THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511080167
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Paul C. Gillis, president of the Suffolk-Nansemond branch of the NAACP, was elected president of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP during the organization's 60th annual convention.
Gillis ran against Shirley Hines, political action chair of the Portsmouth chapter; the Rev. Lawrence Pollard, a member of the board of directors for the Chesterfield chapter; and Rovenia Vaughan, president of the board of directors for the Powhatan County chapter.
Gillis said he and Virginia State Conference Executive Director Linda Byrd-Hardin plan to work as a ``fire and the furnace'' in attacking a number of Gov. George Allen's initiatives, including a plan for charter schools.
Byrd-Hardin could not be reached for comment.
Charter schools, a plan that calls for allowing more parental involvement in public schooling by lessening state and local regulations, has long been criticized by the NAACP. The organization contends that charter schools would further divide society by class and race by diverting public funds to create elite schools.
``Our initial thrust is to attack the administration (Allen) on its efforts to dismantle affirmative action,'' said Gillis.
Most of all, economic empowerment and working to get jobs for African Americans will be of importance.
Gillis was elected during the final day of last week's convention in Norfolk. The State Conference oversees about 125 local branches.
As president, Gillis will be responsible for making appointments, presiding over meetings and raising money. Unity, empowering black youth and raising money were the top issues discussed at last week's convention.
NAACP members, like Salim Khalfani, State Conference branch and fields activity coordinator, hopes Gillis can help the organization raise money as well as canvassing legislators. Officials won't disclose the State Conference's annual budget.
``We need strong leadership, leadership that will help us raise money,'' said Khalfani.
Money is a big issue with the NAACP.
Last year, the national office faced a $4 million deficit and a cutoff of corporate contributions after allegations that former chairman William Gibson and fired executive director Benjamin Chavis mismanaged funds.
Brian F. Melchor, first vice president of the Portsmouth chapter and past State Conference treasurer, said Gillis is a good choice to lead the organization. When Melchor campaigned to become state treasurer, Gillis supported him.
``As a newcomer coming into the organization, he gave me a lot of good advice,'' said Melchor. ``He told me to be outspoken. If there's something you don't agree with, say it, and we can be friends afterward.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Paul C. Gillis
by CNB