The Financial Division’s Accountability team poses with the Chief Noah Powell Fiscal Excellence Award. Shown (left-right) are Susie Wolfe, Cindy Chandler, Barbara Owle, Amy Kalonaheskie, Angela Votaw, DeMakus Staton, and Cory Blankenship. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)
By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
The EBCI Office of Internal Audit is seeking nominations for its 2nd Annual SOAR (Success in Operations, Accountability, and Reporting) Awards. Last year, the EBCI Finance Division’s Accountability Team won the Chief Noah Powell Fiscal Excellence Award. Cherokee Choices won the Fiscal Commitment Award, and the EBCI Risk Management Division won the Fiscal Recognition Certificate.
“The SOAR Awards program gives tribal programs the opportunity to promote ways that they accomplish fiscal responsibility, sound financial decisions, best business practices, and transparency,” said Rebecca Claxton, EBCI Internal Audit office. “It gives them a chance to demonstrate pride in what they do and pride in their programs.”
The Risk Management Division poses with the Fiscal Recognition Certificate they received in the 2012-13 SOAR Awards. Shown (left-right) are Joe Bernhisel, workplace safety officer; Agnes Reed, claims administrator; Barbara Owle, Risk manager; and Cory Blankenship, tribal treasurer.
She said the main award, the Fiscal Excellence Award, is named after the late Principal Chief Noah Powell who, according to the Office of Internal Audit, “demonstrated the utmost fiscal responsibility and transparency to his people.”
According to information from the Office of Internal Audit, the Financial Division’s Accountability team won for “creating a culture of accountability to ensure everyone works toward common goals, common outcomes and common results.” The team includes: Kim Peone, Cory Blankenship, Cathy Moore, Cindy Chandler, Barbara Owle, Amy Kalonaheskie, Susie Wolfe, Gerri Grady, DeMakus Staton and Angela Votaw.
Cherokee Choices won “for its wellness initiatives resulting in significant improvements in key risk areas.” The team includes: Sheena Kanott, Phyll Reed, Catcuce Tiger, Tara McCoy, Robin Callahan, Rhonda McCoy, Mary Lakey, Tricia Carver, and Candy Martin.
Kanott, Cherokee Choices manager, related, “It is an honor. We manage multiple federal grants, and it is important that we follow the policies and procedures. I really have to brag on my team. They are great. They love their jobs.”
The Risk Management Division won “for its efforts to become a highly efficient, dependable and responsive department”, and their team includes: Barbara Owle, Joe Bernhisel and Agnes Reed.
Cherokee Choices received the Fiscal Commitment Award. Shown are Sheena Kanott (right), manager, and Phyll Reed, office administrator.
Owle, Risk Management Division manager, said their division was developed three years ago, and since then they have established many safety policies and have organized the workman’s compensation program. “We’re looking at continuing to drive down costs and look at those liabilities facing the Tribe. In that, one important role is that we wanted to establish the respect of all the other divisions, and so we were really proud to receive the award and that our work has been recognized at that level.”
Bernhisel, Risk Management Division workplace safety officer, noted, “It is an honor to accept the award. We didn’t even know it was happening. It was a really big surprise….it boosted our morale within the department, and it made us feel good about what we’ve been doing as far as the department growing and the huge task that we’ve encountered for the past three years. It took a lot of hard work for Barbara (Owle), Agnes (Reed), and definitely Cory Blankenship (tribal treasurer). He’s been an instrumental tool and a leader for us, and we just greatly appreciate it.”
Nominations are now being taken for the 2013-14 fiscal year awards. The deadline to nominate a program is Friday, June 20. According to the Office of Internal Audit, “All tribal programs, divisions, offices, enterprises, component units and related entities of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are eligible for participation in the SOAR award program. Awards will be made only when there are justifiable nominations submitted.”
Info: Office of Internal Audit 497-7030
