Coastal Bend Texas Democratic Women

March 31, 2009 Monthly Meeting

Retama Room, Downtown Library, 805 Comanche Street

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Minutes

 

President Linda Figueroa called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.  She recognized and welcomed new member Sylvia Cuevas who is works in the District Clerk’s office and was the Court Coordinator for Judge Nelva Ramos. 

 

Attending the meeting were:  Pres. Linda Figueroa, V-President Lisa Hernandez, Secretary Ann Smith, Treasurer Glenda Turner, Parliamentarian Barbara Cline, Judge Nelda Rodriguez, Katie Rodriguez, Gloria Caceres, Norma Cisneros, Patricia Frelix, Coretta Graham, Rose Harrison, County Chair of San Patricio County, Juanita Maddox, Flo Martinez, Angelica Hernandez, Carolyn Moon, Michael Rendon, Mary Saenz, Sylvia Samaniego, Amanda Stukenberg, Judy Telge, Geraldine Jones-Woods, Lydia Zamora.  City Council At-Large Candidate David Loeb came for a short while. 

 

Agenda:

Secretary's Report:  Ann Smith read the minutes of the January meeting that had been approved at the February meeting.  She apologized for not having the copy of the February Minutes.  It was decided that those minutes will be sent out for approval at the April meeting.  Ann requested that members go to the website and read the actions of the previous meetings and said that the minutes of this meeting will be posted for review before the next meeting April 28th and encouraged members to familiarize themselves on actions and discussions that take place at the monthly meetings.

 

Treasurer's Report:  Glenda Turner gave a copy of the Treasurer's Report to Ann Smith, then read the February 24- March 30, 2009 Report that included income, expenses, the cash on hand and the Money Market Fund showing a total Net Worth of the CBTDW of $6,022.49. Glenda went on to say that she keeps open books for members to inspect, and she is available to answer any questions that the members may have.   It was moved that the Treasurer's report be accepted.

 

Fund Raising Committee Report:  Chair Coretta Graham reported that the committee has done some groundwork on prices for a banquet fundraiser, will meet as a group to plan further.  As of this writing, Sylvia Samaniego is on the committee with Coretta and, according to the Bylaws, the Vice-President serves on the committee. 

 

Program:  Vice-President Lisa Hernandez introduced the subject of "City Appointments:  Women in Government--Women on Local Boards and Commissions" pointing out the small number of women serving on those advisory boards.  On page 4 of the March newsletter, a tally of the vacancies is printed for members to read and be informed.  Lisa called for TDW members to become more involved in city and county government.  She had requested information on the number of women who currently serve on City Boards & Commissions along with the total number of appointees and current Board vacancies from Armando Chapa, City Secretary. His staff, Tamera Riley, provided the vacancies without any delay.  For Nueces County appointees, Lisa submitted a Public Information request for a listing of all County appointments with contact information and term of service.  As of this date they have not been forthcoming.  Lisa reported after this meeting that five members of TDW indicated interest in applying to serve.  Others interested may contact her for an application. 

 

Mary Saenz, Field Representative of DARS, Division for Rehabilitation Services, made a presentation on how she was elected to serve on the Regional Transportation Authority as well as other committees.  Mary went on to give pointers to the audience on the "how to" of being appointed to City Boards and Commissions.  She recommended several books to provide training and pointers on leadership skills and how to be effective on boards. Judy Telge, Chief Executive Director of Accessible Communities, Inc. contributed her history and experience with the organization and serving on several boards and commissions in the community.  Judy emphasized that the process is political; that local leaders want to get their people on these boards and that applicants need to know how to maneuver through the obstacles to get on the boards.  Sylvia Samaniego, on the Park and Recreation board, also emphasized that a volunteer learns by doing even after being inspired to improve the community, jumping through the hoops to get appointed and then spending time at the meetings learning how the system works. 

 

Lisa Hernandez spoke about serving as a Public Member on the State Board of Dental Examiners and filed a grievance forcing the State to “Sunset” the Board and start from scratch building a new Board in the next legislative session. Linda Figueroa addressed her service on the City Ethics Committee in reviewing all financial reports filed by candidates and Council Members.

 

Carolyn Moon spoke about her experience serving on the Local Access Cable TV channels 10 and 18 Advisory Board.  Carolyn recommended that the TDW go to the next City Council meeting and present them with the fact that this organization is studying the state of women representatives on city boards and commissions and has made a goal of the local chapter to increase the number of women appointed to City Boards and Commissions. 

 

Action taken:  It was later moved by Carolyn and seconded by Lydia Zamora that a statement supporting the goal of more women on city boards and commissions be read at the next Council meeting, then followed up with further meetings with city staff Armando Chapa. Motion was moved, seconded and passed.

 

Coretta Graham suggested that we ask for an accounting by the City Secretary of the applicants who have applied.

 

Announcements:  City Council Election:  Saturday, April 4, 2009 7 am to 7 pm.

Annie's List will bring free campaign training for women at Omni Hotel Friday, April 24th 9 to 5 pm.

 

Old Business:  CBTDW member Gloria Caceres was recognized as Member of the Year at the February TDW Convention in Austin.

                          CBTDW member Becky Moeller was the new President of the Regional AFL/CIO; the first woman and Texan to serve in this capacity.

                          Linda Figueroa and Barbara Cline were elected to the state TDW Board.

 

New Business:  Linda Figueroa brought before the members that the Executive Committee at the March meeting had questioned the troubling situation, lack of activity and ineffectiveness of the local Nueces Democratic Party and its leadership.  State Party Rules call for quarterly meetings of the Precinct Chairs, but the Party Executive Committee (precinct chairs) has not been included. Party activity has been among a select few and some of them are Republicans.  With the 2010 election coming, with the Primaries in Spring 2010 and the Texas Democratic Party Convention being hosted and held in Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center in August, the planning and execution of the election, the convention calls for a united Nueces Democratic Party. 

 

A suggestion was made that CBTDW host a social event to bring together Democratic elected officials, including legislators, to be held on a weekend in the near future to develop and implement a unity plan.  Judge Nelda Rodriguez offered her home for the social.  Judy Telge pointed out that first the purpose of the social should be spelled out.  San Patricio County Chair Rose Harrison stated that the purpose must be to unify the Party and to include area party officials as well, adding that if we don't unify, we are aiding the Republicans in electing their candidates in South Texas.  Coretta Graham agreed warning that EVERY Democrat will be targeting with Republican opposition in 2010. Lisa Hernandez cautioned that without a plan, we would suffer more casualties than just Peggy Bañales’ loss in 2008.

 

A committee was agreed upon to consist of Gloria Caceres, Mary Saenz & Lisa Hernandez who will coordinate efforts with Nelda Rodriguez and TDW.

 

It was moved, seconded and passed for TDW to host a Unity social at Judge Nelda Rodriguez's home for Democratic elected officials and CBTDW members; a subsequent event for Democratic Precinct Chairs will be orchestrated over the summer to target Precinct Chair vacancies.

 

It was moved seconded and unanimously passed to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ann E. Smith, Secretary

CBTDW

April 7, 2009