SAAHJ
General Meeting Minutes
Sept.
16, 2006
UTSA Downtown
Campus – Host: Kris Rodriguez
Members and guests in attendance, per
sign-in sheet: Elaine
Rodriguez, Nina Pruneda, Norma E. Lacy, Jesse Zapata, Kris Rodriguez,
Rafael Saenz, Carol Schliesinger, Roxanne Reyes, Luis Mercado, Patricio
Espinoza, Victor Romero, Ariana Romero, Nick Zuniga, Marybell Martinez,
Lety Laurel, Alison Beshur, Yolanda Rios Rangel, Victor Landa, Jason
Olivarri, Vincent Bosquez.
Call to Order/Welcome/Introductions
Elaine Rodriguez called the meeting to order at 10:36
a.m. She welcomed everyone and asked Kris to introduce our speaker for the
meeting. Kris gave a brief summary of the UTSA Downtown Campus and then introduced
the guest speaker Jesse Zapata. Dr. Zapata talked about the history of the
downtown campus and facts about the growing enrollment rates. He also
talked about the different programs offered at this campus, including
undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs. He also mentioned over 50%
of the campus students are Hispanics.
His remarks were followed by several questions from
members. Ed Tijerina asked what how would a new A&M campus would affect
UTSA. Dr. Zapata said it would probably have some impact, but there is no
overall worries regarding the possibility. Patricio Espinoza asked about
programs for journalists. Dr. Zapata said they have a currently have a
communications program at the undergraduate and graduate level. Nina
Pruneda asked about any success stories coming from this campus. Dr. Zapata
named a few graduates and their place of employment. Rafael asked if there
were plans to add an MBA evening program. Dr. Zapata said they have tried
this in the past without much success. They are looking at a possible lunchtime
MBA program. Kris added some more details when the presentation was over.
Introductions by all present followed.
Approval
of the July minutes/Secretary’s Report
Carol Schliesinger asked if there were any corrections
or additions. Since there was no quorum, members could not move to accept
the minutes as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report
Carol gave the treasurer’s report on behalf of
Nora Lopez who was not able to attend the meeting. The Scholarship Fund has
a balance of $66,703.36. The Operating Fund has a balance of $7,236.07
Old Business
2006 Scholarship Gala Financial Report
Ed Tijerina summarized the report on behalf of Mary
Anthony who was not able to attend the meeting. Overall collections totaled
$26,990. Expenses totaled $34,017.40. We lost $7,027.40. Ed mentioned that
in previous years the Association has been able to cover all costs,
scholarships and make a little profit. He added this year there were some
problems with the organization of the event. Because of the success from
previous years, the Association was able to take the loss. He also said the
Board will make sure this doesn’t happen again.
Meeting/Speaker Committee
Elaine explained the objective of having speakers at the
general meetings. Rosenda Rios will be the guest speaker for the Oct.
meeting and the series will resume in January 2007.
Latino Forum
Elaine reminded everyone about the Latino Forum taking
place on Sept. 20 at the Memorial Branch Library. She also mentioned Ed
Leal has been working really hard on this project.
New business
Annie E. Casey
Foundation
Victor Landa
introduced Yolanda Rios Rangel and mentioned she was going to address what
he considered a great opportunity to help the community tell its story.
Yolanda said Making Connections is an initiative of the Annie E. Casey
Foundation. She gave a summary of the West side program and the Foundation.
Yolanda requested the Association to consider making a connection with
their program to teach youth and residents of the West
Side how to tell and write their story. She mentioned Tino Duran
from La Prensa has offered some
space in the Wed. issue for a Making Connections column. Yolanda expressed
her concern that if she doesn’t find an organization soon to help
train and teach people how to tell their story, they might loose this
opportunity with La Prensa.
Elaine thanked Yolanda for the presentation and asked
her if they were planning on going to the Latino Forum, so they can meet journalists
and people that can write these stories. Nina Pruned suggested that they
contact undergraduate communications departments at colleges and
universities to help in this project through their students. Yolanda said
they have tried this without much success. Elaine asked Yolanda for some
information and told her this would need to be discussed at the Association’s
board meeting. Rafael said he was interested in volunteering, but agreed
with Elaine that it needs to be discussed by the board. Elaine said that if
they can send short emails with a brief description of the story,
that’s all it takes to get the information out to the media. Victor
said he imagined this opportunity as a mentoring program where a member of
the organization would partner with a young writer. Ed Tijerina said that
if they could give the media just a summary of what’s happening, that
would be enough to get their attention.
Carol suggested a shift in focus and think of
communications people to do media relations. Ed Tijerina said that if the
program focuses on one newspaper, it makes it harder for journalists from
other newspapers to participate.
Calendar
Elaine said meeting and event dates are set for the
entire year. The Catholic media mass is scheduled for October 15. The
Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 2 also at Circa 1900.
2007 SAAHJ
Scholarship Gala
Elaine said she asked Mary Anthony and Nora Lopez
to chair the 2007 event. They said yes and have already begun working on
the event and will be selecting the committee members soon.
Media Mixer
The first all-media mixer is scheduled for Oct. 11 at
Circa 1900 from 6-8 p.m. Ed said the mixers are for all members of the
media and it’s held at different locations every time. Mixers are
held every quarter.
Membership Drive
Elaine said Mary sent out a press release with
information on our new membership drive. The release was also distributed
to members.
Announcements
Letter from Joe Sandoval – Ed read a letter from
Joe Sandoval to the membership thanking them for their support and keeping
members informed of his treatment. Kris Rodriguez asked if there were any
plans for a fundraiser for Joe. Elaine said there’s no concrete plans
yet.
McAllen war memorial -
Kris said there is a war memorial in McAllen
that he thought was unique to the country. It has memorials to all wars
fought in the US.
With Veterans Day approaching, it could be a place members with military
backgrounds might like to visit, especially with statues and commemorative
walls dedicated to some of the soldiers from San Antonio.
Next meeting
Our next meeting
is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21 at Tito’s Restaurant on South Alamo Street.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol
Schliesinger
SAAHJ
Secretary
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