Elmira/Corning NAACP 2006 Retreat

1. Elmira/Corning NAACP 2006 Retreat Doing it Right!

2. Proposed Retreat Agenda Leadership - improve organizational structure, participation, efficiency, effectiveness, and fun (1.5 hr) • Senior Leadership Positions and Board Members • Committees (Structure, Goals, Leaders & Members) • Gaps that Need to Be Addressed Events Calendar (conferences and local events) – determine events calendar preliminary dates and buy off on leaders for events (1.0 hr) Lunch (0.5 -0.75 hr) Communications & Membership Building – improve communications to membership and community (1hr) • Communications Infrastructure (Media, Minutes, Internet, Telecommunications, & Mail) • Attracting Membership (General & Senior Leaders and Board Members) Fund Raising – what techniques should we use? (1hr) • Major Events (principles of obtaining funds and their usage) Dialogue(1hr)

3. Overview of Mission Critical Mission Statement • The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social and economicequality of rights of all persons and to eliminateracialhatredandracialdiscrimination. Vision Statement • The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which allindividualshaveequalrightsand there is noracialhatredandracialdiscrimination. Objectives • To ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of all citizens • To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States • To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes • To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state and local laws securing civil rights • To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination • To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution.

4. Elmira/Corning NAACP Leadership President Georgia Verdier 1st Vice President Dr. Jimmie Williams 2nd Vice President Linda Truesdale Corresponding Secretary Paulette Daniels-Hill Treasurer Alonzo Cockrell Executive Board Members Delores Folk Henry Thomas Raymond Folk Richard Rich, Esq. Rosa Calderon-Clark Mary Hargrave Udean Meggs Lourdes Nevas Dr. Carlton Truesdale Dr. Geraldine Wolfe

5. Elmira/Corning NAACP Committees • Education/Youth • Health • Membership • Legal Redress/Criminal Justice • Political Action

6. Education/Youth Committee Justifications: Now more than ever, the NAACP must stand poised to address the pertinent education Issues affecting our children across the nation. Through a renewed emphasis on strong education advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal level, the NAACP seeks to rekindle the fire for excellence in education knowing that the success of our children depends on our organization. • Empower students, parents and local advocates to assess our local schools, school districts, colleges and universities, and state educational agencies through data collection and the production of substantive research on key educational equity issues. • Empower students, parents and local advocates to assist their local schools, school districts, colleges and universities and state educational agencies through training, and collaborative technical assistance designed to prevent discrimination and promote inclusion in educational programs and services. • Empower students, parents and local advocates to advance educational excellence through programmatic support and development based on sound research, strategic planning and strong collaborative networks. Goal 1: Advocate for effective, accountable and accessible public school systems, and for adequate and equitable school funding. Goal 2: Examine a broad range of educational structures and practices with the objective of advocating for educational innovations that improve educational equity and student achievement. Goal 3: Promote affirmative action and funding equity in higher education. Goal 4: Advocate for the fulfillment of the nation’s commitment to quality, integrated public education as set forth in the landmark decision of Brown v. The Board of Education. Sample Programs:Back to School/ Stay in School Program

7. Health Committee Justifications: The fight for equity and quality extends to health care for African Americans. Make efforts to ensure that economic and social barriers will not lead to increasingly severe health crises in the minority community. Advocate the health issues that affect African Americans and makes sure that these issues remain in the forefront of what is happening in the community.  Generate public and media interest by educating others and calling attention to problems, risk factors and potential treatments. Focus on improving the overall health of African Americans and improving the access of African Americans to quality health care.  • Work to promote, protect, and maintain the health of African Americans • Expand outreach and assess the health needs of the community • Advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans • Sponsor, support, and organize health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color Goal 1: Raise awareness of health and mental health justice issues and strengthen the grassroots health advocacy capacity of the NAACP. Goal 2: Advocate for universal health insurance and access to acceptable health care. Goal 3: Promote equal representation of African Americans and other minorities within the health professions and increased research funding on African American health issues. Goal 4: Increase attention within the Association to the issues of environmental justice, violence as a public health issue, and the restructuring of NAACP relationships with voluntary healthcare organizations to increase their advocacy impact. Sample Programs:Sexual Integrity, Abstinence and STDs Workshop

8. Membership Committee Justifications:Membership is Power! Membership is invaluable to the continued existence of NAACP advocacy initiatives, outreach programs and litigation efforts. As the membership grows so does the opportunity to make a difference. • Work throughout the year to maintain and increase the membership of the Association • Be responsible for planning and organizing the annual membership campaign • Be responsible on a continuous basis for soliciting new members and for securing renewals • Initiate all possible means to obtain Life Members and sponsor a continuing program towards this end NAACP's National Focus • The NAACP has been leading the effort for social justice for nearly 100 years. Anyone who supports the mission of the NAACP irrespective of race, religion, political affiliation and ideology can become a member of the Association. • The Association is comprised of thousands of Units and tens of thousands of members and volunteers nationwide. Unyielding in our purpose, the NAACP ensures the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens through democratic processes. Welcome for those considering joining the local branch NAACP as a member.http://www.elmiracorningnaacp.org/welcome_members_naacp.doc Sample Programs:Membership drives and events

9. NAACP Proposed Strategic Priorities and Goals, 2002-2006 CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES Strategic Initiative: Building Membership • Goal 1: Increase NAACP membership over the next five years with the following annual growth goals: year one - 10%; year two - 20%; year three- 20%; year four 20%, year five 10%. • Goal 2: Integrate membership recruitment efforts with all of the Association’s departments and related entities. • Goal 3: Develop a system to measure and analyze membership efforts.

10. Legal Redress/Criminal Justice Committee Legal Redress Justification: Improve the access and health of our community. • Investigate all cases reported to it • Supervise all litigation in which the Unit is interested • Keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case  • It shall not give general legal advice Goal 1: Develop an initiative to address the recent erosion of government needed to comply with, and enforce, civil rights laws. Goal 2: Advocate for more equitable distribution of government benefits American, other minority, and impoverished communities. Goal 3: Promote affirmative enforcement of all fair housing laws. The NAACP may provide legal information and assistance to concerned citizens, but does not provide legal advice or legal information via e-mail. For legal advice, you should consult a local attorney. You may request legal information and other legal inquiries to the Legal Department by calling 410-580-5790 or by writing: Criminal Justice Justifications:Seek to eradicate discrimination in all aspects of the criminal justice system. The NAACP Legal Department is committed to ending this overincarceration of African-Americans and has been leading the charge in our communities and our courtrooms to end this systematic injustice. Goal 1: Raise public awareness about the inequities in the criminal and juvenile justice systems as well as some of the public misconceptions about the impact of recent “get-tough” criminal policies on crime rate trends. Goal 2: Develop an advocacy agenda addressing major criminal justice and crime prevention issues. Sample Programs: Referral process for community advocacy

11. Political Action Committee Justification:Political Action is not just theorizing what needs to be done to empower the NAACP members and communities to have reciprocity in economic, social, and political arenas, it is about providing results that improves the economic, social and political health of those members and communities. • Seek to increase registration and voting • Work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups • Seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation • Work to improve the administration of justice • Work to secure equal enforcement of the law • 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 Goal 1: Increase the number of registered African American and other minority voters. Goal 2: Train African American and other minority voters on the voting process and improve voter awareness of civil rights issues. Goal 3: Hold elected and appointed officials accountable on civil rights issues and encourage African American, other minority, and pro-civil rights citizens to seek public offices and roles. Goal 4: Increase voter turnout in African American and other minority communities. Goal 5: Evaluate the accuracy of census data and ensure the distribution of census data to underserved communities. Goal 6: Promote election reform and enforcement of laws protecting and promoting voter participation and voting rights. Sample Programs:Voter Registration http://www.elmiracorningnaacp.org/Documents/pdf/nvra.pdf

12. Leadership Roles Performance is improved by: Legitimacy— a set of behaviors that publicly signal that the organization endorses or approves certain roles and endeavors. Expediency— the behaviors that facilitate the work and efforts of others. Timeliness is the most important.

13. Officer Roles & Responsibilities • President • 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents • Recording Secretary • Treasurer • Executive Board Members

14. Local Branch Leadership President • Roles – Chief Executive Officer, Executive Board Chairman • Division of Labor – delegates to (Executive Officers and Board members) • Responsibilities – Agenda Creation and Approval • Goals – Grow an Effective Local Branch • Initiatives – Education focus, community advocacy • Evaluation – Memberships and community action

15. Role of the Vice President • The role of the board Vice President is relatively simple • The Vice President acts in the place and stead of the President in the event of absence, inability, or refusal to act. • The board may also assign additional duties as needed.

16. Role of the Recording Secretary Documentation • Meeting notices issued (timely) • Records, disseminates, and files meeting minutes that include action items • Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date file of membership records. Interacts with Officers and Membership • Informs organization of events • Interacts with Event and or Communications Chairpersons • Records are coordinated with Website Master and NAACP Internet Website Monitoring and Reporting • Helps to compile Year End Annual Report with Executive Leadership

17. Role of the Treasurer Processing of Transactions • Cash receipts • Cash disbursements • Keeping an accurate written record of all income and expenses. Annual & Monthly Reporting • Information tax return (IRS Form 990) for both NAACP and SCF and corporate tax return (IRS Form 1120) for Crisis • Group Tax Return (Form 990 – filed on behalf of all NAACP Units) Monitoring and Reporting • Year end Financial Reports • Acknowledging the critical role of proper financial management and reporting on the overall operations of NAACP Units. • The Finance Department mandates strict compliance with regulations set forth by the IRS and state and local government regulatory agencies More detail can be found in Bookkeeping Guide

18. Board Basics An officer is still a board member. And any board member can benefit from these 10 tips. • Rely on the advice and recommendations of professionals. • Read and understand your governing documents. • Educate yourself. Find out what is required to be an effective board member. • Refrain from micromanaging your executive leadership. • Listen to the community. Don’t view your board slot as a position of power but rather as one of service. • Don't get caught up in the wants and desires of special-interest groups. • Look at the big picture. Work toward achieving the goals and mission statement of your community. • Work together. Be respectful of your fellow board members' opinions and decisions. Some votes won't be unanimous, and that's okay. It's not personal--it's just business. • Conduct yourself in a professional manner. Board meetings aren't social events. • Relax. Don't take everything--including yourself--so seriously. You're merely a citizen volunteering your time.

19. Ten Elements of Effective Teams • Roles and Responsibilities – clearly defined and operational • Leadership – provides direction, vision, and inspiration • Goals & Objectives – strategic, match vision & mission • Utilization of Resources – effective use of talent, time, & money • Trust & Conflict – people are valued and issues are resolved • Control & Procedures – team is cohesive and performing • Interpersonal Communications – frequent discussions & personal feedback • Problem Solving/Decision Making – creative solutions developed • Experimentation/Creativity – team is responsible and directed • Evaluation – reflection of strategy, initiatives, goals, and results

20. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES • All team members have a place where they add the most value • The skill sets of all members are known and used for the right team situations • Each team member’s skills, discipline, etc., have been evaluated • We can count on the ability of our team members when it counts

21. LEADERSHIP • Leaders are providing values, work ethic and vision • Responsibility & authority are delegated • There are processes, roles, events, and initiatives that help develop the team • The team does many things together (socially and organizationally) • The team gives credit to teams and individuals for success • Everyone is valued for their skill sets

22. GOALS & OBJECTIVES • The goal is more important than the role • Leaders see the big picture • Leaders effectively communicate the vision to the team • The team embraces the vision and is focused, energized, and confident • The team knows where it’s headed and why it’s going there • The team examines its moral, historical, strategic, and visionary directions • Members stay members • The team makes positive use of anything contributed by previous teams • The strategy serves the vision • There is a long-range vision preventing frustration by short-range failures

23. UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES • As the challenge escalates, the team elevates its work • There is focus on the dream of the team • The type of challenge determines the type of subteams that come together • The team meets new challenges with creative solutions and is fast and flexible • The team has experienced players • The team attends to those that need direction, etc • New members are added to the team • New leaders are being suited to meet the challenge of the moment • The team has great depth. There are good substitutes as well as starters • The team is continually being improved

24. TRUST & CONFLICT • My attitude is in check • The team is able to get along without me • The recent team successes are not attributable to my personal efforts, but the work of the whole team • I am pleased when others receive praise or recognition • I easily admit to making a mistake

25. CONTROL & PROCEDURES • Teammates can count on each other when it counts • My integrity is unquestionable • My actions bring the team together • Shared objectives & goals define the team • Objectives and goals are constantly stated and restated

26. Interpersonal Communications • Teammates are constantly talking, and listening to each other • Interaction fuels action • There is consistency, clarity and courtesy • Members are able to respond and or disagree openly but with respect • The team can deal with whatever circumstances are thrown at it

27. PROBLEM SOLVING/DECISION MAKING • Dialogue is being used to solve problems and for decision making • Other than dialogue there are other well established approaches to problem solving and decision making • Issues are resolved and not forgotten • Issues and their solutions are communicated

28. EXPERIMENTATION/CREATIVITY • Team members make things happen • Team members are intuitive, creative and good communicators • Team members take the initiative to solve problems and are responsible for their actions

29. EVALUATION • The team can make adjustments • The team evaluates team effectiveness and committee satisfaction

30. Evaluation of an Effective Branch A SOLID FOUNDATION A sturdy, durable building must have a solid foundation. For an NAACP Branch this foundation must include a mastery of the basics of Branch administration. The basics are: • 1. Leaders are not born, they are trained: All officers , Executive Committee members elected at-large and Standing Committee chairpersons should be trained before they serve. • 2. A budget tells us where we’re going: The Finance Committee must prepare a budget at the end of each year for the following year. • 3. The bills must be paid, at all levels: The Branch must pay its national, state and regional assessments to be in good standing. Assessments should be paid at the beginning of the new fiscal year and must be paid sixty (60) days prior to the start any of these conventions. • 4. Report memberships in 15 days, not four weeks: The Secretary must send all memberships to the national office within 15 days of receipt. • 5. File year end activity report by January 10, not next year: The Secretary must file the year-end activity report for the preceding year by January 10. • 6. File year end financial reports in February, not July, Aug., or Sept!: The Treasurer must file the year-end financial report for the preceding year by February 1. • 7. Racism and discrimination do not take time off: The Branch and Executive Committee must meet at least once a month. The Executive Committee and General Membership should meet on separate days. • 8. If there is a meeting, there must be an agenda: Branch, Executive Committee or committee meetings must be planned. There should be no meeting without a published agenda and clearly understood purpose. Never meet, just to meet!

31. Evaluation of an Effective Branch • 9. The work is done through active Branch Standing Committees: Of the 19 Standing Committees, at least 17 should be active: Active Standing Committees should be: Communications, Community Coordination, Economic Development, Education, Finance, Freedom Fund, Health, Housing, Labor and Industry, Legal Redress, Membership, Life Membership, Political Action, Press and Publicity, Religious Affairs, Youth Work and WIN. • 10. Where there is a Branch, there must be a Youth Council: Every Branch should ensure there is a active Youth Council in its vicinity. No Branch should have more than 25 youth members. All youth members should be transferred to the Youth Council. • 11. Can’t do the work without the money, honey!: The Freedom Fund Committee must direct an effective fund raising program. The program must include the basic fund raising principles: early planning; ask for what you want; clear concise communications; user friendly response forms; don’t waste time; and ask for real money from real people. Remember: We don’t have fund-raisers to break even. If you only break even, you’ve lost. • 12. Let your members know what’s going on: Regular communications with members and the public is essential. The Branch should have a newsletter and in many cases radio and cable television programs. • 13. Conventions are important; attend all: The Branch must send delegates to the Regional Convention in the Spring; National Convention in July and State Convention in the fall. • 14. Speak up! Speak out! Take Action! The NAACP is a protest organization and the community depends on us to speak out against injustice. When racism and discrimination strikes a Millennium Branch will speak out and take action against. The NAACP Branch must not seek popularity. Remember: Our job is not to do what is popular and try to make it right; but rather the NAACP must do what is right and try to make it popular! This document can be found at Building an Effective Branch

32. 2006 Calendar of Events January Martin Luther King Breakfast (1/14) State Board Meeting (1/14) EOP/NAACP - Together We Dine (1/16) February National Annual Board of Directors, NY Hilton, New York, NY (2/16-18) Black History Event EOP Comm. Ctr 1-4pm (2/25) National Image Awards, Shriner Aud., LA,CA (2/25) March National Image Awards Telecast (3/3) Life Membership Luncheon (2nd Saturday) Albany Mobilization? April Annual NE Region Civil Rights Advocacy, Somerset, New Jersey Training (4/21-23) Albany Mobilization?          May State Board Meeting (5/13) June Freedom Fund Awards Banquet (1st Friday) Co-sponsor of Juneteenth Celebration July National Convention, Washington, D.C. (7/15-20)

33. 2006 Calendar of Events August State Board Meeting (8/12) September Back-To-School/Stay-In-School Program Participate in Elmira College Community Fair Election First Notice October New York State Convention (10/6-8) November Branch Elections December Kwanzaa Program

34. Communications is a Key to SuccessMembers are the life blood of the NAACP • How can we improve the communications function? (tools and processes) • Use of media (internet, mail, advertising, word of mouth) • What are ways to make our team effective, efficient, and attractive to new members?(strategic and operational) • Team is more organized • Increased membership participation • Team obtains results (community, schools, and other institutions)

35. Communications is a Key to SuccessMembers are the life blood of the NAACP • List how we each can improve our communications • List how the organization can improve our communications • What are we doing right? • What are we doing wrong?

36. Fund Raising: PLAN OUR WORK AND WORK OUR PLANFrom NAACP The key to successful fund-raising is planning. A good plan that is properly executed will produce memorable and successful events. Here are some of the basics of fund-raising: • A budget is a map to where we are going: The Finance Committee must prepare a budget at the end of each year for the following year. The budget is the basis of the Freedom Fund Committee fund-raising goal for the year. • Failure to plan is a plan for failure: Every fund-raising activity must be well planned. The earlier we plan, the better our chance for success. The Freedom Fund Banquet or event must have at least six (6) months of planning. • Don’t forget to POP: Plan on Paper: The banquet must be planned on paper starting with preparing a budget. • No More $10 Dinners!!: We must charge an appropriate ticket price. There should be no NAACP dinners with less than a $25 ticket, $50 is even better. It is impossible to raise money with cheap tickets. • There must be a division of labor: The Freedom Fund Committee or Banquet Committee must not become a one woman/man show. Everyone can do something and no one can do everything. Appoint sub-committees in charge of Corporate Solicitations, Logistics, Program, Souvenir Journal Ads, Tickets, Non-profit Solicitations, Church Solicitations, and Public Relations. The Finance Committee must work closely with the Freedom Fund Committee. • Big Names attract Big Bucks! Ask corporate & community leaders with credibility to serve as Honorary Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons. Tell them you want to use their names on the letterhead. Also ask the Honorary Chairs if they will sign letters, make phone calls and assign someone from their company to the corporate sub-committee.

37. Fund Raising: PLAN OUR WORK AND WORK OUR PLAN • Get free professional help with marketing and solicitations: Ask Honorary Chairs or other corporate leaders for cooperation of their marketing and publicity departments for help in designing special letterhead and writing effective letters. Make sure to include the local television station owners or general managers among the Honorary Co-chairpersons. • The first impression is the lasting impression: Never, ever send a letter or announcement without having it proofed by someone other than the author. Get someone who knows English and grammar (teacher, professor, editor, press person or marketing expert) to review ALL correspondence before it is sent! • Remember the Blind Bartimaeus Rule: “Ask for what you want!” We must ask the right people for the right amount of money. Solicitation letters must be well written, grammatically correct, and sent in a timely manner to the decision maker in the business, organization or company. Never, ever send a “Dear Sir” or “To whom it may concern” letter. • No shortcuts, do the research: Don’t half step, do the necessary research to build a comprehensive data base of companies and individuals to solicit from. Ask corporate friends for their “hot lists” of contributors who give big money. Buy a copy of the chamber directory. • Make giving user friendly: Solicitation letters and response form(s) must be designed to be easily used by the recipient and potential contributor. Make sure all necessary information about date, time and place of the event, the amount requested and deadline are included in letters and response form(s).

38. Fund Raising: PLAN OUR WORK AND WORK OUR PLAN • Communicate early and often: Solicitation letters must be sent at least ninety (90) days before the event. Follow up letters should be sent 60 days and 30 days out. • Outreach means to reach out: We must reach out to businesses, community groups, organizations and individuals to solicit support for the event. Branch officers should make presentations to churches, chamber of commerce, club meetings, and community meetings. • Spread the word: The Public Relations committee must set up radio and television interviews at least 30 days out. Public Service Announcements (PSA) and church announcements must be sent at least 30 days out. • Program must end the night it starts!: The one NAACP tradition we must end is the all night program! An Awards Reception before the banquet to present the less prestigious awards would make the program shorter. A few major awards could be presented at the end of the dinner hour. No banquet should last more than 2 ½ hours. • Only one keynote speaker!: Give every program participant a written script and a time limit. The entire program should be timed from start to finish. Never wait on the speaker to start the program. At the appointed hour, start! • Technology makes it look good: If there is a Women of the Year or Mother of the Year contest as part of the banquet, consider having the contestants presented on large screen video. • Thank everybody: Within seven (7) days after the banquet, send thank you letters to all participants.

39. Fund Raising: PLAN OUR WORK AND WORK OUR PLAN • A few good fund-raisers is better than many smaller poorly planned ones: We must not nickel and dime the community year round. We are in the civil rights business, not the fund-raising business. Other good fund-raisers are auctions, celebrity server dinners or luncheons, Life Membership Luncheons or Breakfasts, Tribute to Black Women/Men, private movie screenings and fashion shows. • Our event must become THE event: Whatever fund-raiser we have, it must be so well done that it becomes THE event to attend annually. • Our goal is never to “Break even:” If we just want to break even; it would be better to hold a mass meeting! This document is found at Fund Raising.

40. Ice Breakers Marooned • You are marooned on a island. What five (you can use a different number, such as seven, depending upon the size of each team) items would you have brought with you if you knew there was a chance that you might be stranded. You are only allowed five items per team, not per person. • Be prepared to discuss and defend your choices with the whole group. This activity helps them to learn about other's values and problem solving styles and promotes teamwork. People write down two truths about themselves and an untruth.  Then introduce the three "facts" to the rest of the group who tries to guess which one is a lie. People Don’t Always Follow Directions

41. Post Retreat Activities

42. Evaluation of Effectiveness Elements (Summary for lowest rated)

43. Communications is a Key to SuccessMembers are the life blood of the NAACP • List how we each can improve our communications • Be more outspoken about the mission/vision personally • Publicize to individuals the value of membership and being a board members • Ensure that message sent is the message received • Publicize the calendar of events via e-mail and personal 1:1 contact • Strive to be more active in recruiting new members • Communicate that we are a rainbow organization and not a black-only organization. Whites are welcome to join/participate • Remind he public of the Website and keep it updated • Talk about the mission/vision of the NAACP at every available opportunity • Communicate to the Black community that charity starts at home. The responsibility for supporting yourself and not expecting the White community to do it all. • Personally communicate to relatives and friends that they can effect change through the NAACP by providing financial support and time • Actively publicize the work that the Branch is doing via the Media • Find ways to get more coverage from the Media of branch events, equal to the coverage that other public service organizations (Kawanis Club, e.g.) get • People expect the NAACP to be a more visible organization through marches and protests, etc., but in our small community that may not be appropriate. We should communicate the good work we are doing. • Prepare press releases for all major Branch events and programs. Send to Elmira-Corning Media (Newspapers, TV, and Radio)

44. Communications is a Key to SuccessMembers are the life blood of the NAACP • List how the organization can improve our communications • Give general membership more information • Develop a strategy of success • Influence the community (health, economics, social, etc.) and not just event driven • Plan newsletter (quarterly), develop dialogue with other agencies to develop bridges of cooperation and networks • Be aware of agencies and what they do • Advertise – public announcements • Create pamphlets about what we do • Develop commercial (video) of who we are – update to make it current • Monthly update • Bulk mailing/mass mailings • List of members (electronic version) given to Executive Board • Be timely with communications • Identify key contacts for TV, Radio, and Public Services (Marissa Basemore & Lois Wilson - Star Gazette, • Improve PR and its focus • Identify the gifts and talents of the team • Press releases created for major events • Committee reports are presented at each Board Meeting

45. Communications is a Key to SuccessMembers are the life blood of the NAACP • What are we doing right? • Use of distribution list at Corning to inform employees of Branch activities • Reflection • Retreat Concept • Communication of meeting • Being consistent with events • Reaching out to Elmira (communications, posters) – getting the word out • EOP carries our events in their monthly newsletter • Utilizing newspaper and radio

46. Communications is a Key to SuccessMembers are the life blood of the NAACP • What are we doing wrong? • Not getting information to general membership-at-large (no hard copy) • Not putting calendar out early • Use of more internet-based information and communications • More personal accountability