SAAHJ
General Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2006
Big Brothers, Big
Sisters of South Texas – Host: Melissa Vela-Williamson
Members and guests in attendance, per
sign-in sheet: Joe
Sandoval, Pam Salazar, David Tijerina, Lorraine Pulido-Ramirez, Nora López,
Mary Anthony, Javier Rodriguez, Luis Mercado, Edward Leal, Danny Sanchez,
Armando Garcia, Vincent Bosquez, Teresa Niño, Martha Tijerina, Rafael
Saenz, Nora Frost, Melissa Vela-Williamson, Ernie Villarreal, Javier
Flores, Rose M. Orosco, Carol Schliesinger.
Call to Order/Welcome/Introductions
Joe Sandoval called the meeting to order at 10:36 a.m.
Joe introduced Melissa Vela-Williamson and thanked her for hosting the
meeting. Melissa gave a brief summary of Big Brothers, Big Sisters,
including a new program tested in the San Antonio market for Hispanic
outreach. Introductions
by all present followed.
Approval
of the November minutes/Secretary’s Report
Carol Schliesinger asked if there were any corrections
or additions to the February minutes.
Lorraine Ramirez-Pulido made a motion to accept the January minutes
as submitted; Ed Tijerina seconded.
Treasurer’s Report
Nora Lopez
reported the following account balances: Operating fund-- $10,015.09, Scholarship Fund-- $66,363.96.
Old Business
Distinguished
Speakers Series Update
Ernie said Alfredo Corchado
tentatively agreed to be the speaker for the 2nd speaker series
scheduled for May 19. Ernie will check availability with the Westin.
Corchado would talk about the Mexican Presidential Elections.
Ernie is also
considering Peter Hakim as another candidate to cover the growing tendency in Latin America to
elect left-wing leaders. Later
in the year, the Association will partner with the World Affairs Council to
offer a media panel. Ernie said he also talked to the Free Trade Alliance
about a possible partnership to work on an immigration/border security
forum tentatively scheduled for early June. Ernie is also interested on
discussing topics related to China and it’s effect on San Antonio.
2006 Scholarship Gala
Ernie said Guerra
DeBerry Coody have agreed to produce the invitation for the gala. Mary
Anthony asked if the work was pro-bono. Ernie said yes. Lorraine
Pulido-Ramirez reported she is working with Maclovio Perez on the video
about Lionel Sosa and they are trying to interview former president George
Bush. Ernie explained that Registration is on hold for now since the
sponsorship letters haven’t been mailed. Rafael said he is sending
the silent auction letters this week. Carol reported she has mailed and
emailed the application to schools and colleges. She has revised the list
and will be sending out a press release calling for scholarship entries
this week. Mary asked if we are doing donor letters. Ernie said yes. Ed
Tijerina mentioned that it’s nice to have Guerra DeBerry Coody
working with the Association again, since they helped out in the past for
one of the first galas.
Media Mixer
Ed said the second
mixer at Piatti had a great turnout. Guests paid for their own drinks and
the Association sponsors the appetizers. Next mixer is scheduled for April
6 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Aldaco's.
New business
Texas
Intercollegiate Press Association Conference
Joe announced the
Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference will be held April 6-7
at the Tropicana Hotel. Organizers are still looking for volunteers to
cover a total of 36 sessions geared to 500 students and advisors who will
be attending. For more information members should contact Kay O'Donnell at
Our Lady of the Lake University. Mary asked if the Association would have a
presence at the conference. Joe said he would discuss with the organizers.
Kennedy High
School Career Day
Joe said the
Kennedy High School Career Day would be held March 24 from 8 a.m. until
noon. Joe encouraged members to participate and give back.
High School Essay Writing Contest
Lorraine
volunteered to coordinate this year’s contest. Elaine Rodriguez said
she would help. Mary suggested creating an application form for the
contest.
Announcements
Teleton Navideno – This year will be the
event’s 30th anniversary. Joe said the organizing
committee could use help to make it right. He mentioned the Teleton
was started by Archbishop Flores to help people who really needed help
during the holidays. The Archbishop requested last year the event be
continued. Marta Tijerina said last year the event was organized with very
little time and the results were still good (about $10,000 raised.) This
year the event will be held on Dec. 2 and 3. Luis asked if we were going to
have the Association’s Christmas party that weekend. Joe said the
times wouldn’t conflict either way.
Latino Breakfast
Club – Lorraine invited members to also attend the next breakfast to
be held March 28 at 7:30 a.m. at Cha-Cha's Restaurant on Babcock Rd. Victoria
Varela from The Cartel Group will be the speaker for March.
PRSA - Lorraine
invited members to the local chapter’s luncheon to be held April
6. Greg Flores with San Antonio
Water Systems is the featured speaker.
Last meeting's speaker was Ed Tijerina, who had record attendance.
Society of
Hispanic Writers of San Antonio - Vince Bosquez mentioned the Society meets
on the second Mondays of each month at 7:30 at the Barnes and Noble at San
Pedro and 410. Laura Esquivel, author of Like Water for Chocolate
will be the featured speaker on May 8 at 7 p.m.
The Society has
about 35 members. There are no fees to join the organization. They are
currently waiting for their non-profit status.
Bob Dylan Birthday
Bash - Carol said she is organizing the annual fundraiser and invited
anyone interested in helping out to get in touch with her.
High School
Writing Contest - Lorraine mentioned this year’s topic will be child
abuse. Letters will be sent out this week. Lorraine will ask for volunteer
judges as the contest application due date comes near.
CTSA –
Martha Tijerina announced she will interview representatives from Southwest
Mental Health Center on her show to air on the first Thursday in April.
San Antonio
Symphony – Rafael said the Symphony and the San Antonio Blood Bank
have a promotion. Blood donors have the opportunity to receive half-off
discount vouchers for one of the Symphony's performances featuring Daniel
Rodriguez. The promotion runs from
March 24-26.
Next meeting
Our next meeting
is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at the San Antonio Express-News.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at
11:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol
Schliesinger
SAAHJ
Secretary
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