July 2025 Open Meeting
- Michelle Hatcher
- Jul 14
- 8 min read
Tribal Open Meeting Summary 7/11/2025 held at the tribal office and via Zoom
CM’s Rebecca, Robert, Glenn, Emily, and CoC Susan were present. 2C Alan served as a proxy for Marion. Elders Glenn T, Larry J, and Scott B were present. Acting Chief Cail and Chief Hatcher were present.
Members Randi C, Randy W, Sara M, John T, Aaron F, Dr. Dillian, Christine W, Clayton G, Dr. Tracey, Lindsey S, Constance L, Lisa L, Dr. Sara, Kevin D, and Austin S were present. Guests Isabella D, Jamie G, and Alex B were present.
CoC Susan suggested limiting everyone to 5 minutes per topic
Financial Report (as of 7/10/2025 at 1:55 pm)
General Fund: $42,478.10
Purchases for B&G from Amazon need to be transferred back here: $591.09 as of 6/6/2025
Michelle & Randi need receipts for purchases
Building Fund: $51,104.85
Cemetery Fund: $447.00
Grant Fund: $34,787.43
Old Business
Online Votes
6/16 Authorize Chief Hatcher at least $1200 to have a Thank You Dinner at Golden Corral
Rebecca-yes, Robert-yes, Glenn-yes, Emily-yes, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, CoC Susan-yes
7/7 Storage for the WIP tribal Google account
Rebecca-yes, Robert-yes, Glenn-yes Emily-yes, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, CoC Susan-yes
Bathhouse Project
Chief Hatcher: I got 1 bid for a 10x20 & 10x24 for $84k
That includes labor, materials, permitting
No water meter or pump, but it gives 100 ft of pipe
Meeting dates: Acting Chief Cheryl: tentatively set for next week, then monthly
At 6pm?
On the Wednesday following the PW Committee meeting?
CoC Susan: do it in person for those in town to be able to look at the space
Acting Chief Cheryl: there will be some on-site visits
Talking Circle on 6/21 with 8 people
CoC Susan: it was a great experience
Acting Chief Cheryl: I spoke wit hKaya and he wants to build on our relationship
He wants to do this once per month; it’s currently done during our events
Cemetery
Chief Hatcher” I talked to Patricia Sellers about transferring the cemetery to them
She wants to hold a meeting with the trustees
We have the option to hearing them before a decision is made
We maintain the cemetery
CM Rebecca: can I get a copy of the bylaws?
Michelle: I’ve asked for years, but I’ve never seen them
Sara M: Patricia said she could get the bylaws and meeting with the trustees
To read the bylaws
She wanted me to be a board member
She doesn’t understand where the concerns are
She has been working on it
She wants to get a meeting link
Michelle: send me or have her send me her information
Chief Hatcher: they can
It’s a significant property and we need to work through this
We could invite them into a talking circle
Trustees want to maintain their positions, but Hilda is the lynchpin
Acting Chief Cheryl: that may not change; she gets 1 vote as a trustee
It was 2 acres from Mary Dimery to build that
It’s worth holding on to
Elwood A said many preached there
Chief Hatcher: and if they don’t show?
Sara M: Patricia is paying for landscaping
I don’t understand their attitude
This meeting should be mandatory
CoC Susan: they never give a report each month
Elder Larry: yes
CM Rebecca: why couldn’t the Elders and board talk?
Chief Hatcher: they can
It’s a significant property and we need to work through this
We could invite them into a talking circle
Trustees want to maintain their positions, but Hilda is the lynchpin
Acting Chief Cheryl: that may not change; she gets 1 vote as a trustee
It was 2 acres from Mary Dimery to build that
It’s worth holding on to
Elwood A said many preached there
Chief Hatcher: and if they don’t show?
Sara M: Patricia is paying for landscaping
I don’t understand their attitude
This meeting should be mandatory
CoC Susan: they never give a report each month
Elder Larry: yes
Acting Chief Cheryl: Quit Claim: it would be left in despair
It’s a significant property and we need to work through this
We could invite them into a talking circle
Trustees want to maintain their positions, but Hilda is the lynchpin
Acting Chief Cheryl: that may not change; she gets 1 vote as a trustee
It was 2 acres from Mary Dimery to build that
It’s worth holding on to
Elwood A said many preached there
Chief Hatcher: and if they don’t show?
Sara M: Patricia is paying for landscaping
I don’t understand their attitude
This meeting should be mandatory
CoC Susan: they never give a report each month
Elder Larry: yes
Chief Hatcher: a lot of people were promised spots and no one knows who goes where
John T: it would benefit the tribe for recognition
Trustees want to maintain their positions, but Hilda is the lynchpin
Acting Chief Cheryl: that may not change; she gets 1 vote as a trustee
It was 2 acres from Mary Dimery to build that
It’s worth holding on to
Elwood A said many preached there
Chief Hatcher: and if they don’t show?
Sara M: Patricia is paying for landscaping
I don’t understand their attitude
This meeting should be mandatory
CoC Susan: they never give a report each month
Elder Larry: yes
CoC Susan/ Acting Chief Cail: call for a meeting for the trustees with Tribal Council
Chief Hatcher: and if they don’t show?
Sara M: Patricia is paying for landscaping
I don’t understand their attitude
This meeting should be mandatory
CoC Susan: they never give a report each month
Elder Larry: yes
TN Land Insurance
CoC Susan: dropping the subject from the agenda
No insurance company will insure it because of the life estate
There are “No Trespassing” signs out there
New Business
Receipts
Reimburse Michelle for SCIAC trip: $14.08
Rebecca-yes, Glenn-yes, Emily-yes, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, Robert-abstain, CoC Susan-yes
Check 892 General Fund
Committee Reports
Buildings & Grounds
CM Glenn: nothing new
Arts & Crafts
2C Alan: did Julie Watts get her arts certificate?
Grants
Applied for $50k; should hear something next week
Justice Outside: $20k; paperwork submitted
Newsletter
Dr. Sara: Zoey hasn’t responded
Pauwau
Elders: are you going to do the gate this year?
Michelle: that includes counting the money and wristbands each morning and evening
Elder Larry: yes
Tony said 2 hot dogs for volunteer/ dancer meals
T-shirts were ordered today
Lindsey: Ads, pictures, and stories are due by 8/1
Acting Chief Cheryl: acknowledge the Knight Foundation, Justice Outside, etc…
Drum
CM Glenn: nothing new
Chief Hatcher: Mr. Locklear said he’d come and teach at no cost
2C Alan: we need a younger group of guys
Archiving Project
CM Rebecca: We need digital copies, paper copies of everything to tell a full WIP story
Files
No meeting this month
Longhouse
Acting Chief Cheryl: David thinks we can begin in September
CM Marion is locating ash trees and getting them brough here
Second weekend of September to finish the roof
Plans to engage with Dr. Dillian’s class for a few volunteers
Then work on the interior
Woccon Language
CM Rebecca: meeting is being scheduled; Dr. Roberts is traveling
We could add a list of words to the program book
Austin S: follow-up a few times and not heard back on my grant
Asking Google and Microsoft for grants
Reminder: Autumn Equinox is 9/20
Santee PW: 9/20
PAIA PW: 9/27
CoC Susan: recommend renewing membership wit hMB Area Chamber of Commerce
We get a discounted cost for PW stuff, display at their office in November
Motion to renew at $195/yr; 2C Alan (Marion)seconded
Rebecca-yes, Robert-yes, Emily-yes, Glenn-yes, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, CoC Susan-yes
Check 891 for $195 from the General Fund
CoC Susan: one member didn’t get the opportunity for the Second Chance on membership fees
I propose we give her full membership back with the Second Chance $200 fee; Rebecca seconded
Rebecca-yes, Robert-yes, Emily-yes, Glenn-yes, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, CoC Susan-yes
CoC Susan: there is a resolution of items that total’s $2k or more
DH-04-06-2018-001 (if you need a copy, let Michelle know)
2C Alan: I thought it was just volunteer time
John T: should you put a dollar amount on each item?
Mcihelle: you would need to do at in-take
Acting Chief Cheryl: its value at the time it was donated
CoC Susan: based on current amounts she has donated, I feel good about it
Lawn mowers, art supplies, hot dog machine, cotton candy machine
2C Alan: need it documented for next individuals
CoC Susan: I motion we give her lifetime membership based on her donations; Rebecca seconded
Rebecca-yes, Robert-yes, Emily-yes, Glenn-abstain, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, CoC Susan-yes
CM Glenn: I want the list
CoC Susan shared Constance L’s photo
CoC Susan: I’m going to check with the Chambe for auto-renewal
2C Alan: how hard is it to get out of it?
CoC Susan: not hard
2C Alan: concern is that the rate goes up
Acting Chief Cheryl: Money market or interest-bearing accounts
It would be good to have a sit-down meeting with a banker
We can take grant funds and put them into a money markey account
Randi is doing the 990
We need the best place for our money
John T: change banks; we have a responsibility to the tribe to do this
Michelle: I wouldn’t do anything until the 990 is done
Acting Chief Cheryl: Mike M said we could start seeing larger grants
He would be glad to set up a financial portfolio
CoC Susan: let’s do that in August
Acting Chief Cheryl: Attorney General meeting
In February, the TASCN treaty was signed
A nonprofit was set up: Indigenous Nations Development of South Carolina, Inc.
It can get a large grant and subgrant to other tribes
I talked to Harold Goodson the other day and they want us to make their land into campground/ partner with them
I met a lady with IRC that coordinates with the Scouts
Chief Hatcher
I remember paying for newsletters
I’ve asked and applied for an appreciation meeting; a thank you after tourist season
AG Wilson: I was impressed with him
His office offers so much for victims: Tribal Council needs to know who to contact
I will prepare a document and send it to Tribal Council
I Have an issue with a letter that was sent to the CMA with our name on it though we hadn’t signed it
Acting Chief Cheryl: Business Cards
Propose getting business cards for Council, all Governing Body, and administrators
Motion that business cards be made for the Governing Body, Secretary, and Bookkeeper; CoC Susan seconded
Rebecca-yes, Robert-yes, Emily-yes, Glenn-yes, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, CoC Susan-yes
Membership for grandchildren and minors
They can’t apply until they’re 18
Look at the structure of minor members with parent authorization who may nor be want to join a tribe (like divorced parents)
Our young people would step in to be part of the community
Technical Advisory Panel: letter of support to WRA: 2C Alan (Marion): yes
Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation: mapping project
Lowcountry Land Trust: meeting on conservation and Land Back
Conference: Spring 2026 for leaders and other tribal leaders
Domestic violence and women: Indigenous Women’s Alliance has the ability to provide shelter for Indigenous women
Elder Larry: can Elders attend trustees and Council meeting?
Acting Chief Cheryl, CoC Susan, CM Rebecca-yes
CM Rebecca: consider abuse and starting an emergency fund for medication and housing
Chief Hatcher: write a proposal
CM Rebecca: ok
Michelle will help
CoC Susan: also look to outside businesses for donations and support
Alex B: near Waccamaw High School they are changing the logos and PTO name
Austin S: need to connect someone to the Google grant
Acting Chief Cheryl: Donnie requests we do something about his unlivable trailer
Isabella: I need help with regalia making and be taught to dance and am using my babysitting funds to do it
Dr. Dillian: semester is starting up so we will have volunteers
2C Alan (Marion) motioned to close the meeting; Rebecca seconded.
Rebecca-yes, Robert-yes, Emily-yes, Glenn-yes, 2C Alan (Marion)-yes, CoC Susan-yes
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Michelle Hatcher on 7/14/2025 at 1:52 pm.
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