The National Convention is the supreme authority and lawmaking body of the Constitutional Cherokee, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and HANDBOOK of the Constitutional Cherokee.
The national convention shall be presided over by the National Council of Chiefs, jointly and severally.
The National Convention shall elect its officers and organize itself for the transaction of its business according to its wisdom and pleasure.
The National Convention shall assemble once every seven (7) years for the conducting of its regular business and ceremonies. If an emergency national session is necessary, it shall conduct only the emergency business and will not celebrate the ceremonies, nor will this reset the cycle for the National convention.
MEMBERSHIP
The National Convention shall be composed of all delegates from each active and organized regional chapter that shall represent their regional chapter, (The number of regional delegates shall be based on membership numbers in order that fair representation is made), and of delegates representing each of the nations societies such as Adawehi, Beloved women, Chiefs from every level, Ambassadors from each region, the Cherokee Youth Society officers and delegates, and Warrior Society officers and delegates. Delegates shall also include those chairpersons and members of National committees and councils, the national council of chiefs, regional chiefs, national secretary, national treasurer, and the National Ambassador. The above shall all be required to be members by blood in accord with the HANDBOOK article 11, and shall all be deemed voting members.
Non voting spectators may also attend open sessions of the Convention, but shall sit apart from the voting delegates.
THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE CONVENTION
The National Convention shall meet in the month of AUGUST every seventh (7th) year, at such time and place as shall be determined by a National Convention Commission composed of the national council of chiefs, the national advisory council, and the National Ambassador. The commission shall also have power, in case of an emergency, to change the time and place of the National Convention.
The National Convention shall open for registration on a Friday, for Ceremony on the next day- a Saturday, and continue through to the conclusion as described in the HANDBOOK. Provision shall be made by the National Convention Commission for the orderly and careful transaction of business, and for such services at the close of each daily session as it may order. The National Assembly shall adjourn at the conclusion of the Belt Ceremony.
The Location of the National Convention may be either as near as possible to the National Headquarters or to the most central location geographically within the Historic Homeland, whichever the National Council of Chiefs and the National Convention Arrangements Committee can determine will most reasonably accomodate the delegation and convention.
The cost of all the expenses of hosting the National Convention (including the provision of the location, supplies, garments for the delegates and leaders, and any other necessary item) is to be divided as fairly as possible among the active regional chapters of the Constitutional Cherokee. This cost is to be estimated by the National Convention Arrangements Committee and relayed to the regional chiefs and its divisions are to be paid by the regional chapters in annual increments each of the years in between National Conventions and prior to its convening.
The regional chapters are also to be responsible to provide for the accomodations, meals, regalia and needs of their own delegates.
SPECIAL SESSIONS
The national council of chiefs, or the advisory council, or a majoryty thereof, with the written consent of two-thirds of all the regional chiefs, shall have power to call a special session of the National Convention in case of an emergency, the time and place thereof to be determined by the national council of chiefs and a commission chosen by the National council of chiefs.
NATIONAL CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE
The National Secretary, the National Treasurer, and 7 persons appointed by the National Convention Commission at least one year before the convening of the National Convention shall constitute the National Assembly Arrangements Committee.
They shall conduct their business under the supervision and authority of the National Convention Commission and shall be amenable thereunto.
The National Convention Arrangements Committee shall have authority to arrange all necessayr details regarding offices, exhibits and space, entertainment and meals and whatever else may be needful to contribute to the comfort, convenience, and effieciency of the National Convention, and enter into contracts necessary to provide the same.
The National Convention Arrangements Committee with the National Council of Chiefs shall formulate a program for the National Convention, including emphases for each of the National interests; and shall work in cooperation with a National Committee of Adawehi for the planning of public worship and Stomp ceremonies; and other religious services asnecessary, all of which programs shall be subject to approval by the National Council.
ATTIRE:
At all times during session, the delegates to the convention are to wear symbols of their office. Male and female delegates alike are to wear head coverings: Men shall wear a Cherokee Style Turban and women shall wear a Cherokee Style Scarf. Voting delegates are encouraged, although not required, to wear clothing that is representative of either pre or early 1700's southeastern style.
However, delegates who are so by virtue of their office held or leadership position indcluding Adawehi, Chiefs and other leaders are to wear center seam leggings, center seam moccasins, breechcloths, cotton trade shirts, and southeastern style mantles. All leaders are to wear a wampum necklace or belt that indicates their status as a voting member of the delegation. Male Chiefs are to wear a Cloth or leather Chief's coat; Female Chiefs are to wear either a leather beadwork mantle or a woven feather mantle. Female Chiefs are to also wear a southeastern style wool or leather skirt.
Beloved women and women chiefs are to wear either a beaded leather mantle or a woven feather mantle in the color appropriate to their office.
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