THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996 TAG: 9605020131
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY REBECCA A. MYERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Because there is strength in numbers, individual civic clubs often band together to form what is commonly referred to as umbrella organizations.
Portsmouth has two: the Central Civic Forum, founded in 1944 as a voice for the city's predominantly black civic leagues, and the Portsmouth Council of Civic Leagues, formed 13 years ago and today representing the neighborhoods of Westhaven, Cedar Point, Park Manor and Hodges Manor.
Lack of attendance and disagreement regarding the organization's purpose contributed to the demise of a third parent group, the Federation of Civic Clubs, which disbanded 15 months ago after nearly 30 years.
``I think that certain members tried to make it too political instead of it being just an information center,'' says Karen Jordan, the federation's former secretary.
Ideally, umbrella groups are formed to give different neighborhoods an opportunity to exchange ideas and work toward common goals.
``Rather than each civic league going down to City Hall and getting the thumbs-down on all their requests for, say, curbs and gutters, we formed this umbrella group and went collectively to get things done,'' says Helen V. Davis, past president of the Central Civic Forum.
In years past, the forum worked to unify black residents in the effort to eradicate discrimination and racism. Today, the organization has white members, according to its president, Raleigh Harsley.
As a group, the forum was successful in increasing voter registration, integrating public schools and desegregating libraries, cemeteries, lunch counters and recreational facilities, such as the once all-white Bide-A-Wee golf course.
Although umbrella organizations are set up to address problems that individual civic leagues face, leaders usually try to discourage clubs from promoting their own agendas, especially if they conflict with the betterment of the groups as a whole.
``It has to be something that affects more than just one civic league'' for the parent body to become involved, says Louis Whitehead, president of the Portsmouth Council of Civic Leagues.
Most recently, the council rallied to keep the Caroline Avenue causeway open.
``Even though it physically was in our jurisdiction, people in all of the civic leagues used it,'' says Whitehead, a Westhaven resident. ``So it was one where the issue was universal to those that were involved.''
Davis, of the Central Civic Forum, says he can't recall when one league ever tried to promote itself over the interests of the entire group.
``We were all of the same accord,'' says Davis, a retired school librarian and former School Board member.
``Everybody wanted to do away with discrimination. That was the main thing.'' MEMO: Related stories on pages 14-16.
by CNB