SAAHJ
General Meeting
Jan. 20, 2007
San
Antonio Express-News
Members
and guests in attendance, per sign-in sheet: Guillermo Contreras, Jorge
Zarazua, Dino Chiecchi, Norma Estimbo Lary, Nina Pruneda, Roxanne Reyes, Ed
Leal, Yolanda Arellano, Nancy Martinez, Ed Tijerina, Maclovio Perez, Danny
Sanchez, Julie Ann Vera, Nora Lopez, Mary Anthony, Alison Beshur, Jason
Olivarri, Kris Rodriguez, Ariana Romero, Jorge Topete and Carol
Schliesinger.
Call
to Order/Welcome/Introductions
Elaine Rodriguez called
the meeting to order at 10:39. She thanked everyone for coming despite the
rainy weather. Introductions by all present followed. Nora Lopez introduced
Michael Quintanilla from the Express-News who shared a segment of his
presentation he recently did at a Harvard University
conference on narrative journalism
Approval
of the November
minutes/Secretary's Report
Carol
Schliesinger asked if there were any changes or corrections to the November
minutes. Dino Chiecchi made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted. Elaine
R. seconded the motion.
Treasurer's Report
Nora
Lopez reported the association had made a deposit to reserve the hotel for
the scholarship gala. She reported the balance for the operating account to
be $6,293.64 and for the foundation account to be $64,213.76
Old
Business
2007
Scholarship Gala
Mary
said members voted on the Henry Guerra 2007 honoree at the Christmas party.
She said Charles Kirkpatrick was selected. Nora has called him to inform
him of the nomination and the committee will be meeting with him on Tuesday
to discuss details. Mary said the gala has been set for Thursday, July 26,
2007. She added that letters will be sent out after the meeting with the
honoree. Invitations should be going out to members soon. Members will be
able to buy two tickets at the reduced price of $45 per person again this
year.
Nora
said the San Antonio Express-News agreed to be the presenting sponsor with
a $5,000 sponsorship. Mary said Dino Chiecchi will serve as Scholarship
Chair. Roxanne Reyes will serve as Registration Chair. Alison Beshur will
help out with the silent auction.
Maclovio
offered Dino to visit 2-3 High school to distribute scholarship
applications to students. Dino accepted the offer and will contact Maclovio
to schedule the school visits. Yolanda Arrellano said she would like to
help out with the silent auction committee. Mary announced they are working
with Joaquin Herrera a graphic designer for the Express-News on the design
for the gala’s invitation and program.
Membership
List
Elaine asked
members to review the membership list and correct any old information so
Roxanne Reyes can have an updated list for the Gala registration.
Joe
Sandoval Announcement
Ed gave
a brief summary of Joe’s involvement with the organization and
announced that he is renouncing his board position. He read the letter to
the members and encouraged everyone to contact him through letters, emails
or phone calls.
Elaine
said the Association is taking nominations for the available board
position. Mary nominated Dino Chiecchi. Maclovio seconded. Elaine asked if
there were any other nominations. No additional nominations were made. Ed
Tijerina made a motion to install Dino as the new vice president of the
Association. Motion passed.
Yolanda
Arrellano asked everyone to keep Joe in their prayers.
Mary
asked Carol to update the website with the new name.
Speaker
Committee
Elaine
said she is still working on scheduling new speakers. She asked Ed Leal to
think of a speaker for the spring. Julie Contreras suggested bringing Bill
Richardson. Julie said he would make a great speaker for the
Association’s speaker series since he is pro-journalist. Julie would
be able to contact him to check on his availability. Maclovio suggested
checking to see if we could have him as a keynote speaker at the Gala. Ed
Leal suggested bringing him before and not waiting until the Gala. Mary
said the speaker luncheons would compete for sponsorship with the Gala.
Carol said they are events with a different focus. Maclovio said we should make
sure to promote the speaking engagement as a “newsmaker”
speaker series, so there are no conflicts with political endorsements for
the Association. Kris Rodriguez said he spoke to state demographer Steve
Murdoch and he thinks he would be another great speaker to consider.
Yolanda
Arrellano asked about the background of the Association’s speaker
presentations. Elaine gave a brief background of what has been done in the
past to bring speakers both to meetings and to special luncheons. Yolanda
suggested Ernesto Ancira as a possible speaker. Elaine asked Ed Leal if he
would chair the committee. Ed agreed.
Jorge
Topete asked if we can have a speaker from WOAI at the next meeting since
we will be meeting at their studio. Maclovio said he would check with the
general manager to see if she could talk at the meeting. Nina Pruneda asked
if these events are open to all members. Elaine said yes.
New
Business/Announcements
Texas
Public Radio – Ed Leal said the station has a new general manager.
SAAHJ logo – Elaine said they have
asked graphic designer Joaquin to also work on cleaning up the
Association’s logo because it was difficult to see the second
‘a’. Elaine shared an image of the revised logo with the
members. Mary said the logo was revised just in time when the Association
was in need of letterhead paper. The logo will also be updated on the
website.
Women
in Communications Awards - Mary announced that the organization is
accepting nominations for the 2007 Headliner Awards. Applications can be
downloaded from the website or ask Mary for more information. Nomination
deadline is Feb. 16.
Next meeting
Our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 2007 at
the WOAI TV studios on the corner of Navarro and St. Mary’s St.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:27 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Schliesinger
SAAHJ Secretary
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