BYLAWS FOR THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN INDIAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
PREAMBLE
(.pdf version)

The members of the organization will act to implement and support the purposes of the organization. These purposes are:

To promote the recruitment, hiring, retention, development, and advancement of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the government workforce.

To ensure equitable and fair treatment of American Indians and Alaska Natives in government departments and agencies by working to eliminate elements of racism in accordance with federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and internal policies.

To assist in identifying issues and coordinating projects that affect American Indian and Alaska Native government employees.

To foster communication between American Indian or Alaska Native government employees and/or their employee associations, and management within the various government departments and agencies.

To assist individuals and groups working to establish American Indian and Alaska Native employee associations within government departments and agencies.

To provide a central resource for information on the Federal trust relationship and responsibilities of the federal government and its departments and agencies as they relate to American Indian and Alaska Native people.

To coordinate and develop national and regional training for Federal employees on American Indian and Alaska Native issues and their relation to the federal government using internal resources and partnerships with private organizations.

To serve as a central point of contact for receiving and disseminating timely information about conferences, training, Federal and Tribal programs and organizations, and other relevant American Indian, Alaska Native, and federal government opportunities, issues and activities.

To serve as a central point of contact for American Indians and Alaska Natives and contacts in the various government departments and agencies who are working to address the issues and needs of American Indian and Alaska Native people in their interactions with the federal government and its many programs and initiatives.

NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE).

NON-PROFIT STATUS

The Board of Directors of the organization shall act to acquire and preserve a non-profit, tax-exempt status for the organization under applicable rules of the Internal Revenue Service.

SAIGE MEMBERSHIP

The organization shall consist of an unlimited number of members. Application for membership shall be made using a completed membership application form accompanied by the appropriate SAIGE membership and Chapter fees. The membership classes and criteria for each are:

Full Member - Federal government employees and retirees who support the goals of SAIGE. This classification includes full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary and contracted workers employed directly by a government agency for any period over 3 months during the calendar year, as well as federal retirees. Full members have the right to vote and hold a chapter or nationally elected office.

Student Member – Any American Indian/Alaska Native student, 18 years of age or older, enrolled in an accredited institution of learning. Students have the right to vote and hold a chapter elected office, but cannot serve on the Board.

Lifetime Member - Any federal government employee or retiree who supports the goals of SAIGE and who pays the lifetime membership fee. Lifetime members are accorded the rights of full members even if they leave government service.

Corporate Member - Any corporation, business, or other group interested in supporting the organization and helping further its purposes. Corporate members and their employees are not eligible to vote or hold an elected office.

Associate Member – Any individual who supports the goals of SAIGE. Associate members do not have voting privileges, nor can they serve on the Board of Directors. Only a certain percentage of the membership may consist of Associate Members.

Members shall keep the organization informed of changes in their mailing and email addresses, phone number, employment status, and other applicable information so that contact with and representation of members is maintained.

FEES

Membership fees shall be submitted with the membership application form and are payable annually thereafter on the anniversary date of the membership with the exception of Lifetime Memberships, which have a one-time fee. Membership fees are initially established at the following rates:

Full Membership - $25 per year
Student Membership - $15 per year
Lifetime Membership - $250 one time payment
Corporate Membership - $1000 per year
Associate Membership - $25 per year
Chapter Membership – This fee (if any) is determined by the individual chapter, but cannot exceed $10 per year. The Chapter fee is in addition to the SAIGE membership fee. Chapters are responsible for collecting and forwarding the SAIGE annual membership fee and member information to the SAIGE National Treasurer and for retaining and accounting for their respective Chapter fees.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall consist of the Board officers and directors at large, until such time that it is determined by the board that there is adequate membership for representation from each region. Each director and officer shall have an equal voice and vote.

Officers

The officers of the organization shall represent the members at large and shall be elected by those members qualified to vote among the general membership. The titles and responsibilities of the officers are:

Chairperson - Presides over meetings of the Board. Prepares and administers meeting agendas. Serves as spokesperson and official signatory for the Board. Develops and administers a calendar of actions and events requiring Board action (elections, annual meetings, etc.)

Vice-Chairperson - Presides over Board meetings and performs functions of the Chairperson in their absence. Plans and develops meeting locations and amenities necessary for the efficient conduct of meetings. Oversees the planning and conduct of annual meetings.

Secretary - Maintains the records and files of the organization. Creates and maintains the membership list and media and sponsor mailing lists. Records and reports minutes of meetings of the Board. Treasurer - Receives, deposits, and disburses monies of the organization and maintains a financial record of all transactions. Reports the financial status of the organization at each Board meeting. Oversees an annual audit of the organization's finances and prepares an annual financial report. Oversees the preparation of, and files, the organization's tax returns as required by the Internal Revenue Service.

Directors

Each Director shall be elected by the membership at large, until such time as is determined by the Board that regional representation merits election by membership within their respective region. Each director shall represent all members within SAIGE with particular attention to their own region and shall maintain contact with each chapter within their respective region.

Term Limit

The Board of Directors, including its officers, shall be elected for two-year terms. Officers are elected by majority vote of the membership at large. A Board member may be elected to serve no more than two consecutive terms in the Chair position. The Vice-Chair will automatically be considered as a candidate for Chair following their term. A board member may continue to serve a consecutive term if no qualified person wishes to serve in that board position. A member of the Board of Directors may be elected to another position without an absence.

Failure to Serve

Should any elected Board member fail to perform their duties, they shall be counseled by the Board and reminded that the people they represent should be properly and adequately served. Reasonable assistance should be provided to help the person improve. If the person's performance does not improve within a time period to be established by the Board, the Board may remove that person from office by majority vote and appoint another person to fill the position for the remainder of the term.

Operating Procedures for the Board of Directors

1. Board will meet once a month by teleconference and additionally as needed. Chair will develop and distribute agenda and conduct the meeting.

2. A quorum of the Board shall be no less than half the directors, plus officers.

3. Minutes will be taken by Secretary and distributed to the Board for review within a reasonable timeframe.

4. The Treasurer, or their representative, will give a written report to the Chair and copy the Secretary for the regular monthly Board meeting.

5. Board Members who represent SAIGE at our NCEPS partners’ conferences will do so fully knowing they may serve on a panel open to the public. They agree to come prepared and willing to staff the exhibit booth to promote SAIGE.

6. Board members will keep Board discussions confidential, except in cases where the Board has determined that information may be disclosed.

7. Members of the Board of Directors shall work for the good of the organization, as determined by the majority of the Board. Board members who cause private or public derision, damage to the integrity and reputation, or the financial stability, of the organization will be counseled. This counseling shall normally be the duty of the Chair and Vice-Chair. Depending on the severity of the situation, the board member may be censured, with specific explanation, or asked to resign. In the event of monetary loss, SAIGE has the right, and the responsibility to its members and sponsors, to recovery and legal action if necessary.

8. An annual budget will be developed by the Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer (and assistant if applicable), and funds will be allocated accordingly throughout the year. Any deviation or exceptions must be requested, discussed by the board and approved prior to funds being diverted from/to another program. The budget for the year will be approved in advance by the Board of Directors in the previous fall months, no later than November.

9. Normal bookkeeping practices will occur on a regular basis, and yearly statements will be made available to those who request them. Treasurer will keep state non-profit registration updated and prepare the federal income tax return yearly, or hire a firm to prepare it.

10. Officers will be elected from eligible SAIGE members who are currently, or have previously been, members of the Board of Directors.

11. No Director of Officer will act unilaterally on behalf of SAIGE with any outside entity. Any actions taken representing SAIGE should be discussed and approved by the Board in advance.

ELECTIONS

Elections shall be conducted by e-mail and mail-in national balloting. Members shall be provided brief biographies of the candidates, a ballot, and an email address or a return envelope (upon request) to vote for officers and for directors. Ballots shall be prepared and handled so that each person's vote is in secret. Votes will be counted by Board members not running for any position during that election cycle.

REGIONS

Ten geographic regions shall be established. The smallest geographic area to be designated as a region shall be a state. The regions* are:

Region 1 - Arizona (>10%)
Region 2 - New Mexico (>10%)
Region 3 - Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, (<17%)
Region 4 - California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado (<16%)
Region 5 - Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska (<18%)
Region 6 - Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio (<18%)
Region 7 - Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana (<19%)
Region 8 - Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina (<19%)
Region 9 - Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC (<16%)
Region 10 - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine (<18%) *

Numbers in parentheses are based on the state distribution of Native American federal employees contained in a 1998 U.S. Office of Personnel Management report (http://www.opm.gov/employ/diversity/stats/native.pdf).

COMMITTEES

The Board shall establish various committees to assist in the administration of Board responsibilities and shall appoint the members of the committees. At least one director shall serve on each committee, except the Council of Elders, and report the committee activity to the Board at each periodically scheduled meeting.

COUNCIL OF ELDERS

The Board shall establish a council of traditional elders to provide culturally relevant advice and guidance to the Board and organization. The number of elders and their tribal affiliation shall be at the Board's discretion.

MODIFICATIONS TO BYLAWS

The Board of Directors by majority vote may modify the Bylaws of the organization as needed to improve the operation of organization or to address issues which arise over the course of time.

DISSOLUTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

Should the organization become unable to function through neglect or for other reasons, members of the Board of Directors present at a periodic meeting may vote to dissolve the organization. A quorum is not required and a majority vote of those board members attending shall carry the decision. Excess funds and other possessions of the organization, other than private and confidential records of the organization, shall be donated to American Indian and Alaska Native higher education programs or organizations to be determined at the final board meeting. Sufficient funds shall be retained to pay any outstanding debts of the organization, notify current members of the dissolution of the organization, and pay a storage facility so that the remaining records of the organization shall be stored and preserved for a period of time as required by law, but no less than two years. The records may be destroyed after that time.

Finalized September 10, 2001
Modified and approved by the Board of Directors

Signed this 2nd day of December, 2008

Jason Morgan Edwards, Chairman