The State Policy Committee of the State Employee Charitable Campaign met in Regular Session on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at the LyndonB.JohnsonBuilding, 111 E. 17th Street, Room 916.
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TexasState Employee Charitable Campaign
State Policy Committee Minutes
Presiding:Mike Markl
Members Present:Mike Esparza
Peter Flores
Raette Hearne
Louri O’Leary
Frances Torres
Carol Treadway
Members Not Viveca Martinez
Present:
General Counsel: Melissa Juarez
State Campaign
Manager:Roxanne Jones
Guests:Elizabeth Fitzgerald
Terri Jackson
Edie Muehlberger
Chris Conradt
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TexasState Employee Charitable Campaign
State Policy Committee Minutes
1. SPC Roll Call
Mike Markl presided as chairman and called the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) State Policy Committee (SPC) to order at 9:15AM. Roll call was taken. Chairman Markl announced a quorum was present.
Carol Treadway announced that this would be her last SPC meeting as she is leaving her position with the state. The committee thanked her for her service.
2. Approval of November 19, 2010SPC minutes
A change was made to the November 19, 2010 minutes. SCM will include an announcement of the SECC roundtable and Louri O’Leary’s offer to do a welcome speech.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the amended November 19, 2010 minutes. The motion passed.
3. Recent development in local and statewide campaign operations
Local Campaign Manager (LCM) notifications were presented to the SPC for the San Antonio, DFW Metroplex, and Laredo campaign areas.
Roxanne Jones informed the SPC that letters requesting honorary chairs had been sent to the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House certified mail.
The Greater West Texas is moving forward as a larger merged campaign and they have identified members for the LEC that represent Midland/Odessa, Abilene, and Lubbock.
Roxanne Jones informed the SPC of the status of local campaign management in the Houston campaign area. The transition from the Greater Houston United Way to Independent Charities of America is complete. Independent Charities of America has a point of contact for the SECC and is working to identify a point of contact in Houston.
Roxanne Jones informed the committee that there have been a few bills filed regarding either the SECC directly or indirectly including HB 1608, HB 1682, and SB 1287. The SCM will continue to send legislative updates to committee members as appropriate.
Louri O’Leary expressed concerns regarding HB 1608 and the use of language requiring that the SPC include one or more members that are retired state employees.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary to spur efforts to change the language in HB 1608 from using the word “must” to “may” when referring to including state retirees on the SPC. The motion did not pass.
Chairman Markl confirmed that he will communicate that the SPC is in support of legislation regarding the solicitation of retirees should testimony be required.
4. Charitable organizations listed multiple times in the Greater West Texas SECC
Roxanne Jones informed the committee that the Greater West Texas SECC campaign area was encountering issues around multiple listings in their area. Due to such a large geographical area they are discovering that several organizations have several chapters of their organization that would like to be listed separately in the SECC directory as they serve distinct communities.
After discussion the SPC determined that the LEC can approve multiple listings if the applicant organization provides the information needed to convince the LEC that they are serving distinct communities.
5.1. Coastal Bend SECC campaign area to include Kenedy County
Roxanne Jones informed the committee that the San Antonio campaign area currently serves Kenedy County and the Coastal Bend SECC would like to serve the area since it is more convenient to their campaign area. The SCM spoke with both campaign areas and both areas agree that Kenedy County would be better served by the Coastal Bend SECC.
A motion was made by Peter Flores and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve the Coastal Bend SECC campaign area to serve Kenedy County. The motion passed.
5.2. Applications from statewide organizations for participation in the 2011 campaign
Peter Flores would like to be recused from taking action on any motions associated with the application regarding the organization PETA.
Melissa Juarez reviewed the rules regarding eligibility as it relates to health and human service statements, administrative costs exceeding 25%, and rules relating to those organizations that participated at least once between 1994 – 2003 versus those organizations that participated in 2004 or later.
The SPC adjourned for a break at 11:10 AM. The committee reconvened at 11:25 AM.
The committee had discussion regarding the eligibility of international organizations that do not serve Texas counties. Melissa Juarez informed the committee that there is a discrepancy between the Texas Administrative Code and the original rule language. AAG Juarez will research the discrepancy and inform the committee of the rule at the next meeting.
Black United Fund of Texas
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Mike Esparza to approve Black United Fund of Texas. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve all affiliates of Black United Fund of Texas except for Janine Sarcoidosis Outreach Support Group. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to deny Janine Sarcoidosis Outreach Support Group due to lack of a complete application. The motion passed.
Community Health Charities Texas
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve Community Health Charities Texas. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the following affiliates as listed in Attachment A # 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 -9, 11 -13, 15 – 23, 25, 27, and 29. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to deny American Cancer Research Center due to an insufficient reason and plan to reduce administrative costs. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Mike Esparza to deny American Liver Foundation because the program description exceeds 25 words. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to deny Chrons & Colitis Foundation due to lack of an audit. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Mike Esparza to deny NAMI of Texas because a 990 EZ was submitted with no pro forma pages and administrative costs cannot be validated. The motion passed.
The application for Prevent Blindness Texas was withdrawn per Community Health Charities Texas.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Mike Esparza to deny St. Jude’s Children Research because no attachment E was included. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Carol Treadway to approve Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. The motion passed.
America’s Best Charities
A motion was made by Frances Torres and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve America’s Best Charities. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the following affiliates as listed in Attachment A #127 – 128, 130, 132-133, 135-137, 139, and 142. The motion passed.
#129 & #143 withdrew their applications per America’s Best Charities.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve and grant a one year waiver to Cancer Research Fund of the Damon Runyon – Walter Winchell Foundation. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Mike Esparza to deny Dogs on Death Row due to an insufficient health and human service statement. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Raette Hearne to deny Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities because the program description exceeds 25 words. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Raette Hearne to deny Hearing Dog due to lack of Attachment A and unable to reconcile IRS Form 990 and Audit. The motion passed.
Christian Community Charities
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve Christian Community Charities. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approvethe following affiliates of Christian Community Charities as listed in Attachment A #2-8, 10 -12. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Markl and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve and grant a waiver to Methodist Children’s Home. The motion passed. Frances Torres voted against this motion.
America’s Best Charities
A motion was made by Frances Torres and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve the following affiliates of America’s Best Charities as listed in Attachment A #1-14, 16 – 49, 52 – 62, 144, 146 – 148, 150 – 156. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Frances Torres and seconded by Mike Esparza to approve and grant a waiver to American Humane Association. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Frances Torres and seconded by Raette Hearne to deny Snowball Express due to an insufficient attachment A. The motion passed.
Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation and Children’s Defense Fund withdrew their application per America’s Best Charities.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Peter Flores to approve the following affiliates of America’s Best Charities as listed in Attachment A #63 – 69, 71, 72 – 76. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Louri O’Leary to deny Giving Children Hope due to an insufficient health and human service statement. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Mike Esparza to approve the following affiliates of America’s Best Charities as listed in Attachment A #78, 80 – 84, 86 – 87, 90 – 93, 95. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve and grant a waiver to Guide Dogs for the Blind. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Mike Esparza to approve Hospice Foundation of America. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Louri O’Leary to deny Holt International Children’s Services due to lack of services in Texas and being an international organization that first participated after 2004. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Frances Torres to deny MAP International due to lack of services in Texas and being an international organization that first participated after 2004. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the following affiliates of America’s Best Charities as listed in Attachment A #97, 99-101, 103-104, and 106-109. The motion passed. Peter Flores voted against the motion approving PETA to participate in the SECC.
The following affiliates from America’s Best Charities withdrew their application per an America’s Best Charities representative: Methodist Mission Home, NASW, and National FFA Foundation.
Peter Flores assumed the role of chair.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Frances Torres to approve the following affiliates of America’s Best Charities as listed in Attachment A #110-112, and 115-121. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Carol Treadway to approve Restless Leg Syndrome. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Frances Torres to deny Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation due to an insufficient health and human service statement. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Frances Torres deny Thomas More Law Center due to an insufficient health and human service statement. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Carol Treadway to approve the following affiliates of America’s Best Charities as listed in Attachment A #123-125. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Raette Hearne and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve World Impact. The motion passed.
Mike Markl assumed the role of chair.
America’s Charities
A motion was made by Peter Flores and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the following affiliates of America’s Charities as listed in Attachment A #1-14, 16-17, 19-26, and 29-33. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Peter Flores and seconded by Carol Treadway to approve Petsmart Charities and Fund for Animals. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Peter Flores and seconded by Louri O’Leary to deny Hospice America due to irreconcilable IRS Form 990 and Audit and insufficient plan to reduce administrative costs. The motion passed.
Children’s Charitable Alliance of Texas
A motion was made by Peter Flores and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve Children’s Charitable Alliance and all of its affiliates except for Texans Can!. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Peter Flores and seconded by Frances Torres to deny Texans Can! due to an insufficient plan to reduce administrative costs and a pattern of exceeding the administrative cost cap. The motion passed.
Community Shares of Texas
A motion was made by Carol Treadway and seconded by Raette Hearne to deny Community Shares of Texas due to lack of a health and human service statement. The motion passed.
No affiliate organizations of Community Shares of Texas were reviewed due to the denial of the federation.
Earth Share of Texas
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Carol Treadway to approve Earth Share of Texas. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve the following affiliates of Earth Share of Texas as listed in Attachment A #2, 4-14, 16-17, 19-29, 31-33, 35-36, 38-42, 44-50, and 52-58. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Mike Esparza to approve and grant a waiver to American Farmland Trusts. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Peter Flores to approve and grant a waiver to Clean Water Fund of Texas. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve Conservation International. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Peter Flores to approve and grant a waiver to National Parks Conservation Association. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Raette Hearne to deny The Ocean Conservancy due to an insufficient plan to reduce administrative costs and a pattern of exceeding the administrative cost cap. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Peter Flores to approve and grant a waiver to Protect Lake Travis Association. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve Save Barton Creek Association. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve and grant a waiver to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Louri O’Leary and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve and grant a waiver to World Wildlife Fund. The motion passed.
Global Impact
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve Global Impact. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve the following affiliates of Global Impact as listed in Attachment A #2-18, and 20-25. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve and grant a waiver to Heifer International. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Carol Treadway and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the following affiliates of Global Impact as listed in Attachment A #26-29, and 32-42. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Carol Treadway and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve and grant a waiver to Plan USA. The motion passed.
PCI Media Impact withdrew their application per a representative of Global Impact.
Local Independent Charities of Texas
A motion was made by Carol Treadway and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve Local Independent Charities of Texas. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Carol Treadway and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the following affiliates of Local Independent Charities of Texas as listed in Attachment A #1-4, and 6-21. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Carol Treadway and seconded by Raette Hearne to approve and grant a waiver to Guide Dogs of Texas. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Carol Treadway and seconded by Raette Hearne to deny Texas Council on Family Violence due to lack of an attachment E. The motion passed.
Raette Hearne assumed the role of chair.
Neighbor to Nation
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Frances Torres to approve Neighbor to Nation. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Louri O’Leary to approve the following affiliates of Neighbor to Nation as listed in Attachment A #5-6, 8-16, 18-22, 24, 26, 28-30, 32, 34-36, and 38. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Carol Treadway to approve and grant a waiver to AIDS Research Alliance of America. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Frances Torres to deny Amen Foundation due to an insufficient health and human service statement. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Carol Treadway to deny American Family Association due to an insufficient health and human service statement. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Frances Torres to deny Biblica due to an insufficient health and human service statement. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Frances Torres to deny Foundation Fighting Blindness due to ineligibility as the organization has had administrative costs that have exceeded the 25% cost cap for 4 years. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Mike Esparza and seconded by Peter Flores to approve and grant a waiver to Lions Club International Foundation. The motion passed.