SAAHJ
General Meeting Minutes
May
20, 2006
Cutting Edge
Communications – Host: Margaret García
Members and guests in attendance, per
sign-in sheet:
Roxanne Reyes, Nick Zuniga, Margaret Garcia, Martha Tijerina, Gary Guerra,
Scarlett Cerna, Ed Tijerina, Nora Lopez, Ernie Villarreal, Kris Rodriguez,
Javier Flores, Elaine Rodriguez, Danny Sanchez, Carol Schliesinger.
Call to Order/Welcome/Introductions
Ed Tijerina called the meeting to order at 10:44 a.m. Ed
presided the meeting, since Joe Sandoval was not able to attend. Ed
welcomed everyone and thanked members for coming. He thanked Margaret
Garcia for hosting the meeting. Margaret gave a brief summary of the work
she does at Cutting Edge Communications. Nora Lopez asked how many
employees the agency had. Margaret said they currently have 14 employees.
Introductions by all presents followed.
Approval
of the April minutes/Secretary’s Report
Carol Schliesinger asked if there were any corrections
or additions to the April minutes.
Margaret made a motion to accept the April minutes as
submitted; Elaine Rodriguez seconded.
Treasurer’s Report
Nora Lopez reported the following account balances:
Operating fund-- $9,526.13, Scholarship Fund-- $70,863.96. Nora added that
the Association has a steady operating fund. She paid $1,000 to sponsor the
National Writers’ Workshop. Ed said we've spent some cash on the
Martha Tijerina made a motion to accept the
treasurer’s report as submitted; Roxanne Reyes seconded.
Old Business
Media
Mixer
Joe thanked everyone for coming to the media mixer at
Aldaco’s. The reserved space had to be shared with other
organizations, but everyone had a good time.
Distinguished
Speakers Series Update
DSS
Ed said it was a great event at the Westin and asked
Ernie to give a summary. Ernie said he was a little disappointed with the
low turnout, but the speech by Alfredo Corchado was very interesting. We've
also had 4 new members sign up at
the event. We had some guests from the Free Trade Alliance, Joaquin and
Julian Castro and a Mexican national who will be voting at the upcoming
elections.
Ed said this is the second speaker series we organize.
We're open to all topics, it doesn’t have to be Latino based. Please
submit these events. We need help supporting and promoting the event.
Margaret said she'd like to help. Ernie said the idea was to get our name
out in the organization as well. Martha suggested talking to the MATT
(Mexicans and Americans working together.) Ed said Lionel Sosa is the
director and we can talk to him about this possibility. This gives the
members another opportunity to grow, get more visibility. Kris said he
thinks Lionel will be the speaker at an upcoming Latino Breakfast. Maybe we
can talk to him about talking to the group. Kris also suggested Steve
Murdoch. Ed said he is a great speaker. Ed gave a brief background on
Murdoch.
2006 Scholarship Gala
Ernie said the letters have gone out. We're waiting for
a response. Carol gave a brief background of the scholarship applications.
Elaine said she will try to get in on great day SA. Martha Tijerina asked
to have the press release. Rafael could not give a report because he was
not present. He has mailed 75 letters. The beginning of June is when they
will start making follow-up calls.
According to the timeline, Ernie said we're on schedule
the invitation will be ready to go out at the end of June. Carol said they
will be sending an electronic save the date. Ernie said he's in the process
of getting Lionel's list of contacts to send invites to. Maclovio is
working on the video for the gala. Ed asked if the Sosa's have bought
tables. Ernie said not yet. Ed asked that the committee meet this next week
and send the board a report via email.
High School Writing Contest
Lorraine was not present at the meeting. Carol read her
report. They have not received any applications yet. Lorraine and Elaine
will be calling high schools as of Monday and will follow up. She could use
help from members to make phone calls. Her phone number is 849-3518. Nora
asked if she can get a press release. Carol said there was a communication
breakdown between Lorraine and Mary to get the release out. Nora will try
to get a mention in the paper on Sunday. Kris asked how many words and
Carol asked how much money is given to the winners.
Board
elections
Ed reminded everyone that we start thinking about who to
nominate for board elections that will take place at the June
National
Writers’ Workshop
Carol reminded everyone that we still need volunteers
for the SAAHJ booth.
New business
Meeting locations -
We need volunteers for June/July. Tito's will be the location for
the June meeting. July InHouse. September Kris is going to look at the UTSA
downtown campus.
Meeting/speaker committee – Ed said we're trying
to put together a committee for the meeting locations and bringing in
speakers to the meetings. Nora gave a summary of what was discussed at the
board meeting. Elaine has approached Sara Lucero and Itza Gutierrez to see
if they could visit the members at the general meetings. Nancy Gonzalez, a
rep from Hispanic networks, Abby Chavarria from Catholic Television. Elaine
will be the committee chair, members include Nick, Javier,
Announcements
Bob Dylan's b-day bash
Ed said there's an opening for an editorial assistant at
the paper. Interested members need to email Ed their resumes.
Kris thanked the EN for publishing their cyber
competition. Commencement 2600 students. First webcast this year. PhD
student who graduated had his parent see it online from India.
Deaf student who got a job with the military in Italy.
First disabled student hired to work in Italy.
Meeting adjourned at 11.26.
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