Tsaile Wheatfields Dineh Water User

“The Board includes two sisters who are active members of the community and hold grazing permits in the district. Although they are related through blood, they have been continuously been elected to the board by the community. The conflict of interest policy provides the board the ability to withdrawn any member from discussions and voting on matters where there is the appearance of a conflict of interest. The Native community served is small and many of the residents are related either through blood, marriage or clans, so it becomes difficult to avoid relationship conflicts. The Bylaws address this in case by case situations to ensure transparency and fairness.”

“Community members who hold tribal grazing permits are automatically members of the association. There are 127 permit holders in the district that are designated for agricultural and ranching purposes. The permits are regulated by the Navajo Nation Grazing Act.”

“When the Form 990 is a completed draft the Board of Directors review and comment on the document. Upon finalization the Form 990 is provided to the public through its monthly meeting. There, the Form 990 is presented by the Board and explanations on the data it provides. The Board takes questions and comments from the audience regarding the year's activities accomplishments and related finances. Copies of the Form 990 are provided upon request and available at the organization's office in Wheatfields, Arizona.”

“The Conflict of Interest Policy is contained in the organization's Bylaws. Every year the Board of Directors must divulge any situation where there may be the appearance of a conflict of interest with the organization's operation. This may be in regards to relationships through marriage, work/business, family, like organizations, land allotments and financial. In their regular and special board meetings the President calls upon the Directors to state any possible conflict of interest that could arise during topic discussions. If such a situation exists, then the board will discuss the possible conflict of interest and determine the severity. The board can the allow the director to participate or withdraw the individual from discussion and voting if required.”

“In 2017, the organization received a large allocation of funds from the Navajo Nation for an multi-year agricultural project. It was with these funds that staff were hired to execute the project. The board designated a committee to develop job descriptions for staff positions, perform a wage analysis of comparable positions in the area and state. Create an handbook to outline procedures and policies regarding employment and to then advertise the positions. The committee also requested assistance from the Navajo Nation to develop questionnaires and participate on the screening committee. Interviews were held and the committee forwarded the recommendations to the Board for final approval.”

“All the organic documents of the Tsaile-Wheatfields Dineh Water User Association are available at the office located in Wheatfields, Arizona behind the Wheatfields Chapter House.”