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2016 AVCP Annual Convention Begins

Tribal members and delegates from across 56 villages are coming together in Bethel this week for the annual convention of the Association of Village Council Presidents. And the agenda for the Native regional non-profit corporation is a full one.

AVCP administration is scheduled to give a presentation to tribal delegates on the state of AVCP’s finances starting Tuesday at 11 a.m. Topics include a general financial report, the results of AVCP’s recent audits, and questions from delegates.

On Wednesday, delegates will discuss proposed bylaw changes.

On Thursday, elections will occur. In the past, the body has voted on a president and CEO as well as a Chairperson of the Board every two years, which should happen at this convention unless the bylaws are changed.

In a letter sent to the tribes earlier this year, the AVCP Executive Board and its legal counsel proposed to amend the organization’s bylaws to give the Board the power to hire a president without its delegates' vote. The letter refers to the executive board as the legal governing body and proposes increased power to better control AVCP, but some delegates have voiced opposition to this move.

Liz Pederson, AVCP legal counsel, says that the first day of the convention will be open to the media, but the second day will be for tribal members only. Pederson says that tribal members will decide if the press is allowed on the third day. In the past KYUK had broadcast the meetings for the listening public, but this year AVCP has decided against that.

Registration for delegates begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at the Bethel Cultural Center. 

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