SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota NAACP will retain its charter heading into 2025. That’s thanks to a successful membership drive which has nearly doubled the branch’s membership in the span of a month.
Danae Verba, Secretary for the South Dakota NAACP, spoke with KELOLAND on November 15, explaining the situation. “At a minimum, we need a minimum of 15. But we’re looking for anybody who would like to join our organization in pursuit of civil rights and social justice for all,” she’d said at that time.
At that point, the branch numbered around 35 adults, 15 short of the 50 adult memberships needed to maintain their charter. The deadline to gain these memberships was November 30.
Now, the branch numbers 59 adults and 5 youth memberships. “And more coming in every day,” Verba said.
“Many of them came through by email,” said Verba. “Some folks just went and signed up through nationals online. Mm hmm. And there are even a couple of people who sent in checks by snail mail. So we’re still processing those. We had several inactive members reactivate their membership — so there are several different ways that we reached our numbers.”
The South Dakota NAACP does not want to end up in the same boat they just left.
When the branch got its charter just a few years ago, they did so by amassing around 150 members, a number which quickly dropped to 35 as people did not renew their annual membership.
Now they they are again above the required number, Verba says conversations are being held to focus on membership retention.
New leadership will be elected this coming Saturday, and then that new leadership will take over in 2025. It will be up to them to implement whatever solutions are decided upon.
“I think being very transparent about exactly what it is we’re doing and who are serving might be that tickle that people need, that motivation to keep their membership current,” Verba said.
She mentioned that the South Dakota branch has also increased its ties to the Minnesota state area conference of the NAACP. “We found some more connections. We have a much stronger relationship with not only the state area conference but also local branches in the Minnesota area. So I’m hoping each of those things can help maintain our branch members’ commitment to the work,” Verba said.
Verba says that to avoid falling into a situation where they face the loss of the charter again, she has a general goal of five new or renewing memberships every month, either growing or maintaining the branch.
For Giving Tuesday, December 3, Verba says the South Dakota NAACP is encouraging people to consider joining, also noting they people can also donate directly on their website.
Those looking to make a tax-deductible donation should reach out via email, specified Verba.
The final general body meeting of the year for the South Dakota NAACP will be held on December 17.
“I just really want to highlight the point that active membership is what really makes a difference for our branch and there is something to do for everybody,” said Verba. “All ages; all passions.”
