Tennessee Native American Convention (TNNAC)
Saturday, 12 July 2008. 9:30 am CST
Labry Hall - Cumberland University
Lebanon, Tennessee
By: Patty Beecham, Secretary
A. Prayer: Billy Joe Nuckles
B. Roll Call: Patty Beecham
In Attendance:
Doug Kirby: TNNAC Chairperson
Patty Beecham: Secretary
Jon Greene Vice Chair/West
Alice Henry: Alternate/Memphis
Dale Mitchell: 2nd Vice-Chair
Sandi Perry: Vice-Chair/Nashville
Wally Leary: 1st Vice-Chair
Marcia Cross: Vice Chair/Knoxville
Billy Joe Nuckles: Chair/East
Not in attendance:
Chrisie Moore: Vice-Chair/Middle
Lance Davis: Chair/Middle
Ed Vinson: Chair/Memphis
Helen Vinson: Vice Chair/Memphis
Evangeline Lynch: At Large/West
Scott Sanders: Vice Chair/Chattanooga
Herstle Cross: Chair/Knoxville
Gene Taylor: Vice Chair/East
Pat Taylor: At-Large/East
Harold Robinette: Alternate/East
Visitors:
Tom Kunesh: TCIA/Chattanooga
James Meeks: TCIA/Middle
Dale Henry: Memphis
Nancy Nuckles: East
Ramona Reece: Middle
C. Welcome and Introductions
D. Review and Approval of Agenda
Sandi Perry makes MOTION to change place of Committee Reports after Old Business.
Marcia Cross SECOND
Billy Joe Nuckles: How much time?
Doug Kirby: During lunch
Sandi Perry: May take 5 - 15 minutes
Dale Mitchell: Every committee doesn't have to meet every time
Sandi Perry: No set time limit
Doug Kirby: Meetings start at 9:30 - could go into committee meeting before lunch. Play by ear on time limit
Doug Kirby MOVES Put Committees behind Old Business 1st meeting - set time aside during lunch for committee meetings
PASSES All in favor
A. Officers Reports
Doug Kirby reads agenda.
Sandi Accept as it, yet change committee time
Billy Joe Nuckles: What is the time for getting agenda out.
Patty Beecham: At least 27 days prior to meeting.
Dale Mitchell: Addition to minutes - Georgia Dennis was presented with plaque after most left.
Patty Beecham: Thank you for doing
Doug Kirby: Accept minutes
ACCEPTED
B. Minutes/Treasurers Report
Patty Beecham provides summary of minutes of past meeting.
Financial Report:
Beginning Balance: $580.94
Donations
~Harold Robinette $10.00
Subtotal: $590.94
Deductions
~Vinson's repairs $100.00
Ending Balance: $490.94
C. Check In By Areas
East: Billy Joe Nuckles - Raleigh, NC attended East US Native American & Alaskan Native Census Conference. Good info: If you want to be counted - say so on census report.
Knoxville: Marcia Cross - No report.
Chattanooga Wally Leary - No Report
Middle: Doug Kirby - Things happening with Native Religious leaders in Portland, August. Inuit Minister wants people in community to visit.
Nashville: Dale Mitchell - JJ Kent's wife, Cathy, killed & son injured. Haven't seen update. Keep in prayers.
Sandi Perry - Cathy was JJ's salvation.
Dale Mitchell - went to Alabama. People working on Replacement - pretty much same steps - make a little simpler. Haven't gotten with Herstle. Things on Indian Preference not written down yet.
West: Patty Beecham - Jimmie Thigpen working on the Vinson's home repairs this weekend.
Memphis: Alice Henry - Choctaw Multi Cultural. Lots of questions from leaders on needs - Federal health care in our state. People falling through system. Marsha Blackburn will check it out many federal Indians are on TennCare - should be provided by tribes. Some states with agreements with hospitals/Tennessee should be able to take its share of federal funding to provide for federal Indians' health care in Tennessee.
(1) Attendance Committee: Dale, Lance
(2) Absentee Ballot Committee: Herstle, Billy Joe
(3) Sub-Caucus Committee: Marcia, Dale
(4) Education Committee: Sandi, Wally, Scott
(5) Web Page: Patty, Scott, Marcia
(6) PR Committee: Patty, Jon
(7) Genealogy Committee: Herstle, Lance
[Overlook bylaws and place cte reports in Old Business, approved. All in favor. See rundown of minutes above.]
Doug Kirby: Ramona would you be interested in TNNAC? Need to determine if she can participate.
Dale Mitchell: Were you a part of the caucus? If no one else from Middle Tenn, then we can.
Sandi Perry: People not kicking down doors -
Wally Leary: Wait for people to come to us - outreach the delegate list
Sandi Perry: MOVED to have Ramona Reece nominated
Wally Leary: SECOND
UNANIMOUS
Ramona Reece elected first alternate for Middle TN.
Doug Kirby: Welcome
Ramona Reece: Thank You
Doug Kirby: Any report?
Ramona Reece: Not presently
Doug Kirby: Add BJ to Rules/SOP committee
Dale Mitchell: Anyone wanna be added to a committee?
Ramona Reece: Education and SOP
Alice Henry: Education
Ramona Reece: Should we merge Sub Caucus & Rules/SOP committee?
Additions to committees:
Education committee: Ramona Reece and Alice Henry
Rules/Sop: BJ Nuckles and Ramona Reece
Lunch: 11:06 - 12:30
Return from lunch 12:24
Doug Kirby: Any changes to SOP can be made in 1 meeting. The by-laws need 3 meetings.
Sandi Perry: Need to have more than 1 to make major change/s.
Wally Leary: Changes - simplify
Sandi Perry: Need a checklist for Caucus Chair.
Ramona Reece: Provides accountability. 17pg document - don't need history - put separate.
Doug Kirby: Want changes to simplify things - something to stand up in court.
Is it fair about 21 names?
Sandi Perry: Need election process
Tom Kunesh: Think about city/county commission on replacement - don't have to meet the other pre-requisites.
Ramona Reece: TNNAC needs to come across as very open. Help community feel we are open.
Doug Kirby: Midterm replacement requirements. What requirements do we need?
Sandi Perry: Made mistake before. People didn't have a clue to be voted on.
Doug Kirby: have had people who participated in past - usually show up. Better to leave names off. [21 names]
James Meeks: Does make a difference in Sub-caucus & Caucus. 2 sub-caucuses can create a caucus.
Wally Leary: Tend to make more difficult - and collectively still have 15 - enough people to put together. Question at future if have only 5 people.
James Meeks: When vote comes in don't now order - who's 1, 2, 3, etc.
Ramona Reece: Delegates need to be ranked in order of votes.
Dale Mitchell: Part of caucus.
12:45
Tom Kunesh: One way to submit -
Sandi Perry: Want to be delegate.
Tom Kunesh: Democrats - Super delegates
Ramona Reece: Why should anyone receive delegate without vote?
Dale Mitchell: 2005 - Commission candidates at top, voted on rest of them - 1, 2, 3
Doug Kirby: Ought to be elected.
Sandi Perry: Make it clear prior to voting - people running for commission also running for delegate.
Wally Leary: Is there a minimum to be handed in to state. In order fro 15 to make it, have to have a majority.
Doug Kirby: Weak spot - TN Archeological Advisory Council - should we have a part?
Tom Kunesh: Yes, there are positions in all sorts of state bodies that want Native American representatives. TNNAC democratic means to nominate. In past - Pat Cummins and Corky Allen didn't want. Democratic input into it - By TNNAC.
Sandi Perry: TNNAC set up as running convention to represent & recommend to commissioners.
Tom Kunesh: Only way to get democratic process = TNNAC.
Sandi Perry: Needs to be representation.
Tom Kunesh: TNNAC only recommends - cannot elect.
Ramona Reece: Where is TNNAC authority?
Tom Kunesh: Recommend only - not election. TNNAC's purpose - to present names ñdemocratic process.
Sandi Perry: Feel like create more confusion. Maybe if we said endorse.
Tom Kunesh: TCIA shouldn't do it, not electorical commission
Dale Mitchell: Is there a way to coordinate that?
Tom Kunesh: Pat Cummins - off TNNAC year
Wally Leary: Could have in 2007 - We have position coming up - make arrangements.
Could suggest we get a spot on commission.
Billy Joe Nuckles: What are we gonna try to accomplish today?
Wally Leary: Picking away at it as we go.
Alice Henry: Is it TNNAC's job to nominate?
Doug Kirby & Sandi Perry: In SOP
Alice Henry: Mr Kunesh? Those on your committee would like to take responsibility.
Tom Kunesh: [In past] On Board - No rhyme or reason how appointments - except who meet & hand shake the most. TNNAC created one body to nominate open appointments.
Doug Kirby: We have not nominated through TNNAC - Pat Cummins & Corky Allen.
Tom Kunesh: TCIA state mandated with TNNAC
Wally Leary: Hopefully, taken with consideration -
Tom Kunesh: TCIA shouldn't recommend. Have election process. Appointment to midterm - don't vote - go through process politicizing it. 2010, Corky's [Allen] set - TNNAC submit for seat.
Billy Joe Nuckles: Speaking for most people in my area, not TNNAC job. ACTIA is advisory. Don Merzlac only one to run for ACTIA.
Sandi Perry: ACTIA made up of each caucus area, made up of people willing to be commissioner, not elected. 3 people each area wanted to be presented. Purpose to advise - 2005: ACTIA separate - not running for commission - can say as a group - would like to endorse.
1:20
Doug Kirby: Does there need to be a change?
Dale Mitchell: People run for both.
Sandi Perry: Stopped - can't run for all 3 - changed process.
Tom Kunesh: November 2006 because of Memphis & Chattanooga. Reason why, ACTIA members chosen - generally more active - now not the same.
Doug Kirby: We gotta work on it, have to fix it.
Wally Leary: Could change, not fix
1:30
Tom Kunesh: Not only by-law change goes through Attorney General. AG saw TNNAC viable plan. If wanna change, run pass AG - not same anymore
Don't wanna be called in by Governor.
Wally Leary: Look at whole thing, right people, right order
Tom Kunesh: Ask Vicky
Ramona Reece: If situation continues, running out of nominees
Tom Kunesh: Reason why - people volunteer to assume more responsibility in Indian community through ACTIA. Makes sense to affirm them.
Billy Joe Nuckles: Would would be different if I came to TNNAC meeting - if didn't' get votes -
Tom Kunesh: Problem in East, SOP not read, Never came to TNNAC meeting.
James Meeks: Expand beyond SOP
Billy Joe Nuckles: Lee Vest, 2 sides to story. Don Merzlac -
Tom Kunesh: Lee Vest didn't attend 2 years. Don attended, had materials & told how to do it.
James Meeks: Election commission of Davidson County. Headman at Station ready well in time
[Sandi Perry leaves 1:40]
Break 1:45 - 2:00
Doug Kirby: A lot to look at. Make user friendly.
Wally Leary: Figure out steps to follow. Idea: clean up no re-write.
Doug Kirby: With SOP an individual should be able to read it & understand
Work cut out between now & next meeting. Do in final form - vote on it.
Tom Kunesh: Has to be submitted in writing in final form
[Next meeting - Chair requests: something on paper - Send all members all contacts]
3. Old Business
A. Guidelines for Indian Preference Committee and the process used to identify those seeking Indian Preference. (Cross)
Marcia Cross: At next meeting, Herstle will submit a form draft that documents what documents were used to affirm Indian preference
4. New Business
A. Establish Cumberland University as site for TNNAC meetings. (Kirby)
Doug Kirby: Lady stated dates OK. No conflict. At next meeting, set next meeting times.
B. Suggestion to hold all TNNAC meetings on Saturdays.
Summary: Conflict for certain members. As it stands - continue to rotate between Saturdays and Sundays. Make arrangements to eat lunch on site.
C. Various Aspects of the Midterm Replacement Process (Beecham)
(a) Report on Memphis Area Replacement.
Summary: Nominees to Memphis area: John Smith, Helen Vinson, Ed Vinson, Alice Henry. Waiting on Alice to submit dates on resume. After that, go in mail. Will send cover letter asking Lt Gov to notify TNNAC and agree on 90-day period. Commissioner Tom Kunesh request that midterm replacements - in the future - be completed in 30 days.
(b) Concerning the number of names to be submitted to State Government: presently, Article 3 - Duties (13) states, "TNNAC must submit a list of at least two (2) names for each open position - " Provide addition to Article 3 - Duties, at least two (2) names and no more than four (4) names for each open position.
Patty Beecham: STANDING RULE - Commissioner Midterm Replacements: No less than 2 names, no more than 4 names to be submitted during replacement process. UNANIMOUS
3:25
(c) Assist Indian community and TCIA by keeping a watch on various commissions and their end of term. Example: confusion around the nomination of Pat Cummins for Reappointment to TN Archaeological Advisory Council and the assumed role of TNNAC by the State.
Summary: Confusion with the replacement process to TN Archaeological Advisory Council. State employee, Brenda Gadd phoned Doug Kirby. Not clear on this replacement. After emails & phone calls, confusion cleared up that replacement process to TN Archaeological Council submitted by TNNAC.
Patty Beecham: [Summary not quote] Val Ohle had asked in previous email if TNNAC could assist the Commission and the Indian community with keeping up with the terms of various Departments related to Indian Affairs/community. Be more aware of Indian involvement in departments statewide. Keep Indian involvement moving forward.
D. Request by Commissioner Tom Kunesh to Report Activities/Decisions to TNNAC from 21 June 2008 TCIA meeting.
a. Motion that the Commission support the TNNAC caucus and convention
election process for selecting nominees and repudiates private lobbying
efforts advocating specific nominee change.
Tom Kunesh: TNNAC should not endorse candidates, 501(c)3 not jeopardized, TNNAC is election commission - can't lobby ñunethical & illegal. An election commission can't lobby - has to remain neutral in all matters.
James Meeks: Difference - election commission
b. Recommendation to TNNAC regarding possible solutions for the
between-election appointment process for other Boards and Commissions.
E. Discussion of Convention 2009. Begin plans and preparation - Convention to be held in West Tennessee. (Beecham)
Summary: Natchez Trace State Park does not have facility to hold the people. Paris Landing State Park does, yet has another event that weekend. Consider boy scout camp/Camp McMorris and other places in West Tenn. Check on Chickasaw State Park and Pinson Mounds as possible sites. Try to find place in West closer for Middle and East Tennessee.
[Wally Leary, Tom Kunesh, James Meeks leave]
F. Remove item: Section 6 - Members (13) (a) TNNAC will go to ACTIA elected members for that Caucus area in order of their election. (Nuckles)
Summary: Asked to have this written up properly and then presented to Board next meeting
.
G. Any changes to bylaws or SOP will contain the old rules. Insert new rules directly below. Include all dates. (Nuckles)
Summary: Already a part of the process - will continue to do so. Thus, no changes to note.
H. Addition to rules: if caucus is not held directly according to rules, a complaint form must be filed within two (2) weeks. At this point, have an emergency meeting within two (2) weeks by simple majority of TNNAC members, and then a new caucus election must be held within two (2) weeks. (Nuckles)
Doug Kirby: Needs more input, wait on this one. Committee work on while re-writing SOP.
I. Change status of a Quorum from two (2) officers and one (1) other TNNAC board member to - Two (2) officers and six (6) other TNNAC board members. (Nuckles)
Summary: Some discussion. Many opinions. Nothing decided. Chair asked Billy Joe Nuckles to submit in writing.
J. Have a caucus election complaint form. In addition, have a general complaint form with no time limit to file. (Nuckles)
Billy Joe Nuckles: Where this stems from, Tom's genealogy.
Dale Mitchell: People act on rumors
Doug Kirby: Where do you go with complaint?
Marcia Cross: We have a form
Ramona Reece: Follow same procedure. Do we need a complaint form?
Marcia Cross: Signed & submitted
Doug Kirby: Go to TNNAC Website & get form
Ramona Reece: Inviting complaints
Doug Kirby: Write a letter, sign it, date it.
Ramona Reece: complaint form needs overhaul. Type of questions asked. You read & come up with your own impression.
Marcia Cross: Are we gonna have notice?
Ramona Reece: Clean up image
Billy Joe Nuckles: Make a MOTION - Keep election form as is. Not make a new one.
Dale Mitchell: SECOND
A. Public Input
B. Future Meeting Dates:
Saturday - October 18
C. Adjourn 4:35.