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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2001)
FEBRUARY 1, 2001 Smoke Signals 7 Small Business and Mortgage Loans Made Easy Majestic Mortgage, a Portland area firm specializing in creative lend ing, has positioned itself as a resource for Indian Housing Authorities. Liz Hamilton (ChoctawCherokee) works with first time homebuyers, plus debt consolidation and refinance clients, utilizing the first time homebuyer assistance program offered to Tribal members under HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant program. While many lenders struggle with how to structure the NAHASDA grant money towards down payments, Majestic Mortgage has adopted program guidelines to fund quickly and efficiently. Despite credit chal lenges such as bankruptcy, Majestic can refinance the existing loan and pull cash out for a number of uses, such as debt consolidation, home improvements, vacation or working capital for a business. Investment properties can either be owner or non-owner occupied. For self-employed Majestic has non-income verifying home loans and SBA financing available. Most pre-qualifications are done in 24 hours and there is no charge for the initial call. Majestic Mortgage is an equal opportunity lender and can originate home loans in any state where li censing laws allow. Contact Liz at 1-800-579-8222, ext. 552 or page her at 503-955-0772. Business Basics Workshop Series D Exploring Business Ownership Wed., February 21 , Explore trends in business entrepreneurship and the feasibility of your own ideas. D The Artists in Business Wed., February 28 Discuss assessing value to your art and promoting yourself and your art effectively. . D Better Business through Better Communication Wed., March 7 Discussions on the role of communication and the importance of under standing how it impacts you and your business. D Setting Yourself Apart, Creative Marketing Plans Wed., March 14 Identify different marketing methods and discuss which ones would ben efit your business the most. B Choosing Your Business Structure Wed., March 21 Discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of types of business structures and the importance of understanding how it will impact you and your business. This series of classes are hosted by the Portland State University's Urban Center. They are offered at Grand Ronde, Siletz and Umatilla from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. on the evening indicated above. Classes are free and open to everyone. To register, please call Perri McDaniel at the Grand Ronde Small Business Development Center at 503-879-2487 or 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2487; or Kristi Kelso at ONABEN at 503-968-1500. Small Business Development and ONABEN presents: Interested in starting your own business? Need help? Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneur Network is here to help. Sign up for ONABEN's Starting a Successful Business class. O This class is open to non-Native Americans as well as Native Americans. D Participants have the opportunity to talk with a variety of experts: Attorneys O Licensed Bookkeepers Marketing Specialists Financial Resources Participants will be offered profes sional assistance with: Feasibility of Business Concept Developing a Business Plan Financing & Bookkeeping Legal Requirements Classes start on Wednesday, February 28 and are every Wednesday through May 16 at the Grand Ronde Small Business Development office. TO REGISTER: Sheila Herber at 503-879-2492 Barbara Lake at 503-879-2476 Toll-free at 1-800-422-0232 Proposed Amendments to Member Benefit Trust Fund Ordinance The Tribal Council, in consultation with the Tribal Attorney's office, has proposed several amendments to the Member Benefit Trust Fund Ordinance. The first reading of the amendments to the Member Benefit Trust Fund Ordinance was presented at the January 3, 2001, Tribal Council meeting. The purpose of the amendments are to make technical corrections to vari ous provisions of the ordinance and to make necessary substantive changes to the Ordinance. The substantive changes include, but are not limited to, providing eligibility provisions for full and partial Member Benefit payments, providing provisions for set-off of Tribal member debts to the Tribe, allowing minimum balance payout for balances below $100, and including provisions for distribution of Member Benefit Savings Fund accounts upon relinquish ment of Tribal membership. For a copy of the proposed ordinance amendments please contact the Tribal Attorney's office at 503-879-2265. Tribal Council invites comment on the proposed amendments. Please send your comments to the Tribal Attorney's Office, 9615 Grand Ronde Rd., Grand Ronde, OR 97347. Comments must be received by February 15, 2001. GRTHA's Performance under the Indian Housing Plan Under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, HUD will provide grants to Indian TribesIndian Housing Au thorities for the development and operation of low-income housing in Indian areas. Grants are made to eligible recipients under the Indian Housing Block Grant program. To be eligible for the grants, respondents must sub mit an Indian Housing Plan that meets the minimum requirements of the Act, and submit performance reports and maintain records for HUD moni toring. The Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority (GRTHA) received grants subject to an Indian Housing Plan for fiscal years 1998, 1999 and 2000. The Annual Performance Report covering these grants is due to HUD by February 28, 2001. Tribal members are hereby notified that comments on the Annual Perfor mance Report are welcome and copies of this report can be obtained by call ing GRTHA at 503-879-2401 or 1-800-422-0232, extension 2401. Copies can also be picked up at the GRTHA office. Comments must be submitted in writing to GRTHA no later than 5:00 pm, February 14. All comments will be incorporated into the final report. Two Positions Open to Tribal or Non-Tribal Applicants The Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority has two Board Com missioner positions open for three-year terms. Both Tribal mem bers and non-Tribal people are eligible to serve on the board, and incumbents are eligible to reapply. The board oversees all hous ing development, management, and operations for the Tribe, and is responsible for policy-making decisions. The board currently meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Housing office in Grand Ronde. Please send a letter outlining your interest and qualifications to: Linda Layden, Director Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 All letters need to be received by February 15, 2001 to be considered. For more information contact the Authority at 503-.879-240! ,or, toll-free at 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2401. (M l i I I
