The Pittsburgh Branch NAACP has had a busy year. We’ve been involved in a number of issues that continue to affect the African-American community on a daily basis.
Dr. Marilyn Barnett and members of the Education Committee have been diligent with the school situations, and they continue to show up at school board meetings to voice our objections to some of the procedures that are taking place that will shape the destiny of our children for years to come. The one thing that is needed is for more African-Americans to show up and support our efforts on behalf of all our kids.
The branch has put in place a new process for dealing with complaints, and we have enlisted the assistance of Duquesne Law School students to help this process move along in a more timely manner. Any person can come to the NAACP office to file a complaint, however, there must be supportive documentation that can be checked and verified. If you have a need to file a complaint be factual, make sure you have all the facts that pertain to the complaint; be timely, don’t wait six months to come forward with an issue of discrimination; and be honest. Make sure you are telling the truth and you have proper documentation to back it up.
The NAACP 2008 election of Officers and Executive Committee members is approaching. Those elected will serve a two-year term. There are three important dates for you to remember: Tuesday, Sept. 16; Tuesday, Oct. 14; and Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The Tuesday, Sept. 16 meeting will be held at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA, 7140 Bennett St., at 6:30 p.m. There will be an election of the Nominating Committee. Anyone whose membership is current as of 30 days prior to the meeting date (Aug. 17) may be elected to the Nominating Committee.
The Tuesday, Oct. 14 meeting will be held at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA at 6:30 p.m. There will be a report of the Nominating Committee, receipt of Nominations by Petition, and election of the Election Supervisory Committee. In order to run by petition, a member must turn in (at this meeting) a written petition that has been filled out and signed by at least three members in “Good Standing.” For the purpose of signing a petition, a “member in Good Standing” shall mean a member whose membership is current at least 30 days prior to the date he/she has signed the petition. Any member whose membership is current as of April 1 may be nominated for office or as an at-large member of the Executive Committee. In order to sign a nominating petition or be elected to the Election Supervisory Committee, a member must be current as of 30 days prior to the October meeting date (Sept. 14).
Tuesday, Nov. 18 will be the NAACP election. This will take place at the Hill House Association in the Kaufmann Auditorium from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee will take place. In order to vote in a branch election, one must be a member in good standing of the Branch 30 days prior to the election (Oct. 19). A form of identification is required and membership must be verified. You will have an opportunity to vote for one president, three vice presidents, one treasurer, one assistant treasurer, one secretary, one assistant secretary and Executive Committee members.
When you are marking these on your calendar, also remember to mark Nov. 4. This is, potentially, one of the most important dates in history, particularly for African-Americans because we stand the chance of witnessing the election of the first African-American president in the history of this country. We urge you to get out and vote in both elections. Remember: if you don’t vote...don’t complain.
Remember to listen to our radio show “NAACP Issues,” which airs every other Saturday at 9 a.m. on WAMO 860-AM and is hosted by Constance Parker, NAACP vice president.
(Marcella Lee is NAACP second vice president of the Pittsburgh Branch.)
