By MEGAN SMITH

Staff Writer

After a decline in membership, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at Tech is trying to rebuild.

The NAACP sponsored a forum Oct. 29 in the Multicultural Affairs Lounge, located in Tolliver Hall, for the students to voice concerns and discuss the future of the university chapter. Approximately 30 students attended the forum.

Forum panelists included representatives from the NAACP at Grambling State University; Color Blind, a prayer group aimed at unifying all races; and IMPACT movement, a group for students to learn about and grow in Christ.

Gourjoine Wade, president of the NAACP chapter at GSU, said the NAACP at Tech is attempting to reach out to the students before it has to reapply for its charter in December and he hopes to help.

Some topics discussed were how to build knowledge, the separation of students on the Tech campus and unity among different groups and the human race.

"There is a great need for a positive influence to help bring together everyone here, and one of the first steps is to create a functioning NAACP," Wade said.

Wade said for the NAACP to get a charter, it needs to have 25 or more active members, trained leaders who have passed the NAACP training test with at least a 75 percent out of a 100.

Wade said the first step is to work on leadership.

"The NAACP's leadership, here at Tech, needs to be revamped and trained so they can effectively create a functioning NAACP at Tech," Wade said.

Geoff Siacco, founder of the Color Blind organization and a graduate student of graphic design, said whether the forum was successful is yet to be determined.

"We still have to wait and see if we will be able to start an active and functioning NAACP," Siacco said.

Siacco said everyone, regardless of color, is encouraged to attend these events and join these organizations.

"Anyone can promote diversity and represent those who are unrepresented," Siacco said.

Siacco also said people need to make an effort to take chances and try new things.

"People need to step out of their comfort zones," Siacco said. "Progress is not going to just happen, and a few people are not going to be able to do it on their own."

Casey Dave, president of IMPACT movement and a senior graphic design major, said she is upset about the lack of unity on campus and wishes it could change.

Dave said, "The situation that we have now is sad. We need to break down stereotypes and come together as one human race."