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 National Council Meeting Minutes - November 18, 2008Luis Hernández, President, called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm. Roll call was taken and quorum was not established until 6:50 pm. Present as of 6:08 pm Note: National Council-7 members required for a quorum Present (as of 6:08 pm)
Guests Reporting:Amanda Hasemeier, Carmen Ortiz, Gilbert Guerrero, Edwin Almodóvar AbsentLuis Hernández (excused absence) *Since a quorum was not established when the meeting was called to order at 6:08pm, approvals or changes made to the November's Business Meeting agenda and October's business minutes were not approved (at this moment) by the Council. No motions were made. VI. On-going Business A. NOPHNRCSE Website Update: Mario Morales discussed the Web Business Contract from ComRush that was emailed to council members earlier this afternoon. He stated that the website will consist of the following: cover page with a streaming slide show, eleven committee pages that can be updated by the individual Committee Chairs with the use of individual passwords. The Conference Planning and Membership pages will have a secure pay link for registration and membership fees. The Nominations page will have a secure balloting feature for elections. The professional Website designed with Joomla content management system at a cost of $1600.00, hosting for said Website at a rate of $19.95/month for 12 months, with a $25 server set up fee, totaling $1864.40. $844.95 is due upon the signing of this contract with the remaining balance of $800.00 due upon completion of said Website. Luis Hernandez had a concern with the amount of space available to us on the new proposed website. Mario stated that he did not know how much space is available, but he will ask ComRush. Carmen Ortiz stated her concern on why she has not seen the Web Business Contract, until today. She would like to give the National Council time to review the contract before any decisions are made, since a quorum has not been established at this particular time. A deadline was set for December 1st for everyone to send their thoughts on proposed website contract to Secretary, Eileen M. Vale. Eileen would then redistribute for opinion. Therefore this topic will be tabled for January's Business Meeting. B. Student Committee Update: Gilbert Guerrero had a concern for the set deadline on the Chairperson for the By Laws Committee. He stated that students are already sending in their applications. It has been customary in the past that the Conference planning committee handled the students travel expenses. The reason for this was the Planning Committee knew which students were coming and which students were not. This also makes registration for the conference a lot easier for the Registration Chair. The deadline for committee chair is set for end of February. Gilbert stated that the deadline is too late since students are already sending in their applications. Gilbert would like to get things in order as quick as possible. His committee members have already been calling him in regards to what plan of action they need to take. Luis can appoint a committee chair person. However, they would have to set up the proposed consolidation of the Student Financial Scholarship Committee and Student Travel Committee in the By Laws. The acting chair can get things in motion until it's all finalized. Luis Hernandez stated that he did not want any more time wasted on this. Luis appointed Gilbert Guerrero as acting Chairperson for the Student Committee. Mario Morales stated that we will support this plan of action and will have committee chairs in place as soon as possible. C. Ismael Matos to Represent the Caribbean Area: Tabled for next month’s meeting. D. Farm Bill Outreach Pamphlets-Proposal on forming a Spanish Translation (NOPHNRCSE): Edwin Almodóvar stated that it would be a good opportunity for NOPHNRCSE to participate in translating NRCS pamphlets to Spanish. Edwin said he would like to take the lead on this project. Edwin further explained how this can be good for outreach, especially to socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers. Luis Hernandez stated that NOPHNRCSE currently has a list of 25 people/members of NOPHNRCSE who are interested in this type of project. He advised Edwin he can use this list to recruit who ever might be interested in assisting him on this project. Mario Morales had a concern on when these individuals will be translating these pamphlets, on government time or on their own time. Mario will follow up on this. A quorum was established at 6:50 pm. IV. Approve Minutes: Luis Hernandez asked if anyone had any questions regarding October’s Minutes. No response. Eileen M. Vale made a motion to approve October’s Business Meeting Minutes. Cresencio Perez seconded the motion, no more discussion, motion carried. V. Treasury Report: Jorge is currently attending a week long conference in Ft. Worth, TX regarding the National Audit. He did however send the Treasurer’s Report for November. See Chart. Luis Hernandez suggested that we wait until January’s meeting to have Jorge review the report for November due to his absence.
VI. On going Business (Continued) E. 2009 Conference Update: Amanda Hasemeier stated the 2009 conference planning committee held their meeting on November 12, 2008. The contract with the hotel has been finalized. The contract is ready to be signed by Gocha Rodriquez. All that was pending, was the credit approval needed by the hotel. Amanda said she was going to check with Jorge Camacho regarding NOPHNRCSE’s credit history. Luis Hernandez asked how much per person it was going to cost NOPHNRCSE on food prices. Amanda replied $205 per person. She estimated on 150 to 200 people. Headquarters will have this approved by the end of week. Dana York does have a copy of the new policy regarding attending NRCS professional organizations meetings. It was mentioned that more responsibility regarding attending NRCS professional organization meetings was going to be left to the state offices than to headquarters. It was recommended to Amanda that Gocha signs the contract ASAP. It is important that we move forward with the planning proceedings of the 2009 conference. The dates of the 2009 Conference have been emailed to Dana York and Chief Lancaster. Luis Hernandez stated there were a lot compliments from NRCS State Conservationists regarding the quality of training NOPHNRCSE provides. Amanda and her planning committee sent out post cards to members asking them ideas for a theme for the 2009 Conference in Philadelphia. Amanda stated that she only received one post card. Eileen M. Vale made a motion to move forward with acquiring Gocha Rodriquez’s signature on the hotel contract. Heather Medina Sauceda seconded the motion, no more discussion, motion carried. F. Organizational Climate Survey: Roney Gutierrez stated that he only received 33 survey responses. Roney said he would like to see at least 50 or more responses. Luis Hernandez and Heather Medina Sauceda stated the reason why Roney did not receive as many responses is that maybe some of the members did not feel comfortable answering the questions through email. It maybe a good idea to have them mail or fax their responses. Roney stated that he will summarize the comments and follow up with a plan of action to respond to those comments made. G. Membership Drive Proposal Update: This topic of discussion will be tabled until January's teleconference due to Ted Lucero's and Tim Garrahan's absence. H. Standing Committee Chairs Update: This topic of discussion will be tabled until January’s teleconference due to Mario’s early dismissal meeting. I. Proposal to Form a Transition Team: Luis Hernandez proposed it would be a good idea that NOPHNRCSE form a Transition Team to approach the new administration. Luis said that he talked to Astrid Martinez in regards to this proposed plan of action. Astrid suggested that Luis write a letter to all of the President's of the NRCS professional organizations in regards this proposal. The proposed letter would suggest that they (Presidents) plan a meeting to meet with the new Chief and his administration to inform them who we are, what we do and what our main mission is as an NRCS Professional organization. Luis asked Heather Medina Sauceda to take the lead on this proposal to form a Transition Team for NOPHNRCSE. J. Regional Representatives:
VII. Other Business A. Discussion on NRCS Professional Organization Joint Meeting for 2010: Luis stated that there might be a possibility of a Joint NRCS Professional Organization Meeting in 2010. He discussed that an estimated 500 people would attend and it may held in location that can host 500 or people such as Washington D. C. B. President Activities: The Black Employee Conference is going to be held the second week of December. Luis Hernandez stated that his state has allowed him to attend the conference on GTE. Luis asked the council if NOPHNRCSE can present the NOPBNRCSE with a donation of $250.00 for their student scholarship fund. Jazelle Jusino asked if we are going to offer the same donation to other organizations. Luis asked the council to see if $250.00 was an adequate donation to the NOPBNRCSE’s student scholarship fund. Eileen M. Vale made a motion to approve the $250.00 donation to be made to NOPBNRCSE’s student scholarship fund. Heather Medina Sauceda seconded the motion, no more discussion, motion carried. Luis stated he will check the policy on donations to the other NRCS professional organization’s student scholarship funds. VIII. Adjournment Cresencio Perez made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jazelle Jusino seconded the motion, no more discussion, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm. Luis Hernández, President
< Back to Minutes of the National Organization of Professional Hispanic NRCS Employees |
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