HO-CHUNK NATION DISTRICT V BY-LAWS
THESE BY-LAWS ARE ILLEGAL!
The
name of this organization shall be called the “Minneapolis/St.Paul District V
Ho-Chunks.
To represent the best interests and desires of all enrolled District V Ho-Chunks, residing within the District V boundaries as determined by the Ho-Chunk Nation Constitution,
“RESIDING WITHIN THE DISTRICT V (4) BOUNDARIES AS DETERMINED BY THE
HO-CHUNK NATION CONSTITUTION.”
THIS IS STATEMENT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTITUTION ARTICLE X BILL
OF RIGHTS, SECTION 1(a)(1) FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS; AND SECTION 1(a)(8) EQUAL
PROTECTION OF ITS LAWS.
To
enhance and enrich the quality of the Ho-Chunk Nation,
To
promote and increase the general community’s awareness concerning American
Indian culture, education, and Tribal affairs, and
To
work cooperatively with the Ho-Chunk Nation Government and all other
organizations found to be consistent with the needs and desires of the
Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunk member population.
All of the Ho-Chunk Nation’s enrolled Ho-Chunk members,
who have attained the age of 18 years of age, and have resided within the
District V boundaries in
The
Minneapolis/St.Paul District Officers shall be elected from the
Minneapolis/St.Paul District Ho-Chunk’s community of eligible voting members.
(See Article V.)
NEITHER OF THE ABOVE MEMBERSHIP
PARAGRAPHS ARE LEGAL.
BOTH PARAGRAPHS ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH CONSTITUTION ARTICLE X
BILL OF RIGHTS, SECTION 1(a)(1) FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS; AND SECTION 1(a)(8)
EQUAL PROTECTION OF ITS LAWS.
The Officers shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer and Sergeant-At-Arms.
1. Chairperson – Shall,
a.) Preside over all duly called monthly and special meetings of the Minneapolis/St.Paul District Ho-Chunks, exercising parliamentary procedure,
b.) Establish subcommittees as
the need arises
2. Vice Chairperson – Shall,
a.) In the Chairperson’s
absence, assume the duties of the Chairperson;
b.) Carry out the
responsibilities as assigned by the Chairperson.
3. Secretary – Shall,
a.) Keep minutes and records of
all duly called meetings of the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunk
meetings;
b.) File copies of all minutes
with the Chairperson and Branch Coordinator;
c.) Forward all documents
regarding the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks to the offices of the
President and Legislature, located in
4. Treasurer – Shall,
a.) Keep an accurate account of
all financial matters of the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunk funds,
b.) Submit a written report at
each monthly District meeting,
c.) In the event of any approved
disbursement of funds from the Districts accounts,
d.) All transactions shall have
two (2) authorized signatures before said disbursement,
e.) Authorized persons for
signature shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Treasurers signature must appear on all disbursements.
5. Sergeant-at-Arms – Shall,
a.) Maintain civil order at all
District meetings,
b.) Remove any person who
disrupts a meeting, or is intoxicated.
In
the event that an Officer has been alleged of using his/her office, for
personal gain, or has been inactive in the participation of the District
meetings, the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks members shall provide
for the accused to respond to the allegations at a regularly scheduled meeting
of the members of the District. Upon credible proof, the District members shall
conduct a vote as to whether the Officer or Officers shall be removed from
their position. Upon a 2/3 vote, action as determined by the vote will be
taken. All funds and or property of the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V
Ho-Chunks shall be immediately returned if found guilty. Inactive participation
shall be defined as being absent from two (2) consecutive District meetings,
without prior notice.
All Officer Nominations must be made at each April
District Meeting, with each nominee having attained the age of 18 years of age,
and resided within the boundaries of the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Area,
as defined in Article
Officers
of the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks shall be elected by a majority
vote, during the annual election, which will be held during the May District
meeting. Duly elected officers shall serve a one (1) year term commencing from
the date of that Minneapolis/St.Paul District meeting.
Officers
shall be limited to serve two (2) consecutive one-year terms. Officers may be
re-elected to an office after at least one year has elapsed from their previous
term in office.
Any
Officer wishing to resign shall submit his/her written resignation to the
Minneapolis/St.Paul District Ho-Chunk members. The resignation shall become
effective upon receipt of and acceptance of the Districts voting members. Upon
acceptance by the District members, all responsibilities shall terminate from
that point forward, including check signing authority.
Any
Officer removed from their respective office, for just cause, by the District
members, must be by a 2/3’s vote, of the members present at the meeting. Just
cause must be for any violations of the By-Laws of the District, the
Constitution of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Any
vacancy for any Officer of the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks may be
filled by a majority vote, of the members attending a general District meeting.
The newly elected Officer(s) shall serve the balance of the unexpired portion
of the term of the vacant Office.
The Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks shall meet not less than twelve (12) times per year. A majority vote of the members present at any District meeting may adjourn the meeting.
The
site for the monthly District meetings shall be decided upon by a majority vote
at the first meeting of each calendar year. The Minneapolis/St.Paul District V
monthly meeting shall be held on Thursday of the second full week of the month,
or as dictated by the Ho-Chunk Legislature Calendar established on
Notice
of the regular District meeting shall be in writing and state the date, time,
and location of the upcoming meeting.
All
regular District meetings shall be open to the public in compliance with the
Open Meetings Act of the Ho-Chunk Nation, hereto attached, however discussion
participation is limited to Area members only!
The
Order of Business in any regular or special district meeting shall be as
follows:
A.
Call to Order by the Chair.
B.
Opening Prayer.
C.
Approval of the Agenda
D.
Approval of the last meeting minutes.
E.
Legislative Reports.
F.
Unfinished Business.
G.
New Business.
H.
Reports from various Committees or representatives thereof.
I.
Adjournment.
J.
Raffle.
In
order to approve the previous months meeting minutes, only those members that
were in attendance at the previous meeting can vote to approve those meeting
minutes. All Minneapolis/St .Paul District V Ho-Chunk Meetings shall adjourn no
later than
The
presence of at least six (6) eligible District voting members shall be required
to constitute a quorum, and is necessary for the transaction of the business of
the District.
No
decision of the District shall be valid unless there is a majority vote of the
members constituting a quorum. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson
shall cast the deciding vote. Any District member may request a hand count or
secret ballot as an alternative to an open majority vote.
As
the Area’s monthly meeting is a function of the Legislative Branch, at least
one Legislator must be in attendance. At a duly called meeting, one Legislator
must be present at all times to continue the meeting.
If
Quorum falls below the required six (6) District members, then Quorum is said
to have been broken, and all business shall be suspended. If Quorum is
reestablished within 15 minutes, then the meeting shall continue. If Quorum is
not reestablished within 15 minutes, than Quorum has been lost, and any
unfinished business shall be carried over to the next scheduled District
meeting. Any and all meeting monies shall be distributed to those members
remaining, provided that they signed in prior to
Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson, or by a majority of the District members. All members shall be notified by mail if necessary.
The Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunk monthly meeting shall be ruled by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised edition, or by any other majority agreed upon rules. Any person found to be intoxicated, shall be removed from the premises and banned from attending any District meeting for a period of six (6) months.
ARTICLE IIX
Sub-Committee(s)
The Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunk members may create and elect such sub-committee(s) as is deemed necessary to accomplish its purpose(s). These committee(s) shall meet on a regular basis, and report to the District members at the next regularly scheduled District meeting.
For purposes of conducting the sub-committee meeting, those members of the sub-committee shall elect a chair of the sub-committee. The duly elected Chair shall serve a term of one year, and have made available to the members of the District, a copy of the minutes of any business conducted by the sub-committee.
ARTICLE IX
Financial
Protection Clause
The Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks may adopt guidelines for the purpose(s) of protecting the financial assets of the District. This may include, but is not limited to the disbursement of funds to any parties of worthy causes, approved by a majority vote of the District members, at a duly called regular monthly or special meeting. This direction may also include any action to be taken by the District to consolidate, disburse or reallocate the account(s) held by any financial institution(s) for the overall benefit of the District.
ARTICLE X
Grievance
Procedure
Any Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunk member may, with proper cause, file a grievance, in written form to the Chairperson of the District. Said grievance may be in the form of a letter. If the grievance is against the Chairperson, the grievance must be filed with the Vice-Chairperson. Said grievance must be for violation of these By-Laws or the Ho-Chunk Nation Constitution.
The grievance shall be submitted within ten (10) days of the alleged incident or occurrence, with the specific facts upon which this grievance is based, to the Minneapolis/St.Paul District Officers for resolution at the next scheduled District meeting.
Members shall take good efforts to resolve the grievance at the District level.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the members present at a District meeting.
ARTICLE XII
Ratification
We,
the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks, being members of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, conducting business as the Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunks, of
whom six (6) members constitute a Quorum, were present at a duly called meeting
held in St.Paul, Minnesota, on the ______(__) day of March, 2005, the foregoing
By-Laws were adopted by an affirmative vote of _____ members for, ____members
against, and ____ members abstaining. We further certify that this is a
verified copy of said Minneapolis/St.Paul District V Ho-Chunk By-Laws.
______________
Date
_____________________________
________________________________
Chairperson
Secretary