Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 November 1990 — Page 2

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THE milANAPOUS RECORDER

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24.1990

SPECIAL REPORT

NAACP

Charges have been levied against Indianapolis NAACP incumbent president Dr. A.D. Pinckney that he is trying to control the upcoming election of officers. Critics say Pinckney did not follow the rules for announcing an election of a nominating committee, an election supervisory committee and the election of officers on Dec. 1. According to Article IV. Sectimi 7 of the NAACP Branch Constitution, “at least seven days prior to the October and November meetings and December election, written notice shall be given to each member of the branch in good standing of the time, place and purpose of stud meetings and election.” But some members claim they received notice after the initial meeting on Oct 4. and Arthur Jordan, state chairperson for the

NAACP’s Education Committee “Attorney Reginald Bishop, said he did not receive a letter at who served as the treasure for the all. Life MembershipCommittee, kept The Recorder received a signed his letter on file. This is another petition last week that was sent to reason why I got so fed up, the the National office in Baltimore. It rules have not been followed,” stated,“eachmember...shouldhave Bryant said, received a notice ofthe meeting by Indiana Black Expo President Sept 26 This was not done and a Rev. Charles Williams said he did letter of protest was faxed to the not receive a notice about the elecNational office on Oct. S. By vir- tion either. “1 would have to check tue of these violations, we the though, to make sure my memberundersign request that all actions ship is current” he said, taken at the Oct. 4 Indianapolis Williams was responsible for Branch be null and void and that bringing the ACT-SO program to another meeting for that purpose the Indianapolis branch. “Dr. of electing a nominating commit- Pinckney makes sure the ACT-SO tee be called.” program is recognized as an Nathalie Bryant, who has NAACP program. Even when worked with the local branch for funding was coming from the 15 years, recently resigned as co- Urban League,” said Sandra Emanchair of the Life Membership uel, executive director. “The UrCommittee. She said the notice ban League put resources into the she received was postmarked three program when we could get not days after the the Oct. 4 meeting, stamps or letteihead from the

NAACP.” bership. The list is pertinent be-ACT-SO was started in 1977 by cause it would allow both Black Vernon Jarrett, to provide a forum and Pickney to mail out campaign where African-American students literature, could compete against each other “We had to wait until we had a academically. Contestants are complete list from the National given awards of excellence in the office before he could see anyareas of arts, humanities and the thing. He makes all kinds of accusciences. sations but the NAACP is not an “Indianapolis has had a good ad-hoc, autonomous organization, record with ACT-SO on the na- We have rules and by-laws that tional level. But this year was the must be followed,” Pinckney cornworst managed competition I have mented. “If you don’t abide by ever seen,”said a source who spoke them, the National office will get on condition of anonymity. The rid of you." 1990 ACT-SO program was co- Ida B. Hayes, branch secretary, chaired by Garagene and Patricia said she has to sort through more Pinckney, Dr. Pinckney’s wife and than5,000namestodeteimine who daughter. has current membership with the Meanwhile, Elwood Black, a branch, retired labor leader who has em- “I told Mr. Black the list would barked on a grassroots campaign be ready Wednesday and that both to unseat Pinckney, charges he has he and the other candidate (Pincknot been given access to the names ney) could come in (the NAACP and addresses of the local mem- office) between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

toseeit,”shesaid. “Eitherhe wants to see a complete list or an incomplete one.” Complete list or not. Black said it only leaves him with seven days to campaign before the actual election. “Tire Constitution clearly points out that secretary is responsible for getting that information out,” Black said. Pinckney maintained that there is only so much his staff can do. “We’re all volunteers. We have no paid staff.” When The Recorder contacted William Penn, director of Branch and Field Services at the National office to ask if he had been in contact with Black or local branch officials he replied, “I could not discuss anything like that with you, it is internal.” — K.L.H.

Pinckney called a despotic president

By KIM L. HOOPER

Staff Writer

something out of it,”Pinckney said, rcftisedthemoneyonlybecausehe wants to control everything that tions did not mean too much to her, determined by popular vote, but However, Pinckney’s detractors had not solicited ithimself,” Bryant we do,” Bryant said. particularly since the three were the president selects and appoints claim he has alienated so many charged. Bryant added that she was not appointed by Pinckney. members to serve on various Critics have chanted that the people with his style of manage- Decisions like the alleged re- trying to cause trouble for the “There is no position for them committees, outdated ineffective goals of the ment and leadership techniques that firsal of the lottery money have a organization, but felt that the local to resign from. Those positions are “They understand their position IndianaooiisbranchoftheNAACP no one wants to work with the lot of members steaming. branch was suffering. Bryant also not permanent ones, so it is a moot isjust temporary. It just looks like are a reflection of the oreaniza- branch anymore and the African- “It’s a control process. That’s noted that often board members decision,” she explained. someone is trying to make a pubAmerican community is suffering why our branch is ineffective, don’t know anything about what’s Under Article III of the licity stunt,”Pinckney maintained.

Pickney refuses to deal with is- going on because they don’t come “NAACP Constitution for When contacted, Rawls, one of sues, and it makes me wonder what to the meetings. Branches,” members with current the co-chairs who resigned, said, is going on with his administra- Maudie Royster, former board paidmembershipscanelectapresi- “I’ve been associated with the tion,” said Arthur Jordan, state financial secretary who stopped dent, vice president, secretary and NAACP for 30 years, 25 of which chairperson of the NAACP’s going to board meetings in June, treasurer with provisions made for I spent working with the Life Education Committee. said, “1 just got fed up with his additional officers deemed neces- Membership Committee. It was Pinckney’s critics also claim he abusive, disruptive behavior.” saty by the branch. In addition to about as long as a person could is an authoritarian who does not Branch secretary Ida B. Hayes, these officers, the local branch spend working with something delegate responsibility to others, however, said she doesn’t have currently has three vice presidents, because you need new ideas.”

lion’s current leadership.

Nationally, the NAACP has as a direct result,

been regarded as a multi-racial agitator for political, social and economic parity, but the local branch has attempted to sue the Madame Walker Urban Life Center and has supported one-way

busing.

The Recorder learned last week fhat several prominept and inflycntial local brarwh bewd^meabers, including co-chairs Dr. Lehman Adams, Nathalie Bryant and Dr. George Rawls, had submitted their resignations from the NAACP Life Membership Committee, which has been called the economic backbone and foundation of the Indianapolis branch. The resignations come nearly one week before the local branch elections scheduled for Dec. 1 at the St. Peter Gaver Center. They are mired in allegations that Dr. A. D. Pinckney, the current branch president, is running the election and the branch to suit his own personal needs. “That is ridiculous. The resignations are unofficial. Wejustdon’t submit that kind of informatioa The election is coming up and someone is just trying to play

PINCKNEY

meetings, is unreceptive to new ideas that are not hisown and places gfig orders on members prohibiting them from talking openly about

NAACP business.

Critics furthercharge that Pinckney is not totally supportive of the ACT-SO program and will not allow other agencies like Indiana

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The Life Membership Banquet, Black Expo and the Urban League an annual fundraiser forthe branch, 10 fully participate in the program, isliterally the largest local NAACP Pinckney also allegedly writes affairofthe year. This year’s Nov. scathing letters to branch mem4 banquet averaged approximately bets belittling their NAACP work 700 to 800 people, although there performance and reports them was little publicity about the event, without merit to the national of“It was announced that the Indi- Bee. but fails to get important ana State Lottery was going to correspondence or notices out to give the Life Membership Com- members before scheduled meet-

mittee a $10,000 sponsorship, as * n gs.

we were seeking solicitations from . “He is more of a despot leader corporate sponsors, but Pinckney instead of a democratic one. He

Black: Time for change

devoted supporter of the NAACP and belongs to 26 branches of the organization throughout the country. He currently has two life memberships, one in Indianapolis, the other in Detroit, was a troubleshooter for the NAACP while working for the United Auto Workers Civil Rights Department in Detroit and has attended the last 26 annual national NAACP conventions. Hailing himself as one of the top membership solicitors in the city. Black said he is running for president because he sees a void that needs to be filled. . “A city the size of Indianapolis should have over 10,000activemembers, but we barely have over 2,000. The branch in Saginaw, Mich, has more members than the branch here,” he said. Black has also won or been reelected 20 rimes to local, county, national and international posts during Iris tenure with the United Auto Workers. Critics of Pinckney's leadership and managerial style also point to low attendance at executive board meetings as evidence that the

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branch is dying.

“Look on the letterhead. There

ister more black voters than anyone — 46 percent,” he said in an interview with The Recorder on May 12. Pinckney has also called his opponent “unqualified.” “It’s not easy doing NAACP work. There isadifferencebetween a worker and an active worker. Well, I have been an active worker for the NAACP since

1963.

I have won so many awards and am recognized nationally as getting over 50 percent of the memberships in this branch,” Pinckney

remarked.

Still, Black believes soliciting membership 1^1 is not enough“Implementing programs generates participation. Unlike the current administration, I intend to implement some programs

Elwood Black

are more than 50 people listed as board members, but only lOpcople

show up formeetings," said Arthur allowing members to fully parrid-

Jordan, state chairperson of the NAACP Education Committee. But Pinckney believes the organization is far from dead. "They are wrong when they say

pate.” Black said. “It is time for a change when nothing is being

done.”

The polls at the St. Peter Gaver Center, 3110 Sutherland Ave.,

we are not visible. The NAACP open at 10:30 a.m. Only registered has the only visibility. We have members of the local branch with filed more lawsuits than any other current membership will be al-

rivil rights organization. We reg- lowed to vote.

Financial Growth. A sound reason lor professional financial planning. Girton Securities. A very sound reason for professional financial planning, j

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