NAACP strategic blueprint

New Crisis, The, Jul/Aug 2000

The strategic blueprint, with the efforts of the taskforces listed therein, will be the road map to our strategic plan.

VISION

The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.

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.

STATEMENT OF CORE BELIEFS AND VALUES

We believe in representative democracy with equal rights, access and opportunities for all.

We believe in the value and relevance of our spirituality, culture and heritage in the struggle for civil rights.

We are committed to grassroots involvement in decision-making and strong volunteer participation in the pursuit of social justice.

We are committed to developing knowledgeable and militant leadership, with a special emphasis on our youth.

We are committed to pursuing our civil rights objectives through non-violent means and in collaboration with other groups and individuals who share our commitment to the advancement of civil rights.

We believe in a strong code of ethics that assures the highest standards of honesty, dignity and integrity.

We are committed to performance excellence by our staff and volunteers.

We are committed to ongoing evaluation of all of our programs, staff and organizational units.

We believe in the responsibility and accountability of the individual and family.

STATEGIC PRIORITIES

Over the next five years we will focus on five strategic priorities:

CIVIL RIGHTS

Advocating policies and legislation which guarantee equal employment opportunity in the private and public sectors

Advocating strong enforcement of fair housing, public accommodation, and employment laws

Advocating for improved health care and for equal access to health services and insurance

Advocating equitable distribution of public resources

Supporting positive images and attitudes about race and about the people of the African Diaspora

Advocating for policies and processes that promote equal and fair treatment of all immigrants

Improving the criminal/juvenile justice system, with particular attention to:

Minimizing the number and disproportionate percentage of African American and other minority youths and adults in the criminal/juvenile system

Holding law enforcement agencies accountable for excessive use of force and abuse of authority

Advocating law enforcement recruitment and training policies which promote equal treatment and opportunity

Advocating equitable treatment at all levels of the criminal/juvenile justice system

EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

Advocating for quality public education, pre-K-12, in all communities, paying particular attention to civil rights issues focusing on:

The failing national commitment to de-segregation and the trend toward re-segregation in education

The use of educational vouchers and growth of charter schools

The development and implementation of standardized tests

Curriculum content

Faculty and staff diversity

Access to new information technologies

Equitable treatment of all students

Increasing equal access to higher education with particular attention to:

Recent reversals of affirmative action in college and graduate school admissions policies

Obtaining funding equity for collegiate and technical education

Preserving and enhancing historically Black colleges and universities

Curriculum content

Faculty and staff diversity

POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT

Increasing the number of registered minority voters

Improving voter awareness of civil rights issues

Increasing voter turnout in minority communities

Advocating equity in the census process and in reapportionment and redistricting processes

Encouraging minority citizens to seek public office, fulfill public roles and hold public officials accountable

Advocating policies to simplify and expedite the re-enfranchisement of ex-felons

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Advocating the promotion of actions that will generate, and the removal of barriers that prevent, equal access for minorities to capital for businesses

Advocating the promotion of actions that will generate, and the removal of barriers that prevent, equal access for minorities to credit

Promoting investment and building wealth in minority communities

Advocating access to economic information, knowledge, technology and training

IMPROVING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

Increasing membership and improving member satisfaction and participation

Developing a staff sufficient in number to achieve our mission

Attracting high caliber employees and investing in their development

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of all operating units through:

Establishing performance measurements consistent with our strategic priorities

Technological enhancement

Increasing operating revenues and building an endowment

Strengthening our alliances with other groups on civil rights matters

Creating an Advocacy Training Institute