Internship Reflection

I am glad that I had the opportunity to intern with the local adult branch of the NAACP. I was able to see some insight on the organization. I don’t feel negative about the organization but I feel as though I have come into the truth about the local operations of the organization and I don’t feel compelled to continue my active membership. It seems as though it is a rubber stamp. Maybe I am missing something or I wasn’t with the right people but I don’t feel motivated at all. I genuinely care about the national organization and all that it has done for people but it seems as though the local chapter is using that as a recruiting device when in fact I haven’t seen them do anything that affects people my age and college education. Maybe in a different state or city things will be different. I do plan to see what is happening with the NAACP in Birmingham and Mobile, AL where I am from and will be moving to for graduate school.

ASU NAACP Executive Board Decision Making

This current semester I did serve as the 3rd Vice President of the ASU NAACP. I felt that since I was interning with the Maricopa Co branch and Mesa Community College Chapter. That since I was an active member I should be on the executive board so I could have a voice in the direction of the chapter and its operation. However, I did resigned after 2 months because there was too much drama and emotions involved. Every time I would make suggestions it was perceived as “Kristen always has something to say”. I feel that if something has my name on it or I am openly saying that I affiliate myself with an organization, I am going to have some say so about local activities and etc. I think that the biggest issue was power to be honest. I don’t like being a part of an organization and it’s a dictatorship and its volunteer. I like when the leader can switch between legislative and executive decision making. During legislative decision making, it is not one person making all the decisions but it’s democratic and collectively decision making. On the other hand, it’s where the leader makes all the decisions. I understand that in major companies and payroll is included then the leader, CEO should be able to make executive decision but when its just a student organization, the executive board collectively should make the decision not the President alone.

Career Services Tempe Campus Appointment

I went to visit the career services during their “drop in” hours just to ask some questions regarding CV and resume, where to look for jobs, and what jobs I could get with my majors. The guy that I met with was very helpful even under the circumstances. I checked the website to see when their drop in hours was and I went during the time that was stated on the website. The receptionist told me that they didn’t have any…I was upset because I drove all the way from Surprise! I explained that to her and they were able to work something out. So I was appreciative of that. Anyway back to the guy that saw me. He gave me some great pointers and looked over my resume. He told me the difference between a CV and a resume…so for my upcoming jobs and graduate school applications I will submit a resume. I am thinking that I will submit the chronological resume since that is the one that recent graduates use. As far as great places to look for jobs he suggested that I do research on whatever field that I was interested in and focus on those companies. He also recommended Sundevil career link. I told him that I would probably move to Birmingham, AL and he suggested Hoover.com database and access it through asu library since ASU pays a subscription to it. The last thing that he suggested was identifying what exactly I wanted to do and not focus on what I can do with my majors. He was really helpful, wish I could remember his name….

Finals Breakfast

Finals Breakfast is an annual tradition that takes place on reading day. Reading Day is the day after the last day of classes. There is free breakfast at all of the dining halls as well as other free fun activities and free giveaways. This year it took place, yesterday Wednesday, December 8th from 9pm-11pm. I wondered why the time was soo late and it’s because they give students time to study and unwind before diving into final exams. It set under the pretense that students will be studying all night and morning that they serve breakfast. It was a fun event as well as motivating students to study and do well on finals.

World AIDS DAY 2010

World AIDS Day (WAD) is always celebrated on Dec 1st to bring awareness of HIV and AIDs in the community. Usually, the Black and African Coalition (BAC) at ASU host an event on Hayden Lawn to commemorate HIV and AIDS in the Black community. How this event work is that organizations within the BAC come out and table on WAD passing out literature, condoms, lubrication and candy. African Americans have the highest cases of HIV and AIDS and amongst the African Americans the women have the highest cases. It is caused by: needles—the sharing of infected needles and mostly from men having sex with men—heterosexual relationships amongst African Americans which results in the “Down Low Brothers” giving it to their straight wives.
Since my time here at ASU, the ASU NAACP always help out with this event. I have no idea why there wasn’t any representation this year because this is an annual event that has been going on since I’ve been at ASU. It could be due to lack of sincere support of the NAACP at ASU, just a thought.

Arizona State College Chapters NAACP Umbrella

In the beginning, the National College Chapter Advisor of the NAACP college chapters decided that we should create an environment where all the college chapters of the NAACP can come unite and exchange ideas to better their chapter. This could also work as planning meeting and learning of other’s events and supporting them. The idea of this umbrella would help student leaders in the NAACP. However, we have only had 2 meetings since August! As I have mentioned, I would really like for this project to take off. Things that could help with the progression of this project are: establishing a general meeting time…whether it’s the 2nd Sunday or Saturday of each month at the same time. Second, establish some type of leadership amongst the student leaders and tasks. That way all the responsibilities are not left up to one person or the college advisor. If the college advisor has to be absent the meetings can still take place…therefore progressing the organization.

NAACP National Convention!!

In the meetings that I have attend, there has been a big push to get everyone involved in going to the national convention. This year 2011, the convention will be held in Los Angeles, CA. I think it would a great opportunity to learn more about the organization, its operation, as well as a networking endeavor. However, head leadership in the adult branches are motivating people to go for their own selfish reasons—that is to look good to the national organization. It seems as though it is a numbers thing. Sine Arizona always has low attendance at the national convention. Now since the convention is on the west coast and so close, they are pushing for high attendance at the National Convention. For information on the National Convention visit naacp.org

Leadership within the Maricopa Co NAACP

In my opinion, the leadership in the Maricopa Co branch of the NAACP has lacked substance. I think that they are all good people and perhaps leaders but I haven’t seen any changes or accomplishments from the executive board that has been repeatedly elected. I did receive a letter in the mail announcing the new board members. For the most part the same people were elected but some in different positions. There was one difference and I hope she can make a difference. Perhaps, the same people get elected because you do have to have a lifetime membership before being on the board. It cost nearly $500. So money could be an issue or people just don’t care about this organization. The organization isn’t what it use to be. Leaders are just there for the fame and not performing their duties. I think that the culture has to change in order to make change in the community.

ASU NAACP Meetings

I was a very active member in the college chapter of the NAACP at ASU since I have been enrolled. Over the 2 years period that I have been involved, the organization is diminishing. I know that all organizations have problems and etc but it seems as though everyone is there for altruistic motives. What happened to people being apart of something for the cause? Or being motivated because of the organization’s mission? I feel that the leader has no intention of making the organization better. She is content with the way things are…I asked her what were her plans and how do she expect to get other people involved. Her reply was to give out stuff. Such as T-shirts, food, and memberships. That is costly!!! From my understanding the organization has about $150 in its account and she is using other resources to ask for money and there isn’t any programming going on. I know that this organization is in need of a lot of help. It needs the right people to do it. How does an organization get over changing the culture? Getting the right people on the bus if the right people aren’t there in beginning or at the head of the organization? I guess my frustration is showing…but something needs to be done.

Arizona State Collge Chapters NAACP Meetings

As I have stated. That I was helping with creating an umbrella organization for all the college NAACP chapters in the Phoenix area. It started off well. Since our inception, we had 2 meetings. This idea was brought up by the NAACP College Chapter Advisor. I would have liked to see this project launch. Unfortunately people just bite off more than they can chew. I think for future references we have the meetings setup so that if the national college advisor isn’t present then the meetings can still go on. I thought the meetings that took place were successful. It had substance, it was organized, it brought people together, and we learned things about the national organization and current events. I was really pumped about interning for the NAACP Maricopa Co/ MCC Branch but I feel as though there needs to be some type of structure. I mentioned in an earlier blog about passing the torch. In this case it makes me wonder if people just want to stay in control.
Next semester, I hope that we can continue this project because it has good intentions. Unfortunately, after this semester I have no idea if I will continue to be an active member.