Meeting of the Council
of the Western Cherokee
December 14, 2002, 10:30 am
Van Buren Youth and Community Center, Van Buren, MO
1.
Call to order (Confirm
Quorum)
John Watson opens the meeting at 10:33.
Present are John Watson, James Ellis, Tim Sanders, Kelly Bernal, Tim Spencer,
Janet Smith, Eric Smith (proxy for Curtis Sumner). Elders present are
Elmo Foster, Bea Foster, and Milton Woods.
2.
Opening Prayer
Bea Foster opens in prayer.
3.
Reading of minutes
from last meeting
Tim Sanders moved to accept the minutes
as posted on the website, Tim Spencer seconds, and the motion passes unanimously.
4.
Old Business
a.
Financial report
Laurie Spencer gives financial report and
hands out monthly summary to the Council. Kelly Bernal moves to accept
the financial report, Tim Sanders seconds, and the motion passes unanimously.
b.
Report by Enrollment Committee
Janet Smith reports on the monetary intake
of the enrollment committee. Applications are still coming in regularly.
Several requests are coming in for reissued cards. Janet reports that
pending cards should be issued this week.
c.
Report by Election
Board
Eric Smith reports that the Election Board
has nothing to report.
d.
Report on 501(c)3
status
Tim Spencer reports that we have gotten
approval for a 509 corporation. John Watson reports that we are on probationary
status with a 509(a) through 2006.
5.
New Business
a.
Consideration of new Council members
John Watson reports that he is not aware
of any new resumes pending. One person has an application still pending.
b.
Discussion of Council Chair and Vice Chair
There is some discussion of the positions
of Council Chair and Vice Chair. One concern is whether we need these
positions, or whether we should amend the Constitution to eliminate these positions.
Janet Smith submits an amendment to remove Article I, Section 5c from the Constitution,
and it is read for the first time. Tim Sanders moves to place Jerry Summers
as Council Chair and John Watson as Vice Chair, for a term of one year.
Tim Spencer seconds. James Ellis votes no, Tim Sanders votes yes, Kelly
Bernal abstains, Tim Spencer votes yes, Janet Smith votes yes, and Eric Smith
as proxy for Curtis Sumner votes no. Motion passes 3-2.
c.
Appropriations for Enrollment Committee
Tim Spencer moves to appropriate up to $300
for Janet Smith to make necessary enrollment committee genealogical library
purchases. Kelly Bernal seconds and the motion passes unanimously.
James Ellis asks that Janet be sure to let us know what the purchases are before
purchases are made.
d.
Appropriations for website
Tim Spencer moves to appropriate up to $35
for John Watson to use on website improvements. James Ellis seconds, and
the motion passes unanimously.
e.
Other New Business
Laurie Spencer gives a report of the corporate
board meeting this morning. Those minutes and a copy of the by-laws are
available.
Tim Spencer moves that the Council approve
the corporate by-laws as presented. Janet Smith seconds, and the motion
passes unanimously except for Eric Smith proxy for Curtis Sumner who abstains.
Paul Drew expresses his concern over what
is the exact composition of the Constitution, and requests that the Council
get him the most current copy. John Watson expresses that he believes
the most current copy is the one from the website, minus one amendment that
concerns only a couple of words.
Tim Spencer moves to compensate Milton Woods
up to $40 for his expenditures to secure the Post Office box this year for the
Election Board. Kelly Bernal seconds, and the motion passes unanimously
except for Eric Smith proxy for Curtis Sumner who abstains.
John Watson asks the Council to consider
reimbursing Whinery’s for expenses relating to the meeting in Oklahoma.
Paul Drew recommends that we send an official thank you as well.
Laurie Spencer mentions that the corporate
board has expressed an interest in running a concession stand at Busch Stadium
as fundraiser. No motion is made.
6.
Comments by Elders
Elmo Foster asks that the Council consider
holding a meeting in Pocahontas.
7.
Comments by Council
Members
None solicited.
8.
Comments by membership
and local group reports
[pow wow] Paul Drew asks that we reconsider
moving meetings around to various locations.
Carlo Carlino asks that the Council give
some thought to establishing what we would consider primary boundaries for our
tribe.
John Watson reads an announcement for a
graduation pow-wow for Dona McKinney in Fulton on 15 February 2003. For
more information contact Oran McKinney at 573-642-5313.
Carlo Carlino announces a spring equinox
event on March 21. Everyone is welcome.
9.
Closing Prayer/Adjourn
Next meeting will be February 8 in Poplar
Bluff as long as we can secure an appropriate location.
Milton Woods closes the meeting with prayer,
and the meeting is adjourned at 12:52.
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It is felt people have the right to know
Past Council
Meetings & Minutes
According to emails and postings there are no minutes being
posted for any meetings since 2007
Even if it's not good new.
it's good news to know.
Over $22,000 and no accounting for it!
COURT RULES IN FAVOR
OF SUMMERS, WATSON & WESTERN CHEROKEE 3 TIMES
As of this date the defendants and their associates have
not surrendered Western Cherokee Property as
stipulated in two court orders and supported in the Stipulation and Order.
What are the fundamental differences
between the thinking of the
Plaintiffs Jerry Summers, John Watson and the
Western Cherokee a Missouri Non-Profit and the
Defendants, Unincorporated Association claim and
filing with the court.
See the legal differences between being a
Organized Group Vs. Unincorporated Association.
Proof is in their filing with the court
Click Here to read
PDF file.
A court order did
state that Chief Jerry Summers and Vice Chief John Watson have been found to be the true
officials of the Western Cherokee. This should clearly show the
defendants
and associates were wrong in their take over attempt but they continue to
refuse to abide by the Court Order. By a court ordered election which the
defendants controlled they are now legally in control of the Western Cherokee
future. Many people believe this ordered election was due to a filing by
Timothy
Spencer which was a threat of upward of 100 men, women and children would die
defending the property if the judge held his ruling.
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Today Is
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