St. Mary's NAACP Unit #7025
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
 St. Mary's County, Maryland - Unit #7025   
Post Office Box 189
Lexington Park, MD 20653 
301-863-3011
P.O. Box 631Leonardtown, MD 20650
September 2017 - In This Issue:
Fight to protect
our lives,
our rights,
and our future
General Meeting
(Open to the public)
Last Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm 

Location: 
SoMD Higher Ed Center 
44219 Airport Rd 
California, MD 20619

Mar thru Nov - SoMD Higher Ed Center

Dec. Annual Meeting - Country Inn & Suites California, MD




Please support the 50/50 Raffle @ the Annual Freedom Fund Banquet!
Proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to benefit the Hurricane Victims.



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September Awareness 

The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. It produces fluid that makes up a part of semen. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis and out of the body).


Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among American men. Prostate cancers usually grow slowly. Most men with prostate cancer are older than 65 years and do not die from the disease. Finding and treating prostate cancer before symptoms occur may not improve your health or help you live longer. Learn more and talk to your doctor before you decide to get screened or treated for prostate cancer.





WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW!


The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. ยงยง 1973-1973bb-1)[7] is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits discrimination in voting.[8] It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the American Civil Rights Movement, and Congress later amended the Act five times to expand its protections. 
Report Civil Rights Violations   
Keep the local NAACP informed of the civil rights violations that you witness. File an official NAACP complaint if this violation has directly impacted you.

Due to the nature of the NAACP organization, your complaint will not be acted upon unless it is completely filled out and your signature appears on every page. Forms can be downloaded in PDF format, printed, filled out, signed, and then mailed to us at:

St. Mary's County NAACP
Post Office Box 189
Lexington Park, MD 20653
Legal Redress Chairman:
Alonzo Gaskin
legalredresschairnaacp@gmail.com

Career Corner

The Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Initiative

Click on video play button to view.


St. Mary's County Public Schools Employment Opportunities

All offers of employment are contingent on eligibility for certification and the results of a criminal records check.  All new employees must attend the New Employee Orientation program.



Click here to view the online job postings and learn about the hiring process.


Reaching out to our partners- Not a member--Join Us !!



Did  You Know That We Have Strategic Partnerships with ..... 
National Head Start Association Federal Bureau of Investigations  
American Red Cross National Council on AgingmNational Education Association Shriners and Masons
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which consists of nine (9) international Black Greek-Lettered Organizations namely, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.,

For more information: stmarysnaacp@gmail.com  

donate_now_blue.gif
We thank you for your commitment to helping us continue the work of civil rights and social justice through your financial support. 

 "We Are in It Together" and your continuing support counts.
Schedule of Events:
September 28 - Topic: To Be Announced

October 21- Banquet

October 26-  Healthy St. Mary's Partnership Speaker- Nutrition- Topic: "Healthy Eating"

November 30 - Topic: "Economic Success- Achieving the American Dream"

December 15 - Annual Meeting


Message From the President 

Greetings to all!

Our theme for this year's Freedom Fund Banquet is, "We Are in It Together: Your Vote Counts".   We also know that your voice counts and being an educated voter is just as important as voting.  In some of my messages to you I will provide you with information  to help  you speak up and speak out about the issues that are facing African Americans, other people of color or for anyone who  needs a voice for civil rights and social justice.
 
Voter Education- NAACP Legislative Priorities for the 115th Congress ( 2017-2018) 
 
The One Hundred Fifteenth United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It meets in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 2017, to January 3, 2019, during the final weeks of the Obama presidency and the first two years of Donald Trump's presidency. The November 2016 elections maintained Republican control of both the House and Senate.  Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland will give remarks at our Annual Freedom Fund Banquet.  He and  Representative Conyers have sponsored a bill to End Racial and Religious Profiling.
 
Eliminate racial and religious profiling: 
 
The End Racial and religious Profiling Act comprehensively addresses the insidious practice of biased treatment by law enforcement because of who you are, which God you believe in, or who you are perceived to be, by law enforcement. Specifically, the End Racial and Religious Profiling Act addresses bias policing on five levels: first, it clearly defines the discriminatory practice of profiling by law enforcement at all levels; second, it creates a federal prohibition against profiling; thirdly, it mandates data collection so we can fully assess the true extent of the problem; fourth, it provides funding for the retraining of law enforcement officials on how to discontinue and prevent the use of profiling; and fifth, it holds law enforcement agencies that continue to use profiling accountable.  We need this legislation to stop this insidious practice and to help begin to restore the confidence of communities of color throughout the United States in federal, state and local law enforcement.  For more information go to www.naacp.org       
 
Hope to  see you at the banquet!


Peace and Blessings,
   
Monthly Meeting
Thursday, September 28, 2017

S t. Mary's County Branch NAACP Monthly Meeting

Hot Topic:  "Behavioral Health"
Follow Up of August Meeting Topic:
"Understanding the Opioid Health Crisis"

Staff from Walden Sierra will present information on root causes of Substance Use Disorder/substance misuse and then share some information  on Walden's programs. There will be a question and answer session.

September 28, 2017  6:30 p.m.
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center-
44219 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619- Bldg. 2
Contact: 301-863-3011  
  
Walden's mission is to contribute to the well being of the Southern Maryland community by providing a comprehensive array of crisis, behavioral health, trauma, and recovery services dedicated to bringing
"Help for today. Hope for tomorrow."
 
 


What You Need to Know NOW!
Election, Voting & Public Hearings
 

Public Hearings:

MetCom Task Force - Discuss proposed amendments to the St Mary's County Code Chapter 113 - 4 and 18 October 2017 4-7:00 PM
Energy Efficiency Testing and Building Inspections (Sheds) - Amendments to St Mary's County Building Codes - 26

September 2017 6:00 PM
Planning Commission - 23 October 2017 6:30 PM

What new legislation will impact you October 1st?  Follow the link below to find a list of all Maryland Laws Effective October 1, 2017.


A Federal Intervention: NO HATE Act of 2017

The National Opposition to Hate, Assault and Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act of 2017, introduced in the Senate by Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) and in the House by Congressman Don Beyer (VA), incentivizes and encourages state and local law enforcement agencies to more comprehensively collect and report credible, reliable hate crimes data to the FBI. It also allows a judge to sentence an individual convicted of perpetrating a hate crime to a period of supervised release that includes community service or education centered on the community targeted by the hate crime.

The NO HATE Act would strengthen the hate crime reporting provision of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act and the implementation of the Mathew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which President Obama signed into law in 2009, significantly expands the role that the federal government can play in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, extends the definition of a hate crime to include those motivated by the victim's disability, gender, or sexual orientation, and provides grants to states to develop hate crime prevention programs.

Update: Both S.662 - NO HATE Act and H.R.1566 - NO HATE Act have been referred to committees.  We need to contact our local officials and get them to support these pieces of legislation. 



Remarks by Senator Ben Cardin at the Annual Freedom Fund Banquet


Ben Cardin - U.S. Senator for Maryland
 
Senator Cardin  - A third-generation Marylander, Ben Cardin has been a national leader on health care, retirement security, the environment and fiscal issues while representing the people of Maryland in the U.S. Senate, and before that in the House of Representatives.   
 

 


UPCOMING EVENTS
2017 Freedom Fund Banquet
Saturday, October 21, 2017


The St. Mary's County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is hosting its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, October 21, 2017. This annual event and the generosity of sponsorships and supporters is our primary source of income. It enables us to continue to sponsor annual college/ career fairs and scholarships for students. Our theme for this year's banquet is, "We are in it Together: Your Vote Counts". We are honored this year to have Gregorg Wims,  Rotary District 7620 Governor, who also served as President of the NAACP's Maryland State Chapter, as our keynote speaker and remarks by Senator Ben Cardin. We will host a 50/50 raffle and the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross to benefit the Hurricane Victims.We will be holding voter registration and voter education activities through Souls to the Polls events for the upcoming 2018 election year.

The banquet will start at 6 pm and will be held at the Leonardtown Fire Department Social Hall, 22733 Lawrence Avenue, Leonardtown, MD 20650. We will provide networking opportunities, feature speakers and entertainment. As we gear up for the 2018 election let's focus on our right and responsibility to vote and take more opportunities for civic engagement.

Ticket orders and payment are due by October 14, 2017. Checks are to be made payable to St. Mary's County Branch, NAACP, and mailed to St. Mary's County NAACP, P.O. Box 189 Lexington Park, MD 20653, c/o Mrs. Charlottis Woodley or e-mail her at wood748@aol.com. Purchased tickets will be held at the door.

We thank you for your commitment to helping us continue the work of civil rights and social justice through your financial support. We will continue to work together with the community to remove barriers, embrace the richness that diversity brings, and advocate for social change. We hope that you are able to attend, sponsor this event or make a donation. After all, "We Are in It Together" and your continuing support counts.

Sincerely,

President


Maryland State NAACP
77th Annual Convention


Maryland State NAACP 77th Annual Convention
 
Friday, October 27 - Saturday, October 28, 2017
Sheraton Columbia Town Center
10207 Wincopin Cir, Columbia, MD 21044

GUEST ROOM RATE: $110.00 per night (Single or Double) Voting delegates from our branch will be elected at the August 31st branch meeting.
 


Annual College Fair
Friday, February 16, 2018


6th Annual Southern Maryland College & Career Fair
 
In Honor of African American History Month Celebrate Education and Honor the History and Legacy  of Historically Blacks Colleges & Universities it is with Enthusiasm that we Celebrate our 6th Annual Southern Maryland College & Career Fair 

Friday, February 16, 2018
Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center
24005 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650

Hosted by: The St. Mary's County Branch, NAACP in Partnership with St. Mary's County Public Schools

Featuring: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Local Colleges.

Local and Surrounding Area High Schools,  Grades 10, 11, & 12 and College Students Transferring to Four Fear Colleges Are Invited.

Doors Open at  8:45 a.m. -1:00 p.m.  (Times may vary)
All are Welcome to Attend !
 
We are honored to support our HBCU  as an investment in our history, our present, and especially our future, as we prepare to expose and launch so many students into their legacy.  All recruiters must register (click here).
 

 
Students may register now!


Community Announcements
Community Health Needs Assessment for MedStar     
St. Mary's Hospital


Click here

Through this survey, the goal is to collect as much information directly from residents, that will inform them of where the medical needs lie within the county. Over the course of the next 9 months, MedStar will be collecting data and analyzing it to see where the gaps are. From there, MedStar will develop an action plan to move the needle on improving these issues. 

If anyone would like paper copies, contact Brenda Wolcott at MedStar St. Mary's.  She is able to deliver and retrieve them upon completion (no later than 10/20/17.)
 




 




WHAT'S GOING ON?
 
Submit your community events and announcements by selecting the link to complete the short form.  We will publish in our next monthly e-newsletter and share with our Facebook Fans and NACCP network.  Please submit by the 3rd Thursday of each month.

Click here to submit your community events 

 



National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
St. Mary's County, Maryland - Unit #7025

Post Office Box 189
Lexington Park, MD 20653
301-863-3011

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.