"Building the Future" began as a few pages designed to provide individual members of the Metis Nation of the South (MNS) with basic information to help those individuals form bands within the nation. But as the pages were designed and written, the Public Relations Office and the Office of the National Chairman realized a need for an expanded version that was more broadbased.

Because neither organizational building nor Metis identity is exclusive to MNS, both offices elected to make "Building the Future" into an electronic manual that could live and grow and be updated easily. In the spirit of our ancestors, it was also decided to make this manual available to the world at large at no cost. We hope the reader will find it useful and that they will fill free to contact the webmaster with any questions or comments.

The manual is designed to provide as much information as possible in the chapter and section headings. For example, if you need to write a speech, are working with volunteers, or just trying to motivate participation, sections have been set up on those topics.

Part 1 of the manual addresses all phases of building an organization and is specifically designed to provide broad-based information applicable to any group. Part 2, which is currently under construction, will take a closer look at organizational building from a Metis perspective. The appendices include items that are both general and Metis specific.

We've tried to make the manual user friendly. At the bottom of each page of "Building the Future" you will have the option of returning to the Table of Contents, go back to the prior page, move on to the next page of the manual, or return to the MNS home page. If you have any trouble navigating the manual, or have suggestions for improvements, email the webmaster.