TABCCM Board Minutes
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF BLACK CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
BOARD MEETING
FORT WORTH CONVENTION CENTER
Board Room, 2nd level
512 Main St. Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Friday, October 23, 2009 2:00pmMINUTES
Present at the meeting:
Board of Directors:
Franklin D. Moss, President (Councilmember, City of Fort Worth)
Tamara Young, Secretary (Councilmember, City of Willis)
Mustafa Sami, Treasurer (Mayor Pro Tem, City of Forest Hill)
John Lovelady, Board Member (Councilmember, City of Willis)
Jackie Levingston, Board Member (Mayor, City of Groesbeck)
Freddie Taylor, Board Member (Councilmember, City of Sulphur Springs)Members:
T.J. Patterson, Jr.
Gerald JoubertGuests:
Lyndia Thomas
Michelle ReynoldsCall to Order
Frank Moss called the meeting to order
I. Scheduling of Board and Membership Meeting
(a.) Locations
(b.) Day(s) of the Week and Time
(c.) Board Meeting and Training Sessions
(d.) Planning & Training for New BoardFrank Moss brought up possible locations for the next meeting and future meetings. Frank Moss suggested the next meetings be in Nov. & Feb. or Jan. & Feb. Freddie Taylor expressed that Nov – Jan. is his busiest time of the year and he will not be able to make it. Frank Moss suggested a Dec. board and membership meeting. Possible locations mentioned were Prairie View, El Paso and Austin. Freddie Taylor expressed his concern about the drive to Austin & Prairie View. Also, brought to the table is whether the next board and membership meeting should be in El Paso in February during TML. Jackie Levingston expressed that February is too long to wait for the next board/member meeting. Frank Moss mentioned that at the next board meeting; he would like to have workshops at the next TABCCM meeting. The board decided to have the next board and membership meeting on Dec. 4th and 5th in Austin at the TML office. The board will meet on Dec. 4th and discuss goals, by-laws, and administration matters during the board meeting and present it to the general membership on Saturday during the general TABCCM meeting so that the Saturday meeting can be mostly dedicated to workshops and training. Mustafa Sami asked for a copy of the by-laws and Frank Moss said that he will provide that for the next meeting. Frank Moss mentioned that he will get with TML about getting TML staff to lead the ethics and training workshops on Saturday.
II. Regional Director and Regional Meetings
(a.) Membership DevelopmentFrank Moss discussed that earlier this year, people were assigned regions and we need to find out if they are still interested in serving in those positions. He expressed that there needs to be outreach to the black elected officials because he feels that some of them are not aware of the organization and the TABCCM can be a valuable resource for them especially the newly elected officials. Regional Directors will be given a list of black elected officials in their area so that they can reach out and get them involved in the organization. Frank Moss mentioned that he has contacted TML and has an updated list of black elected officials across the state so that it can be distributed to the regional directors.
III. Scholarships
Frank Moss mentioned to the group that we published the two individuals who were awarded scholarships. He raised the question as to who sat on the scholarship selection committee, where are the applications going to, who is receiving the applications. Jackie Levingston mentioned that she and Judy Chambers were on the scholarship committee and that she would be willing to serve again and chair the committee. Lyndia Thomas said that she is willing to serve on the committee as well. Frank Moss said that he will get with Theresa Scott and find out where are the applications going and who has them. Frank Moss said that they award 5 scholarships but only 2 were awarded this fiscal year and 3 additional scholarships can be awarded. He also expressed his concern with getting the word out so that the pool of applications is broader and suggested that the members get involved and spread the word about the scholarship to students in their respective areas that way there is at least a student from all over the state and not just one area. Freddie Taylor asked if schools have a box where people could drop off scholarship information about the application because that is what they do in his area. Frank Moss requested that Freddie Taylor make a presentation about the box concept at the next meeting. Freddie Taylor said that he would not be there but Jackie Levingston said that she would do it if Freddie Taylor would get her the information. Some board members asked about the guidelines. Jackie Levingston said that the information is on the website. Board members asked if the scholarships were only awarded to high school students and Jackie Levingston said that it is open to anyone in school because she has someone in mind that is in college and needs help. Jackie Levingston mentioned that she will work on re-writing the guidelines and updating the scholarship information for future applicants.
IV. T.J. Patterson Golf Tournament
Frank Moss mentioned to the board that we need to start fundraising and planning for the golf tournament now. He mentioned that with planning early we can get more sponsors and participants. T.J. Patterson mentioned that he has already made contact with individuals in Corpus Christi so that we can get started with planning for the golf classic. Frank Moss also mentioned starting a golf committee so that Jim Wyatt will have some help with the golf classic. Frank Moss said that he will get with Jim Wyatt about monies raised from the classic and his thoughts on starting now rather 2-3months before the even and forming a committee.
V. Quarterly Newsletter
Frank Moss stated that he will continue to be responsible for the newsletter and will try and have an issue out in Dec. in time for the next board/general TABCCM meeting. Gerald Joubert volunteered to take pictures for the organization.
VI. Workshop and Training at Local and Regional Level
(a.) Political Ethics & Avoiding Political Ethic Pitfalls
(b.) Other training topicsFrank Moss just reiterated that he will get with TML and pull some resources together for the workshops. He also mentioned that Dorothy Burton expressed an interest in doing a workshop.
VII. Committee Assignments
Frank Moss mentioned to the group that there are a number of committees he would like to have but will need to do some research about the current committees and work on assigning them to those who are interested.
VIII. National League of Cities/NBC-LEO Conference in San Antonio
Frank Moss asked if the board would like to meet during NLC in San Antonio. T.J. Patterson mentioned that there will be a number of activities that will be taking place during NLC and there may not be time to meet. Frank Moss mentioned that Audwin Samuels who is apart of the TABCCM board will be the new NBC-LEO president and expressed to the group that it is important that they be present to support him. Frank Moss mentioned that the group be hosts and also mentioned that he spoke to Audwin Samuels and he will let us know how we can assist him during NLC.
IX. Other Business
Frank Moss mentioned to Mustafa Sami that he needs to get with him about the budget, but does not have all the numbers and is waiting on former president Theresa Scott and TML. Frank Moss expressed that some of the funds needed to be dedicated to operational costs as well as its primary purpose of scholarships.
X. Adjournment
Frank Moss adjourned the meeting at 4:30pm
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members met at the annual Texas Municipal League Conference, in a meeting open to the public, on the 22nd Day of September, 2009, at the Fort Worth Convention Center; Fort Worth, Texas. The roll was called of the duly constituted members of the Board, to wit:
Board of Directors: Theresa Scott President (Councilmember, City of Elgin)
Billy Cleaver 1st Vice-President (Councilmember, City of Odessa)
Marie Herndon Secretary (Councilmember, City of Prairie View)
Freddie Taylor Board Member (Councilmember, City of Sulphur Springs)
Jackie Levingston Board Member, Past President (Mayor, City of Groesbeck)
John Lovelady Board Member (Alderman, City of Willis)
Alice Thompson Board Member (Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, City of Groesbeck)
Judy Chambers Board Member, Past President (City of Mexia)Members:
Melba Gregory
Obie Greenleaf
Leonard Reed
T.J. Patterson
Cynthia Lenton Gary
Fred H. Chinn, Jr.
Don Hill
Franklin D. Moss
Audwin Samuel
Tamara Young
Mustafa Sami
Gerald JoubertGuest:
Barbara McIntyre
Damian Dalcour
Michelle Reynolds
Hattie Tennison
Dulani Masimini
Lyndia Thomas
V.L. Wiley, Jr.
Brenda JacksonThe business meeting was called to order at 3:50 p.m., by President, Theresa Scott. The Invocation was offered by Frank Moss. President Scott expressed gratitude to Forth Worth for hosting this event.
The Minutes and Financials were read.
Financials:
June 30, 2009………. $29,156.74
July 31, 2009……….. $29,329.67
August 31, 2009……. $24,990.81.Following a motion by Judy Chambers and seconded by Hattie Tennison, both were approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Regarding our Certificate of Deposit (CD), no action has been taken. This matter will be left to the new officers.
T. J. Pattison gave a legal update of the 81st Legislative Session. He shared that the 2011 session will see the State billions of dollars short. The Sunset Review will review all State Agencies—approximately 30+. Following the census, we will see re-districting and lines will be re-drawn. “T.J.” stressed that we must make sure our people are counted; it will make a difference.
In 2009, there were 7,600 bills filed; 1,068 passed, and of those, 1,500 were city-related.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Nominating Committee (Don Hill, Jackie Levingston, Leonard Reed, and John Lovelady) presented their recommended slate of officers for 2009-2010. That slate was as follows:
Frank Moss, President
Marie Herndon, Vice-President
Tamara Young, Secretary
Mustafa Sami, Treasurer
Directors:
Freddie Taylor
John Lovelady
Barbara McIntyre
Audwin SamuelJudy Freeman Chambers immediately made a motion that was seconded by Hattie Tennison that the slate be accepted as presented and that would be our new officers. The motion passed.
Theresa Scott gave recognition to Past Presidents: Elton Hall, Jim Wyatt, Dock Jackson, Jackie Levingston, and Judy Freeman Chambers.
A message from President-Elect, Frank Moss followed. He stated that we shall work on Membership Development and show the value of being a member of TABCCM. From “value” comes “power”. We shall offer training workshops for members and Black elected officials. We shall develop mentorships and a quarterly newsletter will be published. The President-Elect extended special recognition to Michelle Reynolds, a Boston University graduate who happens to be his assistant.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m. after a motion by Bill Cleaver that was seconded by Judy Freeman.
Theresa Scott, President
Marie Herndon, Secretary