Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Trust
COMMUNITY TRUSTEE NOMINATIONS Thursday, November 22, 2012 | 10am – 5pm at the Wakas Hall
What is a Community Trustee? The Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Trust Committee is made up of Chief and Council, two independent (non-band member) trustees, and two community trustees (one to represent Gwa’sala, one to represent ’Nakwaxda’xw) Each of these positions only lasts for a couple of years, and it is now time to elect two new community trustees!
What makes a good Community Trustee? Good community trustees care about our community and have a long-term vision. Good community trustees are responsible, professional, and honest. How do you nominate someone? If you can think of a registered band member over 18 who would make a good community trustee, make sure you come up to the Wakas Hall on Thursday to nominate them. You will need someone to second your nomination. Who decides which nominees represent Gwa’sala and which ones represent ’Nakwaxda’xw? Those who accept their nominations will decide whether they want to represent Gwa’sala, or ’Nakwaxda’xw. On December 11 the community will vote on the candidates, and we will have our new community trustees. Questions? If you have any questions, contact Sandra Charlie, Trust Chair, at (250) 230-2155. See the back of this notice for the details of the nomination/election process.
COMMUNITY TRUSTEE VOTING PROCESS Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Trust Committee
Disbursements & Vote on Dec. 11, 2012
BEFORE NOMINATIONS Check the Band Membership List (posted at the Band Office) to see if you are registered to vote. Contact Sandra Charlie, Membership Clerk, at (250) 949-8131 with questions about band membership. NOMINATIONS Nov. 22, 10am – 5pm at the Wakas Hall • There will be a nomination station set up at the hall • Eligible voters may nominate other eligible voters (registered members of the Gwa'sala'Nakwaxda'xw Band over 18 years old) to be community trustees • Each nomination must have a seconder for it to stand NOTICE OF NOMINEES • After eligibility is confirmed, each nominee will be contacted and giving 24 hours to decide whether to run for the position. The nominees will also decide whether they want to represent Gwa’sala, or ’Nakwaxda’xw. • A list of nominees and which Nation they are representing will go out to the community VOTING Dec. 11, 9am – 4pm at the Wakas Hall • There will be a voting & registration station set up in the hall • Registration: Eligible Band Members will stop at the registration desk to check in with the Electoral Officer. The Electoral Officer will register eligible Band Members by having them sign beside the official Band List. Two (2) Trustees from the Gwa’sala‘Nakwaxda’xw community will be available to validate to the Electoral Officer any members who don’t have identification. • Voting: The Electoral officer will provide the eligible band member with a ballot to cast their vote at the private polling booth. Band members will vote for their choice for the Gwa’sala Community Trustee position and also cast their vote for their choice for the ‘Nakwaxda’xw Community Trustee position. • The ballot will be collected by the Electoral Officer and placed in the ballot box. The ballot box is kept locked and in the control of the Electoral Officer. At the time the vote is scheduled to close the Electoral Officer will advise Trustees if enough votes have been cast that constitute quorum. As per the Trust Agreement 5e) quorum shall consist of 25% of all Members of the Band eligible to vote. • If quorum was achieved: the ballots will be counted & recorded by the Electoral Officer and 5 Trustees • The Electoral officer will record the vote, ranked in order of highest number of votes per individual within each Nation. • The Electoral Officer will conduct an independent second count to ensure accuracy. • The Electoral Officer will provide a written report to the Trust Committee on the results • The Trust Committee will report on the elected Community Trustees to all Band Members. • The Trust Committee will keep the full report of number of votes per individual on record at the Trust Office. • If quorum was not achieved: The ballots will not be counted and will be destroyed by the Electoral Officer. TERM: The term of office for a Community Trustee is two (2) years. When their term expires or if they are unable to fulfill their term for the full two-years, the Trust Chair will contact the person on the vote list with the next highest number of votes, to see if they are interested in fulfilling the role of Community Trustee for the remainder of the two-year term. For more information about the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Trust please call Sandra Charlie, Trust Chair at (250) 230-2155 Posted on Nov. 9, 2012