How to Series:  Setting up your tribe properly!

Financial concerns  is #1 issue

           The number one response I get when I ask how tribes are set up, is, "What difference does it make?", or "don't know, don't care!"

Here is why it's makes a difference, if tribes are set up with the state, as a non-profit corporation, they may qualify for federal or private grant money. There is a great deal of grant money out there for the tribes if they know where to look and how to apply! You don't need to set up this way, however, to qualify or receive one. It does look better, if the tribe is asking, rather than one man.

One such grant was used, in part, to fund the Indian video project, which some tribes saw first hand at the recent Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A video crew was on site to film some of the warriors responding to questions about their tribes and who they were. Scenes such as this are going on all the time as video is made of the Indians and their practices, their traditions and their actions to study how and why they go about the cultural celebration. Many still predict that the Indian culture is under full assault and will soon become extinct. 

Hence the almost gold rush to document the culture and keep it at least on record and in the archives for future Louisianans to see. What most of the tribes don't know, for that matter, a lot of us didn't know, is that there are many organizations that are out there that will give money to non-profits to SAVE the culture as well as document it.

But the first order of business is to set up the non profit corporation to locate,  write and apply,  receive, then administer any grants that may be out there, for the purpose of the culture.

First then, is the corporate setup of the tribe. 

I.        First order of Business is to find out what name to give the corporation. Give some thought to this one. Please don't name the corporation another name than the tribe, unless the following applies;

        a. You are going to have more than one tribe,

        b.  You foresee branching  out as a definite possibility,

        c.  Your tribe has a very bad reputation for violence or has had a violent pass on an incident lately

II.    Second order of Business is to decide whether or not you want to become one of three types of non profits available.

        a.  501 (c3) organization 

        b.  501  (c7) organization

        c.   501 (c8)  organization

III.    The next step is to locate and retain a good competent notary public. You are going to need this person to certify every document you sent into the secretary of state.

IV.   The entire tribe, their spouses plus other interested parties must be present at the first meeting of the board to assemble and elect a president.  That first meeting must be recorded as minutes to satisfy the rules of the proposed corporation.

          The body must then in the minutes, invest the board by show of hands, the power to act in their stead and to manage corporation business, at which point,  the board is then, "presented to the body", by name and title. The board with the "body" watching then enacts the wishes of the body and names the corporation, makes the final decision of the type of corporation and directs the secretary to formally, "incorporate" the business. 

V.   The then duly elected C.E.O.,  President, V.P.,  and Secretary,  now gets the minutes certified by the notary, and then proceeds to fill out the forms to file for the creation of the business. The notary will then witness the signatures on the papers and send those papers to the Louisiana Secretary of State office to be duly recorded. The Secretary of State will then cause a "charter" to be created for your corporation.  Store this document away in a safe place.

VI.   Now you must call the federal government to file for a tax I.D. number. You will receive that number over the phone. Safe guard that number, at all costs. You will need it to receive tax breaks and credits.  Now be sure to do the same for the state. Be sure to tell them you are a non-profit organization. 

VII.  Now visit a good artist and get the tribe's logo started. While that's being generated, have the body or the board come up with a great slogan, to go along with the tribes name. When the logo and slogan are complete print three copies and get them notarized. Fill out the paper work to the Secretary of  State and file for trademarks on the tribes name, logo, history and slogan, in the state.

VIII. Now you will need a Corporate seal to cover all company decree and official documents. There are plenty of good seal makers in the phone book. It is best to have your logo incorporated into your seal if you can. Also have a rubber stamp made of  the corporate logo as well.

IX.  Have your stationary made, along with any envelopes that you will need. 

There you have it! When you have completed the steps listed above you are now some what, (but not completely) protected against anyone using your tribes name. With almost the lone exceptions of the media, and the government,  you have complete control over how your tribes name is used. By setting yourself up in this way, you will never have to worry about the tribe's identity.