The CNIGA By-Laws provide the authority to establish standing committees with defined authorities and jurisdiction over issues of significant interest to the organization and its member Indian tribes. These standing committees conduct detailed investigations and analysis of legislative, policy and other issues within their jurisdiction. From their investigations and analysis, standing committees formulate recommendations for consideration by the member tribes. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE The California Nations Indian Gaming Association's Conference Committee serves as an advisory body in the planning and execution of CNIGA's annual fund raising events: the Western Indian Gaming Conference and the Mid Year Conference. The Western Indian Gaming Conference is CNIGA's annual trade show and conference. It is fast becoming "The Premiere Indian Gaming Show" in the country. The Mid Year Conference is a smaller scale event where focus is aimed at educational seminars created and moderated by committee members. The committee volunteers a great deal of their time and efforts into these conferences. Coordinating such large scale events on behalf of CNIGA is a year round project that requires a commitment of countless hours. The committee is made up of several CNIGA delegates from different regions throughout California: Jim Benner  Redding Rancheria   Rob Beasley    Anthony Miranda  - Committee Chairman  Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians   Vicki Meadows   CNIGA   Michael Lombardi   Lombardi Co.   Michael Hunter   Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians   Jim Benner  Redding Rancheria   Damon Sandoval  Morongo Band of Mission Indians   Allen Lawson  Committee Co-Chair   AEL Construction, Inc.   Racquel Morrison  Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians   Dennis Hendricks  Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk   Joyce Burel  Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians   Eric Ramos  Blue Lake Rancheria   Kara Miller  Smith River Rancheria   VENDOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Conference Committee is pleased to host a Vendor Advisory Committee made up of industry professionals who graciously lend their time and efforts towards the development of CNIGA's quality events: Mark Nizdil   Sharp Image Gaming   Chuck Campbell   IRSC   PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE The California Nations Indian Gaming Association’s Public Relations Committee serves as advisors to the Association’s Executive Committee on enhancing the public profile of CNIGA and its member Indian nations. The Public Relations Committee is composed of tribal delegates and public relations consultants. Inquiries and suggestions pertaining to the CNIGA PR Committee should be directed to Susan Jensen, CNIGA Communications Director, where they will then be forwarded to the Committee for review and discussion. Barbara Risling  - consultant   Risling & Associates   Jacob Mejia  - consultant   Pechanga Development Corporation   Rod Wilson  - consultant   Pacific Research & Strategies, Inc.   Waltona Manion  - consultant   Waltona Manion & Associates   Michael Lombardi  - consultant   Lombardi Co.   Susan Jensen  - consultant   CNIGA Communications Director   Laney Fouse  - consultant   Staff for Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians   Bonnie Chafe  - consultant    Maria Orozco   Win-River Casino   Priscilla Hunter  - tribal delegate  Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians   Barbara Gonzales-Lyons  - tribal delegate  Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians   Butch Murphy  - Committee Vice-Chairman  Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians   Michael Hunter  PR Committee Chairman  Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians   Sandra Knight   Mechoopda Indian Tribe   Jacquie Van Huss  North Fork Rancheria   Racquel Morrison  Campo Band of Kumeyaay Indians   Randolph Baker  Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation   Carol Munoz    BY-LAWS COMMITTEE The general membership believes that the strength of the CNIGA organization lies in its ability to respond to the challenges involved in protecting the sovereign governmental gaming rights of Indian tribes. In early 2001, the membership approved the creation of the By-Laws Committee with a mandate to develop recommendations for improving and strengthening the organization. The By-Laws Committee commenced its work with a thorough review and analysis of the current CNIGA by-laws, and will soon offer recommendations for improving them. Jim Benner  Redding Rancheria   Priscilla Hunter  Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians   Frank Lawrence   Holland & Knight   Jerome L. Levine   Holland & Knight   Ken Gilbert  Mooretown Rancheria   Daniel Tucker  Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation   Sandra Knight   Mechoopda Indian Tribe   Ralph Lepera  Bishop Tribe   Melissa Schlichting   Karshmer & Associates   Joyce Burel  Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians   Joe Alberta  Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians   LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE The CNIGA Legislative Committee is the first line of engagement on federal and state legislation that could affect Indian tribes and tribal government gaming. The Committee serves three important roles. First, it reviews and analyzes legislative proposals to determine their merits. Second, it performs an assessment of the potential impacts on tribal government gaming. Finally, it develops and forwards recommendations regarding legislation for consideration by the CNIGA membership. Jacquie Van Huss  North Fork Rancheria   Melissa Schlichting   Table Mountain   Dora Jones  Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians   Carol Munoz    Eric Ramos  Blue Lake Rancheria   Maureen O'Haren  Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation   Priscilla Hunter  Legislative Committee Chair  Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians   Rob Beasley    Jim Benner  Redding Rancheria   Bonnie Chafe    George Forman   Forman & Prochaska   Pat Prochaska   Forman & Prochaska   Raven Lopez-Workman    Kevin Pedrotti   Norwood & Pedrotti   Josh & Donna Pane   Pane & Pane Associates   Barbara Risling   Risling & Associates   Ralph Le Pera   Law Office Of Ralph Le Pera   Paula Treat   Lobbyist   Sharon Allen  Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation   John Beresford  La Jolla Indian Reservation   Marc Macarro  Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians   Iris Martinez  Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians   Barbara Murphy   Redding Rancheira   Joe Alberta  Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians   Darcie Houck   Monteau & Peebles   Willie Micklin  Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians   Silvia Burley  California Valley Miwok Tribe   Joyce Burel  Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians   Kara Miller  Smith River Rancheria