Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Dynamic Southern Region

BASIC SOCIAL ACTION ADVOCACY TRAINING

Presented by Regional Social Action Committee

SOCIAL ACTION DEFINED

Vehicle through which the sorority establishes a position on an

emerging or perennial public issue; Gives us a unique opportunity to advocate policies and

legislation that will impact every area of the Five Point

Programmatic Thrust; Determines the action to be taken, and directs the actions of

members, chapters and representative bodies.“I will use my influence toward the enactment of laws for

the protection of the unfortunate and weak and for the repeal of those depriving human beings of their privileges and rights.”

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MISSION OF SOCIAL ACTION

To promote leadership, advocacy, and empowerment to effect social change and public policy…link[ing] leaders and organizations through education and communication to promote progressive public policy that results in the improved well-being of individuals and families, especially African Americans.

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Role of the National Social Action Commission

Develop and coordinate social action programs and projects approved by the National Executive Board

Stimulate interest in social action and educate chapters on current issues.

Southern Region Commissioners− Laura Hall – AL− Janice Mathis – GA

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Role of the Regional Social Action Coordinator

Receive information and suggested action from the National Social Action Commissioners.

Responsible for contacting the coordinators in each state in their respective regions, and ensuring that social action information is shared with and implemented by alumnae and collegiate chapters.

Stimulate interest in social action and educate chapters on current issues.

Southern Regional Social Action Coordinator:

Rhonda Briggins-Ridley - SMLAC

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Role of the State Social Action Coordinator

Forwards the information received from the Regional Social Action Coordinator to each chapter in her state.

The correspondence is sent to the Chapter President who shares the information with Chapter Social Action Chairs.

The Chapter President and Social Action Chair then coordinate the appropriate chapter action in response to

the information.

The chapter ultimately sends a report of its action to National Headquarters – a copy is sent to the State Social Action Coordinator

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Social Action in the Chapter

Following is the role of the chapter in social action:

Appoint a chapter Social Action Chairperson.

Receive social action information from State Social Action Coordinator, and/or the National Social Action Commission.

Conduct chapter social action activities and programs in the local community and/or on college/university campus.

Initiate participation in state and national Delta Days at the capitol.

Prepare resolutions for approval at the regional and national levels.

Nominate recipients for the biennial social action awards.

Send report of chapter social action activities and program to the State Social Action Coordinator and to National Headquarters.

Each chapter is expected to include a social action component in its operating structure. The customary procedure is that each chapter establishes a social action committee, headed by a Social Action chair.

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How to organize a Chapter Social Action Committee

• Refer to Grand Chapter Bylaws for information on the duties of the National Social Action Commission.

Review your chapter’s Policies and Procedures manual for guidance if they cover the committee’s procedures. Compile information on the committee’s previous activities if this has not been done. Encourage interested sorors to become members of the committee. Meet and set your committee agenda for the year. Create a budget for the year. Complete End of Year Report

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Social Action (SA) Committee and Political Awareness and Involvement

(PAI) Committee

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SA PAIFocus is advocacy, public policy (issues), and legislation

Focus is the current laws, ordinances, rules, the electoral process, and elected officials

Advocacy takes place first. Social Action raise awareness of issues, advocate for the creation of new legislation and change to existing laws.

PAI is the second phase of SA. In the world of PAI, you discuss current laws; work on elections, voter mobilization, election protection and elected officials.

Social Action Committee and Political Action Committee

SA PAIAdvocating for policies to ensure online voting registration or voter registration when obtaining or renewing your driver’s license

Voter Registration

Eliminating felony disenfranchisement - Advocating for legislation to restore the rights of convicted felons so they can vote in elections

Educating convicted felons who have met all the requirements to have the rights restored about the process of registering to vote.

Holding voter registration drives targeting that population

Advocating for/ensuring legislation is in place that allows citizens the right to vote early. E.g. Blocking efforts in Georgia (2014) to change early voting from 21 days to 6 days.

GOTV:Early voting (Stroll to the Polls) Absentee voting (Absentee Ballot Drives)

Advocating your Congressional member to develop and enact a new formula for Section IV & Section V of the Voting Rights Act that was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court

Forums to educate citizens on the importance of voting/Voting Rights Act of 1965 and what they need when they go to the ballot box

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Activity Examples

Elections

Social Action Committee and Political Action Committee

SA PAI and IA &IAdvocates/address the elected official (who has the power to make laws) concerning Human Trafficking to ensure laws/legislation is passed that will benefit the community (advocacy/impacting public policy)

At Candidate forum, you make sure the each candidate states their position on human trafficking so that voters know where the candidate stands on the position.

Work on getting stronger language in the current human trafficking laws.

Make sure the human trafficking laws are being enforced…meet with police department and others

Develop letter writing campaign to elected officials about the need for stronger human trafficking language

Report back to police/others regarding enforcement progress or lack there of

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Activity Examples

Human Trafficking

DON’T ISOLATE SOCIAL ACTION

THERE CAN BE A SOCIAL ACTION COMPONENT FOR EVERY CHAPTER

PROGRAM

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Southern Region Social Action Agenda

Economic Development

“CODE RED” (Revitalizing Economic Development) - Regional initiative on Black Friday

Understanding Illegal Credit Practices* (Resolution) Minimum Wage Increase Job and Economy

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Southern Region Social Action Agenda

Educational Development

Education (Equal and Equitable)Charter Schools vs. Public School Education (funding formulas) Suspension Rates of Black Students Standardized Testing (disproportionately impacted minorities and impact graduation rates)

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Southern Region Social Action Agenda

International Awareness and Involvement

Immigration Reform - Congressional and state level

Elimination of Violence Against Women (Bring Back Our Girls)

Human Trafficking* (Resolution)

Gender Inequality

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Southern Region Social Action Agenda

Physical and Mental Health

Medicaid Expansion

Affordable Care Act (Advocacy/Education/Awareness)

Mental Illness Awareness

Health Disparities (eliminating)

HIV/AIDS – Know Your Status

ACS Regional Cancer Awareness Program *

Obesity (adult and childhood)

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Southern Region Social Action Agenda

Political Awareness and Involvement Voting Rights Act Supreme Court ruling on the VRA – Advocacy

efforts to restore (Congressional) Combatting Voter Suppression (Resolution) 2014 Mid-term Election Gun control/violence*(Resolution) Stand Your Ground (Castle) Laws – eliminating Delta Days (Nation’s Capital, State Capitol and local) The Delta Political Institute: Preparing Deltas to run

for political office

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Questions?

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