Background:

Tribal Nations play an integral role in the Alliance. Tribal leaders and representatives provide critical contributions into WCOA funding, strategies, grant implementation, and working groups. Tribal capacity can be stretched and actions by partner governments require Tribes to become experts and build awareness in novel processes and science. Traveling to conferences, meetings, and to gather in person can help facilitate learning as well as enhance solution based and strategic approaches to regional priorities of partner governments and potentially build collaborative approaches. Also, Tribes can take on roles as educators on Tribal sovereignty, rights, cultural practices and scientists as well as meaningful engagement and consultation which align with the vision, goals, objectives and approaches of the Alliance. Importantly, travel can enhance Tribal engagement through more informed participation at Alliance meetings where priority issues are discussed. Additionally, these trips will provide Tribal Caucus members an opportunity to convene with fellow Caucus members to strengthen their participation and engagement in the aforementioned WCOA priorities as part of WCOA activities. 

Conditions: Travel reimbursements may be provided by WCOA through Coastal State Stewarship Foundation (CSSF) if the traveler complies with the following:

1. The Tribal Caucus must approve the travel in advance. 
2. The Tribal representative intending to travel shall identify one or more WCOA goal, objective, grant objective (outcome or measure), or a WCOA working group projectthat the travel aligns with.
3. To the maximum extent feasible, the traveler will act as an ambassador for the WCOA, Tribal Caucus or Alliance Working Group to support WCOA outreach to Alliance governments and partners. Examples include: print and share WCOA materials at the meetings or share updates.
4. Travelers must agree to comply with WCOA Policies.
5. Travel funding cannot be used to support Tribal fundraising or for lobbying.

Please complete the travel request form for WCOA and Tribal Caucus review.

Applicable WCOA Policies

• WCOA Travel Policy or federal travel rules, whichever is more restrictive
• WCOA Harrassment and Gross Misconduct Policy

Travel Terms

For this travel to be allowable the Tribal Caucus member is required to demonstrate the travel provides a direct benefit to advancing a WCOA project or priority. Tribal Caucus member travel will serve to benefit WCOA through implementation of projects in this grant (sharing back and informing WCOA projects) and discussions at WCOA topic specific meetings (i.e. WCOA working group, aquaculture working group, roundtable sharing on a member call). See conditions listed in form above.

CSSF and WCOA will use a travel authorization process to ensure the travel supports WCOA priorities and complies with CSSF and WCOA travel policies and Federal regulations. This process requires completion of this request form which identifies alignments and benefits provided back to the Alliance. Approval will also include review and consensus approval by the Tribal Caucus prior to granting authorization for Tribal travel. Note: This can be retroactive. The Tribal Caucus has a strong track record for implementing consensus processes and identifying areas of alignment and meeting no less than monthly since April 2023.