Annual report due May 4
Scott Csernyik
4/11/2002 12:00:00 AM
About 500 Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan members have failed to return their annual reports to the Tribal Clerk's Office with a May 4 deadline nearing.
"It's very important that Tribal members complete and return their annual report affidavit form by the May 4 deadline," stated Tribal Clerk Terri Rueckert.
Because May 4 falls on a Saturday, Rueckert said the Tribal Clerk's Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for last-minute filings.
Tribal Clerk's Office staff have mailed letters dated April 2 to remind individuals about submitting the report.
"[The] postmark date does not and will not apply to the due date," stated the letter. "Failure to submit an annual report form by 5 p.m. on May 4, 2002 will result in a delay of per-capita payments."
The annual report mandate is included in the amended Constitution of Nov. 4, 1986 in Article III, Section 4.
"All members of the Tribe shall report...at least once each year in order to be entitled to any monetary benefits apportioned to the members of the Tribe," according to the document.
Rueckert also said members need to remember the following points when completing the annual report affidavit form:
-All three pages of the form must be returned (a copy will be mailed back to the members date-stamped received for proof of receipt);
-All forms must be notarized;
-Members should keep their date-stamped received copies for safekeeping (in case of a discrepancy or that payment is not received);
-Complete, notarize and return the forms as soon as possible to avoid last minute rushing�the sooner the form is submitted, the sooner the member will receive their copy back as proof it was received and
- If utilizing the notaries at the Tribal Clerk's Office for convenience and a shorter wait, fill out the form prior to your visit-but do not sign the form until you are in front of the notary.
As of April 4, there were 2,169 Tribal members over the age of 18, according to the Tribal Clerk's Office. If there are any questions about the annual report form, call (800) 566-6090 or (989) 775-4054.