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Applied in 2005

ANE Rug Show

Adopt-A-Native Elder Program

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 0
  • Program Participants Last Year: 70
  • Meets about 3 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 0 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 80

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Ensures that arrangements with outside fund raising firms are made in writing.
  • Receives information about the financial arrangements with such firms and, if applicable, the anticipated portion of the gross proceeds that goes to the organization.
  • Has formally approved a conflict of interest policy and regularly monitors it to ensure adherence.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
Each year, more Elders are given yarn to weave rugs, which are sold at the Rug Show, to supplement their income.

Measure
Rug Show sales increased last year by 21 percent. Over the past seven years, more than 5 million dollars in income to Elders has come from the Rug Show. They receive far more income from selling at this show than they could from local traders.

Outcome 2
Cultural exchange: More people learn about Navajo culture, and Elder Navajos learn about non-Native culture.

Measure
Last year ticket sales increased by 63 percent, with more than 2500 people attending. More than 600 school children attended the show free of charge.

Change Process: (self-reported)

At the inception of the program, weaving was becoming a "lost art" for many. As Elders age, yarn was not available from herds of sheep, so they stopped weaving. ANE provided yarn, and encouraged diversity in rug patterns to increase sales. Also, at the inception of this program, few Elders attended the Rug Show. Now, many attend the show themselves, and rugs are sent in the mail and given to volunteers at the semi-annual Food Runs to the reservation. Though they had to overcome a lifetime of bad experiences, Elders now understand that non-Natives can be trusted. Despite their poverty, many Elders now weave a rug to donate to the program, for use to buy food and supplies to deliver on the Food Runs.