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Standing Committees

Springfield NAACP

Standing Committees


Standing committees are the backbone of the NAACP, where meaningful work begins to support and uplift our community. We rely on dedicated volunteers to contribute their time and talents as committee members.

Below is a list of our standing committees and their purpose. If you are ready to get involved, please email info@springfieldnaacp.org or call 217-789-2721.

Description NAACP Standing Committee

ARMED FORCES AND VETERAN’S AFFAIRS

The Committee on Armed Services and Veterans Affairs is dedicated to advocating for the fair and just treatment of minority community members within the Armed Services and veteran populations. The committee aims to:

  1. Establish collaborative relationships with national, state, and local agencies responsible for military and veteran affairs to ensure equitable administration of programs.
  2. Study the conditions of veterans, active military personnel, and their families to address their unique challenges.
  3. Serve as a central hub for information and assistance on matters affecting active military members, reservists, state national guards, and veterans.
  4. Maintain resources to assist veterans and military personnel with their issues, including navigating benefits and services.
  5. Investigate and respond to complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or creed, advocating for equal access to entitled benefits.
  6. Submit quarterly reports to the Executive Committee and the National Director of Armed Services and Veterans Affairs, ensuring transparency and accountability.

 

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.

Communications, Press, Publicity, and Technology Committee

The purpose of the Communications, Press, Publicity, and Technology Committee is to:

  1. Promote media content that aligns with the NAACP’s mission to eliminate racial isolation and fear while fostering multiracial and cultural understanding.
  2. Work to eliminate employment segregation and discrimination within communications, arts, and sciences industries, including radio, telephone, television, motion pictures, newspapers, books, computer communications, business, and cable television.
  3. Advocate for Black and minority ownership and control of print, electronic media, and technology enterprises—both hardware and software.
  4. Monitor local and national media, with a focus on advertising performance, to ensure fair representation and accountability.
  5. Provide the National Office with research and data on local businesses engaged in communications, arts, sciences, and technology.
  6. Ensure that all people have a meaningful right to choose from and access a variety of high-quality telecommunications goods and services at reasonable costs.
  7. Promote the use of current and emerging technologies in ways that uphold truth, avoid inherent programming biases, and educate the public on both positive and negative aspects of the evolving technology landscape.
  8. Embrace technology as a key social determinant of health by advocating and educating at the grassroots level.
  9. Monitor social media and other outlets to maintain appropriate branding, marketing, and proprietary use in alignment with NAACP standards.

Criminal Justice Committee

The purpose of the Criminal Justice Committee is to:

  1. Eliminate harsh and unfair sentencing practices that contribute to mass incarceration and racial disparities within the prison system.
  2. Promote trust and enhance public safety by advocating for effective and equitable law enforcement practices.
  3. Champion the restoration of voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals and work to remove barriers to their employment and reintegration.
  4. Amplify the voices of crime victim survivors to address and reform systemic failures within the criminal justice system that perpetuate crime.
  5. Advocate for an end to the war on drugs due to its disproportionate impact on communities of color and its harmful collateral consequences.
  6. Promote alternatives to incarceration, including education, employment opportunities, and mental health services, to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.
  7. Work to eliminate zero-tolerance policies in schools that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline by keeping students out of the classroom and increasing the likelihood of incarceration.
  8. Investigate local law enforcement programs that deviate from public safety objectives by performing federal agency duties beyond their capacity and intended purpose.
  9. Advocate for budget reforms to prioritize education funding over incarceration, ensuring investments support community development and long-term public safety.

Economic Development Committee

The purpose of the Economic Development Committee is to:

  1. Implement local initiatives and support national programs that promote economic empowerment among African Americans and other communities of color.
  2. Research and establish strategic relationships with private and public entities to foster economic opportunities.
  3. Collaborate with the National Office to monitor the progress and activities of designated private and public entities in alignment with national programs.
  4. Promote the growth of business ownership through targeted initiatives and community support.
  5. Increase employment and job creation by advocating for workforce development and economic inclusion.
  6. Encourage business development and support pathways to homeownership, contributing to community stability and wealth building.

EDUCATION

The purpose of the Education Committee is to:

  1. Eliminate segregation and discriminatory practices within public education systems.
  2. Study local educational conditions impacting minority groups to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement.
  3. Investigate public school systems and school zoning to promote equitable access to quality education.
  4. Review and address racially derogatory content within textbook materials.
  5. Promote initiatives to stimulate and support consistent school attendance among students.
  6. Monitor school conditions and advocate for the correction of identified abuses or inequities.
  7. Examine the effects of standardized and high-stakes testing practices on minority students.
  8. Advocate for fair and effective teacher certification processes.
  9. Encourage and facilitate active parental involvement in education to enhance student success.
  10. Serve as a resource for educating the public on racial issues and advancing the mission of the Association.

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE JUSTICE

The purpose of the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee is to:

  1. Advocate for environmental justice by addressing environmental inequities at the local level.
  2. Develop a comprehensive and holistic agenda to reduce pollution and promote healthier communities.
  3. Advance energy efficiency and support clean energy initiatives within local communities.
  4. Promote and advocate for disaster-resilient infrastructure policies and practices to enhance community safety and preparedness.

HEALTH

The purpose of the Health Committee is to:

  1. Promote, protect, and maintain the health of African Americans and communities of color.
  2. Assess and address the health needs of the community through targeted initiatives.
  3. Advocate for equitable access to health education, quality care, treatment, and research for all individuals.
  4. Organize and sponsor health-related activities, including forums, fairs, and workshops on issues impacting communities of color.
  5. Support and advance the health initiatives of the NAACP at the local and national levels.

HOUSING

The purpose of the Housing Committee is to:

  1. Study and evaluate housing conditions within the local community.
  2. Receive and address complaints of housing discrimination, advocating for fair treatment and equity.
  3. Oppose all restrictive and discriminatory housing practices, both public and private.
  4. Disseminate information and provide support to eliminate discrimination in housing and promote inclusive housing opportunities.

Labor and Industry Committee

The purpose of the Labor and Industry Committee is to:

  1. Work to eliminate discriminatory employment practices in both industry and government, including addressing wage disparities, unequal training and promotion opportunities, and unfair dismissals.
  2. Encourage greater minority participation in the trade union movement to promote diversity and inclusion.
  3. Advocate for the end of discriminatory practices within labor unions, promoting fairness and equity.
  4. Support the enactment and enforcement of state and federal fair employment practices legislation.
  5. Promote improved opportunities for vocational and apprenticeship training to enhance economic advancement for minority groups.

Legal Redress Committee

The purpose of the Legal Redress Committee is to:

  1. Investigate all cases reported to the committee, ensuring thorough examination and appropriate action.
  2. Supervise all litigation involving the Unit, advocating for justice and fairness in legal proceedings.
  3. Keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case, maintaining transparency and accountability.
  4. Refrain from providing general legal advice, focusing on specific cases and issues aligned with the Unit’s mission.

LGBTQIA+ Committee

The purpose of the LGBTQIA+ Committee is to:

  1. Receive and address complaints of discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals, whether in public or private settings, promoting equity and justice.
  2. Study and assess conditions in the local community for LGBTQIA+ persons, identifying and addressing issues and concerns to foster a safe and inclusive environment.
  3. Disseminate information and provide support to eliminate discrimination and enhance understanding and acceptance.
  4. Collaborate with other Standing Committees on projects of mutual interest, strengthening advocacy and outreach efforts.

Membership and Life Membership

The purpose of the Membership and Life Membership Committee is to:

  • Work year-round to grow the Association’s membership base.
  • Plan and organize a successful annual membership drive.
  • Consistently solicit new members and secure membership renewals.
  • Develop and implement strategies to attract Life Members and sustain a robust, ongoing program to support this goal.

Political Action

The purpose of the Political Action Committee is to:

  • Promote efforts to boost voter registration and turnout.
  • Support municipal, state, and federal laws that enhance the educational, political, and economic status of minority groups.
  • Actively seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation.
  • Collaborate to enhance the fairness and effectiveness of the justice system.
  • Work to achieve consistent and equitable enforcement of laws.
  • Keep the National Office and the Unit informed about proposed legislation impacting minority communities.

Religious Affairs

The Religious Affairs Committee shall consist of ministerial and lay religious leaders who are members of the Unit. The committee will:

  • Develop programs that provide a moral and ethical perspective on the civil rights struggle.
  • Communicate the Association’s mission to organized religious groups across all faiths.
  • Encourage religious organizations to participate in membership drives, fundraising efforts, and the broader fight for equality and civil rights.
  • Offer support for religious education and social action initiatives aimed at enhancing race relations.