NAACP Board offers Mfume new contract, streamlines organization

New Crisis, The, Nov/Dec 2001 by Petrie, Phil W

The NAACP held its national board of directors and trustees meeting in Los Angeles on Oct. 20. At the meeting, the association announced the signing of a new three-year contract with Kweisi Mfume, the current president and CEO. Mfume has held this position since February 1996.

"We're overjoyed to have the continuing services of the nation's finest CEO, Kweisi Mfume," said NAACP Board Chairman Julian Bond.

Mfume responded by saying that he was "honored to be able to continue the important advocacy work on behalf of the NAACP. During these challenging times, it is essential that as the nation's premier freedom fighters we stand strong to protect and defend the civil rights of all Americans - now more than ever before."

The board also implemented several directives to strengthen the association's operation of its 2,200 units around the world. The directives affect the organization's constitution and procedures on branch operations. The board had previously removed 800 branch officers and executive committee members for failure to attend mandatory training sessions by last summer. At this national meeting, the board stood by that decision.

"More than 10,000 branch officers and other executives attend the training that is a vital aspect of our advocacy mobilization efforts. It would be unfair to them not to enforce our rules and regulations," Bond said.

For the first time in its 92-year history, the NAACP Board of Directors began revising the association's constitution and bylaws. The goal is to collapse all existing governing documents for the various NAACP units into one. The NAACP policy board also approved its historic fiveyear strategic plan and ratified resolutions approved at the July convention concerning racial profiling, the Mississippi state flag, the economic boycott of South Carolina, election reform and public education.

The California State Conference of the NAACP held its 14th annual state convention -themed "Renewing and Rebuilding A Better California," with more than 300 youth and branch delegates-in conjunction with the national board meeting.

- Phil W. Petrie