African American Section - Texas State Bar

PROJECTS / GOALS FOR THIS YEAR:

AALS identified the following goals:

• AALS Newsletter– To increase the number of published issues of the AALS Newsletter that are made available to the Section and to utilize the AALS Listserve as the primary means of distribution.

• Internet Website Online – To expand section capacity by developing an informational website that will highlight chapter membership and activities.

• Membership & Marketing –To enhance membership by highlighting the advantages of AALS membership at professional, SBOT and NBA affiliate chapter events.

• CLE Offering – To renew AALS’ commitment to offer signature continuing legal education of interest to the membership.

• NBA Relations – To finalize and formalize financial status with the National Bar Association (NBA) and to explore opportunities for programmatic involvement and leadership development within the NBA.

• Administration – To review the Section Bylaws to ensure compliance with State Bar of Texas requirements and to review internal accountability through the use of forms.

COMPLETED PROJECTS / GOALS:

July 2004

• Nydia Thomas, J. Goodwille Pierre, and Carl Riche, II attended the COC New Section Chair Orientation Meeting held at the Texas Bar Center in Austin.

August 2004

• AALS officers Lisa Tatum and J. Goodwille Pierre were elected to Region V Director positions within the NBA at the 79th Annual Meeting held in Charlotte, NC. This was an important development in our ongoing effort to strengthen our relations and involvement with the NBA.

September 2004

• Nydia Thomas, J. Goodwille Pierre, Bert Jennings and Lisa Tatum attended the Council of Chairs Retreat held at the Airport Hilton. This was the first time in recent memory that the AALS had four officers represented at the meeting. Bethew Jennings was identified as the primary contact for the planning and preparation of the SBOT Annual Meeting events.

• In an effort to network with local chapters, AALS Chair Nydia Thomas brought greetings from AALS at the Houston Lawyers Association officer retreat held in West Columbia, Texas. In addition, she attended a meeting of the Austin Black Lawyers Association to provide information on the planned Voting Rights Seminar slated for October, 2004.

October 2004

• AALS hosted a successful Voting Rights Seminar at South Texas College of Law in Houston on October 9, 2004. 112 participants were in attendance at the no-cost CLE. J. Goodwille Pierre was instrumental in building a local seminar event coalition and coordinating with co-sponsors in the Houston area. Bert Jennings, Tramaine Chargois, Regina Jones and Pierre Williams served on the CLE Committee. In addition, Nydia Thomas and Goodwille Pierre provided CLE technical assistance in advance of the Election Protection voting rights seminar sponsored by the J.L. Turner Legal Society in Dallas. Nydia Thomas also served as a speaker at the seminar held at the University to Texas School of Law in Austin.

• At the TMCP conference in San Antonio, AALS hosted an exhibitor table to showcase the section’s programs and projects as part of an ongoing drive to market the section and increase membership. Conference attendees frequently visited the exhibitor room and 12 new section members were recruited. Two additional members joined AALS the October 9th meeting. This resulted in an approximate increase of 14 new members.

• AALS issued a Fall/Winter 2004 Newsletter. The published newsletter contained highlights of the Election Protection Voting Rights Seminar held in Houston, Texas, outlined section goals, featured a calendar of events and included a message from the chair. The AALS Newsletter was distributed at the TMCP Conference in San Antonio.

• AALS also conducted its first official Section and Council meeting for the year. Goals for the remainder of the year were identified and committee assignments were finalized.

• AALS Treasurer Carl Richie, implemented the use of a travel reimbursement form for use by AALS Council.

• Nydia Thomas and Lisa Tatum represented the Section at the NBA’s Wiley Branton Symposium in Chicago, IL. The meeting featured important informational workshops on the Election Protection Project co-sponsored by the NBA.

November 2004

• AALS completed its design and mock-up of a new website. Committee chairs are currently investigating associated costs, technology and SBOT requirements. J. Goodwille Pierre and Pierre Williams are charged with the completion of this goal.

December 2004

• AALS began working with SBOT Section Coordinator Donna Rene Johnston and other diversity related sections to initiate plans for the Health Law Seminar slated at the upcoming Annual Meeting in June 2005.