DALTON, Ga. — Having the Georgia NAACP Third Quarter Meeting and Civil Rights Institute in Dalton this year is a “win-win for not only the state but also Dalton,” said Cheryl Phipps, first vice president of the Dalton-Whitfield NAACP branch.

The meeting is scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Phipps said the meeting is a good time to show people what Dalton has to offer.

“It’s a good economic opportunity to host such an event and introduce Dalton to the NAACP to learn what we are about,” said Phipps. 

Antoine Simmons, president of the local branch, said 200 or more people are expected in the city during the two-day meeting. The meetings are held every quarter for the state conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

“The NAACP meets to have training centered around different game changers that are part of the national strategic plan the NAACP rolled out about three years ago,” Simmons said.

Those “game changers” are education, health, public safety and criminal justice, voting rights and political representation, expanding youth and young adult engagement and economic sustainability. During the Dalton meeting the focus is on economic sustainability.

“The training is centered around a particular game changer for each branch to take and impact their community,” Simmons said. “We’re focusing on how to impact our community economically and presenting economic developments and sustainable opportunities for people of color.”

Simmons said some of the ideas include helping to eliminate or reduce poverty through education.

“The goal of the leadership of the state is to leave whatever community they encounter better than it was,” Simmons said.

He said there are great benefits to joining the NAACP. He said there are 45 to 50 active members in the local branch and a total of 100 members.

“Some memberships have expired and we’re trying to get those renewed and get new members,” he said.

Phyllis Blake, Georgia NAACP president, said Friday’s mass meeting at Shiloh Baptist Church is open to the public. Dalton Mayor Dennis Mock and Whitfield County Commission Chairman Lynn Laughter will greet the guests.

Saturday’s events at the Mack Gaston Community Center require registration and will include executive committee members, unit presidents and other NAACP members. On-site registration is available for $30. The Emery Center, an African-American heritage cultural center, will handle registration on Friday and give tours.

“We’ll have a general membership meeting along with workshops,” said Blake. Workshops will be led by current and past NAACP officers. 

“Our own individuals are just as capable and qualified to speak to us on different issues and things that we need to do in terms of upcoming municipal elections,” Blake said 

Simmons said he hopes there is a big turnout from local residents.

“This meeting will hopefully increase our membership and bring people out to inspire them to get engaged and make our community better,” he said. 

Blake said it’s important to have active members in the NAACP.

“When it comes to fulfilling our mission and vision, the more people we have, the better we are as a group,” she said.

Blake said most issues, concerns, problems and legislative agendas are resolved because of the grassroots efforts of individual units and members coming together.

“It makes a big difference with regards to voter registration, fighting voter suppression and sending emails and letters to our legislature or making calls on various bills,” she said. 

Blake said she’s looking forward to coming to Dalton.

“We extend thanks to the Dalton community and Antoine for their gracious invitation and cooperation in planning this event,” she said. 

Phipps said it’s fitting that some registration will be held at the Emery Center.

“People will get to see history as it relates to the community and region,” she said. “One of the things these quarterly meetings do is bring culture and history to the city.”

Georgia NAACP Third Quarter Meeting and Civil Rights Institute events

Friday

• Registration/NAACP Boutique, 3 to 6 p.m.

• Welcome Reception/Tour, 4 to 6 p.m.

• Executive Committee Meeting, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

(Emery Center, 110 W. Emery St., 706-277-7633)

• Community Mass Meeting, 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Rev. William E. Flippin Jr., pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, speaker, free to the public

(Shiloh Baptist Church, 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 706-226-5981)

Saturday

All events at the Mack Gaston Community Center (registration required).

• Continental breakfast, 8 to 9 a.m. 

• Registration/NAACP Boutique, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Open plenary session, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

• 10:30 to 11 a.m., “Gearing up for Municipal Elections and Census 2020”

• 11 a.m. to noon, workshops

• Lunch and Learn session, noon to 1:30 p.m.

• Closing business session, 1 to 2 p.m.  

Times are tentative and subject to slightly change.