Bylaws

Article I – Duties of the Officers of the Tribal Executive Committee

Section 1. The President of the Tribal Executive Committee shall:

1. Preside at all regular and special meetings of the Tribal Executive Committee and at any meeting of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe in general council.
2. Assume responsibility for the implementation of all resolutions and ordinances of the Tribal Executive Committee.
3. Sign, with the Secretary of the Tribal Executive Committee, on behalf of the Tribe all official papers when authorized to do so.
4. Assume general supervision of all officers, employees and committees of the Tribal Executive Committee and, as delegated, take direct responsibility for the satisfactory performance of such officers, employees and committees.
5. Prepare a report of negotiations, important communications and other activities of the Tribal Executive Committee and shall make this report at each regular meeting of the Tribal Executive Committee. He shall include in this report all matters of importance to the Tribe, and in no way shall he act for the Tribe unless specifically authorized to do so.
6. Have general management of the business activities of the Tribal Executive Committee. He shall not act on matters binding the Tribe until the Tribal Executive Committee has deliberated and enacted appropriate resolution, or unless written delegation of authority has been granted.
7. Not vote in meetings of the Tribal Executive Committee except in the case of a tie.

Sec. 2. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice-President shall preside. When so presiding, he shall have all rights, privileges and duties as set forth under duties of the President, as well as the responsibility of the President.

Sec. 3. The Secretary of the Tribal Executive Committee shall:

1. Keep a complete record of the meetings of the Tribal Executive Committee and shall maintain such records at the headquarters of the Tribe.
2. Sign, with the President of the Tribal Executive Committee, all official papers as provided in Section 1 (c) of this Article.
3. Be the custodian of all property of the Tribe.
4. Keep a complete record of all business of the Tribal Executive Committee. Make and submit a complete and detailed report of the current year’s business and shall submit such other reports as shall be required by the Tribal Executive Committee.
5. Serve all notices required for meetings and elections.
6. Perform such other duties as may be required of him by the Tribal Executive Committee.

Sec. 4. The Treasurer of the Tribal Executive Committee shall:

1. Receive all funds of the Tribe entrusted to it, deposit same in a depository selected by the Tribal Executive Committee, and disburse such tribal funds only on vouchers signed by the President and Secretary.
2. Keep and maintain, open to inspection by members of the Tribe or representatives of the Secretary of the Interior, at all reasonable times, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Tribe.
3. Make a monthly report and account for all transactions involving the disbursement, collection or obligation of tribal funds. He shall present such financial reports to the Tribal Executive Committee at each of its regular meetings.

Sec. 5. Duties and functions of all appointive committees, officers, and employees of the Tribal Executive Committee shall be clearly defined by resolution of the Tribal Executive Committee.

Article II – Tribal Executive Committee Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings of the Tribal Executive Committee shall be held once in every 3 months beginning on the second Monday in July of each year and on such other days of any month as may be designated for that purpose.

Sec. 2. Notice shall be given by the Secretary of the Tribal Executive Committee of the date and place of all meetings by mailing a notice thereof to the members of the Tribal Executive Committee not less than 15 days preceding the date of the meeting.

Sec. 3. The President shall call a special meeting of the Tribal Executive Committee upon a written request of at least one-third of the Tribal Executive Committee. The President shall also call a special meeting of the Tribal Executive Committee when matters of special importance pertaining to the Tribe arise for which he deems advisable the said Committee should meet.

Sec. 4. In case of special meetings designated for emergency matters pertaining to the Tribe, or those of special importance warranting immediate action of said Tribe, the President of the Tribal Executive Committee may waive the 15-day clause provided in Section 2 of this Article.

Sec. 5. Seven members of the Tribal Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum, and Robert’s Rules shall govern its meetings. Except as provided in said Rules, no business shall be transacted unless a quorum is present.

Sec. 6. The order of business at any meeting so far as possible shall be:

1. Call to order by the presiding officer.
2. Invocation.
3. Roll call.
4. Reading and disposal of the minutes of the last meeting.
5. Reports of committees and officers.
6. Unfinished business.
7. New business.
8. Adjournment.

Article III – Installation of Tribal Executive

Section 1. New members of the Tribal Executive Committee who have been duly elected by the respective Reservations shall be installed at the first regular meeting of the Tribal Executive Committee following election of the committee members, upon subscribing to the following oath:  “I, ____________________, do hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) that I shall preserve, support and protect the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and execute my duties as a member of the Tribal Executive Committee to the best of my ability, so help me God.”

Article IV – Amendments

Section 1. These bylaws may be amended in the same manner as the Constitution.

Article V – Miscellaneous

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe shall begin on July 1 of each year.

Section 2. The books and records of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe shall be audited at least once each year by a competent auditor employed by the Tribal Executive Committee, and at such times as the Tribal Executive Committee or the Secretary of the Interior or his authorized representative may direct. Copies of audit reports shall be furnished the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Article VI – Reservation Business Committee Bylaws

Section 1. The Reservation Business Committee shall by ordinance adopt bylaws to govern the duties of its officers and Committee members and its meetings.

Section 2. Duties and functions of all appointive committees, officers, and employees of the Reservation Business Committee shall be clearly defined by resolution of the Reservation Business Committee.

Certification of Adoption

Pursuant to an order approved September 12, 1963, by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior, the Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe was submitted for ratification to the qualified voters of the reservations, and was on November 23, 1963, duly adopted by a vote of 1,761 for and 1,295 against, in an election in which at least 30 percent of those entitled to vote cast their ballots in accordance with Section 16 of the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended by the Act of June 15, 1935 (49 Stat. 378).

(sgd) Allen Wilson, President Tribal Executive Committee

(sgd) Peter DuFault, Secretary Tribal Executive Committee

(sgd) H.P. Mittelholtz, Superintendent Minnesota Agency

Approval

I, John A. Carver, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Interior of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority granted me by the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended, do hereby approved the attached Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota.  John A. Carver, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Interior Washington, D.C. (SEAL)    Date: March 3, 1964