  Committee  on  Education  shall  (1)  seek  to  eliminate segregation and other discriminatory practices in public education; (2) study local educational conditions affecting minority groups; (3) investigate the public school system and school zoning; (4) familiarize itself with textbook material that is racially derogatory; (5) seek to stimulate school attendance; (6) keep informed of school conditions and strive to correct abuses where found;  (7)  investigate  the  effects  of  standardized  and  high-stakes  testing practices;  (8)  teacher  certification;  (9)  promote  parental  involvement  in education;  and  (10)  aim  to  be  a  center  of  popular  education  on  the  race question and on the work of the Association.

The  Environmental  and  Climate Justice Committee shall (1) seek to address environmental inequities at the local   level   and   advocate   for   environmental   justice;   (2)  develop  a comprehensive  and  holistic  local  agenda  to  reduce  pollution;  (3)  advance energy  efficiency  and  clean  energy  at  the  local  level;  and  (4)  develop  and advocate for disaster resilient infrastructure policies and practices.

The Finance Committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer, and at least one other member. It shall study the financial needs of the Unit and shall be responsible for drafting an adequate annual budget.

The  Freedom  Fund  Committee  shall  plan  and  conduct fundraising  activities,  entertainment, and  other  projects  for  local  and national purposes within the scope of the Association’s program. It shall work closely with the Finance Committee.

The  Health  Committee  shall  (1)  work  to  promote,  protect, and maintain the health of African Americans; (2) assess the health needs of the community;  (3)  advocate  for  equal  access  to  health  education,  care, treatment, and  research  for  all  Americans;  (4)  sponsor  health-related activities such as health forums, fairs, and workshops highlighting issues of importance  to  people  of  color;  and  (5)  support  health  initiatives  of  the Association.

The Committee on Housing shall (1) study housing conditions in  the  local  community;  (2)  receive  and  seek  to  address  complaints  of discrimination;  (3)  oppose  all  restrictive  practices, whether  public  or private; and (4) disseminate information and render such other assistance which may eliminate discrimination in housing.

The Labor and Industry Committee shall seek ways to  improve  the  economic  status  of  minority  groups  by  (1)  working  to eliminate    discriminatory    employment    practices    in    industry    and government,  wage  differentials  based  on  race,  unequal  opportunities  for training and promotion, and  unfair  dismissals;  (2)  encouraging  greater participation   in   the   trade   union   movement;   (3)   working   to   end discriminatory practices in labor unions; (4) securing the enactment of state and  federal  fair  employment  practices  legislation;  and  (5)  working  for improved opportunities in vocational and apprenticeship training.

The  LGBTQIA+  Committee  shall  (1)  receive  and  seek  to address complaints of discrimination whether public or private; (2) study and address conditions in the local community for LGBTQIA+ persons and address LGBTQIA+ issues and concerns; and (3) disseminate information and render such other assistance which may be necessary. The LGBTQIA+ Committee may also work with other Standing Committees on projects that are of mutual interest to the Standing Committees.

The Legal Redress Committee shall (1) investigate all cases reported  to  it;  (2)  supervise  all  litigation  in  which  the  Unit  is  interested; and (3) keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case. It shall not give general legal advice.

The Membership Committee shall (1) work throughout the year to maintain and increase the membership of the Association;  (2)  be  responsible  for  planning  and  organizing  the  annual membership  campaign;  (3)  be  responsible  on  a  continuous  basis  for soliciting new  members  and  for  securing  renewals;  and  (4)  initiate  all possible means to obtain Life Members and sponsor a continuing program toward this end.

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  improve  the  administration  of shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office. (5) work to secure equal enforcement of the law; and (6) keep the National  Office  and  the  Unit  informed  of  all  proposed  legislation  which affects minority groups. The Committee shall be nonpartisan and shall not endorse candidates for public office.

The Prison Branch Support Committee shall support the work of the Prison Branch in accordance with Article VIII, Section 6 (a-k)by (1) working closely and directly with the members of their respective Prison Branch and the Regional Prison Coordinator; (2) maintain contact with and report regularly to the Regional Coordinators; (3) build, cultivate, and maintain positive relationships between prison officials, Prison Branch members, and members within the local Branch; and (4) solicit community organizations and business to establish a volunteer bank (teachers, writers, poets,  businessmen,  ministers,  lawyers,  policemen,  judges,  government officials, politicians, and media personnel) to assist the Prison Branch in carrying out its programs.

The   Religious   Affairs   Committee   shall   include ministerial and lay religious leaders who are members of the Unit. It shall (1)  promote  an  educational  program  designed  to  give  moral  and  ethical interpretation  to  the  civil  rights  struggle;  (2)  interpret  the work  of  the Association to organized religious groups of all faiths; (3) enlist the support of  such  organized  religious  groups  for  membership,  fundraising,  and  the struggle  for  equality  and  full  civil  rights;  and  (4)  provide  resource assistance  for  religious  education  and  social  action  activities  associated with the improvement of race relations.

The  Committee  on  Young  Adult  shall  consist  of  Branch members twenty-one (21) to forty (40) years of age. It shall be the function of the Committee to (1) support all branch activities; (2) stimulate interest through advocacy training and solicit membership of those twenty-one (21) to forty  (40)  years  of  age;  (3)  create  a  mentorship  program  (Branch  to Young  Adults  and  Young  Adults  to  Youth  Units)  to  serve  as  a  support bridge  from  Youth  and  College  to  Branch  participation;  (4)  provide networking   and   social   opportunities   for   young   adults in   the   local community;  and  (5)  encourage  the  participation  of  young  adults  in  all activities and leadership within the Branch.

Women in NAACP (WIN) committees subject to the control of the Executive Committee and to  such  rules  and  regulations  as  the  Board  of  Directors  may  enact.  WIN committees  shall  consist  of  a  Chairperson  and/or  Co-Chairperson  and  at least three (3) other members. WIN 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 the leadership role of women; (2) serve as an advocacy vehicle to address  the  social,  economic,  political,  educational,  health, and  welfare issues affecting women; (3) advocate for the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual development of children; and (4) support the policies as well as the ongoing mission and vision of the NAACP.