Dads’ meeting are a tribal program-planning event. Important things happen only when they are well planned and dads must plan the things that they want to enhance their experience. Regular dads meetings are valuable.

Dads’ meetings provide an opportunity:

To plan the upcoming year and make assignments

To discuss matters relative to the needs and growth of the tribe

For dads to get acquainted

For dats to fellowship together

Invite the wives to learn about the program.

Studies show:

The children think dads talk too much at the meetings

Valuable tribe meeting time is wasted discussing tribe business

Tribes that have regular dads meetings accomplish more and realize more of the values of the program

Recommendations:

The tribal chief should prepare an agenda for dads’ meetings

Invite the YMCA program director, or an experienced dad (meshenewa) to help in planning and problem solving

Dads’ meeting should be conducted quarterly dependent upon tribal needs

Dads’ meetings can be conducted in 1-2 hours if properly planned

Dads’ meetings are an excellent time to fellowship with other dads (after regular tribe business has been concluded)

First Meeting

Introduce the new and old tribal members

Introduce nation officers (discuss organizational structure of the nation)

Explain the program, tribal meetings, nation events, longhouse, tribal points, etc.

Establish the tribal council (Chief, Medicine Man, Wampum Bearer, Talley keeper)

Gather tribal member information (fill out information sheets)

Determine a tribal meeting time and night

Signup Host / Craft / Article, Story, Song, Game (tribal meeting assignment sheet)

Craft write-up (for longhouse) 10 copies plus example

Article (for longhouse) 1/2 page with tribal name

Get sizes of new members for T-shirts (if available from the Y)

Discuss tribal dues (money gathered from members for the benefit of the tribe, including tribal property, pizza parties, ice cream socials, etc.)

Select additional tribal activities (monthly) suggestions, schedule

Meeting invitation, host member, father/daughter craft as an invitation, delivered together

Determine volunteers for longhouse meeting (the host dad for the month should attend)

Tell new members where to get Vests

Assign Tribal Property to members, schedule (Tribal Property Box, Talking Stick, Drum, Coup Stick, Banner, Tribal Standard, Totem, Council Fire, Tally Keeper Book,Wampum Pouch, Tribal Shield , etc.)