Past SAIGE activities (if any):
Lifetime Member; in charge of SAIGE on-site registration for conferences since 2006 (have a Reg-On Line account log-in account to do registration); Flyers; Certificates; printed programs and handouts for conferences; printed SAIGE brochures for handout at our NCEPS Partners conferences; help handle SAIGE silent auction at conferences; Conference ribbons; SAIGE lapel pin; Stuff conference packets, bags, etc.; SAIGE nametags for conference participants, etc. I am willing to do whatever needs to be done to accomplish the goals and objectives of SAIGE’s Mission.

Short note on why you would like to be on the SAIGE Board:
I would like to continue on the SAIGE Board to help our Native American People in any way that I can. This is my greatest passion and the most rewarding thing that I do in my daily life. It is gratifying to know that I can help in some way to make a difference for our Native American Indian people, and keep our heritage alive and strong for future generations. I love SAIGE and I am committed to do whatever it takes to make SAIGE bigger and better. I would also like to continue on the Board because I was awarded the Grantham University Scholarship, and hopefully get other people to apply for the next scholarship.

Bio:
Location: W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center, VISN 6

Jinny is an enrolled member of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama. She is of Cherokee and Creek blood. She was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

She has been a career employee of the Federal Government for 18 years, having worked all of that time at the Salisbury VA Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina. She started the first Native American Special Emphasis Program at the facility in 1995, and served as the SEPM for five years. She moved up from her Native American Indian SEPM position to a collateral position with VA Central Office in Washington, DC, as a member of the newly formed VHA EEO Native American Advisory Council from 1998 through 2003.

She was elected as the new Co-Chair of the NAAC at the August 2003 Conference. The NAAC had just completed its 11 th National Conference in August of 2003, when VA Central Office decided to disband the committee. She served on the Conference Planning Committee; was Exhibit Co-Chair, and then moved to Chair; was on the Logo Committee; Chaired the Committee to develop a Charter; By-laws, etc. She was elected as Co-Chair of the NAAC in August 2003. The other Co-Chair seat was held by EEO in the Management Support Office at VA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Jinny: “I believe that I can play a role in helping SAIGE bring awareness to Federal Agencies about the American Indian People, and help to meet the goal of helping to recruit more American Indians into careers with the Federal Government. I believe that SAIGE is a wonderful organization and that they are doing great things for the Native American Indian people.”