At the Tri-State Conference in Ogden,
Utah, the NAACP
Las Vegas Branch was voted the "Most Improved
Branch..."By Trish Geran |
After talking to the staff members and reading the many accomplishments that the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Las Vegas branch has achieved,
it’s hard to believe that anyone would have thought for a minute that the branch was
not going to make it. When the President, Gene Collins, was elected in January 1999, he
said, "People actually felt that matters were so far gone that there was no way I
would be able to clean up the mess in my two year term." Those "things"
Collins is referring to was a result of mismanagement from past elected officials.
"But we proved them wrong," Collins said with great pride. Boy did they ever. On
September 18, 1999, at the Tri-State Conference in Ogden, Utah, the NAACP Las Vegas branch
was voted the "Most Improved Branch" out of the 2,300 branches nationwide,
granted and endorsed by the NAACP National President/CEO, Kweisi Mfume, and Chairman of
the Board, Julian Bond. When President Collins was informed of the branch’s
international recognition, he was not surprised. He felt that it was a result of strong
executive committee members and chairs, an influx in membership, and a committed office
staff. Those staff members are Sheila Collins and Charlotte Hughes.
When Sheila, the president’s daughter, first entertained
the idea of volunteering her time at the office, a major concern was, what would it be
like working with her father in such a stressful environment? Today, she feels it was a
good move. "I really wanted to play a major role in helping others. I observed so
many people being treated unfairly, and I knew that a lot of people were going through the
system unaware of their rights and God. From my own experience, I know that when you know
these two important elements, you are on your way to living in a world where there is no
reason to have fear. The only one to fear is God," Sheila said with a comforting
smile. She then added, "I am so glad to wake up each day knowing that I am making a
difference."
Charlotte, on the other hand, initially became acquainted
with the Las Vegas branch when she came in the office to file a complaint against her
former employer. "I wanted to file a complaint against a company that I felt fired me
for unjust cause. I was hurt and upset," Charlotte said. "Then I started looking
around in the office and after talking with Sheila, I began to entertain the idea of
volunteering my time. I surely could see that they could use the extra help," she
said. She then stated, "When I went home that night, I discussed the idea with my
husband, and I realized that my setback was a comeback. As it turned out, I never filed
the complaint because I knew that my being fired was the tool used by God to get me into
the office. I have worked here since April and I simply love it."
In less than one year, Collins has accomplished a great deal.
In the past two years, the branch’s home base was questionable. The first matter
Collins had to resolve upon becoming president was to find a home. "Where should we
set up shop?" he wondered. After Collins did some research and made a few phone
calls, he found a home in the posh business complex, Hidden Canyon Plaza, which is located
on 3925 Martin Luther King Boulevard, on the second floor, suite 217. A large sign with
large bold black letters that reads, "NAACP – Gene Collins President,"
appears on the complex’s sign. "You can’t miss us when you drive by,
it’s so big. If you do, then you might consider getting your eyes checked,"
Collins laughed and said. The view from the spacious office comfortably overlooks the
mountains in clear and vivid fashion, and that’s just how Collins perceives the
future of the NAACP. He feels that the timing for this type of organization, a cause that
fights for the justice of all people, is right and is needed today more than ever. Gene
also admits, "We have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go."
Gene Collins, President;
Charlotte Hughes, Administrative Support; Sheila Collins, Administrative Support; Lou
Collins, Vice President; Jon Astor, Third Vice President; Trish Geran, Second Vice
President.Top of next column  |
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President Las Vegas Branch,
Gene Collins.
I decided to sit around the NAACP’s office just to see
what a typical day was like. I soon discovered it was anything but typical. Before the
doors opened at 9:00 a.m., there were already people anxiously waiting to be heard. I was
amazed at how Sheila and Charlotte made sure that the clients were serviced first, and
then off they went into the other room; one made coffee while the other organized the
client’s files. A few hours later, I began to marvel at how they were able to listen
to the clients while the phone rang off the hook, not to mention the constant walk-ins. It
was around 11:00 o’clock and already the door was constantly opening and closing.
Thank goodness for the modest heating system in the office.
After hearing the many discussions between staff and clients,
I learned that what everyone had in common was that they all had concerns that needed
immediate attention. But it was no surprise to these two ladies. They handled these
problems with poise and grace regardless of the tremendous amount of pressure they were
receiving from the general public. My hat goes off to them, and I feel that they deserve
an award for being the most patient staff members in a single office setting that has
constant outside pressure and a revolving door. Watching these girls maneuver was a show
within itself. The way they placed one call on hold, carefully screening each one and
knowing which ones needed to be transferred to the president and which ones they could
easily handle. Collins said, "A day doesn’t go by that I don’t try to show
or tell these ladies how much I appreciate their hard work and commitment to the
branch." He went on to say that the branch could not have accomplished half of its
achievements without their assistance and the activities from the general and executive
members.
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To give you an
idea of some of the impressive accomplishments or events that will take place, the NAACP
Las Vegas branch listed the following:
• For the first time in the branch’s history, two voting members attended the
NAACP National Convention in New York in July.
• At the national convention, Collins was selected on the Time and Place Committee,
which has tentatively scheduled Las Vegas to host the national convention in Year 2004.
• President, Gene Collins, was selected on the Internal Affairs Committee at the
Tri-State Conference.
• The branch’s Executive Committee Chair of Labor and Industry, Lonnie Wright,
was elected as the Vice President of the Tri-State Conference.
• A large sign was donated for the business complex’s marquis.
• A spacious office for the branch was found in the Hidden Canyon Plaza. |
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It was a pleasure to write an article about an organization
that beat the odds and surpassed their goals and objectives in less than a year. What I
enjoyed most was seeing how an individual came into the office frustrated and left
relaxed. I respect the president, his willingness to hear an individual’s problems
and then find the time to answer the phones. I know that his biggest challenge is to try
to eradicate the difficult minds of others. To work in that type of environment takes a
special person, who is focused, has a deep passion for human rights, and understands that
the scars of the people are in need of immediate bandaging. They must also realize that
the NAACP continues to deal with the legacy of economic and cultural racism that began
many years ago. I admire the branch and I feel honored to be their Second Vice President
and the Chair of Education.
For information about how to purchase tickets for the 1999
Annual Freedom Fund Award Banquet on Saturday, December 11, at the Tropicana Hotel &
Casino, or to place an ad in the banquet’s program, please contact the office from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 638-6393. If there is anything the branch can assist you with,
and if you would like to become a member, please contact us. LVN |
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