BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT
NATIONAL DELEGATES ASSEMBLY TEAM
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE TRAINING
2015
WG Buckner, Training Coordinator
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AGENDA
 Welcome/Introductions
 Overview
of National Delegates
Assembly
 Credentials Committee Responsibilities
 Questions
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Delegates Assembly
Forum
The National Delegates Assembly is one of the
most critical forums of Blacks In Government.
Local chapter delegates, who represent their
respective chapter members, become the
operating arm of this organization when in
session.
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National Delegates Assembly Team
(NDAT)
The National Delegates Assembly Team (NDAT) is a very
dynamic taskforce receiving its charge directly from the
National Constitution of Blacks In Government, under the
authority of the National President, and through the oversight
of the National Executive Committee. The NDAT has
members tasked by the Constitution and elected directly by
the National Delegates Assembly. The NDAT consists of
members from a cross-section of the BIG Organization
(those that are appointed and or tasked by the National
President, those selected by the Chair of the Assembly and
approved by the National President, and those that are tasked
by the Chair of the Board of Directors). The attached
Organization Chart is NDAT’s attempt to illustrate the
dynamics of this Taskforce interdependency.
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National Credentials Committee
2015
Trekeshelia Britton, Chair
Mary Thomas, Co-Chair
Pinkie Mason, Co-Chair
Betty “BJ” Parker, Co-Chair
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National Delegates Assembly Team
(NDAT)
Blacks In Government
(BIG)
DELEGATES / CONSTITUTION
National Delegates
Assembly:
Coordinator
National Delegates
Assembly: Special
Assistant
Terrance Williams
Precilla Wade
National Delegates
Assembly:
Parliamentarian
Honorable Ramsey
Alexander, Jr.
National President
Honorable Darlene H.
Young
National Delegates
Assembly
Communications/
Pub Relations
National Delegates
Assembly:
Resolutions Committee
Dr. Ethel Crisp Chair.
Precilla Wade
Sandra F. Glenn
National Executive Committee
(Oversight)
Third Vice President
Honorable Gary Blackmon
National Delegates
Assembly:
Honorable Melvin Davis
Chair
Honorable David Groves,
Deputy Chair
National Board of Directors:
Chairman
National Delegates
Assembly:
Nominating Committee
Edna Harvin Battle,
Chair.
Angela Bivens,
Co-Chair.
Each member performs a critical role and each function is
connected to the Backbone of the NDAT Network.
National Delegates Assembly:
Chairman
(Appointed by the President)
Members elected by the Delegates
and/or tasked by the President, or
tasked by the Chair of the
Board of Directors
Liaisons:
National Treasurer &
Assistant Treasurer
Lenore Grable-Grant
Norma Samuel
NBOD
Regina Kennedy
National
Board of Directors
Constitution &
Policy Committee
Charita Branch
National Delegates
Assembly:
Elections Committee
Chana Thompson,
Chair
Christine Smith,
Co-Chair
National
Executive Vice
President
Honorable Doris
Sartor
Honorable Faye Stewart
National Delegates
Assembly: Sergeant-AtArms
Honorable Lamonte
Johnson
Honorable Gregg Reeves,
National Delegates
Assembly:
Credentialing Committee
Trekeshelia Britton,
Chair
Pinkie Mason,
Betty J. Parker, and
Mary Thomas , CoChairs.
National
Secretary
Sandra Glenn
National Delegates
Assembly:
Training Coordinator
WG Buckner
National Delegates
Assembly:
AV & Webmaster
Katrina Hardy-Pace
Budget/Finance
Coordinator
Ernise Alphonse
Cummins
National Membership
Chair
Peggy Wilson
Chart Color-Scheme Key
Members appointed by
the Chairman of the
Assembly and approved
by the President
NDATORG: Chart # NN
Current as of: July 2015
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National Delegates Assembly Team

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
Presiding Chair. Appointed by National President (per Article VII,
Section 2.B.(1)
Credentials. Registers and certifies all delegates for the Assembly
(per Article VII, Section 2.B(a))
Nominating. Prepares a slate of nominees for the appropriate offices
to be filled (per Article VIII, Section 1, A).
Elections. Plans and conducts the election (per Article VIII, Section
1, B).
Resolutions. Screens and recommends action on all resolutions. (per
Article VII, Section 2.b.(b))
Standing Rules. Presents rules of conduct that govern the Assembly
(per Article VII, 2B.)
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National Delegates Assembly Team


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

Special Assistant. Provides a wide-range of coordination and other
support functions for the Assembly Chair.
Delegates Assembly Coordinator. Provides logistical support,
coordinates space and wide variety of other support activities.
Training Coordinator. Coordinate all training required in support of
the Assembly. Conduct Delegates Training as well as Committee
Training.
Sergeant-At-Arms. Assist in maintaining order during the Assembly.
Speak for their respective regions during roll-call and on other
occasions.
Parliamentarian. Consults with the Chair during the Assembly on
matters of conduct and decorum. Provides guidance from
organizational documents and Robert’s Rules of Order.
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National Delegates Assembly Team



Budget and Finance. Manages the NDAT budget.
Communications and Public Relations. Provides information on the
NDA activities to BIG members and Delegates Assembly attendees.
Webmaster. Manages the National Delegates Assembly webpage
which is part of the BIG website. Manages the displays of
information on the screen during the assembly.
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Overview Delegates Assembly
3-Prong Process

Credentials


Nominating


Certifies and registers delegates for participation
in the Assembly including voting.
Processes nominations for elections of national
officers, regional directors, elections and
nominating committees.
Elections

Conducts the election.
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a.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Terms and Definitions
Alternate -A person elected to serve in the absence of the elected
chapter delegate.
Authorized- Refers to the number of delegates allowed to be seated
at the Delegates Assembly by each chapter. The count is based on
the number of regular (not associate) financial members in the
chapter 60 days before the start of the Assembly.
Certified – A member in good financial standing with the organization
60 days prior to the start of the Delegates Assembly, elected by
his/her chapter to serve as a delegate or alternate whose name has
been sent to the Credentials Committee and has been accepted.
Delegate – A person elected to represent and vote for the chapter at
the Delegates Assembly.
Delegates Assembly – the business meeting of Blacks In
Government. These meetings, held once a year, where delegates
and alternates come from around the world to discuss the direction
of the organization, vote on amendments to the National Constitution
and elect officers to operate the organization.
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Terms and Definitions
Continued
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Membership Roster – A list of all members of the organization
in good financial standing 60 days prior to the start of the
Delegates Assembly.
National Constitution – The rules that govern the organization.
Registering Log – The official log of certified delegates and
alternates for the Delegates Assembly.
Roll Call – A request from the Delegates Assembly to provide
an official count of the total number of delegates registered by
region. Used by the Assembly to establish a quorum.
Tally Card – Contains the official count of delegates
registered in a specific region given to the Credentials Chair
with the committee member’s initials, time and date.
Tally Sheet – The official document used to report the number
of registered delegates.
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Overview Delegates Assembly
Committee Member Responsibility
Level of commitment and accuracy
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

100% is required



Either it’s right or it’s wrong
Almost is not good enough
One mistake can


Invalidate the entire Assembly
Invalidate the entire election
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Overview Delegates Assembly
Committee Member Responsibility
Level of commitment and accuracy
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

Learn during training
 Ask questions as needed
 When in doubt ASK!
 Know your chain of command


Who to ask questions
Who is authorized to answer
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Overview Delegates Assembly
Committee Member Responsibility
Level of commitment and accuracy
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!
 Do
not change any processes
 Integrity
 Effectiveness
 Efficiency
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Responsibilities
 Assembling
Delegates packets
 Certifying Delegates and Alternates
 Registering Delegates and Alternates
 Providing accurate delegates count
at roll calls
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Responsibilities
BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES
*
Using sample folder, the volunteers will, with 100% accuracy, prepare
delegates packages.
*
Using the organization chart, the volunteers will, with 100% accuracy,
know the chain of command.
*
Using the assignment sheet, the volunteer will, with 100% accuracy,
know what region he/she is assigned.
*
Using a pen and membership roster, the volunteer will, with 100 %
accuracy, certify delegates and alternates.
*
Using a pen and registration log, the volunteers will, with 100%
accuracy, register delegates and alternates.
*
Using a pen and registration log, the volunteers will, with 100%
accuracy, update the tally sheet, place count on tally card at requested
roll calls. Thirty-seconds is allowed for each count, and 100%
accuracy is required.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Timelines


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

Authorized count of delegates is determined
Names of delegates/alternates requested from chapters
for certification of delegates/alternates
Travel to site
Set up of staging area for stuffing
Allow chapters to submit changes/additions to
delegates/alternates on-site
Open Credentials
Continue credentialing process through Assembly
Temporarily close credentials process for roll call
Continue credentialing process through the election.
Close at the end of Assembly.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
ASSEMBLYING DELEGATES PACKAGES
* Delegates packages contain items to conduct the work
of the Assembly. Packages may include the following
documents but some may be provided to delegates by
other means.
*
*
*
*
*
National Constitution
Board of Directors Policy Manual
Agenda
Reports
Tally Sheet
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
CERTIFYING AND REGISTERING DELEGATES
* Per the National Constitutional the National Office provides:
* number of authorized delegates per chapter by region;
* names of delegates per chapter by region,
* a membership roster of members in good standing 60 days prior to the
Delegates Assembly
* Once the Chair receives the items above, the Chair can:
*
certify if the delegate or alternate is eligible
* in accordance with the national constitution
* and add their names to the registration log
* making them certified.
* The Chair will not be given all delegates and alternates names
prior to credentials opening, therefore some certifying will be done
on-site.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Registering Delegates/Alternates
 “ Greet the person with good
morning, good afternoon or good
evening whatever is appropriate.”

Ask for their name, region, chapter
name and a picture ID.
Locate name in the registration log by
region, and chapter.
Persons must sign their name exactly
as presented.
Receives Delegates/Alternates package.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Registering Delegates/Alternates
REGION XI
TOTAL DELEGATES COUNT FOR REGION = 184
ALDELPHI LABORATORY CENTER - 2 DELEGATES
DELEGATES
1ST RUN
2ND RUN
Jennifer D. Murphy
__________________
_________________
______________________
Robert W. White
__________________
_________________
______________________
Diane V. Marshall
__________________
_________________
______________________
Ronald E. Stuckey
__________________
_________________
______________________
ALTERNATES
REGISTRATION LOG
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Registering Delegates/Alternates
DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE PACKAGE
Once the delegate or alternate have been certified and
registered they are issued a delegates package.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Registering Delegates/Alternates
Person has an
* Asterisk by their name.
NOTIFY CHAIR OR
CO-CHAIRS !!!!!!
REGION XI
TOTAL DELEGATES COUNT FOR REGION = 184
ALDELPHI LABORATORY CENTER - 2 DELEGATES
DELEGATES
Jennifer D. Murphy
1ST RUN
*
2ND RUN
__________________
_________________
______________________
__________________
_________________
______________________
Diane V. Marshall
__________________
_________________
______________________
Ronald E. Stuckey
__________________
_________________
______________________
Robert W. White
ALTERNATES
REGISTRATION LOG
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Registering Delegates/Alternates
* If a chapter president wants to change a primary or
alternate delegate, refer them to the Chair or the CoChair.
* If you are approached by someone who’s name has an
asterisk, refer them to Problem Resolution.
* If an alternate wants to replace a primary delegate refer
them to Problem Resolution. Delegate packages are not
to be left unattended.
* The delegates or alternates will not be issued a new
package or badge if theirs is lost. ( Exception: May
appeal to the Delegates Assembly.)
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Registering Delegates/Alternates
* Never leave any of the materials on your table unattended –
not for a moment!
* If the person registering presents a situation such that he/she is not
able to just sign – refer the person to Problem Resolution.
* If the person will not leave your table to go to Problem Resolution
waive your arm in the air to request the Chair/Co-Chair to come
over and assist you.
* This is not the time to visit – you may need to remind your
friends and yourself that you are working and must serve
other customers.
* Committee members can not register delegates or alternates
within his/her region. Notify the Chair if there is a problem.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Roll Call

Honorable Melvin Davis, the Delegates Assembly
Chair will request roll calls throughout the
Assembly.

The National Sergeant of Arms will come to the
Credentials Area and notify the Chair when a roll call
is requested.

Credentials will temporarily close to conduct the tally.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
TALLY SHEET
REGION I
CHAPTER
GREATER BOSTON
AUTHORIZED DELEGATES
GREATER HARTFORD
0
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
2
NUWC DIV NEWPORT
2
RHODE ISLAND
2
WESTERN MASS
2
TOTAL
REGISTERED DELEGATES
2
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INITIAL OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE MEMBER___________________
DATE:______________________
TIME:______________________
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Region 1
Region 1
Authorized /Registered Count
Authorized /Registered Count
Authorized Count: _______
Number Registered: _______
Authorized Count: _______
Number Registered: _______
Date: _________
Time: _________
Date: _________
Time: _________
Credential Committee Member:
Credential Committee Member:
________________________
________________________
Region 1
Region 1
Authorized /Registered Count
Authorized /Registered Count
Authorized Count: _______
Number Registered: _______
Authorized Count: _______
Number Registered: _______
Date: _________
Time: _________
Date: _________
Time: _________
Credential Committee Member:
Credential Committee Member:
________________________
________________________
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
Roll Call - Considerations

All registration activities will stop Immediately!


Registration will not resume until:


Not even the person about to sign will be completed.
Tally is complete
No one, except the Chair will be allowed to enter or exit
the Credentials area until the Roll Call is complete.


People waiting are not allowed to sit behind the registrations
tables.
All materials must continue to be protected.
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
SUMMARY
The Credentials Committee is a vital link in this
organization’s chain. The delegates must have
the tools necessary to conduct the business at
hand.
I can not emphasize enough the
importance of following the procedures for
certifying and registering delegates and
alternates. An error can cause all decisions
and voting to be null and void. We must
provide the Delegates Assembly an accurate
count of registered delegates upon request.
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QUESTIONS??
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CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
THANK YOU
Trekeshelia Britton, Chair
Pinkie Mason, Co-Chair
Betty Parker, Co-Chair
Mary Thomas, Co-Chair
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