ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
EL CORAZON DE TEJAS, CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER OF REFORMA
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, 7 March 2002, 9:00 a.m.
St. John's Branch, Austin Public Library

Present: Jennifer Thomas (presiding), Irma Flores Manges, Elva Garza, Julissa Gómez, Margo Gutiérrez, Tom Moran, Joanna Nigrelli, Gustavo Soto

After a welcome from Jennifer and the approval of the last meeting's minutes, Elva Garza reported to the group on the trials, tribulations, and rewards of managing the newest branch in the APL system. Located in one of the poorest neighborhoods of the city and one that is overwhelmingly Spanish speaking, the library shares space in a complex with the Pickle Elementary School and various governmental and community groups including the Health Department, the Police Department, Parks & Recreation, and a seniors group. The majority of the library's patrons are neighborhood children and they are checking out books and videos, particularly in the after school and evening hours. There are several children who have been disruptive, but Elva and her staff have received support from the Parks & Recreation personnel as well as from the neighborhood associations in their efforts to keep order. The library also works very closely with the school principal and teachers. There's much programming work to be done, but unfortunately the library is short staffed and much time is spent policing. One of Elva's goals is to bring more families and adult patrons into the library.

Elva then introduced discussion on planned activities for Día de los Niños which will take place on Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. John's branch. Writers, illustrators, and storytellers participating will include David Rice, Juan Saldaña, Javier Garza, and Don Tate. As in years past, Americorps has taken a major role in the Día's activities, lining up various organizations to sponsor tables with activities for children. Elva asked if REFORMA could either have an activity table or assist with a Spanish language survey of participants. It was decided that we should do both if possible. Margo, Irma, Gustavo and Julissa have signed up to help with surveys; Irma will try to organize a crafts table. Our chapter is also donating $500 for expenses associated with the Día's activities. [Note: We need our membership to volunteer for this important event. Please, if you can spare an hour or two that Saturday to help with the survey, call Margo at 495-4589; if you can work on the crafts table contact Irma at 892-6682, or if you can help with clean up at 2:00 p.m., let Elva know at elva.garza@ci.austin.tx.us]

Jennifer provided an update to the immigration forum which has a new name: "Central Texas Immigrants: Issues They Face, Resources to Assist Them." Education speakers for break out sessions are being lined up; Heather Courtney who produced the video on day laborers in Austin will participate in the labor break out group. [We would like to set up a showing of her video perhaps in the summer and in conjunction with a membership meeting. In the meantime, if anyone would like to preview the video, Irma has a copy at her library and Margo has one at the Benson Collection.] Flyers and registration forms will be distributed widely but we still need everyone's help to get the word out. Please contact Sarah Bradley at sabradley18@hotmail.com if you can help distribute flyers or if you know someone who should be invited to the forum. We will also need volunteers to put participant packets together and to provide security for the organizational fair area in the student lounge at ACC Rio Grande Campus on the day of the event. [Again, it is essential that all members lend a hand by volunteering, bringing friends and associates to the forum, and working on publicity.]

The next item discussed was membership and recruitment. Many have not renewed their membership. This means that after the immigration forum and the Día de los Niños event, our funds will be depleted. One way to beef up the funds available for activities in the fall is for everyone to renew their membership and recruit new members. Please, if you know a student or colleague who might be interested, contact Jennifer Thomas or Gustavo Soto so that they may send information, along with a membership form. The membership form is also available on our web site at http://www.main.org/reforma/

Gustavo and Jennifer reported that they met with Vicente Ramos of the local LULAC chapter. Mr. Ramos expressed an interest in our activities and suggested that we might partner with them for a children's bilingual writing contest. Over the discussion that followed, it was decided that this project has a lot of merit and possibility, but that we should table further discussion until the summer, after our scheduled Spring activities.

Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, June 1 at the Salado Public Library, 10:00 a.m. We hope that our colleagues outside of Austin will be able to attend. Details wih exact location and carpooling information will follow. Let's plan on having lunch in Salado after the meeting.

Finally, because we won't meet again until June 1, we would like as many of our members as possible to attend the next immigration forum meeting, Friday, March 22, 11:30 a.m., at the Cepeda branch library, 651 N. Pleasant Valley (7th & Pleasant Valley). Please make every effort to attend, we desperately need everyone's assistance.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:15 a.m., and a tour of the faciliites was conducted by Elva. Thanks to Elva and her staff for their hospitality.

Submitted by Margo Gutiérrez