Cherokee Republican Constitution

Article I Name

The name of the organization will be the Oklahoma Republican Indians.

Article II Purpose

1. This organization shall exist to fully understand the issues that affect our people and to strengthen our position as we, the Republican Indians, work together.

2. We shall strive to be fully aware of the needs of our people and to make decisions appropriate for the needs of Indians residing in Oklahoma.

3. We seek to progress in understanding and to be respectful of Oklahoma Indians and other residents of Oklahoma.

4. We shall strive to progress through studying, learning and supporting the By-Laws and through learning ways to increase our standard of living.

5. Further, we shall strive to better serve and help our fellow Oklahoma Indians and forever remember what the Constitution and By-Laws mean to us.

Article III Membership

Sec. 1 There shall be two different kinds of membership.

Sec. 2 Adult people in good standing with Indian blood; adult whites who are in good standing, have Indian blood and are married to Indians.

Article IV Term of Membership

Sec. 1 Good workers shall have membership for their lifetime unless removed because they do not agree with the proposed Constitution and By-Laws that will be passed later.

Article V Provisional Organization

The Provisional Organization shall determine how the group will be organized under the State of Oklahoma.

Article VI Meetings

Sec. 1 Yearly meetings of the organization will be held in the month of April.

Sec. 2 The organizational meetings will be held as provided in the By-Laws and can be called at any time.

Article VII Membership Dues and Other Payments

Sec. 1 Individual yearly membership dues are payable in cash at the time of joining the organization. The amount of the dues will be written into the By-Laws of the organization.

Article VIII Officers

Sec. 1 The officers shall consist of a President or Director, a Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant. They shall work together at the goodwill of the membership and according to the provisions of the By-Laws of the organization.

Sec. 2 Officers shall be elected yearly in a manner prescribed by the By-Laws of the organization and shall remain in office until new officers are selected and have taken the oath of office.

Sec. 3 Leaders shall select individuals who are working and have worked together well under the Charter and By-Laws of the organization.

Sec. 4 Officers shall strive to make wise decisions and to remain in good standing in every way with the organization.

Article IX Charter Revision

Sec. 1 To revise the Constitution, a majority of the members shall be present at the council meeting. The revision shall be undertaken only at the annual council meeting and not at a council meeting that may have been called for a special purpose as stated in the organization’s By-Laws. Further, the members shall be well-informed about the purpose of the special meeting at a reasonable time prior to the meeting.

Article 1 Selection of Officers

Sec. 1 Officers in the organization shall be selected by the membership according to provisions in the organization’s Constitution.

Sec. 2 The officers shall be selected from among members who are in good standing and who are supportive of the By-Laws. The selection shall occur annually in the month of April. Meetings of the officers shall occur as the need to address a situation shall arise as it is stated in the Oklahoma residents’ organization and in these By-Laws.

Sec. 3 As time allows, this will happen and is considered good for members in good standing, residents and other workers. The members who work together will fulfill organizational duties and report in council meetings.

Article II Duties of Officers

Sec. 1 President—The President shall preside over all meetings of the organization. The president will also have authority over other issues to take care of them. He will be like a floater.

Sec. 2 Vice-President— The Vice President shall preside over meetings of the organization when the President is absent. He may also preside over other matters when the president is not available.

Sec. 3 Secretary—The Secretary shall have the duty of keeping all records of issues discussed in meetings and other business of the organization.

Sec. 4 Sergeant—The Sergeant shall perform duties as requested by the council. He shall remain in good standing and make sound decisions regarding his duties in the service of the organization.

Article III Meetings

Sec. 1 This organization’s yearly meetings will take place on the first Wednesday of April. At that time, the members shall choose officers who are in good standing from among the membership. The officers shall serve for one year.

Sec. 2 The President shall call other special meetings, if he is in good standing.

Article IV Dues

Sec. 1 Yearly dues for new members shall be $_______. Yearly dues for active members shall be $_____.

Article V Voting Provisions

Sec. 1 The officers of the organization shall vote by voice or speaking out, except when choosing those in good standing. If a majority of those attending the council meeting choose to do so, they may use paper ballots.

Article VI Committee Members

Sec. 1 The President may select a special purpose committee as the need arises.

Article VII Revisions to By-Laws

Sec. 1 Revisions to these By-Laws may be made at the annual meeting and at special meetings of the organization by a two-thirds majority vote of all members present.

Tso-sa-vi [Joseph] Wa-le-la [Hummingbird], President

Ge-gwi-li Da-ga-si, Vice-President “Partner”

Nv-no-da-hi Su-da-li-di-hi [Sixkiller], Clerk

Committee Approved and Confirmed April 16, 1926

Li-wi Ga-ne-nu-li-s-gi, Moderator

Di-gi [Dick] Ha-li-ni [Holland], Clerk