Akwesasne Contractors Organization Holds Third Meeting

Letter to the Editor

Akwesasne Contractors Organization Holds Third Meeting

(Akwesasne) March 7, 2008 - She:kon. The third meeting of the Akwesasne Contractors Organization united for the purpose of employment was held at the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department (HAVFD) STATION 1 Building on Thursday, March 6, 2008. Twenty-two community members were heard and participated in the meeting. Niawen:kowa Akwesasronon.

The meeting agenda focused on the organizational mission statement, formation of by-laws and governance structure.

The name of the organization was voted on. The group will officially be known as the Akwesasne Contractors Organization.

A second vote that was held was the approval of the governance structure of the organization. An Executive Committee composed of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary was agreed upon. These four officers will be joined by five directors to form a Board of Directors for the organization.

A third vote was also held, approving Robert’s Rules of Order for the meeting procedures to follow.

Draft documents of incorporation and the mission statement were circulated.

Committees were developed to continue research into the areas of incorporation, by-law development and the mission statement of the organization.

One topic of interest was the development of a local Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO), to ensure local employment opportunities are mandated for Akwesasne contractors

Future meeting plans were developed. The fourth meeting of the Akwesasne Contractors Organization will be held at the HAVFD STATION 1 Building on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 6:00PM.

All Akwesasne building contractors are invited to attend these open meetings. Community members are also invited to attend to show their support for the Akwesasne contractors.

Contact John Lazore at 358-3017 or Ronald Garrow at 358-6005 for more information.