| Dear CTER Member/Colleague,
On behalf of CTER and all of our member tribes we would like to
thank you for your unfaltering commitment and contribution to the
continued growth and development of the national organization. We
are exceedingly proud to announce to you that on the eve of our
30th year anniversary the status of the organization is exceptionally
good and that our future looks brighter than ever.
With your help the national organization enjoyed an outstanding
year in 2006. Over the year we achieved several major objectives
that will have a significant positive effect on the future direction
and operations of CTER.
First, your membership dues and other forms of support
enabled CTER to continue:
- To uphold and enhance the organization’s lead role as
the nation’s preeminent and only Indian organization exclusively
dedicated to preserving Indian Preference and protecting tribal
employment and entrepreneurial rights.
- To provide a national voice and presence. (Virtually all federal
and state agencies, Indian organizations and labor groups recognize
CTER as the national representative of TERO programs)
- To provide advocacy in all matters pertaining to tribal employment
/ contracting rights, Indian Preference national, regional and
local levels.
- To continue our diligent efforts to better serve the needs of
our Indian and Alaska Native TERO programs;
- To address critical challenges to Indian preference, TERO programs,
CTER and Indian/Native people in general;
- To provide high quality training, technical assistance, legal
& legislative updates, pro bono legal counsel, advocacy (at
state/national levels), partnerships/alliance building, networking
and many other vital services.
- To make available an updated national TERO directory & contractor
lists, Updated reference materials, model ordinances/ and various
other operational forms etc.
- To furnish legal alerts, breaking news, legislative updates
and relevant information via Email, fax or direct mail.
Secondly, you’re support enabled CTER to achieve
the following:
- Hire two outstanding new staff members to the organization bringing
staff total to 5 (includes contracted personnel). Current CTER
staff now includes: John Navarro-President, Conrad Edwards-Vice-President
of Special Projects (Conrad’s rehire brings back to CTER
over 30 years of superior expertise), Heidi Bostrom- Administrative
Assistant, Dan Press-Legal Counsel (Contract) and Jim Sloan-Accountant
(contract);
- Reopen and staff CTER’s Seattle National office;
- Stabilize the organization’s funding by transitioning
CTER’s funding to be less dependent on federal contracts);
- Secure a two year contract from FHWA which strengthens the financial
standing of the organization;
- Sign formal alliance agreements with NIGA, NCIA, NIBA, and revitalized
relationship with NARF in order to work together on areas of common
interest;
- Create a legal fund to bolstered the organization’s T/A
legal services;
- Establish CTER’s web page (done with the assistance and
in conjunction with the Tulalip tribe and the PNW Region TEROs);
- Develop prototype models and materials for CTER’s Workforce
Protection Act.
Continue building mutually beneficial partnerships with National
Carpenters’, Laborers’, Pipe fitters and other union
organizations.
I’m sure you’ll agree that though we have enjoyed major
successes in many areas our work is not over. In order for CTER
to continue its work and to face challenges of the future it is
imperative we all remain steadfast, unified and committed to being
responsive and responsible to the mandates of tribal needs, values
and priorities. Our unity and mutual support has been the strength
that has helped us successfully overcome adversity in the past and
amass a long list of accomplishments proven to be beneficial to
Indian country.
Based on the needs of the TERO tribes and Indian country in general
CTER is expanding into new areas in the coming year, broadening
the scope and level of involvement on two critical fronts:
1. Establishing a sovereignty-based Tribal Workforce Protection
Act to provide civil protections afforded Indian and non-Indian
employees off reservation but currently not available to employees
on the reservation.
2. Partnering and networking with other resource organizations
to assist tribal entrepreneurs and support the development tribal
small businesses to create more jobs at the tribal level.
The new developments will mean new tribal legislation and regulations,
training in compliance and enforcement of the new act, developmental
assistance with the additional administrative, operational and management
that will be required at the local level. CTER is already in the
planning and development process in both areas cited above.
The CTER Board of Directors and staff are also in the initial growth
planning stage for the national organization. New grant funds are
being sought to offset the development costs associated with the
new programs. Your assistance will be critical in securing funding,
tribal support letters and resolutions are an important part of
grant and contract applications.
In sum, CTER is your organization and is now on the threshold of
writing a new chapter in tribal self-determination and self-governance
that will have a serious impact on future of employment law in Indian
country. It is our time to act, to continue in the tradition of
the TERO’s, to bring the TERO spirit into the next generation,
to take a leadership role in our future. CTER is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit
organization. Though we have demonstrated that our organization
can function without federal funds, we are to a great degree, dependent
on membership dues, voluntary contributions and other forms of fundraising
efforts.
Enclosed is our 2007-membership form and invoice for this year’s
dues. Please return the completed membership form and dues today.
Thank you and we look forward to receiving your support and contributions
soon.
Sincerely,
John Navarro, President
Council for tribal employment rights
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