EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP INTO THE FUTURE - This project builds upon the Native Village of Nanwalek???s efforts to become an independent community, which is moving systematically toward self-determination. Training in governance is truly needed for the Tribal Council members as well as community members who work to move into positions of leadership within the village Council. The tribal administration staff requires education and training in current technology, software, fiscal responsibility and grant administration if they are to provide effective services for their community.
The primary problem faced by the Nanwalek IRA Council is that the leadership is not able to meet the needs of the community, three of the members on the Council are relatively new to their positions and the administrative staff experiences a high turnover rate. Other than a deep commitment to the community and their attendance at past Council meetings, the current Council is not familiar with the processes of running a tribal government. As a result of the lack of governing knowledge by the Council, the tribal administrative staff is experiencing a high turnover rate, grants are not managed effectively, the completion of several grants have been delayed multiple times and new staff are unable to pick up where the last manager left off. Couple this with the remote location and inconsistent communication capabilities, the tribe is in jeopardy of losing grants based on poor performance. Losing grants means fewer services to tribal members and less employment opportunities as well. At the same time, current Policies and Procedures are not being enforced, due to the Council???s and the staff???s inexperience in interpreting existing Policies & Procedures (P&Ps) plus the fact that many of the existing P&Ps are outdated. The Council recognizes the need to review these policies and update and/or re-write them to meet current situations and prepare for the future. Although the Nanwalek IRA Council has the basic framework for Tribal government in place, the specific needs for Nanwalek are two-fold.
Project goal: To have a more effective and responsive Tribal Council and Tribal Administration to meet the needs of our community.
The project objectives:
(1) By the end of the 6th month of the first year, establish a long term process for monitoring and evaluating the training needs of Tribal Council and Administrative staff;
(2) By the end of the 24th month, identify training programs specifically for the seven Tribal Council members and at least five Administrative staff. Provide follow-up training as needed; and
(3) By the end of the 24th month, conduct a review of existing policies and procedures (P&Ps), update and/or rewrite all P&Ps that govern Council and Administrative staff roles and responsibilities; present P&Ps to Tribal membership for ratification/adoption; publish P&Ps then provide orientation to all Tribal Council members and Administrative staff to the new P&Ps.
Impact Indicator Objective Evaluated Data and/or Instrument Data Collection
1. At least 2 community partnerships formed. Chugachmiut and Chugach Region Resource Commission.
2. A minimum of $5,000 will be leveraged beyond the required NFS match.
Documented training programs and attendance sheets gathered at each of the trainings offered.
3. 90% of the Nanwalek IRA Council and tribal administrative completed training provided as part of this project, including the completion and adoption of at least 4 revised policies and procedures.
