Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, July 25 4 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
Tribal Council Candidate Forum
Wednesday, July 25 6:30 p.m.
Tribal gymnasium
2 JULY 15, 2012
Dear Smoke Signals:
I wish to send my deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to my
brother, Chuck Haller, and his son, Charles, for all of their hard work,
money and patience in getting the Haller-Menard Family Reunion together
on the 23rd of June, 2012. He worked so hard, so faithful for all of us, and
he rented such a nice hall for it all, the Mill Creek Park Hall.
I met so many of my family that I haven't seen for years. How proud I
was as I looked around and saw so many there and thought how happy
and proud my mom would be to see us all.
I know if God has granted her a glimpse, she must have been standing
on the edge of a cloud with her hands folded and thanking God with her
soft smile on her face, so proud of her children, each and every one. When
I left, I didn't want to cry, but I looked around and thought, "Will I be here
again, with all of my family?"
I'm 90 years old. Time does pass. So again I say, thanks, Chuck and all
who helped him. Thank you from my heart.
Geneva M. Haller Handsaker
Roll 64
Dear Tribal Council and Tribal members:
I am very disappointed that Tribal Council has used Tilixam Wawa as
a vehicle to dismiss Tribal member concerns over unnecessary spending
and redundant sponsorships. (Tilixam Wawa, June 2012)
'The Grand Ronde Tribe is a giving people." Yes, indeed, we are. "We
donate about $3 million every year to local programs and services that
benefit citizens striving for self-sufficiency through the Spirit Mountain
Community Fund, the Hatfield Fellowship and the Oregon Tribal Grant
program. We fund projects in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education,
Health, Historic Preservation, Public Safety, Environmental Preservation
and Problem Gaming." (www.thecommunityfund.org)
Built into these donations are opportunities for strategic partnerships,
education regarding our Tribe and Tribal history, and "enhancing our
reputation throughout the local community and statewide." We are the Tribe
that gives back; do we really need additional sponsorships to show this?
"Communicate with other business leaders, non-profit organizations,
government officials and Oregonians." The above information regarding
nonprofit organization funding through the Spirit Mountain Community
Fund notwithstanding, it seems that there could be more cost-effective ways
of communicating with business leaders and government officials without
throwing money at them. Strategic alignment means important partnerships,
and those are not simply formed through contributions or sponsorships, but
from dedicated cooperation and continued (non-monetary) support. I'm still
not sure how sponsorships can increase communication or make it more ef
fective and meaningful to community partners and stakeholders.
I fully recognize the leverage to be gained through strategic sponsor
ship, but I also recognize the fact that not all sponsorships are strategic,
and many times it seems that we are indulging these sponsorships for the
sake of the sponsorships themselves, regardless of partnership or coalition
building. This really flies in the face of struggling Tribal members who do
not look at this as a "small investment"; this "one-half of 1 percent" is yet
another slice of spending that, although relatively small by itself, is com
bining with other unnecessary spending to contribute to more and more
waste, detracting from benefits and services for Tribal members.
I would also like to point out that the line item for "Donations" within the
Tribal Council budget increased by $100,000, and is now 21 times the amount
that it was last year. At the same time, the Public Affairs' combined budget
for "Public Relations" and "Government Relations" is slightly lower than last
year, but is still at $859,865. Without meaningful narrative regarding the
reason these two line items are sectioned out, and without outcome measures
attached to each line item, it is impossible to know what they are used for.
Intuitively, though, it would seem that they could be used as part of our
government budget and public relations strategies to "enhance our repu
tation throughout the local community and statewide," "communicate with
other business leaders, non-profit organizations, government officials and
Oregonians," "educate all Oregonians about the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde" and "build strategic coalitions with important stakeholders."
What's more wearisome is a full page of justification for continued spend
ing when it is clear that the membership wants more responsibility and
diligence from our leaders regarding our finances. I understand that any
thing can be defended as necessary, but innovation and creativity and
more importantly, conscientious budget management in spending to
achieve our desired outcomes are absolutely necessary, and will not require
this type of rationalization.
With all due respect to Mr. Justin Martin, "the strategic application of
sponsorships" may make "us more visible, educated and involved as a vi
tal government and business within the state of Oregon and through the
country," but with so many Tribal members suffering the effects of the
economy and circumstances of life, the value of those sponsorships is lost
in translation, to me and many others, I'm sure.
Charles G. Haller II
Roll 1032
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
961 5 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
Web site: www.grandronde.orgnews
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SIOBHAN TAYLOR
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ikMun.tjylof$nndronde.Oft
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SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com
munity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy Is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers
about stories printed In the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be
signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mail address
must be included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not
be published unless requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on Individuals, staff, Tribal administration
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opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff. Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
The Associated Press
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2012 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Cheryle A. Kennedy
Tribal Chairwoman
ext. 2352
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org
D Reyn Leno D Chris Mercier
Tribal Vice Chair ext. 2305
ext. 2399 chris.merciergrandronde.org
reyn.Ienograndronde.org q june Sherer
D Jack Giffen Jr. ext. 1 444
Tribal Secretary june.sherergrandronde.org
ext. 2300 d Toby McClary
jack.giffengrandronde.org ex 4555
Steve Bobb Sr. toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
ext. 2353 n Kathleen Tom
steve.bobbgrandronde.org ext. 1 777
kathIeen.tomgrandronde.org