Viewing page 5 of 63

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

man; one other duly elected officer; and six tribal representatives. It may vote by mail or telegraph addressed to the chairman who shall certify the results to the Executive Director.

SEC. 2. Powers of the Executive Committee. During the interval between meetings of the Executive Council, the Executive Committee shall have full authority to act for the Executive Council in any way in which the Executive Council would be authorized to act, except that it is not authorized to amend this Constitution, nor to reverse any action taken by the Executive Council. Any action taken by the Executive Committee shall be immediately reported by mail by the Executive Director to the Executive Council; provided, that no action of the Executive Committee shall be contrary to this Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE VII
MEMBERSHIP DUES

Minimum annual membership dues shall be payable as prescribed in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE VIII
SERVICES

SECTION 1. Individual members paying minimum dues shall be entitled to receive the NCAI Bulletin.

SEC. 2. Member tribes shall be entitled to receive all NCAI publications. Within budgetary limitations of the organization, or upon special arrangement and/or reimbursement, they shall also be entitled to such special legislative, research, public relations and other services as the organization is able to and may lawfully provide.

ARTICLE IX

The National Congress of American Indians shall not engage in nor lend itself to partisan political activity.

ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION

This Constitution may be amended by not less than two-thirds of the total votes cast at the annual convention. Tribal votes shall be taken into account. Any member of the organization may submit proposed amendments by forwarding them to the national office not later than three months prior to the annual convention. All proposed amendments shall be submitted by the national office to the membership not later than two moths prior to the annual convention. Amendment of the Constitution shall be considered and acted upon during the first half of the annual convention.

CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION

The foregoing Constitution was unanimously adopted on September 2, 1955, at the 12th Annual Convention in Spokane, Washington.
(Seal)          (Signed) JOSEPH R. GARRY,
                          President
                (Signed) HELEN L. PETERSON,
                       Executive Director

Attest:
 (Signed) VYOLA OLINGER,
      Recording Secretary

8

NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS
BY-LAWS
As Amended at the
12th Annual Convention
September 2, 1955
Spokane, Washington

ARTICLE I
SECTION 1. Duties of Officers:

a. The President shall preside at all conventions of the organization and meetings of the Executive Council and shall exercise other duties delegated to him by the Executive Council.
b. The First Vice-President shall assume the responsibilities of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President, and shall carry on such other duties as are assigned by the Executive Council.
c. The Second Vice-President shall assume the responsibilities of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President and the First Vice-President, and shall carry on other duties assigned by the Executive Council.
d. The Recording Secretary shall perform the duties set forth in the Constitution usually performed by a secretary, and such additional duties as shall be prescribed by the Executive Council.
e. The Treasurer shall have custody of and be responsible for all funds of the organization. He shall be bonded by a surety company approved by the Executive Director in such amount as it shall designate. He shall make an annual written report, and his accounts shall be audited annually by a certified public accountant.
f. The Executive Director shall be the administrative operating head of the organization subject to directives and policy established by the Executive Council. He may be dismissed for cause by the Executive Council.

ARTICLE II
SCHEDULING AND CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

SECTION 1. The time and place of the of the next succeeding annual convention shall be determined by the Executive Council during its annual meeting immediately following the annual convention. It shall be called at least six months prior to the date set.

SEC. 2. All meetings of the convention and Executive Council, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE III
DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

SECTION 1. Dues. Annual membership dues shall be payable on or before December 31 at the following rates:

a. Individual Membership-- $3.00 per person.

9