El Corazón de Tejas-Central Texas Chapter of REFORMA

Meeting Minutes for

January 21, 2003

Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, Austin, TX

4:00 pm – 5:20 p.m.

In attendance: (10) Adán Benavides (Benson), Sarah Bradley-Leighton (IS, UT Benson, LBJ), Paola Ferate-Soto (APL), Irma Flores-Manges (Austin Public Library), Elva Garza (Austin Public Library), Jill Goldman (UT IS, UT Benson), Julissa Gomez (APL, Benson), Margo Gutierrez (Benson), Gustavo Soto (APL), Jennifer Thomas (APL)

Agenda

1. Bienvenidos/Introductions – Elva Garza

· Sign-in sheet will be passed around

2. Approval of Meeting Minutes from November 2002 Meeting – Sarah Bradley Leighton

3. Chapter Memberships and Financial Report – Gustavo Soto

· Don’t Forget to Renew your Membership!

· Holiday Tamales Fundraiser – Elva

Current Business

4. Evening of Music, Art and Spoken Word on

Saturday, February 8, 2003 Austin History Center from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

· Publicity – Sarah Bradley Leighton

· Food – Margo Gutierrez

· Entertainment (Music/Poetry) – Gustavo Soto

· Visual Art – Paola Ferate-Soto/Gustavo

· Set-up and Clean-up (Sign-up sheet being passed around) – Paola Ferate-Soto

· Front Door (Sign-up sheet being sent around) – Paola Ferate-Soto

· Raffle (Anaya Books)- Elva Garza

5. Mentor Relationship with UT School of Information – Margo/Sarah

How can I be a mentor and what are my responsibilities?
Draft of Application

6. Spring Professional Development Event – Elva/Sarah

Old Business

7. “From Papyrus to the Virtual Library” - Library Conference - Sarah

Havana, Cuba: March 24-28, 2003

8. Chapter Representation/Booth at TLA in the Spring - ?

9. Reading List Progress - ?

10. Additional Announcements

Minutes

Elva welcomed the group and Jill Goldman introduced herself.
Sarah did not bring paper copies of the minutes from the last meeting to the meeting. Please check the website at http://www.main.org/reforma/minutes/nov19Minutes02.html and let her know if there are any changes that need to me made.
Gustavo reported that as of December 31, 2002, we had $162.00 in the account. With the profits from the tamales sale all in now, we have about $700.00 to date. The tamales sale was a big success and next year the plan is to start selling early and make an even greater profit. Every month Gustavo reports the chapter funds to the REFORMA National accountant. The money left in the account at the end of the year has been encumbered for chapter events so we will not need to return it to national.

It is also membership renewal time. Fill out the national REFORMA membership form located at http://www.reforma.org/memberform.htm but send it to Gustavo at the chapter address. He will renew your membership and forward the information to national. Encourage your bosses and coworkers to join! Also, make the check out to El Corazón de Tejas. Gustavo reported that Dr. Julie Hallmark from the School of Information sent in a $25.00 check to support the “Evening” event. Sarah will send a thank you letter.

Evening of Music, Art and Spoken Word on

Saturday, February 8, 2003 Austin History Center from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

· Publicity – Sarah Bradley Leighton

The invitations were sent last week. Extra flyers and invitations were distributed to members present at the meeting.

· Food – Margo Gutierrez

Slowly, but surely the food is coming in, but we need everyone to pitch in and bring something. Margo will send out another plea early next week to remind the membership to help with food or monetary contributions. We will use chapter funds to buy the paper products (plates, cups, utensils, table cloths). Elva will ask the APL director about charging or having a tip jar for the beer and wine we will be offering. $10.00 is a good deal for food, entertainment, and alcohol, so this could be a way to raise more money. The layout of the tables was discussed. We can get into the Austin History Center at 5:30 p.m. to begin setting up.

· Entertainment (Music/Poetry) – Gustavo Soto

We have lots of great musicians and poets lined up. David Rice has agreed to perform! As Gustavo confirms everyone more he will create a program. As of now, the performers are: Rene Valdez (poet), Steve Vera (poet), Elizabeth Marquis (poet, musician), Gustavo Soto (poet), Steve Reich (keyboard, guitar), Hope Smith (Steal drum), Paola (singing).

· Visual Art – Paola Ferate-Soto/Gustavo

Paola talked to Biruta and having visual art displayed will be possible. There are 10 easels available. WE will also use some of the large tables to display sculpture. We will make consistent labels for all the pieces displayed. Artists cannot sell their pieces on the premises, but they can supply cards with their contact information on it.

· Set-up and Clean-up (Sign-up sheet being passed around) – Paola Ferate-Soto

· Front Door (Sign-up sheet being sent around) – Paola Ferate-Soto

Schedules for volunteers to sign-up were passed around. There are still time slots open. Paola will send out an e-mail asking more people to sign-up and help with set-up, front door duties, and clean-up.

· Raffle (Anaya Books)- Elva Garza

We will be offering chances in a drawing to win the signed Anaya books. These chances will be sold all evening and then we will have the drawing later in the evening. Elva also mentioned that the only cost for using the facility will be the security guard that we must have on duty. A big thanks to APL for letting us use the facility.

Sarah drafted mentor applications that will be submitted to Ron Pollock at the School of Information if members want to be matched to a student. The application was approved and will be posted on our website at http://www.main.org/reforma/mentorapplication.html
Sarah brought up the idea to have some sort of professional development event for the membership. Jennifer Thomas mentioned how everyone is feeling a little down considering current events, so an event that is inspiring or positive would be great for morale. Having Dean Dillon from the School of Information speak to us was suggested. Irma suggested Dr. Loriene Roy since her work with Native American and indigenous reservations could be tied to the mission of REFORMA. Sarah offered to contact Dr. Roy about this possibility.
Sarah announced that she will not be able to attend the conference in Cuba. If anyone is interested, Maribel Garza is still planning on going. Contact Sarah at sabradley18@hotmail.com if you are still interested and she will give you more information.
El Corazón can have a booth at the Diversity Fair at the TLA convention in Houston on April 4. Elva would like us to share our experience with the Immigration Forum. Jennifer volunteered to create a handout about the forum. If you are interested in helping with the booth, please contact Elva at elva.garza@ci.austin.tx.us
Did not discuss reading lists.
Paola asked to have the meeting start time moved to 3:30 p.m. Members present agreed on this time change. Our chapter meetings will now begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Benson. Patricia Clark will represent out chapter the ALA midwinter conference in Philadelphia.

Minutes were respectfully submitted by Sarah Bradley Leighton on January 26, 2003.

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