CSIC Board at Work
The CSIC Board of Directors is a Board in Development. This means that they have a variety of tasks to complete on behalf of the Colorado Springs Indian Center. Over the next few months, the Board will be working on the following:
1. Developing a policies and procedures manual that provides descriptions for how actions within the CSIC take place.
2. Developing an operations manual that describes the various processes for managing the CSIC.
3. Develop the 501c3 application to the IRS, the bylaws and articles of incorporation for the CSIC.
4. Develop the financial procedures for the CSIC.
In addition, the Board will also participate in training events on such topics as fundraising, public relations, governance using traditional teachings, budgeting, collaborating with community organizations, managing volunteers, and other themes that are essential for building the capacity of the Board of Directors.
Board Members also represent the Colorado Springs Indian Center in community relations activities.
Karen Medville, Ph.D. presented, “Learning to Walk a Sacred Path” on April 15, 2010 at Mann Middle School. She was invited by Sandra Milligan, Ed. S. Colorado Springs School District 11, Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator and Postvention Crisis Team Coordinator. The focus of her presentation was to provide guidance on substance abuse and cultural issues, and a basic understanding about the intergenerational trauma issues we continue to face in our families and communities from termination, forced relocation, and boarding schools; to encourage individuals to begin to think about our internal conflict, pain, and trauma that accompanies a loss of culture and traditional values; and to inform the public about the availability of local resources that encourage the healing process, such as the Colorado Springs Indian Center and the Medicine Bear Program for Native American Youth at Southern Peaks Regional Treatment Center.
Board Chair, James Ramirez, Member of the EL Pomar Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Development (ELD) Program and Native American Advisory Council, participated as a Facilitator at the recent Multicultural Youth Leadership Initiative held Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
The MYLI Program was the last of a series 4 programs for local High School Scholars from all ethnic backgrounds in the Colorado Springs community. The focus of the MYLI Program included higher education awareness, goals setting, problem analysis and leadership development.
Board Members (Don Coyhis, Jim Ramirez, Lorenzo Tsosie, and Karen Mediville) will be participating in the Leadership Plenty training July 8-9. According to El Pomar, this leadership development program is designed to introduce “participants to essential skills for community leadership such as building partnerships, managing conflict, and taking action. It is a powerful learning tool to help diverse groups, in communities large and small, learn to work together to solve problems and create opportunities.”
Comcast Newsmakers: CSIC Board Member, Dr. Karen Medville participated in an interivew with Comcast Newsmakers, along with Ron Wright, President of the Living History Association, Rock Ledge Ranch to promote the upcoming Garden of the Gods Rock Ledge Ranch Powwow. She addressed the purpose of the CSIC, acknowledged the Board, the significance of the Powwow, the partners and sponsors of the Powwow. The five minute interview can be seen just before the CNN Headline News at 55 minutes past the hour. It will be repeated about 35 times over the next month.
Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission – Board members Jim Ramirez, Dr. Karen Medville, and Lorenzo Tsosie attended the International Day of Peace Breakfast with 150 other local Colorado Springs residents on September 21, 2010. The Colorado Springs Childrens’ Chorale brought tears to our eyes with their beautiful songs.
Recognition of the Elders, Vendors and Co-sponsors for the Garden of the Gods Rock Ledge Ranch Powwow (September 25, 2010). Board members Jim Ramizez, Dr. Karen Medville, Marguerite Cantu, and Lorenzo Tsosie distributed awards and recognition at for those who helped make the Powwow a success and to thirteen elders who have contributed to the American Indian community in the Front Range area.