The CIRI Board established a set of strategic focus areas at a 2012 planning retreat that are a priority for the Board and executive management team, including making CIRI as relevant for the next generation of shareholders as it has been for the original shareholders. It is important to teach the next generation about CIRI today so that they are engaged and ready to lead the organization tomorrow. With that in mind, CIRI is intent to facilitate robust outreach to young shareholders and descendants.
Based on discussions with the Shareholder Participation Committees (SPC), CIRI seeks to appoint youth representatives who are 13 to 17 years of age to each of the three SPC committees. For younger CIRI shareholders or descendants who are 5 to 12 years of age, we are pleased to announce an art contest.
Youth Representative Applications
Any youth interested in serving as an SPC Youth Representative must either be a CIRI shareholder or descendant and 13 to 17 years of age, and must submit (a) an application, (b) a letter of introduction, (c) a reference letter and (d) a short essay explaining why they want to serve as a youth representative and what they know about CIRI and their Alaska Native heritage.
Youth representative applications must be received by CIRI by 5 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time on Aug. 15 to receive consideration. The forms may be downloaded and printed at ciri.com and are available in the Shareholder Relations Department.
Completed packets, received by the deadline of Aug. 15, will be reviewed by a selection committee and winners will be contacted. Youth representatives will participate in the two-day October 2013 meeting, which is when new SPC members — brought on after the annual meeting — receive general information about CIRI and its affiliated nonprofit organizations. CIRI believes it will be useful for the youth representatives to hear this information, and to have an opportunity to meet CIRI Board members and executive staff.
Youth Art Contest Submissions
Interested CIRI shareholders or descendants who are 5 to 12 years of age may submit original artworks interpreting the theme, “Proud to be Native in the 21st Century,” and a completed entry form to CIRI to be entered in the 2013 Youth Art Contest. Winning entries will be displayed at the CIRI and The CIRI Foundation Friendship Potlatches this fall.
Youth Art Contest entry forms may be downloaded and printed at ciri.com and are also available in the Shareholder Relations Department. Completed art contest entry forms and submissions must be received by CIRI on or before 5 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time on Aug. 15.
