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CILS SEEKS COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES -
ALL REGIONS
October 8, 2006

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, and the upcoming year's work will be particularly rewarding, as well as challenging, because 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 travel at least four times per year for all-day quarterly meetings of the Board, sit on at least one Board committee, contribute an average of 2-5 hours per week 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 community relations.

With recent changes in leadership and a focusing of our programmatic goals, this next year promises to be an important and exciting time for CILS and now more than ever it is important that we listen to and honor the voices of those we serve. As such, the Community Representative positions on the board are important ones, 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.

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 nearly 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, and Indian client and neighborhood associations and organizations.

The individual must be a resident of California and reside in the geographic area that they will represent. Northern California Counties include: Alameda, Alpine, 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 supports their application. Prior to appointment, a formal resolution from the appointing organization or tribe must be submitted

If you are an individual who would like to be appointed, or you are an organization that would like to appoint an individual, please contact Patricia De La Cruz-Lynas, California Indian Legal Services, 405 14th Street, Suite 300, Oakland, California 94612; (510) 835-0284 ext. 314. Applications may also be submitted via email to delacruz@calindian.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as appointments expire or become vacant.

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