October 2022 Open Meeting Summary
Tribal Open Meeting Summary 10/07/2022 held at the tribal office and via Zoom
CMs Marion, Susan, Marie, and CoC Dalton were present. Elders Glenn T, Charles H, Larry J, CoE Becky present.Vice Chief Cheryl, 2C John, and Chief Hatcher present. Members Nancy, Carol H, Karen R, Carolyn M, and Betty L were present. Christina O present. CM’s Glenn C and Chris H arrived late.
Legal Services presentation
Worked 37 years in the legal field
Courtney: worked with the Choctaw as a public defender
Free civil legal services except for court costs (if not waived)
Services include
Consumer law, bankruptcy
Education services- expulsions, bullying
Family Court- custody, child support decrease
Public benefits- Social Security denials
Housing provisions- loan modifications, security deposit costs
Health, Medicare, Medicaid, living will, free will
Expungement
Must be within 200% of the poverty line with the number in the household
Grants for domestic violence cases
Local- they are in Conway
You don’t have to be served papers for them to help; they can help prevent lawsuits
Build trust, want to be more active
Chief Hatcher: You don’t do civil rights?
No, we refer it to the ACLU because we can’t do class action suits
We can help you find the right service like Appleseed Legal Justice Center
Chief Hatcher: I was looking at allowing non-federally recognized Indians to use eagle feathers
2C John T: you help individuals, not the tribe (501(c)(3))
It depends on the situation
Marion: Do you handle NC cases?
One in every state: https://www.lawhelp.org/
Also have Youtube channels, pro se clinics
Christina O: I offer a sewing class on ribbon skirts, dresses, etc…
Worked with a tailor in SC
Have a flyer with prices for supplies; the basic charge is $12
Would like 3 people to show
Nancy J: I’ll be there
Financial Report (as of 10/6/2022 at 11:40 pm)
General Fund: $18,406.30
Building Fund: $3260.85
Cemetery Fund: $407.00
Old Business
Online Votes
9/24 Approve September Meeting Summary with changes
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Glenn-yes, Marie-yes, Chris-yes, CoC Dalton-yes
9/26 Request for a campsite for Ron Smith for 2 weeks with no office access
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Glenn-yes, Marie-yes, Chris-yes, CoC Dalton-yes
10/7 Pauwau and Liability Insurance Policies
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Glenn-yes, Marie-yes, Chris-yes, CoC Dalton-yes
10/7 Paint for the front porch for 2C John T up to $300
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Glenn-yes, Marie-yes, Chris-yes, CoC Dalton-yes
Check 1065 for $280.17 from the GF
Cemetery Fence: is the gate completed?
Chris H: middle of last month, it wasn’t done
CoC Dalton: I’ll contact Joey W
Elder Glenn: I’ll check on it
Secretary’s note: On 10/9/2022, 2C John said that the people working on the fence are also working on the school system. They’ve only been paid for half of the job and will receive the rest on completion. The Trustees ask for our patience.
New Business
Receipts
Fuel: $39.94
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Glenn-yes, Marie-yes, Chris-yes, CoC Dalton-yes
Check 1066 for $39.94 from the B&G account
Committee Reports
Buildings & Grounds: Glenn C
Flagpoles: Mr. Charles sent some stainless steel, but need someone to weld them together
The cheapest one to buy was $79 for 16 gauge to $143.99
I recall buying 3 new ones that were 13 gauge
Elder Charles: Donnie said he could take it to the muffler shop and expand it
Marie: I motion for 3 flagpoles up to $143 each + tax; Chris H seconded
2C John T: which fund will it come out of?
CoC Dalton: B&G
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Glenn-yes, Marie-yes, Chris-yes, CoC Dalton-yes
Marion: where do we get firewood/ hardwood from?
Glenn C: some at my place
Arts & Crafts: Susan
Nothing at this time
Grants: VC Cheryl
Tribal tourism grant due 10/24’ asking Dr. Dillian for help
Feasibility study- have to think about a goal
For $50k and cannot be used for construction
CoC Dalton: do we need the feasibility study to get the grant?
VC Cheryl: the grant gives the money for the study and tourism
Pauwau: Dalton
Head Man: David Perry
Securing donations (ex: water, paper products)
Vendor apps are being given out & coming back in
The program book has been sent to the printer
Aki will be having a mocassin/ ribbon shirt class if enough sign up beforehand
Marion: need Chief to write on letterhead for water from Food Lion
Donation from Dona M for $250 for PW
Need sage
Susan: Baby shower on Thursday after School Day for Courtney
Drum: Glenn
Need to practice
Files
Marie: I motion to open the roll book to make Emily W and Lauren McCall full members; Marion seconded
Susan: I would like to tag on to that and add Steven Coffey
VC Cheryl: and Philip and Kayla Davis
Chief Hatcher: any apps sent out now must have the tribal seal on it
Susan: I motion to open the roll book for those 5 names; Marion seconded
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Glenn-yes, Marie-yes, Chris-yes, CoC Dalton-yes
Newsletter: Carolyn M
All went out with ballots
Need the next information by 11/18
If I’m going to pay for postage, I need labels
Susan: 7 came back to me
The easiest way to make them is into a book 11 x 17 instead of sheets
Carolyn: Why can’t we put them in an envelope? It would look more professional
Susan: It would cost more
Carolyn: we’re paying for the stamps
VC Cheryl: it has to be an even number of pages so the seal and address will be on the outside
VC Cheryl
SC Native Plant Society
10/29 Annual meeting to discuss native SC plants and their use as medicine
Held in Chesterfield, SC this year
2C John T
We need to replace the windows in this building; the glass is being held in with paint and molding
The kitchen floor needs replacing
The back door and deck need work
A history presentation will be held at Carolina Forest Library on 10/14