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