ACT-SO Click here to visit the ACT-SO Website WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE: African-American high school students who are citizens of the United States, enrolled in grades 9 through 12 and are amateurs in the categories of
competition. Students must compete in a local ACT-SO program to qualify for
the National ACT-SO competition.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN ACT-SO: The ACT-SO program is intended to be a learning experience, first and foremost. The focus of a viable and effective local ACT-SO program is on enrichment and mentorship. Students work with ACT-SO mentors who help them
develop projects throughout the year. Local ACT-SO programs also provide
ACT-SO students with enrichment opportunities, such as workshops, tutorials,
and field trips.
The benefits ACT-SO students receive from the enrichment and mentorship
components include substantial assistance toward the development of their
ACT-SO projects and valuable tools to assist them throughout their
education. The local competition serves to showcase the hard work students have put in
all year long. Students receive medals and prizes provided by the local and
regional sponsors and contributors. ACT-SO Students who receive gold medals
on the local level then compete at the National Competition where they
receive scholarships and other rewards provided by national sponsors.
ACT-SO TIMELINE - Local Program
-September: Local Programs kick off their ACT-SO program.
-September through March/April: Local programs conduct mentoring and local
enrichment programs.
-March/April: Programs host their local ACT-SO competitions
National Competition
-March/April through July: Students continue their mentorship and
enrichment programs to prepare for the National ACT-SO Competition.
-July: The National Competition
For additional information, please contact Tressa Spears
Armed Service and Veterans Affairs
The committee on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs shall seek to establish a working relationship with those agencies in local, state and national government, having the responsibility in the affairs of members of the various Armed Services and Verterans and to see that the programs to which they are responsible are adminsitered fairly and justly to members of the minority community.....
Communications
Shall seek to promote media content consistent with fundamental NAACP goals which include the elimination of racial isolation and fear and the furtherance of multiracial and cultural understanding....
Community Coordination
Shall enlist the support of other community oarganizations on issues affecting the interest of minority groups
Economic Development
Shall implement local efforts and support national programs to preserve and expand economic empowerment among African-Americans and other communities of color....
Education
Shall seek to eliminate segregatuion and other discriminatory practices in public education....
Finance
Shall consist of the President, Treasurer, and at least one other member. It shall study the financial needs of the Branch and shall be responsible for drafting an adequate annual budget.
Freedom Fund
Shall plan and conduct fund-raising activities, including entertainment and other projects, for local and national purposes within the scope of the Association's program.
Health
1- Shall work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans
2- Access the health needs of the community
3- Advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans
4- Sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs, and worshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color
5- Support health initiatives of the Association
Please visit the Health Website
Housing
1- shall study housing conditions in the local community
2- receive and seek to address complaints of discriminations
3- oppose all restrictive housing practices whether public or private
4- disseminate information and render such other assistance which may eliminate discrimination in housing
Labor and Industry
Shall seek ways to improve the economic status of minority groups
1- working to eliminate discriminatory employment practices in industry and government, wage differentials based on race, unequal opportunities for training and promotion, unfair dismissals
2- encouraging greater participation in the trade union movement
3- working to end discriminatory practices in labor unions
4- securing the enactment of state and federal fair employment practices legislation
5- working for improved opportunities in vocational and apprenticeship training
Please visit: Labor and Industry Website
Legal Redress
1- investigate all cases reported to it
2- supervise all litigation in which the Branch is interested
3- keep the National Office and the Branch informed on the progress of every case.
4- it shall not give general legal advice
Membership
1- work throughout the year to maintain and increase the membership of the Association
2- be responsible for planning and and organizing the annual membership campaign
3- be responsible on a continuous basis for soliciting new members and for securing renewals
Political Action
1- seek to increase registration and voting
2- work for the enactment of municipal, state and federal legislation designed to improve the educational, political and economic status of minority groups
3- seek the repeal of racially discriminatory legislation
4- work to improve the administration of justice
5- work to secure equal enforcement of the law
Press and Publicity
1- shall endeavor to secure publicity for the work of the Branch and the Association in the local press and on radio, television and other media
2- attempt to interest persons in charge of local news media in conditions affecting minority groups
3- seek to counteract derogatory and erroneous statements in local news media about Blacks and other minority groups
4- be responsible for forwarding to THE CRISIS items covering Branch activities and important local affairs
5-act as far as possible as an agency for the promotion and sale of THE CRISIS
6- no publicity shall be released without first being approved by the President of the Branch or State Conference President
Religious Affairs
1- promote an educational program designed to give moral and ethical interpretation to the civil rights struggle
2- interpret the work of the Association to organized religious groups of all faiths
3- enlist the support of such organized religious groups for membership, fund raising, and the struggle for equality and full civil rights
4- provide resource assistance for religious education and social action activities, associated with the improvement of race relations
Youth Work
1- The Youth Council Advisor shal chair the committee
2- The Youth Work Committee shall develop and coordinate the programs of the senior and youth groups
3- The Committee shall turn the names, addresses and membership dues of youth solicited by the Branch over to the appropriate National Office recognized youth group, if any, in theri community
4- If there is no local youth group recognized by the National Office, the Branch must, upon receipt of twenty-five youth memberships, apply to the National Office for a Yourth Charter and organize the appropriate youth group
