MODULE 2: OVERVIEW OF BIG

BIG History and PurposeOrganization and Structure of BIGDelegate’s AssemblyGoverning DocumentsRoles of National Officers

–Officers’ Roles Activity/Attachment 2

National Programs’ Overview

History and Purpose

BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

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BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT “ a rich history ”

EQUITY

EXCELLENCE

OPPORTUNITY

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BEFORE BIG

Loose/Fragmented/Informal Meetings– Wed Luncheon Group - Labor– Tues Business Group - State– Reactive vs Pro-Active– Game Plan on Specific Issues

Traditional Civil Rights Organizations– No Organization or Group with

focus on Government Employees

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BIG History

Who: DHEW Black federal employees

When: Established in 1975 and in 1976 incorporated as a non-profit organization

Where: Parklawn (Chapter) Building, Rockville, MD

Why: Address a wide assortment of racially motivated problems

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BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

Articles of Incorporation– Washington, DC– February 26, 1976

First President Elected– June 1, 1977– Ramona McCarthy

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BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

Founders’ Goals– Establish BIG Chapters In Each

Executive Branch Of Federal Government In Washington Metro

– Within Federal Agencies NationwideElected First National President

– January 1978– Lonis Ballard

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BIG Goals and Objectives

Be an advocate of equal opportunity Eliminate practices of racism and racial

discrimination Promote professionalism among Blacks in

government Develop and promote programs to

enhance ethnic pride and educational opportunities

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Goals and Objectives (cont)

Establish a mechanism for the gathering and dissemination of information

Provide a nonpartisan platform on major issues of local, regional, and national significance affecting Blacks in government

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BIG STRUCTURE

Board of Directors Executive Committee Regional Council

– Eleven Regions Chapter STAFF

Delegates Assembly

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BIG STRUCTURE

Board of Directors

ART III, SEC 2A / ART VI, SEC 1

Determine Policy

Undertake All Appropriate Actions Requiring National Attention

ART VI, SEC 1A – Report Of Regional Council To Board - Advisor

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BIG STRUCTURE

Chairpersons of Board of Directors

Anthony WilliamsRance ClemonsOscar EasonJulius CrouchJimmy GivensAnthony RhodesRoberta McNeilJohnny SmithRalph Browne, JrEllen Dyson

Farrell Chiles

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George LimaFrank Buntin

REGION I - 1980

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Ellis CoseyRobert Rogers

REGION II - 1980

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Betty LunnSandy Stewart

REGION III - 1980

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Robert BlackmanJohnny Smith

REGION IV - 1980

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Warren ChapmanEllis GodwinHoward Ervin

REGION V - 1980

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John JohnsonRance Clemmons

REGION VI - 1980

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Julius CrouchWilliam Massey

REGION VII - 1980

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REGION VIII - 1989

John Leddbetter

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Brenda HarperWanda Jackson

REGION IX - 1980

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Oscar Eason, JrWillis Tate

REGION X - 1982

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District Of Columbia

Ramona McCarthyAnthony Williams

REGION XI - 1980

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BIG - PRESIDENTS Ramona McCarthy Lonis Ballard Mildred Goodman Thomas Jenkins James Rogers Rubye Fields Marion Bowden Dorothy Greening Oscar Eason, Jr Gerald Reed Gregg ReevesGregg Reeves Darlene YoungDarlene Young

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BIG ROLE

Training Professional Growth and

Development Counseling and

Representation Community Service Advocacy Networking Job Opportunities

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Organizational Structure

BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

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BIG Organizational Structure

Chapters/MembersRegional Councils

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

BIG is a membership driven organization

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BIG STRUCTURE

Board of Directors Board of Directors Executive CommitteeExecutive Committee Regional CouncilRegional Council

– Eleven RegionsEleven Regions ChapterChapter STAFFSTAFF

Delegates AssemblyDelegates Assembly

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BIG STRUCTURE

Board of Directors Board of Directors

Art III, Sec 2a / Art VI, Sec 1

Determine Policy,

Undertake All Appropriate Actions Requiring National Attention

Art VI, Sec 1a – Report Of Regional Council To Board - Advisor

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BIG STRUCTURECurrent Board of DirectorsCurrent Board of Directors

REGION I Daniel CorriaPalmer T Doiley

REGION II Joyce JonesAlter L Cochran

REGION III Johnita E PittsRegi Na Kennedy

REGION IV Mary PeoplesAnthony Rhodes

REGION V Oscar LWilliams, JrLillian M Barnett

REGION VI Katherine L CageAngela Thorpe-Harris

REGION VII David C HamptonDelores Ivy

REGION VIII Gary BlackmonDeborah Dawkins

REGION IX Farrell J Chiles (Chairman)Toni Martin

REGION X Charles OliverLilyian Caswell-Isley

REGION XI J David Reeves (Vice Chairman)Gerald Reed

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BIG STRUCTURE

Executive CommitteeExecutive Committee

• ART III, SEC 2B

• IMPLEMENT POLICY

• CONDUCT ROUTINE BUSINESS

• EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

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BIG – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President Darlene H. Young

Executive Vice President Doris Sartor

1st Vice President Matthew Fogg

2nd Vice President Walter E. Washington

3rd Vice President Richard L. Shields

National Secretary Cynthia Davis

Corresponding Secretary Contress Braxton

National Treasurer Faye Stewart-Henderson

Assistant Treasurer Norma Samuels

Immediate Past President Gregg Reeves

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BIG STRUCTURERegional Council - Eleven RegionsRegional Council - Eleven Regions

• Art III, Sec 3b

-- Local Advisor To Board Of Directors

-- Identify And Develop Common Strategy and Mechanism

• Article III, Sec 4

•-- Conduct Programs

• Eleven Regions

-- (10) Federal Regions

-- (1) DC Metro Area

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ELEVEN REGIONSELEVEN REGIONS

DistrictOf

Columbia

BIG STRUCTURE

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BIG STRUCTURE

ChapterChapter• ARTICLE III, SEC 4

-- CONDUCT PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES

-- BELONG TO REGIONAL COUNCIL-- SUBMIT WRITTEN REPORTS TO NATIONAL

OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY BOARD

• ARTICLE V, SEC 4)

-- MAINTAIN TEN REGULAR MEMBERS

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BIG STRUCTUREMembership

Individual Membership Categories– Regular – Associate – Life

Chapter Formation/Reporting Requirements

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BIG STRUCTUREBIG STRUCTUREDELEGATES ASSEMBLYDELEGATES ASSEMBLY

• Article VII, Section 2

-- Held Annually

-- Regular Dues Paying Chapter Members

-- Confirm Board Actions

-- Elect National Nominating Committee

-- Elect National Election Committee

-- Elect National Officers

-- Vote On All Business Of Assembly

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BIG STRUCTURE

Office StaffOffice Staff OfficeOffice

– 3005 Georgia Avenue NW3005 Georgia Avenue NW Officer ManagerOfficer Manager

– Jim WilsonJim Wilson

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Questions

Overview of NationalOverview of NationalDelegates AssemblyDelegates Assembly

BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

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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

Credentials. Registers and certifies all delegates for the Assembly.

Nominating. Prepares a slate of nominees for the appropriate offices to be filled.

Elections. Conducts the National elections and assists with the Regional Caucus elections.

Resolutions. Screens and recommends action on all resolutions.

Standing Rules. Presents rules of conduct that govern the Assembly.

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National President Darlene Young

Delegate Assembly Chair Thomas Walton

NEC Liaison Oversight Richard Shields

Sergeant-At-Arms

T. Rahim Mahdi Lamonte Johnson

Parliamentarian Ramsey Alexander, Jr.

Co-Chair, National Delegates Assembly Mr. David Groves

Delegates Assembly Coordinator Jerry Prentice

Special Assistant Patricia Hawkins

Administrative Coordinator Doris Sartor

Credentials Chair

Pinkie Mason

Elections Chair Melvin Davis

Nominating Chair

Janice Hall

Standing Rules

Cynthia Mallard

Resolutions Chair

Ethel Crisps

Constitution/ Amendments

J. David Reeves

Budget/ Finance

Coordinator Lisa Dixon

Asst. Treasurer

Faye Stewart-Henderson

Training Coordination

Marian Stevens

National Board

DC Jacquie Beaty

National Office Staff

Director James Wilson

Program Support

Specialist Peggy A. Downing

Credentials Co-Chairs

Betty Jean Parker Trekeshelia Sorrels

Elections Co-Chair

Wilbert Randle

Nominating Co Chair Tina Bush

Credentials Committee Members

Election Committee Members

Nominating Committee Members

National Delegates Assembly Team (NDAT) Organizational Chart

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Delegate Functions

Involvement in Nominating and Election Process

Approval of Annual Audit and Treasurer’s Reports

Approval of Amendments to National Constitution

Approval of Resolutions

Ratification of previous actions by the National Board of Directors and National Executive Committee which includes suspension or revocation of chapter charters

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ENTITYNational Delegate

• Unequal representation; based on chapter total membership (number of members)

• Make up the Delegate Assembly

• All National Officers, elected and appointed, do not have to be a delegate

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ENTITY Regional Council Representative

• Equal representation; three per chapters regardless of the chapter total membership (number of members)

• Make up the Regional Council

All Regional Officers, elected and appointed, (except Regional Directors) must be a Regional Council Representative

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QUESTIONS

Governing Documents

BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

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Governing Documents

What is a governing document?

Why governing documents?

When do you need a governing document?

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Governing Documents

What are the governing documents?

– District of Columbia Regulatory Codes– Articles of Incorporation– National Constitution– Policy Manual– Regional Council Bylaws– Chapter Bylaws

Why governing document?

– Provides regulatory guidance and compliance

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Governing Documents

Articles of Incorporation

Establishes BIG as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation under the Internal Revenue Service Act and the laws of the District of Columbia

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Governing Documents National Constitution

– Article I: Name– Article II: Goals and Objectives– Article III: Organizational Structure and

Composition– Article IV: Membership– Article V: Chapter Formation and

Reporting– Article VI: Duties of the Officers and

National Standing Committees

– Article VII: Meetings– Article VIII: Nominations and Elections

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Governing Documents

National Constitution

– Article IX: Dues and Assessments– Article X: Expulsion, Termination or

Removal– Article XI: Rules of Procedures– Article XII: Incorporation– Article XIII: Limitations of Liability– Article XIV: Adoption of Constitution– Article XV: Amendments to Constitution– Article XVI: Ratification

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Governing Documents

Policy Manual– Establishes policy for the organization– Updated and maintained by the Board of

Directors

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Governing Documents

Regional Council and Chapter Bylaws– Cannot conflict with the National

Constitution– Chapter Bylaws

• Approved by the chapter membership

– Region Bylaws • Approved by the Regional Council

Rules of Procedure– Roberts’ Rules of Order Newly Revised

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Summary

• District of Columbia Regulatory Codes

• Articles of Incorporation

• National Constitution

• Board of Directors Policy Manual

• Regional Council Bylaws

• Chapter Bylaws

• These document provide necessary information to the membership and “information is power”

Governing Documents

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Questions

Roles and Responsibilities Roles and Responsibilities of National Officersof National Officers

BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

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Officers

President

Executive Vice President

Vice Presidential Ascension

Other Vice Presidents

Secretary

Corresponding Secretary

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Officers

Treasurer/CFO

Assistant Treasurer

Appointed Officers

Parliamentarian

Historian/Librarian

Chaplain

Sergeant-At-Arms

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Duties Of OfficersAn officer’s first priority is to SERVE

THE MEMBERSHIP!

Passion: Passion is the love of turning being into action. It fuels the engine of creation. It changes concepts to experience. Passion is the fire that drives us to express who we really are. Never deny passion, for that is to deny Who You Are and Who You Truly Want to Be! Conversations with God, Book I (Neal Donald Walsh)

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President

In most organizations, serves as the Chief Executive Officer

Presides over meetings

Ex-officio member of all committees (except for Nominations or Elections)

Presides over all votes

Protects the assembly from frivolousness

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President (con’t)

Decides on questions of orderCountersigns checks and other

legal or other financial documentsAppoints committee chairs and

other officers where constitutionally mandated

Provides positive motivation and morale for membership and officers

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Executive Vice President

In the absence of the President, or in the event of disability, the Executive Vice President assumes the function of the President

**In BIG the Exec Vice President serves as the Regional Liaison

Other duties as assigned by the President

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Vice Presidential Ascension

In the case of resignation, removal or death of the President, the Vice President AUTOMATICALLY becomes president for the unexpired term, unless the By-laws expressly call for a new election. The other Vice Presidents automatically move up as well, with a vacancy at the lowest ranking Vice President

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Other Vice Presidents

In rank order, shall perform all the duties and functions of the President, in the absence or incapacitation of the President and Exec Vice President

At the BIG National level, each Vice President (1st/2nd/3rd) are assigned a focal point for Federal/State/Local Government

Other duties as assigned

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Secretary

Recording Officer of the assembly

Is custodian of records and minutes of meetings and proceedings

Signs all certified copies of Acts of the society

Maintains the organizational seal and affixes to all contracts and other instruments

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Secretary (con’t)

BIG NATIONAL: Countersigns with the President all requisitions for disbursement of funds

Is next in line as presiding officer in the absence of the President and other Vice Presidents

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Corresponding Secretary

Responsible for maintaining all organizational correspondence

Informs members, via notice of each meeting or call meeting

Performs the duties of the Secretary in his or her absence or incapacitation

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Treasurer/CFO

Serves as the CFO of the SocietyProduces and issues financial

reports for the organizationCollects duesCountersigns along with the

President or Vice President all funds disbursements

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Assistant Treasurer

Maintains a record of all financial members

BIG NATIONAL: Verifies chapter strength at the National Delegates Assembly

BIG NATIONAL: Verifies the Tax ID status of all chapters within BIG

Assumes the duties of the Treasurer if absent or incapacitated

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Appointed Officers

Appointed officers serve at the pleasure of the President and his/her administration and are subject to replacement or recall without constitutional due process of elected officers

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Parliamentarian

Serves as the principle advisor to the chair regarding conduct of the assembly

Gives parliamentary opinions on request

Other than secret ballot, should not vote on any matters before the assembly

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Historian/Librarian

Maintains a narrative account of the organizations activities

Maintains the organizations official historical records and documentation (custodian of historical data and artifacts)

Collects all books and other written material for the organization and maintains an archive (curator or records)

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Chaplain

Leads invocations, prayers, benedictions for meetings and other events

Counselor to members

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Sergeant-At-Arms

Assist in preserving the order of the chair

In large assemblies, directs charge of ushers

Handles physical arrangements of assembly

In legislative or public bodies, administers fines, penalties, warrants and notices

Removes disorderly members if requested by the assembly

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QUESTIONS

BIG NATIONAL PROGRAMS

BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT

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NATIONAL PROGRAMS

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

To be aware of the various programs, services and initiatives BIG provides to its members, constituents, and to the community

STRATEGY/FOCUS:

•Present national programs offered by BIG

•Provide an overview of services and initiatives provided by BIG

•Discuss how to plan and implement programs at the regional and chapter level

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BIG NATIONAL PROGRAMS

NATIONAL PROGRAMS BOOK

•Monetary Assistance Program (MAP)

•Scholarships to Acquire Career Keys (STACK)

•Officer Leadership Training

•Training In Communications

•Information Superhighway Student Competition

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BIG NATIONAL PROGRAMS

MONETARY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MAP)

Provides monetary assistance to chapters and regional councils to support their specific activities and projects that are in line with the goals and objectives of BIG

Non-refundable--$1,500Refundable--$3,000 Not to exceed $4,500

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BIG NATIONAL PROGRAMS

TIPS FOR COMPLETING MAP REQUESTS:

•Submit applications during the first month of the quarter prior to the quarter in which funds are needed

•Example: Funds needed in 11/05 due in national office no later than 7/31/05

•All requests must have chapter or regional council

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TIPS FOR COMPLETING MAP REQUESTS:

• Current bank statements and supportive financial documentation, as appropriate

• Budget for project or activity

• Signatures of three chapter or regional council officers, as appropriate

BIG NATIONAL PROGRAMS

SCHOLARSHIPS TO ACQUIRE CAREER KEYS(STACK)

Assist in the development and maintenance of an effective workforce. Facilitates training for career advancement and development opportunities.

Training relates to current or potential employment.

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SCHOLARSHIPS TO ACQUIRE CAREER KEYS (STACK)

• Funds applied to tuition or associated costs (i.e., room and board, instructional or lab fees, books, travel to training)

• Accredited Institution• Awards must be used within the fiscal

year or one school term• Be a financial and active member of BIG

for two years• When used for continuing course of

study a minimum grade average is required

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BIG NATIONAL PROGRAMS

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

To provide updated Leadership Training to members of BIG on goals, objectives, purpose and philosophy of BIG; organizational governing documents; roles and responsibilities of officers; and programs, initiatives, and services of BIG

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BIG NATIONAL PROGRAMS

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

Training In Communications

To provide training in communications and leadership skills and practical experiences to develop those skills (9th-12th Grade)

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YOUTH PROGRAMS:

Information Superhighway Student Competition

• Encourage students’ use of computers. Students create presentations for World Wide Web pages

• 9th - 10th grade category/11th – 12th grade category

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QUESTIONS