Friends of the Cherokee, Inc.

A limited Friends organization, to build the Cherokee Removal Memorial, has existed in several forms and names over the past 20 years. Now that the Park is open to the public a broader based organization is needed. I have applied for a new non-profit charter as Friends of the Cherokee, Inc. The Bylaws are published on the above link which defines our mission/purposes.

I plan on having an organizational meeting at 4:30 PM at the Park Visitor Center after the January 10th Advisory Board. Meeting’. You are invited to attend and become a member and to invite others that might be interested. Please be thinking about potential Board Members keeping in mind that they should be willing to serve and take some personal responsibility in supporting the organization. I suggest that the first year focus on the following objectives:

1. Recruiting membership and organizational development. A perspective on the history of the Park and previous efforts to organize a Friends organization are described in the above link which may be helpful in approaching the current effort.

2. Defining our relationship with Meigs County in a Memorandum of Understanding including how we can best support their goals and how they will support ours. The original intended role of the Friends of the Cherokee and Meigs County are described in the Easement TVA granted to the County as described in the above link. Our Mission Statement on the home page is crafted from language in the Easement.

3. Define the current status of the Memorial including what flexibility we have in locating and designing the Memorial including what approvals are required. Then prepare recommendations related to building the Memorial considering: available options*, circumstances, cost and the ability to obtain the necessary funds.

4. Obtain 501(c)3 status. This should be deferred until we have defined our role and have the governance capability to effectively be a 501(c)3 organization. and

5. Make any changes in the Charter and/or Bylaws that may be desirable..

I am willing to continue maintaining our web site as well a producing other material in support of the organization and assist in items 2 and 3.

* Memorial design and location options are discussed in the paper “Options for Park Development and Organization” are published on the above link.

Ray Hoskins, Incorperator

RayHoskins@charter.net

Phone (770) 831 1271