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Chapter Discretionary Fund?
September 9, 2013 Professional Journal

NAVAJO COUNCIL DEBATING WHETHER TO APPROPRIATE $5,000 TO EACH CHAPTER FOR “CHAPTER GENERAL ACTIVITY ACCOUNT” OR “DISCRETIONARY FUND” TO HELP FAMILIES WITH BURIAL COSTS BUT SOME DELEGATES ARE CONCERNED WITH HOW CHAPTER MIGHT USE $5,000 SINCE IN DISCRETIONARY FUND WHERE CHAPTER OFFICIALS COULD USE FOR ANYTHING THEY WANT. ONE OF THE DELEGATES REMINDED COUNCIL ABOUT REPORT COUNCIL RECEIVED THAT CHAPTER ELECTED OFFICIALS & STAFF HAVE RACKED UP THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TRAVEL COSTS.

AMENDMENT 34
DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
NNC authorizes $555,000 for all 110 chapters for general activity fund from Personnel Lapse Fund. Some goes into accounts but restricted but as far as O1 account, it can be moved around.
Sad to say, lost one baby boy in accident and members will come for help but 01 account has zero balance.
Know 12.5 there but goes into other account.
$5,000 per chapter.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
Concerned cuz account not specific so could use for other purposes other than assistance such as burial. Don’t like funeral homes hostage. They want all payments and Navajo families resort to pawning to come up with money. Unfortunate.
If give this then add to $70 million and mix up.

DELEGATE LEONARD PETE
One of richest place is Chinle cemetery with all turquoise and silver. We do have plan of operation. For general activity fund, help with $125. Right now working with family that lost loved one during fair.
Just make that point.

DELEGATE SHEPHERD
To make sure don’t use to replenish funds for chapter elected officials and staff, place language that not allowed for such purposes.

DELEGATE JONATHAN HALE
We’re now talking about predatory business practices regarding mortuaries.
It’s up to each delegate to talk to chapters. When discussing regional roads planning, chapters said they wanted Navajo Department of Transportation to cover cost but chapters need to understand that they also need to contribute.

DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ
Leaning towards where designated for certain purpose. This is developing local chapter discretionary fund and chapters might start feeling that this is re-occurring fund and it will start growing for a line item without policy.
So I was going to suggest is for Resources & Development Committee develop policy but does chapter want to fund.
We got report on chapter travel spending. There was a lot of money being allocated for officials and staff. $5,000 could be good cause for chapters to approve cuz need is there.
But here, we’re just putting more money there and chapters might move money around and might even put in travel.
There is concern over travel for chapter officials and staff.
So either specify thru policy here by RDC, other I can’t support.

DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE
Casket costs about $5,000 so perhaps specify limit amount.

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