Brief Notes on September 2012 Squamish Nation General Meeting
On Monday, September 24th, 2012 at the Squamish Nation’s Chief Joe Mathias Centre, I attended the Squamish Nation General Meeting. For members who could not or did not attend I am writing this report. It is my hope that by informing our community members about the issues, they can then take more ownership and responsibility for the issues at hand — and participate more fully.
Over 120 Squamish Nation members attended. This means the meeting had “quorum”. It became an official meeting. At official General Meetings members can put forward, decide on, and vote on motions. The last official General Meeting took place May 14th, 2011 at Totem Hall in Squamish, B.C. There were two General Meeting scheduled to follow the Totem Hall meeting but quorum was not present so it became an “information meeting”.
Important Info:
- A motion dealing with a process to write, draft, and propose new “Guidelines and Procedures” for General Meetings was PASSED.
- All motions require TWO VOTES. The first to propose it for consideration, the second to “pass” it. The first vote for this meeting was May 14th, 2011 in Squamish. It was passed. The second vote took place this past Mondays General Meeting. It was passed also.
The motion in question called for the following to take place:
- Myself and Andrea Jacobs to finalize a DRAFT ‘General Meeting Guidelines and Procedures” with Council. We will be meeting with a few Council representatives to finish this work (very quickly I hope!)
- The said DRAFT Procedures will then be giving to the Squamish Nation membership for consideration. Community meetings will take place to consult the Squamish people on the Guidelines and Procedures for General Meetings. Your input is important and needed.
- After discussion, brainstorming, and deciding, a final form of the Guidelines and Procedures will be brought BACK to a General Meeting. It will be debated and hopefully approved!
If any Squamish Nation members are interested in being at these meetings, please let me know. I will make a list of people I should inform when these meetings are set and taking place.
Important: This will be an opportunity for SN members to have input on HOW GENERAL MEETINGS WILL BE RUN.
Lastly…
I proposed and wish to invite the Squamish Nation community to discuss writing a motion dealing with the creation of some sort of “Squamish Nation Community Financial Advisory”. I proposed this in response to the many questions, concerns, and issues with financial reporting currently undertaking by the Squamish Nation Council and its administration. It was repeated many times by community members: they want more information about the SN finances, and want the information made more clear. They want to know 1.) Where is the money coming from? and 2.) Where is the money going, specifically? A Community Financial Advisory can help facilitate, advise, and create THIS process.
It is my hope that by creating some sort of advisory to Council on finances we can clear up these questions and provide ALL Squamish Nation members will more relevant, clear, and understandable information on our financial affairs.
Again, if any SN members are interested in being apart of drafting the motion creating this advisory — please contact me ASAP. I will be organizing evening get-togethers to draft the motion and bring it forward at the next General Meeting in November.
There were other comments, concerns, questions asked at this past General Meeting. I do not want to minimize or exclude these. Many were important and valuable. I would recommend all Squamish Nation members read the meeting minutes when they are made available in the next few weeks. I only wanted to illustrate the important “decision-making” events and information relevant to all members in their voting rights. I also didn’t want to misinterpret other community members words or intentions — so I’ve purposely left out what other people said.
The Squamish Nation people can decide what position or action the Squamish Nation needs to take — through General Meetings.
I highly recommend any members wanting to “see change” happen in our community — come to the next General Meeting. Either do 1 or 2 things:
- Bring forward motions, or;
- Be ready to consider motions being proposed
Perhaps “Community Concerns” meetings are needed on a bi-monthly basis to deal with comments, concerns, or other issues NOT related to getting things done at General Meetings.
To re-cap:
General Meetings = Opportunity to propose and consider ‘business’. Get things done.
General Meetings =/= A place to only complain, make comments, or ask unrelated questions. Not a soap-box.
The purpose of General Meetings is to get business done. Slowly we are moving towards becoming more efficient at this. I look forward to bringing a draft “Guidelines and Procedures” on General Meetings to the community, and I look forward to proposing the creation of a Community Financial Advisory able to influence policy on how financial reports are prepared and presented.
Tim̓á tkwetsi.
Notes