More than 700 shareholders and guests attended the 30th Annual Meeting of CIRI shareholders on Saturday, June 7, 2003, in person. CIRI shareholders re-elected board incumbents Gosta Dagg, William D. English, William C. Prosser, Harold F. Rudolph, and Clare Swan to serve three-year terms ending in 2006.

The CIRI Board of Directors also re-elected the following officers at its meeting: Dr. Terry L. Simpson, chairman; William C. Prosser, chairman emeritus; Charles G. Anderson, vice-chairman; B. Agnes Brown, secretary; Clare Swan, assistant secretary; Michael R. Boling, treasurer; and Ronald G. Perry, assistant treasurer. Other directors who continue to serve their remaining terms are Margie Brown, Roy M. Huhndorf, Patrick M. Marrs, Gregory P. Razo, and Robert W. Rude.
CIRI shareholders overwhelmingly passed a binding resolution to establish and fund an irrevocable elders’ settlement trust. This vote allows the CIRI Board of Directors to replace the current revocable Elders’ Benefit Program with an irrevocable ANCSA settlement trust. Like the existing Elders’ Benefit Program, the Elders’ Settlement Trust will make quarterly distributions of $450 to each qualifying elder. More information will be reported when the program is officially established.

In addition, shareholders passed an advisory resolution that the CIRI Board of Directors should declare a special dividend of $100 per share. This resolution is advisory and does not mandate action by the CIRI Board. The CIRI Board had opposed a proposed distribution of $100 per share because it amounts to a partial liquidation of the company’s assets – assets that had been earmarked for investment to grow the company for the future. The CIRI Board is currently working on a five-year strategic plan, including review of the company’s dividend and distribution policies, and will most likely bring up this issue at its next scheduled board meeting in late July.

None of the other resolutions presented at the annual meeting passed.
Those who attended in person had an opportunity to hear a business report from CIRI President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Marrs, visit a variety of informational booths, and win door prizes. A special tribute was paid to the late Chairman Emeritus John N. Colberg by his daughter Alexis Colberg. The Kenaitze Dena’ina Jabila’ina Dance Group and Youth Drum Group also performed in honor of the 30th anniversary meeting.