I introduced Len at the start of the amendment meeting. All six members of the executive committee attended. We also had another nine young people that came to the meeting because of Justine's social media notices.
"Thank you for that kind introduction, Eli. But sometimes I feel so unworthy to be here. I am not what you would call a successful American.
"My family is lower-middle class. We have a small house. While we are making the mortgage and tax payments on that house, there really isn't a lot of money left over. We don't travel much, and TV is our main entertainment. Our only frivolous expense is our two ATVs, which are getting a little old.
"My oldest daughter graduated from high school. We would have liked to send her to college. But we decided to pay for her two distance education courses while she works full-time at a clothing store. Next year, we hope to put her into a real college program. And I have another daughter still in high school. I'm proud of my two kids.
"But people like me should not be in politics. We're just too busy surviving to put time, energy, and money into fundraising and campaigning and meetings.
"Eight years ago, I helped start Riverbend's TDG—mostly because I'd lost my job and needed something to do. I grew into this TDG; it became a part of me. I really enjoy being called into service in this way. I feel honored that you have called me here tonight.
"As most of you know, Thelma Delgers was murdered six months ago while in the service of the TDG. The police have deemed this murder as the act of a lone gunman, but it seems his mind was broken by what he wanted to see on the internet. The TDG is getting noticed. Some people are hopeful, but others are scared. As the TDG becomes better known, it will be judged on its ability to apply the ‘Rule of Law.'
"Riverbend has its own TDG constitution. That constitution is our ‘Rule of Law.' We conduct our elections based on those rules. The rules also allowed the executive committee of the Riverbend TDG to appoint me as its advisor. And as its advisor, I have certain privileges within TDG affairs. If I am not doing a good job, the executive committee can replace me with someone else. I will go back to being an ordinary TDG member.
"I was appointed to be the advisor for Tankosin Nation five years ago, before there was a TDG here. Five years and I am still the advisor. Your executive committee has the authority to replace me. But so far, it has kept me around. They call me back once or twice a year for some help. I'm happy to be of help tonight.
"Tonight, we are making the first amendment to that constitution of five years ago. But what is more important to me is that we are practicing your "Rule of Law." We are following your constitution to make a change to your constitution.
"There are four steps to make that change. The first three have already been completed. The first step was putting in the rules to amend the constitution. These are in Section 8. Eli has copies of your constitution if anyone wants to read them.
"Second, your elected executive committee thought of a changeto make your TDG better. So it wrote up an amendment, and it approved it. But the executive committee cannot make the amendment on its own.
"Third, the executive committee had to inform the membership of the Tankosin TDG of the amendment and its meeting place and time. I believe Justine has put out notices on the appropriate social media. Most members have known about this meeting. They can choose to attend or not attend.
"Tonight, we are in our last step of "The Rule of Law." Changes to the constitution require approval of the membership. TDG members can accept or reject the executive committee's recommendation. This amendment is now in your hands. You will make the final decision.
"Are there any questions?"
No questions were asked. I suspect none were asked because Len was an older white man. Not saying anything was our way of showing respect.
I stood up: "This TDG is a new way. The executive committee has learned a few new things over the last four years. We have learned many things from Len and Jackie. One thing we learned is that we have to ask question. So please--everyone--if there is something you want to understand, ask some questions."
Silence.
Len continued: "I will now start the formal part of this amendment meeting. Eli, can you explain the amendment to the group?"
I stood up again. "When we put our constitution together five years ago, we wanted the Tankosin youth to be responsible for building this TDG. If some older people got involved, we younger people would have to give way. So we set the age at 30. Anyone over 30 could not belong to our TDG.
"In the last couple of years, we have had to let a few members go because they got too old. And some of our executive committee is approaching 30. We too will soon be ineligible to be members.
Justine added, "We discussed removing the age restriction. But we are still concerned about too many older people joining and wanting to make the decisions. The executive committee decided to raise the age limit to 35. We think that is a nice balance.
Len moved us forward: "Let me just formalize this amendment. The executive committee is recommending that the age restriction of Section 4.2 be changed from 30 to 35. Is this correct?"
I said, "That's right."
Justine said, "Yes."
"Is there anyone to speak in favor of this amendment?"
A small voice from a younger person: "What's an amendment?"
Len answered: "That is a good question. Thank you for asking that. An amendment is a change of words to some legal rules. The amendment will be put up for a vote. This group will decide if the new words are going to be part of our rules. Did that explain things for you?"
The small voice responded: "OK. . . ."
Len sensed the small voice did not really understand. He went to the white board. He got me to read Section 4.2. As I was reading, he wrote the words on the whiteboard with a blue marker.
"This is the rule as it is currently written in your constitution."
Len read out loud Section 4.2. Then he said, "And here is the amendment."
With a red marker, he crossed out "30," then put "35" above the cross-out number.
"This is what we want to change tonight." He sat down.
"Now I get it," the small voice said.
I stood up: "I hope other people aren't thinking we are doing this to keep our TDG jobs. Eventually the TDG will allow all Tankosin people to join. When we are sure that young people will always have a voice, we can go in that direction."
Len let those words linger. Then he moved us forward: "Is there anyone to speak against this amendment?"
Another voice: "What happens if we don't agree?"
Len said, "Then the age limit stays at 30."
Len let another pause happen. Then: "Anyone else to speak in favor or against this amendment?"
Some else spoke: "Len, what do you think of this amendment?"
I was impressed. The young people are learning not to be afraid to ask questions. Len has a nice touch he probably is not aware of.
Len said, "I'm not going to advise you on how to vote. It is up to each of you to listen to what you have heard and make your own decision."
Len paused again. He seemed to know to make these pauses. Then: "One last time, does anyone want to speak further?"
Pause
"If there is no further discussion, we shall proceed to a vote. Under Section 8.3 of your constitution, amendments are passed when members vote in favor by a two-thirds vote. This means twice as many members must approve the amendment as oppose it. Are there any questions?"
"I don't get it," piped another young voice in the back.
Len looked at me. I had to think fast.
I stood up: "Democracies are based on majority decisions. This means more people must be in favor of an action than oppose it. When a vote is taken, if more than half like the action, the group takes up the action. If less than half like the action, then the group does not take up the action.
"For some things, we need bigger than a half vote. Our constitution states that an amendment to our constitution requires a two-thirds vote. For example, I count 15 voters here. If ten people vote yes, and five vote no, that's a two-thirds majority. We'll make the amendment a part of our constitution. But if nine vote for and six against, the amendment fails. That is just how we decided to make amendments a few years ago. This is just our rules."
Too much math, I was thinking.
Justine had something to say: "All the voting may seem confusing to you. Many Native American cultures used to make decisions by consensus, which means we keep talking until most people agree. That is how we should decide things. A two-thirds vote suggests that we have pretty good agreement, so no more talking is necessary."
"If our culture is based on consensus, then shouldn't we just talk until we all agree to this amendment?"
Now that was a good question.
Len had something to say: "Riverbend has made several amendments to its constitution. Each time, these amendments have easily passed. When the amendment gets a 100% vote or close to it, that is a good sign that we have attained consensus. No further talking is necessary, and we can move on with other things. This formal two-thirds vote is a way to prove consensus was attained before this meeting.
"And if some of you don't like this amendment, now is a good time to say something. If the amendment fails to be approved, the executive committee can use this information to figure out why consensus was not attained.......You people are asking some really good questions.
Len gave another pause to help his transition back into the chair's duties.
"Let me ask one more time. Does any one wish to speak against this amendment?"
No one spoke.
Len continued with chairing: "I shall now call for the vote. All in favor of changing Section 4.2 from 30 years to 35 years, please raise your hands."
Fifteen hands were raised.
"All against the amendment?"
No hands were raised.
"The amendment has passed. Great job everyone."
I started clapping and everyone else joined in.
We then broke into a more social atmosphere. Some potato chips and sodas were passed around. A few people were around Len, asking questions about Thelma and the TDG.
I wondered about the nine young people who voted with the executive committee tonight. Did they really understand what they were voting for? Or did they just put their trust with the executive committee? Or did they just want to fit into the group? Where were their minds really at?
Each of them learned something different from this meeting. Maybe the full lesson may not be realized until a decade from now. But the important thing was that they were there to learn something. I think tonight was a good education.
And we raised the age to 35.
Len finally found his way to me: "Eli, this group started pretty quiet. But they asked good questions at the end.
"That's probably the first time they've been around parliamentary procedures."
"I remember I didn't care for procedures much when I was younger. But it is starting to make some sense to me. I had good teachers in Rich and Holger. With a culture of consultation, we don't need as many of thoserules for meetings."
"I am wondering if it is possible to ratify amendments without so much formality"
"Maybe the Tankosin culture has such a way."
"I'll have to think about that. But next time, I think I can make your way work for us. Like you said, if everyone is in agreement, it's not that difficult. And the procedures sure create their own certainty that consensus happened!"
"By the way, Eli, how many people voting tonight were members of your TDG?"
"Most of them."
"Most?"
"There were at least two people who were not members. I'll probably see them in The Store and try to get them to join."
"Well, I think you need to be careful with allowing non-members to vote. This practice could result in some friction a year or two down the road."
"You might be right. I'll bring your concern to the executive committee's attention."
"On another matter, do you feel you guys are more busy with TDG affairs?"
"It seems that way. How about Riverbend?"
"The pace has picked up. Thelma's murder seems to be moving things forward faster than we would like. The executive committee is still meeting at least twice a month."
