Greetings,
I only thought we had our last snow! Well, at least now we know – the rain will be next and spring really is right around the corner.
Our Fiscal staff successfully conducted their virtual Fiscal Work Session for Department Directors and Budget Monitors on April 22nd. Several departmental fiscal topics were discussed and solutions to questions provided. Our FY2022 budget season will begin in May, when the Comptroller will begin the process of consultation and planning with Directors, Executives and Council. It is still unknown when the remainder of the temporarily laid off employees will be able to be recalled, but this will be addressed as we move through the FY2022 budget process. There are plans in the works to implement DocuSign, an electronic document management system, which will streamline paperwork flow for all sectors of the Nation operations. It is important to Fiscal, the Executives and Council and to the Nation as a whole, that our Departments have the fiscal resources to operate their programs effectively and efficiently. Great job to all those who attended the Fiscal Workshop and helped make it a success!
I would like to acknowledge and personally thank all of our Directors for their patience and understanding while operating with unprecedented budget constraints during the last year, as we navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Directors stepped up and engaged in inter-departmental teamwork, sometimes at a moment’s notice. Most Directors took on additional duties, with less staff. Your hard work, dedication and perseverance has not gone unnoticed, and is very much appreciated.
My staff continues to prepare for the forthcoming “Special Edition” newsletter, which will focus on the drug epidemic that continues to ravage our people and our communities. It’s not too late if you would like to make a suggestion for content or submit an article. If so, please contact Millicent Proud, on my staff, at: millicent.proud@sni.org or (716) 945-1790, X5108. Myself, along with our Comptroller, continue to hold our bi-monthly Budget & Finance meetings and my office continues to support the President, Council and Clerk in any way needed.
Another of our large projects is a mask and refrigerator magnet mail-out to all enrolled Seneca members, aged 15 and older, residing within New York State. Be on the lookout for that in your mailbox in the coming weeks. I don’t mean to sound like a broken record; but, if you are eligible for your COVID-19 vaccines, I hope you are taking advantage of those and helping to keep yourself, your families and our communities as safe as possible. The virus is still very active and our Seneca Nation Health System folks are staying on top of the latest information and providing guidance every step of the way. Please stay safe!
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr.
