Note: This guest post is from Bonnie Chavez of Building Beloved Communities. Thanks, Bonnie!

Generally, I don’t help to create new nonprofits. I can think of one exception: when a program has outgrown its fiscal sponsor and is ready to become a 501(c)(3). That’s when things get interesting. 

First, a little about my intersectionalities. I am a proud lesbian and Latina woman. I’m also a partner and parent. I celebrate my heritage and culture; my ancestry is the Zapotec people of Mexico.

Honoring mission and values

To respect the nonprofit I consulted with, I will call them the Urban Native American Organization (UNAO). When UNAO contacted me to help them become a stand-alone nonprofit, I was excited. When I read their mission and values (below), I knew I wanted to work with them.

Mission: To create, advocate for, and provide resources for Native Americans to access affordable housing opportunities. To serve those Native Americans who are experiencing homelessness, housing instability, in [a metro city in the US]. 

Values:

• Native-Led: Center around Native values of respect, compassion, and generosity.
• Equity: A driving force to achieve racial and economic justice.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Forming and using culturally responsive partnerships and resources.
• Community-centered: Accountable and responsive to community identified needs.
• Creativity: Continued focus on innovation to implement transformational methods and equally transformational outcomes.

Beyond voting – creating a more inclusive option

UNAO uses a consent-based decision-making process. It’s focused on consensus but has parameters in place to facilitate decisions in an effective, timely manner. This allows the organization to intentionally consider any objections, allowing for all voices to be equally heard, and then collectively move forward with decisions.

Their goal is to model respectful communication. When called upon during a meeting, it’s common for someone to say, “Yes, I did have my hand up first, but I will defer to XXX as she is an elder. I will speak after her.” Or they might say, “Thank you XXX, with deepest respect, I would offer this counter point…”

UANO uses hand signals when a proposal is brought forward: thumbs up (in favor), thumb sideways (need more info), thumb down (objection, causes harm to our community), no thumb (abstain). There is a more detailed process to move toward a decision – and allow for context and communication – but that’s a good overview.

In some ways, the process is like the Community at Work tool, the Gradients of Agreement.

Building a bespoke nonprofit structure

As I authored the bylaws for their nonprofit application, they were very clear about three things. 

• Do not use the word “vote” in the bylaws
• Do not use Robert’s Rules of Order for decision-making and conducting of business
• Include their structure and method of organizing

These can be best described graphically:

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Let’s do this!

After a few revisions, we had it. We were able to create rules to ensure that board composition and leadership will remain Native-led. Our only concession: we met the legal requirement to name a board chair, secretary, and treasurer. That was it. 

Everything else was centered in the organization’s communication, organizational, and decision-making style. While imperfect, I consider this the most authentic set of bylaws I’ve ever helped to create. This project was a delight and UANO remains one of my favorite organizations.

As of this writing, UANO has received their 501(c)(3) approval that honors their ancestral heritage while protecting future generations.