Questions About the Affiliate Development Program (AFDP)

1. What is AFDP?
   The Affiliate Development Program is an effort of the National Association of Black Storytellers to intensify the use, impact, and aspect of the African/African American Oral Tradition in communities throughout the Americas and world Africa.

2. Who is it for?
   The AFDP is for storytelling organizations that have as a main focus the perpetuation and development of Black storytelling or the African/African American Oral Tradition. Such organizations would apply for affiliate status with NABS through its representative.

3. How does it work?
   Autonomous storytelling organizations apply for affiliate status, which requires them to meet certain responsibilities and criteria as outlined in this brochure under Criteria, Procedures, and Steps.

4. What are the responsibilities of an affiliate organization?
   NABS is a membership-based organization and relies on its membership for program and fiscal support. It is run by a volunteer board of directors and is bound by its mission to perpetuate and sustain the art of Black storytelling through its initiatives, programs, and events. To this end, NABS assists Affiliate members with technical assistance, maintains a national presence, sustains an international network of storytellers, supports a national forum for Affiliate members, publishes a national newsletter, maintains an internet presence, and sponsors an annual national storytelling festival and conference. 

5. What are the costs involved in being an Affiliate? 

The initial costs of being an Affiliate are that of providing and maintaining at least ten (10) regular memberships. Participation in the annual festival and conference, attendance at meetings and other costs relative to running an organization incurred as well.

• Maintain active membership with NABS.

• Support and promote the mission and programs of NABS.

• Adhere to guidelines for affiliate participation in NABS events and activities.

• Submit annual reports on organizational activities and progress.

• Pay an annual affiliate fee.

6. What are the benefits of being an affiliate organization?

Affiliate organizations receive:

• Recognition as an official affiliate of NABS.

• Access to resources and training programs.

• Opportunities to collaborate and participate in NABS initiatives.

• Increased visibility through NABS promotional efforts.

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Steps to Becoming an Affiliate Organization

1. Initial Inquiry:
   Interested organizations contact NABS to express interest in becoming an affiliate.

2. Complete Application Form:
   Organizations must fill out an application form provided by NABS.

3. Submit Supporting Documentation:
   This includes evidence of governance structure, financial stability, and alignment with NABS values.

4. Review Process:
   The National Affiliate Co-Directors and a designated committee review applications.

5. Approval:
   Approved organizations receive affiliate status and a formal welcome into the NABS network.

 

Criteria

Any local storytelling organizations interested in becoming an Affiliate of NABS must meet the
following criteria:

1. The group must be a local storytelling organization with at least 10 current dues-paying members of NABS.

2. The organization must be in good standing in its local communities

3. The organization must be organized to preserve the art of African/African-American storytelling

4. The organization must promote and share the oral traditions of African/African-American storytelling

5. The organization must support the NABS constitution and bylaws.

6. The organization must be in existence for two consecutive years before applying to be an affiliate.

In addition, the following must be planned and implemented in the first three years of affiliation:

1. Produce an annual storytelling festival

2. Manage a storytelling in the school’s program

3. Coordinate an oral history project

4. Sponsor NABS fundraiser

5. Develop a youth component of the organization

6. Serve in a volunteer capacity at the annual national festival and conference

7. Formulate a membership development, strategy, and a quarterly, an annual report plan

8. Maintain a local Black storytelling archive

9. Participate on national advisory board

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Procedure

The procedure for becoming an affiliate member is as follows:

1. The president of the local storytelling organization (LSO) must submit the following material to the president of NABS

   1. A letter of application stating reasons for wanting to become a member with reference to the above criteria

   2. A list of 10 current regular dues-paying members of NABS

   3. A copy of the organization’s constitution and bylaws

2. Verification of the individual memberships NABS will be made

3. The membership committee will review the group's request and obtain additional information needed. Then, a referral is made to the NABS board of directors for consideration.

4. Upon receiving the referral from the membership committee, the board will vote on acceptance of the local storytelling organization.

5. At the next annual membership meeting, following notification of acceptance, the president of NABS will present the affiliate membership certificate to the LSO president or other officer in an official induction ceremony.

6. Each affiliate will be appropriately recognized in NABS publicity, and the name and location of each affiliate will be printed on the official NABS stationery

7. Each affiliate is expected to provide NABS with periodic and timely information related to local activities, personalities, events, and other items pertinent to the art of storytelling and to the oral tradition of African people.

 

STEPS to Forming Your Affiliate

• Form a host committee and contact NABS for an informal meeting with the affiliate representative.

• Receive information for becoming an affiliate

• Hold an organizational meeting and select interim leadership. Assemble a steering committee

• Devise planning, timetable, and calendar

• Define the  local and national purposes of the organization

• Devise constitution and bylaws

• Hold meetings to formalize organization

• Initiate leadership, committees, and programs of the organization

• File for affiliate status with NABS

• file papers for nonprofit status****Not a requirement for Affiliate status but strongly recommended

 

Contact Information for Assistance

For any questions or assistance with the Affiliate Development Program, organizations can reach out to:

• National Affiliate Co-Directors
  National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc.
  P.O. Box 67722
  Baltimore, MD 21215
  Phone: 410.947.1117