How to Reach a Consensus

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
 Consensus is defined as “an opinion or position reached by a group as a whole” by the American Heritage Dictionary. But reaching that point is difficult and even understanding what a consensus is can be mind numbing. These instructions will guide you through the process […]

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Community Notice: Finding an Affordable Venue for Community Input

Greetings,
Update: Information on how to participate in the conference call is now available by clicking here.  The phone number to call in on has changed since the first invitation was sent!!
Current gas prices and the general economy are placing an undue stress on far too many of our community members and making it difficult to […]

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Community Notice: Request for Community Input on TCIA Strategic Plan

Greetings,

While the law that creates the commission gives us certain directives and defines general outcomes, it does not establish a plan for achieving those outcomes. On Saturday, Sept. 13, between 8 am and 10 am ET, the Commission will begin developing a strategic plan. Once it’s finished, the plan will help guide us in accomplishing […]

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Updated Contact Information

Facing the same economic hardships many of you are facing, I am currently without basic telephone service and using my cellphone is cost prohibitive. In order to be as accessible as possible, I’ve arranged for a voice mailbox system. To leave a voicemail:

Call 641-715-3900 (this is a long distance call anywhere in Tennessee)
When prompted for […]

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Message to “JB”

a) The grant was less than $5,000. In fact, it was less that $4,000.  (that’s three zeros - not four).
b) WKI is not now, nor has it ever been a “girl scout group” of any kind. It has always been its own organization separate from other organizations. It had one program that was offered to […]

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Where We Walked and Where We Cried - Sept. 27

Events, Grassroots Comments (0)

This is a reminder about the Fourth Annual Commemorative “Trail of Tears” Walk and Memorial Service.

  • Saturday, September 27, 2008 Starting at 8:00 AM 
  • Walking one mile from Harvest Chapel on Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet, TN to Cook’s United Methodist Church. 
  • Memorial Service at 9:00 AM at Cook’s United Methodist Church on Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet, TN. 

Walk one mile in Commemoration and recognize the hardships suffered by the Five Tribes of the southeast who walked the “Trail of Tears” to Oklahoma Indian Territory. ”Where We Walked and Where We Cried” commemorates the many peoples removed by the U. S. Government from their ancient homelands in the east, to lands west of the Mississippi River. Plans are in the making for a breakfast for the walkers and guest.  More information will be given.It is my sincere hope that many of you will attend this walk and memorial service for the past pain and the hope of healing relationships in the future.Thank you for your attention, Mvto!Melba Checote-EadsFor information call (615) 765-5854

Valerie @ July 22, 2008

July 2008 TCIA Round Table Call Outcomes

Improvements, TCIA, Goals, Issues of Others, Issues, Ideas, Perspectives Comments (0)

Below are the lists of recordings and items presented during the July TCIA Round Table Conference Calls. This post will be updated throughout the week as each call is completed. These calls are informal with no set agenda, and are held in an open conversation mode where everyone can talk.The recordings are made by and provided through the conference call service (freeconference.com) and are unedited, so please be patient at the beginning of each call and at other points where there may be “dead air” time as people arrive on the call. If you have difficulty playing recordings of this size or type on your computer, you can get a playback of the recordings by telephone at:

Playback Dial-in Number: 1-219-509-8113 East CoastPlayback Access Codes:
  • 503494 - July 14, 2008 (phone playback expires Aug. 14)
  • 854218 - July 17, 2008 (phone playback expires Aug. 16)
  • 469417 - July 19, 2008 (phone playback expires Aug. 18)

Call Recordings: 

These calls are for obtaining community input and ideas, and for hearing concerns and issues from community members.  The points below came from community members who called in. This may not be a complete list of everything discussed. We recommend you listen to the call recordings if at all possible. 

  • Raising awareness of and participation in the Fayetteville Trail of Tears Re-enactment event (October 25, 2008) from both Commission and community. This is the 5th year for this event and the 170th Anniversary of the Bells Route removal. Lincoln County recently declared this an annual event.
  • Would like to see Trail of Tears remembrance events happening in each county along the route(s).
  • NAIA powwow - October 18 & 19
  • Fayetteville Trail of Tears Remembrance - October 25
  • Lawrenceburg Trail of Tears Remembrance - November 1
  • Pulaski Trail of Tears Remembrance - November 8
  • Commission needs to get tribal recognition criteria done and passed through legislature in this next session so it can move on. (recommended as a goal for Commission’s strategic plan)
  • Tennessee needs Commission of Indian Affairs; concern pursuing recognition criteria will endanger it.
  • Commission needs to develop a budget to submit to State to ask for appropriations for staff, etc. (recommended as a goal for Commission’s strategic plan)
  • Commission needs to become spokesperson for TN’s NA organizations, help promote organizations wherever possible, provide letters of support to be used with funding applications, etc.
  • Finding way to publish Commission agenda sooner so those interested have more time to research
  • Finding ways to get public comments/input before critical Commission votes; finding ways to accomodate public who wish to comment but can’t stay for entire meeting (several ideas were suggested)
  • Finding ways for Commission to meet more frequently
  • Further developing the Organizational Registry idea (June 21 Agenda) to be more palatable to the larger community (several ideas discussed; it was determined more discussion was both needed and would be useful in bringing the idea to fruition)
  • Efforts and activities of Tanasi Council of Far Away Cherokee
  • Holding brainstorming sessions on various projects/proposals
  • Getting commissioners to organizational meetings between Commission meetings
  • Getting organizational leaders to disseminate news/information from the commission
  • Finding ways to work together
  • Need a grassroots initiative to educate the Native community in TN about 2010 Census
  • Finding ways to secure appropriate funds for federally recognized Indians coming into/living in the state
  • One, seven, even one dozen people usually can’t accomplish very much - it takes the whole community
  • raise awareness of Indian issues through innovative and alternative events (example given was the Emancipation Day events being planned by the African American task force in East TN and included a Friday evening dinner with keynote speaker, Saturday block party/street fair, and Sunday culturally appropriate spiritual gathering)
  • Collaborate with other ethnic communities who face the same concerns regarding 2010 Census and enumeration of multi-racial community members (possibly a summit type meeting of ethnic community leaders)
  • Process for implementing recognition criteria has not worked despite repeated attempts; time to look for a new way (several ideas were discussed including a bill with the criteria only after which a process would be developed to make determinations; a request that there be no “snowballing” of ideas and that efforts be cooperative, collaborative and overt was made; a new committee on recognition was suggested)
  • Funding programs and projects, who would make applications, how they work
  • Possible need: finding ways to help community grassroots organization leaders gain the necessary skills to interact and/or compete with non-profits managed by professionals.
  • For communication to work it has to flow back and forth.

Valerie @ July 14, 2008

Yes, Virginia, We’re Developing a 5-Year Plan

Improvements, TCIA, Goals, Issues of Others, My Issues, Projects & Proposals Comments (0)

Maybe the poster who wrote …

“The Commission is in a Sunset extension at this time. I am getting the impression that the Commission feels that they will not be Sunset even though they are in “Official” wind down mode now to take care and wrap up Commission business - this being the main purpose and reason they were given an extension in the first place…“

… likes to roll over and play dead on command. I don’t. And I don’t think the five other current commissioners do, either. So yes, Virginia, we’re in the beginning stages of developing a five-year strategic plan to help us focus and work toward meeting the directives we’re given via the legislation that created us.

Below are links to informational sites about the strategic planning process. Your input of ideas, goals, etc., is welcome at any point in the planning. Just send them to vohle@comcast.net or to your commissioner, or mail to:

Valerie Ohle, Chair
TN Commission of Indian Affairs
PO Box 20592
Knoxville, TN 37940

That should get you started!

Valerie @ July 3, 2008

June 21 Meeting Outcomes

TCIA Comments (0)

This is an unofficial record compiled from meeting notes. 

Resignation of Shelley Allen

  • Motion to accept. unanimous

Archaeology concerns including Fewkes-site reburial, TDOT protocols & new NAGPRA claims for “culturally unidentified

  • Motion for Commission to review the texts of all correspondence, laws and concerns, then request a mtg with NA members of AAC to determine best course of action. propose mtg on sat, 26 july in Lebanon. unanimous

Sunset Review

  • Mark James to make informal inquiry.

Future meeting dates and places

  • 13 September, Chattanooga; 8 November, Memphis; 21 February, Nashville

Treasurer’s Report/request from community member to determine outcome of painting donations

  • Chair to investigate and report in September

First portion of quantitative study & strategic plan for qualitative study (Orrick)

  • Motion to pursue grant to provide funding for proposal. unanimous. Assigned to Commissioner Kunesh and Letha
  • Administrative: Chair to send contact letter to all tribes/nations re: TCIA and its role relevant to their citizens residing in TN.

Resolution supporting the TNNAC democratic election process for nominees and repudiation of private lobbying efforts advocating specific nominee change. (kunesh)

  • Motion that the Commission support the TNNAC caucus and convention election process for selecting nominees and repudiates private lobbying efforts advocating specific nominee change. Approved 4-1

Emails between 2 or more sitting Commissioners (Meeks)

  • Tabled
  • Commissioner Meeks to discuss with TDEC legal counsel.

2007 Annual Report review

  • Secretary to provide following week

Agenda Protocol (Ohle)

  • Tabled to September
  • Chair & Commissioner Meeks to combine proposals

Recognition for departing Commissioners (Allen, Ohle)

  • Chair & Secretary to draft certificate for commissioners, past & future

Action Plan for TCIA 5-year strategic planning (Ohle)

  • Motion to meet 8-10 am before Sept. 13 meeting
  • Administrative: Chair to communicate request for input to public

2010 Census planning (Ohle)

  • Motion for Chair & Legal Counsel to draft letter of concern about 2010 proposed changes to distribute to commissioners by June 26 and, if approved, send to Census Bureau by June 30. unanimous

TCIA Meeting-Notification email list (Meeks, Ohle), Group email list of the Commissioners (Meeks)

  • Tabled

Initiate public rulemaking hearings on Rule 0785-1: State Tribal Recognition Criteria proposal (kunesh)

  • Motion that the chair contact members of the state gov’t ops committees by letter to solicit their response to and suggestions concerning the Commission’s interest in initiating state rulemaking on tribal recognition criteria; and if a majority of responses are positive, to empower the chair to initiate rulemaking procedures. unanimous

Commission recommendation on HB3299/SB3123 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, relative to recognition of Native American Indian Tribes, Bands, Groups and Associations (kunesh)

  • Tabled

Commission recommendation on AMENDMENT to HB3299/SB32123 to create the Tennessee State Recognition Committee and Criteria for Recognition as Native American Indian Tribe, Band or Group. (kunesh)

  • Motion that the Commission go on record opposing the proposed legislation due to lack of larger community and Commission input and involvement. Approved 4-1

Recognition of TN Historic Tribes - proposed 2009 legislation, review of past approved resolution, review of proposed amended resolution (Meeks)

  • Motion to accept proposed amendments. Unanimous.
  • Motion Chair to solicit the review and input of the state Historical Commission, Archaeological Advisory Council, tribal historic preservation officers of referenced tribes, and other identified historical scholars on Tennessee Native American history. Approved Unanimous.

Organizational Accreditation (kunesh)

  • Motion to pass this proposal on to ACTIA with the request that they consider implementing/publishing a state directory of Native American-related organizations. Approved Unanimous.

Nomination of Pat Cummins for Reappointment to TN Archaeological Advisory Council (TAAC)

  • Approved unanimous 

Recommendation to TNNAC regarding possible solutions for the between-election appointment process for other Boards and Commissions.

  • Approved unanimous

Other actions:

  • Request to provide adequate table space for microphones for video recording purposes (Reece) - Commission will consider and report at Sept. meeting
  • Public Input (Ohle) - will schedule state-wide conference calls as economic alternative to open forum meetings
Items pending for September 13 meeting:

    To be Reported:

  1. Report on outcome of Archeology review and meeting
  2. Report on outcome of Chair’s investigation on donations related to Bluehorse painting
  3. Report on status of funding research for qualitative study
  4. Report on outcome of pre-meeting strategic planning work session
  5. Report on outcome of Chair’s correspondence with Government Ops Committees regarding Rule 0785-01
  6. Report on status of request for input on Historic Tribes resolution.
  7. Report on ACTIA’s response to request regarding Organizational Accreditation
    Items Tabled from Previous Meetings:

  1. Agenda Protocol (Ohle/Meeks)
  2. Standing Committees vs Regional Coalitions (Ohle)
  3. Citizens’ Committee of Historic & Other Federally Recgonized Nations (Ohle/Kunesh)
  4. Code of Ethics (Ohle/Meeks)
  5. Standing Rules
    • add “Disclosure of lobbying and legislative activities” (Ohle)
    • add “Agenda Item Submission Protocol” (Meeks)
    • add “Duty of the Chair” (Meeks)
    • amend “Special Called Meetings” (Meeks)
  6. TN NA Resources Clearing House (Meeks)

Next “Public Agenda Item” deadline: Thursday, August 14, at midnight. Submit items to vohle@comcast.net.

Next “Commissioner Agenda Item” deadline: Tuesday, September 2, at midnight.

Next community display theme: Intertribal Social Membership Organizations For the purpose of this theme, intertribal membership organizations will be defined as those Tennessee native/native-related organizations that:

  1. Meet to fellowship, share information, plan group activities, etc.
  2. Focus 50% or more of the activities members;
  3. Give equal membership status to all members regardless of native nation of origin  

Examples: Native Cultural Circle, American Indian Association of Millington

Share photos and stories of your organization’s activities. Distribute membership, event and informational brochures.  The September meeting will be outside, weather permitting. Please make sure displays are wind and weather-proof.  Space for individual displays is limited to 4 feet wide by 2 feet deep by height of a standard tri-fold display board.  For more information on displays or how to submit an unmanned display, please contact vohle@comcast.net.

Valerie @ June 29, 2008

Community Notice: Sept. TCIA Meeting Organizational Display Theme

TCIA, Improvements, Goals, Grassroots Comments (0)

Greetings,

I’d like to thank Sheila Jones (TN Eagle Awards), Bullmoose Speed (TN Native American Indian Council) and Starr Thunderfoot (Buffalo Creek Band) for providing displays and information on their service organizations at the June 21 meeting. We’ll be repeating the “service organization” theme in the future with more adequate notice.

The theme for organizational displays at the September 13 meeting in Chattanooga will be Intertribal Social Membership Organizations.

For the purpose of this theme, intertribal membership organizations will be defined as those Tennessee native/native-related organizations that:

  • Meet to fellowship, share information, plan group activities, etc.
  • Focus 50% or more of the group activities on group members;
  • Give equal membership status to all members regardless of native nation of origin

Examples: Native Cultural Circle, American Indian Association of Millington (Organizations functioning as tribes that “adopt” unaffiliated individuals will be invited to submit display at another time.)

Share photos and stories of your organization’s activities and distribute membership, event and informational brochures.

The September meeting will be outside, weather permitting. Please make sure displays are wind and weather-proof. Space for individual displays is limited to 4 feet wide by 2 feet deep by height of a standard tri-fold display board. For more information on displays or how to submit an unmanned display, please contact vohle@comcast.net.

Again, the purpose of inviting organizations to submit displays is to raise awareness about your organizations and increase opportunities for organizations to connect and network with one another. If you plan on submitting/bringing a display, please give us a couple weeks advance notice so we can make sure we have adequate space!

Respectfully,
Valerie Ohle, Chair
TN Commission of Indian Affairs

Valerie @ June 28, 2008