New NMD group holds signatory meeting
A new group for those of Northern Marianas descent, called the Northern Marianas Descent Council Inc., met last Saturday to approve the creation of the council, its new bylaws, and corporate charter for filing with the Registrar of Corporations.
In the meeting at the Leadership Kiosku in Chalan Kanoa across the U.S. Post Office, the council said it aims “to fulfill the promise of the Covenant and the CNMI Constitution” regarding public lands and the benefits derived from the lands.
The council will become a non-profit organization, meaning they will file to be a 501(c)(3) organization.
According to interim chair Juan Castro, everyone who is of Northern Marianas descent is welcome to join the group and participate “in their efforts to protect the interests and benefits” of NMDs. The council currently consists of 30 members.
Another meeting to elect the group’s officers will be held once the bylaws and its constitution are filed with the Registrar of Corporations.
Issues such as preventing discrimination against non-NMDs were also discussed at the meeting, and the council assured that they will be able to find a way to solve the issue.
According to former council treasurer Ana Teregeyo, not all signatories were present at the meeting, but they will be asked to sign the council’s constitution and bylaws at a later time.
“The council aims to work on particular issues for the NMDs, as the other NMD group focuses on broader issues,” Teregeyo said. That organization is the Northern Marianas Descent Corp.
Aside from Teregeyo, the council’s previous officers were interim chair Juan Castro, vice chair Glenn Manglona, and secretary Celina Babauta.