Empowerment and Achievement Through Action National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Prince William County Strategic Plan 2011-2016

Message from Prince William County NAACP President

Greetings: On behalf of the Prince William County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), I welcome this opportunity to present the strategic initiatives the Prince William County Branch will undertake through the period 2011-2016. Founded in 1909, the NAACP is celebrating 100 years of having made significant contributions towards the advancement of our society. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitors equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. As we stand on the precipice of a new dawning in America, we look back on battles fought and won by our fathers and mothers, battles fought in places like Selma, Alabama, and Monroe, Louisiana, to secure our right to vote and live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character. We look back today on the heroism of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Evers; on the tenacity of Fannie Lou Hamer and the audacity of Sojourner Truth and Barack Obama; on the cunning of Harriet Tubman and Denmark Vessey; on the vision of many strong clergy such as our branch’s past president, Reverend Frederick L. Ray. We look back with our feet firmly planted toward the future, a future in which we must guard against any roll back of the gains of a century of civil rights progress. We must resolve to do everything in our power to recommit ourselves to preserve the principles of liberty and justice for all. We know that prejudice will not disappear overnight; our mission remains strong. We will continue working diligently to improve race relations, address community concerns, and enhance life in Prince William County. This document sets out the course for our organization and articulates the strategic priorities of the Prince William County Branch, as it stands poised to address the pertinent issues affecting residents across the county. Combating discrimination and providing individuals with opportunities to voice their complaints remain our primary goals; with our strategic plan, we will systematically work to advocate for social justice and civil rights within our community. Ralph Smith, President

Empowerment and Achievement Through Action National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Prince William County Strategic Plan 2011-2016

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Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................... Page 2 History ............................................................................................................................ Page 3 Mission............................................................................................................................ Page 4 Vision .............................................................................................................................. Page 4 Goal 1 Capacity Building.............................................................................................. Page 5 Goal 2 Education............................................................................................................Page 7 Goal 3 Civil Rights.........................................................................................................Page 9 Goal 4 Self Empowerment.............................................................................................Page 10

Introduction

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons in addition, eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination as well as to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through the democratic process. This mission is carried out through the implementation of several programs and services. The organization actively keeps its hand on the pulse of the community and modifies its programs and services to meet the changing times. To the extent possible, matters of concern are addressed proactively so that their impact on the community is minimal. The organization also lends a helping hand to citizens in need who have been the victim of unfortunate circumstances. Currently, the organization is focusing its attention on the following; Education, Economic Empowerment, Voter Registration and Education, Anti-Affirmative Action Movement, Youth Programs, Community Health-Related Issues (HIV/AIDS, cancer, drugs, etc.) and other related work.

The Prince William County Branch NAACP is a 21st century advocacy organization that has fought and continues to fight for the advancement of minority groups. We rely on the membership and participation of socially conscious individuals of all races, religions, political affiliations and ideologies. We have fought and won many battles to end racism, and injustice; there is still much work to be done. With your help, we can build on the tremendous progress we have made and work together to eliminate the remaining barriers to freedom and equality for all.

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History

The branch, which was established in the 1920s, owes its success and a monumental "Thank You" to our past leaders who worked tirelessly for the citizens of Prince William County and the legacy they left us. From the ballot box to the classroom, Prince William County NAACP dedicated workers and leaders have forged this great branch and maintained its status as a champion of social justice. They have fought long and hard to ensure that not only the African American voices would be heard. Some of those who have ably led the Branch include such outstanding leaders as, the Reverend Frederick Ray, Mr. Eddie Stallworth, Mr. Ira Patterson, Mr. Kenneth Gibson and Mr. Clyde Jackson.

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NAACP MISSION The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to

ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

VISION STATEMENT The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure

a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.

Strategy for Empowerment and Achievement Through Action

Objectives 1.1 Increase NAACP membership over the next five years. 1.2 Integrate membership recruitment efforts with all of the Associations departments and related entities. 1.3 Increase the number of functions and activities to promote the NAACP status in the community. 1.4 Create an active and vibrant Youth branch and membership.

Goal 1 Capacity Building

Objectives 2.1 Advocate for effective, accountable and accessible public schools, and adequate and equitable school funding. 2.2 Examine a broad range of educational structures and practices with the objective of advocating for educational innovations. 2.3 Advocate for higher graduation rates among minorities by providing programs and training for students and parents to support the educational process.

Goal 2 Education

Objectives 4.1 Increase the number of registered African American and other minority voters. 4.2 Encourage minority involvement in the political arena. 4.3 Increase the access of African Americans and other minorities to credit, capital, entrepreural education and financial independents, and other services.

Objectives 3.1 Raise public awareness about the inequities in the criminal and juvenile justice system. 3.2 Advocate for more equitable distribution of government benefits to impoverished communities. 3.3 Promote enforcement of all fair housing and lending practices.

Goal 3 Civil Rights

Goal 4 Self

Empowerment

NAACP Prince William County Vision Statement Providing Social, Economic, Educational, Civil and Political Empowerment for all its citizens through Community awareness, functions and activities, eliminating racial prejudice and removing all barriers of racial discrimination.

Supporting Initiatives and Actions

Capacity Building

Strategic Goal 1

Objective 1.1

Increase NAACP membership over the next five years. Work to increase NAACP Membership by five percent (5%) each year over the

next five years, by holding membership drives and other activities to generate interest in our local branch as well as the NAACP organization as a whole.

Objective 1.2 Integrate membership recruitment efforts with all of the Association’s departments and related entities. Work with other NAACP branches to see what works for recruitment of new

members. Integrate membership recruitment efforts with Churches, Civil Groups and other

organizations.

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Objective 1.3

Increase the number of functions and activities to promote the NAACP status in the community. Work with the community and sponsor activities in the community. Provide time

and money to generate interest by action and support in the community. Participate in ongoing events like school supply drives and other type, gatherings and show strong support by participation and branding.

Explore NAACP/PWCS partnerships that will support staff in reaching out and communicating with disadvantaged parents by providing transportation and other support.

Objective 1.4

Create an active and vibrant Youth branch and membership. Work with youth to show them the importance of activism and the impact it can

have on their own lives. Provide them a sense of history and work that they can do in the future that will influence them.

Create activities (youth day) and functions (educational trip), which support the youth.

Correct information about NAACP ACT-SO Programs for youth and discuss implementation with NAACP Executive Committee.

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Education

Strategic Goal 2

Objective 2.1

Advocate for effective, accountable and accessible public schools, and adequate and equitable school funding.

Have an annual Back to School function to provide material needed for school.

Support churches and organizations, which are in the area, already providing materials to students.

Establish a network with church/community and PTA leaders to communicate school related information.

Objective 2.2

Examine a broad range of educational structures and practices with the objective of advocating for educational innovations. Work with other organizations to create structures and direct youth to

organizations, which have established new educational methods.

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Objective 2.3

Advocate for higher graduation rates among minorities by providing programs and training for students and parents to support the educational process.

Work with the Prince William County schools to enhance students' success

by reducing the absenteeism and dropout rate, by providing students from elementary school to high school with academic and social support, while providing cultural awareness to increase their ability to learn.

Work with at risk students to prevent absenteeism and decrease the dropout rate, and provide stimulus to improve the student behavior and attendance.

Work with parents and provide mentors to allow students to achieve a higher level of learning to fulfill their dreams.

Work with youth leaders and ministers to provide additional support for our youth, such as a mentoring program.

Create Enrichment Programs that provide students with extra academic support.

Provide parent and student workshops that work to improve parents’ involvement in their child's education as well as improve their own educational and technological abilities.

Provide physical health and healthy eating education for parents and children.

Providing drug prevention and drug education to the youth. Develop plans to engage youth and their needs by reaching out and talking

directly to them using a “Teen Summit” concept to address real issues youth face in the community.

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Civil Rights

Strategic Goal 3

Objective 3.1

Raise public awareness about the inequities in the criminal and juvenile justice system.

Hold seminars on judicial rights and educational options. Gather, analyze and maintain statistics by ethnicity within the county to show

disparity.

Objective 3.2

Advocate for more equitable distribution of government benefits to impoverished communities.

Work with local leaders and politicians to influence and propagate change in the

Price William County. Develop a plan for education and delivery of Medicare eligibility information and

other related programs.

Objective 3.3

Promote enforcement of all fair housing and lending practices. Work with financial institutions and local politicians to support efforts to monitor

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Self Empowerment

Strategic Goal 4

Objective 4.1

Increase the number of registered African American and other minority voters.

Create and develop voting drives to increase the participation in local, state and

national elections. Provide voting information and registration forms at NAACP events.

Objective 4.2

Encourage minority involvement in the political arena.

Encourage minority candidates to run for boards and political office. Starting

with local involvement in the political offices and support them with training. Work with other organizations to encourage candidates with same interest.

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Objective 4.3 Increase the access of African Americans and other minorities to credit, capital, entrepreneurial education and financial independents, and other services.

Provide training in the fundamentals of financial planning to educate people

in the basic understating of credit and saving for the future. Educate residents about housing issues and opportunities.

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