Purpose

    To give voice to the concerns of  American Indian and Alaska Native employees of the US Department of Agriculture and throughout the federal workforce.

    To support the Secretary of Agriculture's diversity initiatives.

    To promote cultural awareness for USDA representatives who will be working with Alaska Natives, American Indians, and the programs that affect them.

    To promote recruitment, retention, and career development of American Indians and Alaska Natives in USDA.

    To enhance communication among all peoples and cultures with a diverse federal workforce.

    To provide culturally rich educational and social programs and activities.

Membership
 
    Membership follows the policy of inclusion, rather than exclusion.  Membership is open to all.

Leadership

    Elections will be held in the fall of each year for the offices of Council Chair, Council Vice-Chair, and Historian.  Terms of office will be for one (1) year and will become effective on January 1 or the year following the election.  Additional positons may be set up by the Council as needed.

    Duties and responsibilities of officers will evolve over time and be responsive to the needs of the members.

Endorsement

    This charter was adopted by unanimous vote on July 18, 1996.  We the undersigned, endorse this Charter as a working document of the American Indian Council.

Amendments to Charter and By Laws

II Compliance with Departmental Requirements

    In order to comply with requirements listed in the USDA Departmental Personnel Manual, Chapter 252 (Agency Relationships with Professional Associations and Other Organizations, Sub-chapter 1 - Professional Associations and Other Organizations), the American Indian Council ("Council") shall:

            * provide for at least an annual audit of the Council's finances, when and if the Council begins to hold common funds, charges dues, or charges an officer with fiscal responsibilities; and

            * comply with all other legal requirements imposed on employee organizations by the Department.

This Amendment was approved by a majority vote of members present on September 11, 1997.

III Revised Election Procedures

    In order to simplify and expedite the election process the following procedures shall take effect immediately and shall supersede previous election procedures.

    Elections will be held in the fall of each year, or when a majority of participating members deem an election necessary.  Terms of office shall, in normal cases, be for one (1) calendar year, from January 1 to December 31 of the year following the election.  If a special election is held during the year, the term of office for those elected shall begin iommedialtely after the election, and shall end the following December 31.

    Individuals may succeed themselves to the same office, but may not serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

    Any member of the American Indian Council may self-nominate or be nominated by another member for any of the offices of the Council.  Members will be notified of nomination periods.  There is no limit to the number of persons who may be nominated.

    Officers to be elected are the Council Chair, Vice-Council Chair, and the Historian.

    Only members of the Council who are in attendance at the election meeting will be allowed to vote.  Members shall be given adequate notice of election meetings.

    Voting shall be by secret paper ballot counted during the election meeting.  A Council member not nominated for office will be asked to supervise the vote counting and will be assisted by other members present.  Nominee shall leave the room while votes are counted.

    Elections shall be based on a plurality of the votes cast.  The person with the most votes wins.

    Any elected officer may be removed after a vote of no confidence by two-thirds of the members present at a regularly scheduled meeting.  A special election will be held to fill the remainder of the term of the removed official, and the person elected to fill lthe term may be elected to succeed themselves for one full term.

    Vacancies created by a resignation shall be filled by appointment of the Council Chair, except that a vacancy created by the resignation of the Council Chair shall automatically be filled by the Vice-Council Chair.

This bylaw approved by majority vote of members present on April 16, 1998.