December 16, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
5
Quality of life for members is first priority for SMDC Chairman
By Tracy Dugan
Tribal member MIKE LARSEN is very busy these
days. As Chairman of the Spirit Mountain Devel
opment Corporation (SMDC) Board of Directors,
his duties keep him on a rigorous schedule.
Four years ago when SMDC was first being formed by
Tribal Council, Mike Larsen was asked to serve on the Board
of Directors, and Tribal Council subsequently appointed
him as a member. The Board elected him Vice-Chair, and
elected Bob Mercier Chairman. About two years ago, Bob
had to leave his position, and Mike became Chairman, a
job which he has been enjoying a great deal, though it's
very hard work. The Board has changed over the years,
but Mike says that the people who serve have always been
very dedicated to the Corporation's mission and have pro
vided valuable business expertise.
"Currently, the Board is preparing to make three posi
tion recommendations to Tribal Council," said Mike. The
current Board members, in addition to Mike, are Ed Pears
all, Ed Larsen, and Jim Sizemore owner of Sizemore
Associates, a company that has provided financial consult
ing for the Tribe.
Mike says the Board will begin meeting twice per month,
and his duties as Chairman include, "...making sure there is
proper and accurate communication between the Board and
Tribal Council, running the meetings and supervising the
surveillance department at the Casino."
Mike also hosts a "welcome aboard" orientation for the
Casino's new employees every month, so he can meet each
of them personally and let them know that the Board wishes
them success in their employment endeavors.
One of Mike's main responsibilities is to act as liaison to
Tribal Council concerning the Board's decisions and rec
ommendations about what types of economic opportuni
ties the Board wants to pursue.
Mike said, "I really want to thank Tribal Council, both
past and present, for their support of the Board and its ideas."
Mike feels that economic development is one of the con
tributing pieces necessary to help the Tribe achieve self
sufficiency and keep the tribal programs going strong. He's
very proud of the Casino and what has been accomplished
so far.
"Seeing all the good things that happen within the Tribe
as a result of our business ventures is rewarding," he said.
"We should all feel happy about the jobs that have been
provided for people in the community." Mike said that
many people have had the chance to improve their quality
of life, and he feels good about that. "As Chairman, I feel
fortunate to have the opportunity to help effect changes for
the good of our people and our community. And there's
nothing holding us back. We can go even further."
n ',
' 'ft..,.. i
f) Cc4hpa4i to $teei By: Ike TiAe Hmv04
As the first year of the Casino comes and goes, it is time to reflect on the guiding force of
the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Tribal Mission Statement. What does the
Mission mean? How does the Mission impact the Tribe and the community? What role
does Spirit Mountain Casino play in the mission's goals?
This article will be the first of an ongoing series, answering many of the questions about
the Tribe's mission, and the guidance it lends to all tribal plans and projects.
THe liXkc MAIoh: A multitude of plans and projects can overwhelm the most
efficient of organizations. Organizations using mission statements as a guide have the
ability to take a wider view, breaking down the plans and projects into vehicles for achiev
ing goals. Mission statements are created primarily by setting key values, and integrating
the values into statements that express the organizations view of the future. The Confeder
ated Tribes of Grand Ronde's mission is:
To be a tribal community known as a caring people, dedicated to the
principles of honesty and integrity, building community and individual
responsibility and self-sufficiency through personal empowerment and
the responsible stewardship of human and natural resources; a
' community willing to act with courage in preserving tribal cultures and
traditions for all future generations.
This statement identifies important attributes such as caring, honesty, integrity and cour
age, but more importantly, along with the Tribe's Strategic Plan, it identifies the key prin
ciples that should be applied in all tribal endeavors:
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Spirit of community, strengthening the tribal center at Grand Ronde
Facilities that allow a community to interact and grow
Increasing communication and participation among tribal members
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Provide opportunities for tribal members to develop into capable people
Programsventures that encourage physical and emotional health
STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES
Develop revenues from tribal sources, rely less on federal sources
Evaluate tribal activities for cost effectiveness
Encourage independent decision make by staff
PRESERVATION OF CULTURE
Programsventures that provide a scnse'of tribal history, culture and traditions
Build on tribal tradition of cooperation
Itu. C&ilKo't MMiC'hi Spirit Mountain Casino is an important part of the tribes
economic development plan, and has a mission statement that reads:
The corporation 's mission is to generate income to the Tribe and
provide jobs to tribal members and others in the community. ff.t .. ...
Spirit Mountain Casino's mission statement identifies two very important key principles:
THE GENERATION OF INCOME FOR THE TRIBE.
PROVIDING JOBS TO TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY.
The primary goal of Spirit Mountain Casino is profit, since funding important tribal pro
grams is the first step to the Tribe's goal of self sufficiency. The secondary goal of the
Corporation is to create employment for the community and particularly for tribal members.
Mission statements allow organizations to focus on their values and goals, and offer guid
ance and direction for any plan or project. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and
Spirit Mountain Casino have taken great strides towards their goals, thanks in part to the
guidance and value setting their mission statements provide. The meaning of the Tribe's
mission statement is made clear by Chris Leno, assistant to the Executive Officer, "Our
mission acts as a compass to steer us in the right direction." The Tribe and Casino move
towards an unknown future, guided by the values and goals of their missions, with the hope
of continued benefits to tribal members and the community. Next issue will focus on key
points of the Tribe's mission, how the Casino relates, and the projects and programs which
help make the Tribe what it is today, and in the future. .