Dear NAACP Family:
We hope this note finds you and your family safe and well.
Your strength and leadership have never been more critical as we continue to address the increasing health, wellness, and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis.
In these difficult days, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities who have been gravely impacted by this virus. Our highest gratitude remains with the heroic efforts of the health professionals and essential workers who remain on the frontline in fighting this pandemic.
The safety and security of our communities continue to be our utmost priority. After evaluating the developments over several months, including working in concert with updates from the City of Boston and our health partners around the country, we are officially announcing that the 111th Annual Convention planned for July 25 to July 29 in Boston, MA will be postponed.
We are monitoring the updated information from state and local governments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and public health agencies. We will continue to provide any updates.
ELECTIONS
The National Board of Directors, through its Executive Committee, has suspended all NAACP rules requiring in-person meetings for any purpose and will allow for alternative settings to conduct business during this time. Guidelines regarding Unit Branch Elections have been distributed and trainings on Units Elections will continue through July, 2020.
Elections for Youth & College will be conducted in the Fall of 2020.
MEETINGS AND GATHERINGS
We ask that you refrain from gathering in person until at least July 1. This request extends to NAACP general membership and executive committee meetings, meetings of other unit committees, state conference quarterly meetings, Freedom Fund events, ACT-SO events, and any other gathering organized or sponsored by NAACP units.
We are continuing to evaluate best practices to address our regional meetings. As soon as information is available and finalized, we will provide you with our process and timelines for completion.
MEMBERSHIPS
We have suspended the rule providing that membership becomes effective at the time the unit receives its share of the membership fee from the National Office. Membership in the NAACP for purposes of the 2020 Branch election cycle will be effective on the date the membership is received by the Branch or in the National Office (including online).
CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCACY TRAINING INSTITUTE (CRATI)
Thank you for your participation in the ongoing Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute. Thousands of you participated in trainings and virtual meetings, in lieu of our regularly scheduled “in-person” conferences. The second round of training has just been released and I hope that you will continue to register and participate. We know how important this training is to the advocacy work of the NAACP and we are delighted to provide this training option.
We are appreciative of the support of our members, units, branches during this time. With 2020 being such a pivotal year, the Association remains focused on the fight to ensure that the voice of our communities is never silenced.
We look forward to connecting with you soon.
Fighting forward,
Derrick Johnson
@DerrickNAACP
President and CEO
NAACP