Feb. 21 TCIA Meeting Outcomes

The meeting was opened at a few minutes after 10 a.m. with a quorum of six commissioners present.  The seventh commissioner arrived some time after the start of the meeting due to car trouble.

Motions/Actions on agenda items: Read more…

Community Notice: Organizations wishing to report at Feb. 21 Meeting

We are assembling the agenda for the Spring Quarter meeting (Feb. 21) of the TN Commission of Indian Affairs this weekend.  If your organization would like to report on anything at the meeting, please send a request to me copied to the Secretary (e-mail addresses below) ASAP.

Valerie Ohle, Chair
TN Commission of Indian Affairs

Requests should be e-mailed to vohle (at) comcast.net and copied to tpkunesh (at) chattanooga.net

Jan. 17 Meeting Outcomes

Thought is only a flash between two long nights, but this flash is everything.
  - Henri Poincare

This report will be updated as time permits including links to approved documents, amendments, etc.  Below are the agenda items and the relevant actions taken:

• Sept. 13 Minutes - approved
• Treasurer’s Report - approved
• Annual Report - approved as submitted
• Telephonic ‘Round Tables’ - report given
• Future meeting dates and places - tabled to next meeting
• Archeology - report given
• Strategic planning - report given
• Other state commissioners/representatives - none present
• Status of Research Initiative - report given
• Status of 2010 Census Liaison - report given
• Status of Historic Tribes Resolution - approved as amended, Chair to seek legislative sponsors
• Status of Legislative Review Committee - explained origin of committee and current status per Legal Counsel opinion; independent report submitted by Vicky Garland approved for inclusion in official minutes
• Status of TNNAC 2005 referendum splitting metros from grand - Commission approved motion to request TNNAC not seek legislation on this issue in the 2009 session.  Basis - no compelling reason as metros are unaffected
• Agenda Protocol - tabled to next meeting; Commissioner Meeks and Secretary Kunesh to complete final revisions to protocol including necessary forms, etc.
• Lobbying Disclosure Resolution - approved as amended
• Regional Coalitions Proposal - tabled to May meeting
• Rules Committee appointments - tabled to next meeting
• Commission protocol with ACTIA - tabled to next meeting
• TNCIA compliance with TCA 4.34.104 - tabled to next meeting
• TNNAC Board Neutrality in Nomination Process - tabled to next meeting
• Legislative Commendations - tabled to next meeting
• Legislative resolutions (Chair to seek legislative sponsors on approved items)
  • Annual Dragging Canoe Memorial Day - approved as amended
  • 2010 Tanasi/Tennessee Native History Year (state-wide) - approved as amended
  • Extension of Commission to 2011 - approved
  • Native American Grave Goods Protection (4) - approved
  • Promote reconciliation and return of expatriates - approved
  • State recognition to require relationship with existing tribe(s) - failed
  • Proposal to fix meeting dates - tabled to next meeting
  • Support and commendation for Trail of Tears Commemorative Events - amendment correcting counties was approved
• Organizational Reports Received:
  • NAST (presented by Tammera Hicks)
  • ACTIA (submitted by Joe McCaleb)
• Public Comments Received:
  • John Smith - Need healthcare
  • Phillip Stevens  - Legislative Voice, Indian Preference
  • Rod Sharp (Mr. Sharp’s comments were out of order per Roberts’ Rules of Order, #43 Debate Decorum and #21 Questions of Order, and are therefore not included in this record)
  • Ed Vinson - Length of deliberations
  • Diane Christmas/Faraway Cherokee (Ms. Christmas presented an issue on behalf of and in her capacity as Secretary of the Far Away Cherokee.  Ms. Christmas’ issue was out of order per TCA 4.34.102, was ruled out of order by the Chair per Roberts’ Rules of Order #21, Questions of Order, and is therefore not included in this record)
  • Joe McCaleb - Original intent of legislative framers
  • Glen Reece - More time for public input prior to decision making
  • Ramona Reece - More timely responses from commissioners for requests, questions, etc., between meetings, clarification of an agenda item (clarification sent 1/18/2009 via e-mail)

Next Meeting Date/Location: Feb. 21, Nashville TN

Community Notice: Rescheduling of Fall Quarter Meeting

I apologize for confusion over the rescheduling of the Fall Quarter meeting. 

Although I can understand how there might have been confusion in thinking a December 27 meeting was a go because of the statement that a minimum quorum of four was available on that date, consider the difference between having a minimum quorum and having all/the most at a meeting. For some of you, consider whether you would support a meeting of a minimum quorum of four if the four making the quorum were commissioners you did not like, support, or trust. Would you want the meeting to take place and decisions to be made without the presence of those commissioners you might or do trust?

The law requires at least a quorum of four to legally constitute a meeting. The goal the commission should be striving for is not to merely make quorum, but to find a date that accommodates the most commissioners, preferably all commissioners. That may not be the norm for other state boards and commissions, but it NEEDS to be the norm for this particular state commission based on the level of public (read within our own community/communities) interest in this particular state commission, and the existing concerns about representation or lack thereof on the Commission.

As for tabling items of any commissioners that are not present, yes - that could be done. But almost every vocal person in the community and those most interested among the general assembly members have been outspoken and straightforward about what they perceive to be the unproductive history of the commission. Tabling items is not productive.

The commissioners are continuing to work to resolve the meeting date. When a date and location are both officially confirmed, the Secretary of the COMMISSION will make an official public announcement. Please, don’t anyone jump the gun again before that announcement is made.

October Round Table Call Outcomes

There were three community round table teleconference calls scheduled for October. Each call was attended by myself, and by Glen and/or Ramona Reece on behalf of Tennessee Native Times. The calls were kept active for 30-32 minutes each then terminated.

Previously Recorded Calls
• All call recordings are now accessible online via a playlist on this page.

Upcoming TCIA Teleconferences

 On September 13, 2008, the Commission voted to:

• Hold a “committee of the whole” meeting via teleconference
• Add four additional commission meetings per year to the Commission’s calendar, all four of which will be held by teleconference and will be limited to administrative tasks of the Commission

Additionally, the Chair will continue to hold three open forum community round table teleconferences per month in each month where there is not a physical meeting of the commission specifically to encourage and provide opportunity for public input, participation and comments.

All teleconferences will be recorded. The recordings made available to the public via the Chair’s blog and may also be mirrored on other public information sites such as tntimes.net.

Questions have been raised regarding the teleconferences including whether the Commission must provide one physical location while conducting a teleconference for those members of the public that prefer to attend in person.  The question was asked of the Commission’s legal counsel, who responded:

“providing the telephone number, the time, date, and a small description of the purpose is all that would be legally required for access to the Committee of the Whole” meeting. Alternative meeting formats must still meet the other statutory requirements such as providing reasonable notice and allowing the public to attend, which in the case of an alternative meeting format would mean the ability to listen, observe, or participate. Reasonable access also means that, if the organization allows the public to listen to or observe the meeting from a remote location, a surcharge outside of the actual costs of participation cannot be assessed. I hope that permits the teleconference to proceed as planned.”

And,

“The previous opinion would, of course, apply to any sanctioned meetings of the Commission of Indian Affairs.”

When asked for further clarification of “reasonable access” including whether any long distance charges incurred by participants fall into the category of unreasonable access, TCIA’s legal counsel replied:

“The callers’ own long distance charges and personal charges related to using a teleconferencing line are what I call “actual costs.” The illegal surcharge would be an additional fee, outside of actual costs, charged by the government agency, thus amounting to denying access by assessing unreasonable fees for simply wanting to hear what one’s government is doing.”

All government entities/agencies are looking for ways to reduce costs without reducing their ability to carry out their jobs or the services they provide. By increasing our available “work” time, it is the intention of the Commission to better serve the community without adding additional personal expenses those members of the community that elect to attend our meetings or to ourselves.  As one commissioner pointed out during the discussion of the use of teleconferences, a $12 long distance charge is far more affordable than traveling to a city 100-400 miles away.

A schedule for the four per year additional meetings was not decided at the Sept. 13 meeting.  We will discuss and decide on that schedule at the Nov. 8 meeting in Memphis.

The following TCIA teleconferences, however, have been scheduled:

TCIA “Committee of the Whole” - Sunday, Oct. 12, from 3-5 pm ET/2-4 pm CT

Agenda is limited to discussion of and continuing work on the Commission’s 5-year Strategic Plan.  The call will be in “presentation mode” for the first 90 minutes (only the 7 commissioners and their counsel will be able to speak openly; members of the public may be invited to speak if warranted or if they have expertise specific to a particular portion of the discussion).  The last 30 minutes of the call are reserved for public comments and will be held in “open conversation mode.” 

Unlike regular commission meetings, we will be dealing with a more strict time limitation.  Please limit your public comments during this time to the 5-year plan as the Commission will not be discussing any other business. Time limit per person will be determined based on the number of community members participating who wish to make a comment.  (example: 10 people wanting to make public comments will result in a 3-minute per person time limit)

All decisions made by the “committee of the whole” will be reaffirmed by vote at the Nov. 8 Commission meeting.

TCIA Community Round Table Conference Calls

• Monday, Oct. 13, from 8:30-10:30 pm ET/7:30-9:30 pm CT
• Thursday, Oct. 16, from 8:30-10:30 pm ET/7:30-9:30 pm CT
• Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm ET/9:30-11:30 am CT

Open forum, open conversation-mode discussion for the purpose of hearing and collecting community input and comments.  No actions or decisions can or will be made during the calls. 

The access information for all TCIA teleconferences is the same:

• Dial-in Number:  1-219-509-8111
• Access Code:  466246 followed by the # sign

More information on how to access certain option through your telephone touch pad, etc., are available at http://www.nativepages.com/opendoor/index.php/tcia/tcia-teleconferences/.

Strategic Planning Update

Added Oct. 4, 2008: Template and working copy being used for developing 5-year Strategic Plan

Results of Strategic Plan “Committee of the Whole” work session held on Sat., Sept. 13, 9-10 a.m.  These decisions/actions were reaffirmed by vote in the subsequent regularly scheduled TCIA meeting.

Mission (approved Sept. 13, 2008): 

To represent Native American Indian interests in and to the State of Tennessee.

Priority Issue Areas (approved Sept. 13, 2008):

• Healthcare & Healthcare Insurance Access/Coverage
• Employment/Income/Job Opportunities
• Education (emphasis on education for employability/job skills training)
• Housing
• Publicity, Awareness, Tourism
• Preservation of Cultural Resources
• Genealogy & Tribal Connections
• Individuals’ Legal Advocacy

Note: Strategic plans are “organic” documents. These issue areas and the subsequent goal statements  and other parts of the plan we’ll be writing can be added to, subtracted from or amended as needed and warranted.  If there are other issue areas we’ve overlooked, you can submit them to us by e-mailing vohle@comcast.net or to another commissioner of your choice.  What we cannot do is read minds. If you don’t tell us what your priorities are, then we will work with the information we have at this time.

Commissioner assignments for October 12 “Committee of the Whole” teleconference meeting: 

• Go back to our respective areas and research existing healthcare resources available in those areas.
• Write a goal statement about healthcare to bring to the Oct. 12 teleconference.
• Write goal statements for any other priority issue areas we individually choose.

Information about how to develop ”Goals and Strategies” (written by Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, Authenticity Consulting, LLC)

Goals and Strategies

Goals are identified from having taken a wide look around the outside of the organization (an external analysis) and careful look inside the nonprofit (an internal analysis), and then identifying what are the most important issues to address. Appendix C includes information to organize this analysis.. Your Goals Should Be “SMARTER”

When you design and word your goals, be sure they are “SMARTER”, that is, specific, measurable, acceptable to the people working to achieve the goals, realistic, timely, extending the capabilities of those working to achieve the goals and rewarding to them. Don’t worry so much about having to specify goals to be exactly “correct”. Your goals are likely to be modified somewhat as you give more attention later on to product design. 

You Will Likely Have Organization-Wide and Product/Service-Specific Goals

You will probably have organization-wide goals, for example, goals in regard to building and running your organization, for example, board development, staffing, getting a new building, etc. You also will probably have goals that directly in regard to building, producing and selling products or services to your customers. 

Write Down Goals to Address Issues

Below, write down the strategic goals that must be achieved in order to address the issues listed in Appendix C. Think about what must be achieved in order to address the issues. Consider goals over the term of your strategic plan, but look very closely at the next year especially. (For additional assistance, see Strategizing.) 

Write Down Forward-Looking Goals

Next, write down more forward-looking goals. If you are developing a new organization, then you’ll probably have goals to build a board, do a strategic plan, do a market analysis to build a program, get volunteers, hire staff, etc. Consider goals over the term of your strategic plan, but look very closely at the next year especially. (For additional assistance, see Strategizing.) 

Next, Associate Strategies with Each Goal

Next , under each goal, write down the major approaches (or strategies) that must be used to achieve each goal. Consider strategies over the term of the strategic plan, but especially over the next year. (For additional assistance, see Strategizing.) 

Now Consider: Are the Goals and Strategies Closely Aligned with Organization’s Mission, Vision and Values?

Does each goal and its associated strategies really contribute toward the mission and vision of the organization. Will the goals be reached by using strategies that are closely aligned with the values of the organization? If not, then very closely reconsider whether you want to pursue those goals and associated strategies. 

September 13 Meeting Outcomes

This is an unofficial record compiled from meeting notes, and is subject to amendment/correction.

Archeology report including listing of additional sites for which TCIA received no notification as required by TDOT and Division of Archeology policies.

• Motion to write letters to relevant parties and agencies regarding continuing failure to notify TCIA upon discoveries. Secretary kunesh to draft letters.
• Discussed possible need for amending relevant existing laws to ensure proper notification

 Teleconferences (Community Roundtable Conference Calls)

• Held 6 calls (6th call was terminated after 31 minutes with no call-ins) comprising over 12 hours of discussion time
• Noted need to find other ways to publicize future calls to reach individuals who are not already attending TCIA meetings or communicating via internet
• Will continue to schedule calls
• Noted several issues that had been brought to light during the calls

 Future meeting dates & Times

• Winter 2008 Meeting - Nov 8, 2008 - Memphis
• Spring 2009 Meeting - Feb 21, 2009 - Nashville
• Summer 2009 Meeting - May 16, 2009 - Knoxville
• Fall 2009 Meeting - Sept 19, 2009 - Nashville

 Commissioner/Commission Reports

• Legislative interest/support in re-initiating rulemaking procedures re: Rule 0785-1: Were advised by key assembly members to leave off the table for the present.
• Status of Historic Tribes Resolution: still being circulated for feedback from relevant parties.

 Statistical Study of State’s NA Population

• Changes to PSTCC computer system delayed access until start of Fall semester.

 2010 Census Commission Liaison

• Motion to approve resolution appointing Marion E. “Letha” Orrick as the Commission’s liaison was approved; Mark James and Chair to investigate status of previous appointment

 Strategic Planning Session Report (Note: decisions made during strategic planning session required being reapproved during regular commission meeting)

• Mission statement was approved
• Issue areas were listed (example: healthcare access/health insurance access, employment opportunities, etc.)
• Commissioners to research existing healthcare resources within their assigned areas and bring goal statement ideas to next session
• Committee of the Whole strategic planning session scheduled for teleconference call Sunday, Oct. 12, 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT; 2 hour time limit, with last 30 minutes being reserved for public comments

 Standing Rules

• Agenda Protocol:  Merged protocols accepted by both presenting commissioners; Commissioners Meeks and kunesh directed to work together on final version and details for formal approval
• Public Comments: Failed.
• Meeting recordings: Commission approved unobtrusive placement of microphones on meeting table for PA/recording purposes.
• Addition of More Commission Meetings:  Motion approved to add four additional meetings per year; additional meetings to be held via teleconference with agenda limited to administrative tasks such as minutes and financial report approval, addition, deletion or amendment of standing rules, reports, etc.
• Authorize Chair to spend $100/year (discretionary funds): approved; fund use would be limited to business of the Commission including meeting space rental, postage, etc.
• Regional Coalitions vs Standing Committees: Chair appointed representatives from West (Helen Vinson), Middle (Vicky Garland) and East (Tammera Hicks) grand divisions to rework original resolution for final consideration at Nov. 8 meeting

Tribal Census 2010 Conference Report

• Mr. Billy Jo Nuckles gave a report on information gathered at a tribal census conference he and his wife, Nancy, attended this summer.

 Items pending for Nov. 8 meeting

To be reported

• Outcomes of Oct. 12 Committee of the Whole session on Strategic Planning

Items tabled from previous meeting

• Standing Rules:
  • Agenda Protocol
  • Disclosure of lobbying and legislative activities
  • Duty of the Chair
  • Amend “Special Called Meetings”
  • Code of Ethics/Pledge

 Next “Public Agenda Item” deadline: Thursday, October 9 at midnight. Submit items to vohle@comcast.net

Next “Commissioner Agenda Item” deadline: Tuesday, October 28 at midnight.

Next community display theme: Advocacy organizations. For the purpose of this theme, advocacy organizations will be defined as those organizations whose activites are focused on a specific issue and that:

• Raise awareness about a specific issue
• Provide educational opportunities or resources about a specific issue
• May conduct lobbying or other activities relevant to a specific issue

 Examples:  Alliance for Native American Indian Rights, Intertribal Land Trust

August 2008 TCIA Round Table Call Outcomes

My apologies for the delay in getting these recordings posted. I am experiencing some significant computer limitations at this time. The recordings and telephone playback informatino or below. I will try to do a list of key topics (similar to July’s list) in the near future.

Reminder: 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:

• 938333 - August 11, 2008 (phone playback expires Sept. 10)
• 713718 - August 14, 2008 (phone playback expires Sept. 13)
• none - August 16, 2008

Call Recordings: 

• August 11, 2008 Conference Call (49mb; mp3 format; 2 hr 21 min)
• August 14, 2008 Conference Call (56mb; mp3 format; 2 hr 39 min)
• August 16, 2008 Conference Call - call was terminated after 31 minutes with no additional callers. No recording is made until second caller arrives.
• All call recordings are now accessible online via a playlist on this page.

Points discussed:

• Black Elk Speaks (Outdoor Drama) at Audobon Acres in October 
• Starting TCIA meetings on time - if no quorum, can floor be opened to public comments from those present until quorum has arrived?
• Census 2010 - discussed information obtained at conference specific to American Indians including self-determination (right to self-identify), stressing one/main affiliation, possible assistance funds available from census bureau for promoting participation, some jobs available
• TCIA created programs - discussed need for community to be more specific when asking for/demanding programs - what programs? Callers stated (in priority order) health care, employment/income opportunities, housing
• Meeting notification - How do individual commissioners or commission as the whole notify area residents of meetings, etc? (have established a “listserv” is not an option at this time) - send self-addressed stamped postcards (at least 4 per year) to be notified of meetings; encourage local radio stations to run meeting PSAs being sent out.
• Failure of various individuals, factions, groups to work together holds back and hurts all.
• Public comments can be made at any point between meetings by calling, writing, e-mailing any one or more commissioners, or participating in Round Table calls. 
• The earlier public comments are received, the more opportunity the commissioners have to revise plans to accomodate public demand.
• Economize time when commenting.
• Commissioners need to be more succinct in their deliberations.
• People are not bound to communicate only with the commissioner from their geographic area, but are free to communicate with any commmissioners.
• Eagle awards - how nominations are made, who can nominate, etc.
• Finding a way to publish agenda (items) sooner so public has opportunity to research and comment.
• Programs: public needs to define what programs it most needs/wants. Program priorities may vary by area. Need committees of locals to work with Commission to plan and implement appropriate programs.