Willamette Tsa-La-Gi Bylaws
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the organization shall be Willamette Tsa-La-Gi Community.
It is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization constituted and established under the laws of the state of Oregon.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
Section 1. Willamette Tsa-La-Gi is a community of Cherokees dedicated to Cherokee history, culture, heritage, language, tradition, and fellowship and qualifies as exempt organizations under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Specifically, the purpose of the organization shall be to:
Maintain a viable organization representative of the members who elected its officers and Board Members.
Provide Cherokee learning opportunities.
Promote programs which provide improved educational, recreational, cultural, historic, and social opportunities.
Support other opportunities and organizations which promote our mission as they arise.
Provide better communication among the community, general public, and other organizations in and around our area.
Participate in any grant, program, benefits, or services available under any federal, state, or local law from any other person or organization or agency that furthers the mission of the association
Establish cooperative efforts with other organizations which are concerned with the building and strengthening of the Cherokee community in the Willamette Valley.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP; WTC membership is open to citizens of the Cherokee Nation, members or descendants from any federally recognized American Indian nation or tribe, and to anyone who shares the goals and values of the Willamette Tsa-La-Gi Community.
Section 2. MEMBERSHIP DEFINITION; As per the Cherokee Nation Community Association Bylaws (by which the WTC is chartered), a minimum of 60% of each community’s households must have a member who is a documented citizen of the Cherokee Nation.For purposes of this requirement, a household is defined as members sharing the same address and considered immediate family. Immediate family, for these purposes, includes a person’s father, mother, parent’s spouse (if remarried), child (by blood, adoption, or marriage), brother, sister, spouse, grandparent, and grandchild.
Section 3.USE OF DESIGNATED CHEROKEE NATION GRANT FUNDS; Grant money received from the Cherokee Nation that is specifically designated for Cherokee Nation registered citizen spending shall be used exclusively for the benefit of registered Cherokee Nation citizens or members of a Cherokee Nation citizen household, as defined by these Bylaws. This restriction applies to, but is not limited to, the annual Health and Wellness Grant and any giveaways or distributions funded by such grants.
Under no circumstances may these designated funds be allocated to, or spent for the benefit of, individuals who are not registered citizens of the Cherokee Nation or members of a Cherokee Nation citizen household, unless such expenditure cannot reasonably be avoided due to the nature of the event. In such cases, the use of designated funds in this manner shall require the unanimous approval of the Board.
Section 4. VOTING ELIGIBILITY; the eligible voting membership includes all Members of the Willamette Tsa-La-Gi community who are at least eighteen (18) years of age. Voters need to be present for at least 25% of the monthly meetings, in person or online.
ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS
Section 1. REGULAR MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the organization's Membership shall be held monthly.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting of members shall be held in September, and includes budget review, planning for the upcoming calendar, and holding elections.
Section 3. LOCATION: Most meetings shall be held in the Lane Community College Longhouse.
Section 4. ELECTIONS: The elections of organization officers shall be held during the annual meeting.
Section 5. NOTICE: All notifications of regular meetings shall be delivered to all community members at least 14 days in advance. Notice of special meetings shall be delivered to all members at least 24 hours in advance.
Section 6. QUORUM: At any organization meeting, the majority of the Board members of the organization shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum.
Section 7. ATTENDANCE: Each time a member of the board appears at a regular or special meeting, a record of the presence of that board member shall be placed in the minutes of the meeting. The board may request that a record of all attending the meeting be recorded as well.
Section 8. VOTING OF BOARD MEMBERS: Each member of the organization present at a meeting shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote on any subject for which a determination is presented for consideration.
ARTICLE V
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION BOARD
Section 1. NUMBER: The board members of the organization shall consist of 5 to 7 officers.
Section 2. ELIGIBILITY: Any qualified voting member of the community organization who is at least 18 years of age may seek office and serve on the organization's board. The board will remain perpetually 51% Cherokee Nation Citizens as evident by Tribal Blue Card. The first round of elections is open to only CN citizens, if board vacancies remain, an additional round of elections with non-CN citizens may occur.
Section 3. TERMS OF OFFICE: Members of the organization’s board shall be elected. The first three shall be elected for a term of TWO (2) years, which consists of President, Vice President, & Treasurer. The Secretary and remaining board members shall be elected for a one (1) year term. This constitutes staggered terms of offices for the board members.
Section 4. RESIGNATION: Board members may resign at any time after delivering a written resignation to the president of the Board. Any member who has resigned must turn over any unfinished organizational business to the organization for resolution.
Section 5. REMOVAL: Board Members may be removed by a majority vote of the Board for cause, including but not limited to absence, misconduct, conviction of a felony, misdemeanor, and/or criminal activity.
Any Board Member who is absent for three (3) consecutive regular meetings, or a total of five (5) regular meetings within a twelve (12) month period, may be considered for removal. Such a member may remain on the Board only with the approval of the Board by majority vote.
Section 6. VACANCIES: Whenever the number of Board members shall for any reason be less than five, the vacancy(s) shall be filled by a vote of the remaining board members or appointed by the President for the remainder of the term of office.
Section 7. MEETINGS: The board of the organization shall meet at least annually) with the other members of the organization.
Section 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings of the board can be called by the President or four of the Board members. Notice shall be sent to each Board member no fewer than 48 hours before said meeting. Notice shall state the purpose, time, and place of the meeting and by whose order it was called. A quorum of the Board members shall be necessary. Voting shall be decided by the majority of the Board present at the meeting.
Section 9. ANNUAL MEETING: The board shall convene an annual meeting in September to present an annual report to the members. The annual report shall include activities the organization conducted during the year and a financial report of all accounts and grants for the fiscal year.
Section 10. ATTENDANCE: Any board member who misses three (3) consecutive meetings without reasonable cause shall be automatically removed unless a majority vote by the board members decides otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 1. ENUMERATION: The organization board shall elect its officers, who shall be president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and one to three board members of the Willamette Tsa-La-Gi Community, at its first meeting following the annual elections and after every subsequent election.
Section 2. PROCEDURE; The past President shall act as parliamentarian in the election meeting and the community board may set its own procedure for the elections provided it does not conflict with these by-laws. New officers may take office at the next scheduled board meeting.
Section 3. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
President: The president of the board shall preside over and maintain order at all community organization meetings, call organization board meetings, be the official liaison between CN and the organization, speak for and represent the Willamette Tsa-La-Gi organization in all matters with the consent of the other members of the Willamette Tsa-La-Gi Community organization, appoint heads of all standing and temporary committees as directed at Willamette Tsa-La-Gi Community organizational meetings. (Requires 1 year prior Willamette Tsa-La-Gi board experience)
Vice-President: The Vice-President shall perform all duties in the absence of the president. Oversees communication via text, email, social media, newsletter, and the website.
Secretary: Record minutes of all general meetings and community association board meetings and perform all other duties consistent with these by-laws. Track attendance and membership.
Treasurer: Submit a monthly report to the members on the financial status, including a detailed report on all funds expended and received. Applies for grants, maintains business records, and is responsible for the distribution of funds.
Board Member: Shall be present at each meeting and shall be an active member of the board.
Emeritus President: The outgoing president is available for 3-6 months of consulting as needed.
Each Board officer and member shall be subject to host and organize at least one community or cultural event for the public during the year.
Each Board member is responsible for maintaining a procedure manual and updating said manual when changes to the procedure occur. Changes to a procedure must be approved by the president and one other board member.
ARTICLE VII
ELECTIONS
Section 1. ELECTION COMMITTEE: The election committee shall consist of three (3) members of voting age who are in good standing and not running for a position or have a household member running. Each member must be from a different household. The election committee shall be voluntary. If there are more than three (3) volunteers, then three (3) members will be selected from such volunteers by lottery.
Section 2. FREQUENCY: Elections shall be held according to Article V Section 9 in the month of September.
Section 3. NOTICE: Sufficient notice shall be provided to the voting members (at least 30 days) for nominations, elections, and recall procedures. The notice shall include a description of election procedures, eligibility requirements, and dates of nomination and election.
Section 4. RECALL: Any elected officer of the organization may be recalled by a vote for removal by a majority (51%) of voting members. A recall election must be conducted when a petition requesting such an election is received from not less than 75 % of the voting membership. All procedures for petitioning for a recall election shall be provided to voters in their notice of election.
ARTICLE VIII
STANDING COMMITTEES
The president may from time to time appoint with the advice and consent of the Board members, committees, to assist in the activities of the organization.
ARTICLE IX
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
Section 1. DEPOSITS OF FUNDS: All funds of the organization not otherwise expended shall be promptly deposited in such banks, trust companies, credit unions or other reliable and insured depositories as the Board shall determine.
Section 2. CHECKS: All checks, drafts, endorsements, notes and evidence of debt over the amount of $200 dollars shall be signed by at least two (2) Officers of the Board. The President will be the first signature on all checks. The second signature will be authorized by the Board. The treasurer cannot make any withdrawals from the organization account(s) for any large amounts of money; over $200.00 will have to be signed off by the Officers of the Board.
Section 3. LOANS: No loans or advances or promises of payment shall be contracted or accepted on behalf of or in the name Willamette Tsa-La-Gi organization, except those contracts authorized by the Board. These items have to be signed by the majority of the Board.
Section 4. CONTRACTS: An officer authorized by the Board of Directors may, in the name of and on behalf of the organization, enter into contracts, which are authorized by the Board.
Section 5. PURCHASES: Each board member will be given a Devote card for any necessary organization purchases. The treasurer will add the necessary funds to the appropriate Devote card in advance of the purchase.
ARTICLE X
BY-LAWS
Section 1. ADOPTION: These by-laws shall be reviewed by a majority vote of the members at the first duly constituted meeting of the members and be available for view on the website.
Section 2. PERIODIC REVIEW: These by-laws shall be reviewed at least once a year by the community organization which shall recommend to the board any changes that should be made.
Section 3. AMENDMENTS: Amendments to these by-laws shall be made by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a duly constituted meeting of the membership provided that, every member has received at least five (5) days notice of the changes being considered.
Section 4. CONFLICT OVER BY-LAWS: Neither meetings of the community organization nor the community organization board shall be bound by Robert’s Rules of Order except in cases of conflicts or uncertainty over interpretations or a procedural issue not covered by these by-laws.
ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
Section 1. PROCEDURE: The community organization may dissolve at any time by a 2/3 vote of the membership, provided that at least five days notice of the proposal to dissolve has been given to all members.
Section 2. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS: In the event of the dissolution of the community organization, all remaining assets will be distributed only to organizations which are exempt from taxation under section 501(c) 3 or 501 (b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or successor provisions thereto.
When the dissolution occurs all assets will be disposed accordingly, with a final meeting to dispose of all assets.