Active Standing Committees of the Santa Fe Branch NAACP
The Santa Fe Branch of the NAACP has eight Standing Committees. They are as follows:
Communications, Press and Publicity
The Committee on Communications, Press and Publicity 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, cable television); (3) seek to ensure Black minority ownership and control of print and electronic media —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 and sciences; (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) endeavor to secure publicity for the work of the Unit and the Association in the local press and on radio, television and other media; (8) attempt to interest persons in charge of local news media on conditions affecting minority groups; (9) seek to counteract derogatory and erroneous statements in local news media about Blacks and other minority groups; (10) be responsible for forwarding to THE CRISIS items covering Unit activities and important local affairs; and (11) act as far as possible as an agency for the promotion and sale of THE CRISIS. No publicity shall be released without first being approved by the President of the Unit.
Community Coordination
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.
Education
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 there from which 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.
Finance
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.
Health
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.
Housing
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 rendersuch other assistance which may eliminate discrimination in housing.
Legal Redress
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.
Membership and Life Membership
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 towards this end.
Political Action
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 justice; (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.
How to start a new Standing Committee
Recruit membership for your committee and draft a plan to present to the Executive Committee. The following are the Standing Committees permitted in the ByLaws of the Branch: ACT-SO, Armed Services & Veteran 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. The description of each committee is available in the ByLaws.
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