Outreach and Education Committee
Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., May 28, 2003
Commission Hearing Room4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
| Item No. |
Subject | Public Hearing Agenda Item No. |
|---|---|---|
| Approve previous Committee Meeting minutes | ||
| Summary of Minutes | ||
| 1. | Chairman's Charges (Oral Presentation) | Committee Only |
| 2. | TPWD Education Interpretation
and Outreach Strategic Plan Staff: Lydia Saldaña, Steve Hall |
Committee Only |
| 3. | Other Business |
Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Outreach and Education Committee
April 2, 2003
BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 2nd day of April 2003, there came on to be heard matters under the regulatory authority of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, in the Commission Hearing Room of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Headquarters complex, Austin, Travis County, Texas, beginning at 3:25 p.m. to wit:
I. COMMISSION ATTENDANCE:
Katharine Armstrong, Commission
Chair
Alvin Henry, Committee Chair
Ernest Angelo, Jr.
John Avila, Jr.
Joseph Fitzsimons
Philip Montgomery
Donato Ramos
Kelly Rising, M.D.
Mark Watson, Jr.
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
Minutes approved.
Motion: Commissioner Angelo
Second: Commissioner Ramos
III. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION:
1. CHAIRMAN’S CHARGES
Mr. Cook, TPWD executive
director, reported that
we are clear (on the chairman’s
charges).
2. BRIEFING – Chair
Henry introduced the next
item – the Status
of the TPWD Outreach, Education
and Interpretation Strategic
Plan.
Lydia Saldana, Director
of Communications, introduced
herself and Steve Hall,
Director of the Education
and Outreach Branch. She
turned it over to Hall.
Hall made a presentation on the status of the outreach, education and interpretation strategic effort and acknowledged Commissioner Armstrong and Commissioner Henry for personally addressing the first meeting of the Outreach and Education Advisory Committee held in January. He further recognized Dick Bartlett, chair of the advisory committee.
Hall noted that at the first advisory meeting members of the committee and TPWD employees were introduced to one another and briefed on the expertise/organizations represented in each of the committee members. The members were briefed on the many TPWD outreach, education and interpretation programs and major activities.
He mentioned that the date and location of the next meeting was April 17 at Sheldon (Lake Environmental Learning Center). The two purposes of the meeting was for advisory group members to discuss the strategic plan and for members to see, firsthand, the status of the construction at Sheldon– a TPWD outreach model learning and environmental center.
Hall noted that advisory committee chair Bartlett had appointed two sub-committees:
1. Outreach – chaired by Ramona Bass; met twice and scheduled to meet April 3; looking at key messages and outreach mission of the agency and of the state.
2. Education – chaired by Dr. Ron Howard, Texas Cooperative Extension; have not me; dealing with partnerships in formal education
He reiterated that we have an internal, interdivisional task force co-chaired by Hall and Bill Dolman of Parks (he asked Mr. Dolman to stand). The committee had met seven times since January and drafted the plan since then. The plan will carry TPWD the next 5-10 years and is currently being reviewed by TPWD executive management. After that it would go to the advisory committee members.
Specific components of the plan include:
Vision and Key Messages
Goals and Objectives
Implementation – beginning
in FY04
Ensure compliance with Sunset
requirements
Give us direction (long-term)
such as what programs are
funded, effective
Review and Assessment of
Programs
Program organization, program
goals and objectives and
accomplishments
Definitions
Time Schedule
Hall summarized by saying
the plan outlines an effective; "business-like" approach
to managing outreach, education
and interpretation efforts
at TPWD and through effective
partnerships. The plan would
be presented at the next
commission meeting May 28th.
He entertained any questions from the committee.
HENRY: Called for questions or comments and then thanked Saldana and Hall
3. SHELDON LAKE OUTREACH PROJECT - Chair Henry asked Cook for a clarification of the Sheldon campaign – particularly in lieu of comments made regarding budgets and legislation (covered in earlier commission committee presentations).
COOK: Would happen (best to address) at end of the legislative session.
HENRY: When?
COOK: Last day of the session (in terms of funding)
HENRY: Discussed Sheldon Lake project; public solicitation, and decided to move the May 1st kickoff date to June 1st (or later)
COOK: Suggested that is would be a judgment call
HENRY: Affirmed that it would be
COOK: Stated that some campaigns such as the Nimitz bonds are being actively and currently pursued during the legislative session (so that we could address now)
HENRY: Suggested that in light of cutbacks, it would be awkward to proceed at this time
ANGELO: What is time frame for starting? He further suggested to Henry that he should start now, and then if funding changed, he could always shut down the solicitation effort.
HENRY: Said he would hate to shut down such an effort and stated that there was a half million dollars in the project already.
BORUFF: Commented that money allocated for Sheldon in the first issuance ($2.58 million) had already been committed through contractual obligation. Suggested Henry move forward because of the obligation.
HENRY: Stated that these were related to his earlier questions.
He summarized by stating that because of the support from Cook and Boruff and through his work with Lydia Saldana and foundation, the campaign to build the Sheldon Lake Environmental Learning Center received a grant to hire a project coordinator to conduct administrative activities to get the job done. He mentioned the outstanding group of people who have been recruited including former commissioners, Hershey, Dinkins, Ryan and Kelsey. He further mentioned that although Ryan is moving to Round Rock that he would continue to assist, especially when in Houston area.
Henry mentioned the following that are assisting him in the effort:
Elizabeth Ghrist (phonetic)
- has agreed to co-chair
the campaign with him. He
stated that with her ties
to the Bush family and her
role on the executive committee
(only woman) of the economic
summit. She is a former
commissioner in Harris County
and has chaired campaigns
for United Way, the Urban
League, Red Cross and Center
for the Retarded. She is
currently chairing a $65
million campaign for Saint
Thomas University.
Opheila Vanden Borsh (phonetic)
- was (then) Governor Bush’s
executive secretary.
Felix Fraga - a former city
councilman and school board
member and from one of the
best-known families/people
in Houston.
These three and Henry comprise
the executive committee,
an advisory committee, of
the Sheldon Lake campaign
effort.
Felix Cook - was deputy
superintendent of schools
in Houston.
Jerry Pate – owns
Pate Engineering Company.
Eileen Lawal - wife of the
largest black-owned business
operation in Houston
Jack Blanton – chaired
the board of Houston Endowment
for a number of years; Endowment
contributed a half-million
dollars to the campaign.
Henry stated that they are
refining the final list
of members prior to printing
stationary and beginning
the solicitation campaign
for Sheldon. He reminded
the commissioners that although
this wasn’t the best
time to raise money; they
would target their shots
at the best possible times.
Henry said that Dick Bartlett and the Outreach and Education Advisory Committee were generally aware of the effort thus far and he further commented on the quality, enthusiasm of the members of that committee.
Henry stated that the Sheldon Lake document/folder had been prepared with the help of Saldana and her staff and is available for the campaign efforts. He had showed it to George Straight’s office that thought it was great.
Henry stated that May 1st would be the time when the first round of contacts would be going out and that he would try to make 100% of the presentations, schedule willing. He would rely heavily on Liz Ghrist who has been a leader in fund-raising, particularly in the nonprofit community in the Houston area. (He further recognized her talents and iterated his excitement for her and others being on board.)
He stated that they would go out with letters of interest May 1st and October 1st followed up by a second round next spring (2004). He stated that the funds can’t go on forever, however, and that they must be used wisely. He indicated that there would need to be other funds and follow-ups on resubmissions.
He summarized what an exciting project this is, for outreach and education and for programs of this nature for the entire state. Although it is Houston this time, it would be San Antonio and Dallas/Ft. Worth and the western half of the state later. He stated that he would continue to give the effort his very best.
ARMSTRONG: (After hearing Mr. Henry) Stated that Henry ought to start in May.
AVILA: Stated that Henry has already started.
HENRY: Invited all commissioners to assist where they could in the effort.
ARMSTRONG: Recognized Henry for being a committed commissioner in the project and said that it would result in a first-class education center for the children of Houston.
HENRY: Would give it our best shot. He recognized Chairman-Emeritus Bass and former commissioner Nolan Ryan for getting the ball rolling and getting him involved and further recognized TPWD staff for their efforts. He knew it would be fun and said the fun is going to get kicked into high gear come May 1st.
HENRY: Asked that the committee be closed.
Motion: Commissioner Avila
Second: (Commissioner Armstrong)
ARMSTRONG: Adjourned the meeting, but after recognizing Coastal Fisheries staff on the display in the lobby at TPWD headquarters.
IV. ADJOURNMENT: 3:45 pm
Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Outreach and Education Committee
Chairman's Charges
May 2003
(This item will be an oral presentation.)
Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Lydia Saldaña,
Steve Hall
Status
of the Education, Interpretation
and Outreach Strategic
Plan
May 2003
I. Discussion: Briefing on the highlights of the completed Strategic Plan for TPWD Education, Interpretation and Outreach Activities and Programs to be implemented in FY04. The plan was reviewed by the Education and Outreach Advisory Committee and includes key messages, goals, objectives and implementation strategies.
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