TRIBAL ALERT

CILS SEEKS COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES
FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES – ALL REGIONS

PLEASE POST and/or DISTRIBUTE

The Board of Trustees of California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is currently accepting applications for appointments to the Board for Community Representatives from all regions of California (for regional representation information, see list of counties covered in “Qualifications” section below).  Members of the Board of Trustees play an active and significant role in shaping CILS.  Serving on our Board of Trustees is both rewarding and challenging, and it offers a significant opportunity to impact the future of this organization that is so vital to California Indian individuals, families, communities and tribes. 

Board members are expected to attend four quarterly Board meetings; three via teleconference and one in person  for the June  quarterly meeting, attend at least one CILS sponsored event per year, sit on at least one Board committee, contribute an average of 2-4 hours per month between quarterly meetings, attend Board development retreats and trainings, and actively contribute their expertise to the Board's important role in CILS' organizational and programmatic affairs as well as community relations.

The Community Representative positions on the Board are important, as they offer an opportunity to speak to and advocate for the needs and expectations of the communities we serve. Towards that end, low-income applicants are particularly encouraged to apply.  Applications are currently being considered for open vacancies and holdover appointments.  The Board of Trustees will be reviewing applications for appointment at its June 5, 2010 meeting.  Please submit applications or nominations by May 24, 2010. 

ABOUT CILS

CILS is an Indian-controlled, non-profit law firm devoted exclusively to the cause of Native American rights.  CILS was the first non-profit Indian rights law firm in the country and for over forty years, we have provided California tribes and Indian individuals with direct representation, advocacy, public policy, and community-building services.  Through free and low-cost legal services on such matters as child welfare, Indian land issues, discrimination, housing, public benefits eligibility, probate, tribal sovereignty, expansion of the Indian land base, and repatriation of sacred items, CILS fulfills its mission to protect and advance Indian rights.

Our Board of Trustees is composed of thirteen individuals: four attorney appointments made by the State Bar of California and nine community representative appointments made by California Indian tribes and organizations.  

    
QUALIFICATIONS

To be eligible for appointment to the CILS Board of Trustees as a Community Representative, an individual must be California Indian.  Appointments of Community Representatives are made by California Indian tribes and organizations:  federally-recognized Indian tribes, terminated Indian tribes, unrecognized Indian tribes, Indian associations, organizations, and groups. 

The individual must be a resident of California and reside in the geographic area that they will represent.  Northern California Counties include: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.  Southern California Counties include: Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura.

Some, but not all, of CILS’ Board of Trustee positions must be filled by low income individuals.  To be considered low income, individuals must have a household income equal to or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG).  

Questions regarding qualifications and/or eligibility may be directed to Patricia De La Cruz-Lynas at the phone number below.

HOW TO APPLY

All applications will require submission of a letter of interest and resume from the individual.  In their cover letters, applicants should describe not only their interest in serving on CILS' Board, but also specific skills, experience, or areas of expertise they would bring to the Board.  Applicants should indicate the name of the California Indian tribe, organization, or group that would support their application.  Prior to appointment, a formal resolution or similar action from the appointing organization or tribe must be submitted. 

If you are an individual who would like to be apply, or you are an organization that would like to nominate an individual for appointment, please contact Patricia De La Cruz-Lynas, California Indian Legal Services, 609 South Escondido Blvd., California 92025; (916) 978-0960 ext. 314.  Applications may also be submitted via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as appointments expire or become vacant.
 

For a .pdf version of this Alert, please click here.