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Charter a NAACP Branch or Youth Unit

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Want to start an NAACP branch or unit in your city? Organize for maximum impact and join the network of more than 2,200 units across the country working to ensure civil rights and social justice for all. Check out the six steps below:

Step 1: Form an organizing committee

  • An organizing committee must be made up of seven to ten people.

Step 2: Organize a committee meeting

  • In the first meeting, the committee should review the requirements for obtaining a charter.
  • A youth unit must have a minimum of 25 members.
  • A branch must have at least 100 members.
  • A branch must obtain a letter of recommendation from the state conference president.
  • A youth unit, must obtain a letter from the local branch president along with the state conference president's letter.

Step 3: Submit charter application packet

  • Packets should include a cover letter requesting a charter, letters of recommendation, and membership fees from prospective charter members.
  • Please contact NAACP headquarters approximately ten days after mailing your charter application packet to get the anticipated date of when the NAACP National Board of Directors will review your application.
  • Charter application packets should be mailed to:
  • NAACP National Office
    4805 Mt. Hope Drive
    Baltimore, MD 21215
    Attn: Charter

Step 4: Obtain executive authorization

  • Once approved, the organizing committee will receive a letter from the National Office granting your unit Executive Authority to engage in the work of the NAACP.
  • Membership cards will be sent to the members included in the charter application packet. These people will become your charter members.
  • You will also receive a handbook for planning and hosting your first, official organizational meeting.

Step 5: Plan your organizing meeting

  • Your state conference president and charter members must receive notification of the date, time and location of your initial organizing meeting.
  • Your local community should also receive notification through various public outlets such as newspaper placement, schools, churches, etc.

Step 6: Host organizing meeting

  • Your initial organizing meeting should provide new members with an understanding of the structure of the NAACP.
  • At this meeting the newly formed unit will elect officers and begin to discuss unit activities to advocate for civil rights and social justice in the community.