2009-2010 Membership Committee
Current Committee Meeting Minutes

May 26, 2010

September 25, 2009

TCMA Membership Committee
May 26, 11:00 a.m.
Conference Call

Members of the committee on the conference call were: Chair: David Landis, City Manager, Perryton; Vince DiPiazza, City Manager, Dumas; Chase Patton, Field Services Representative, TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool; Gabriel Reaume, Budget Analyst, Sugar Land; James Fisher, City Manager, Murphy

TML Staff: Kim Pendergraft

Committee chair David Landis, city manager of Perryton, called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m., welcoming and thanking committee members in attendance for their support.

1. TCMA Professional Awards

David Landis informed the committee that the Board modified the eligibility requirements for the Terrell Blodgett Academician award to include current and retired academics, as recommended by the Membership Committee.

The TCMA Board also requested that the Membership Committee consider expanding eligibility for the TCMA Lifetime Achievement award to include TCMA Full members and retired TCMA members. On a motion by James Fisher, city manager of Murphy, and a second by Chase Patton, field services representative for the TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool, the committee voted unanimously to change the requirements.

2. TCMA Annual Conference New Professional’s Scholarship Recommendations

Twelve scholarship applications were received. The committee will recommend to the Executive Board that the following people receive scholarships: Ben Brezina, Assistant to the City Manager and Contract Administrator, Frisco; Shawn Cox, Assistant to the City Manager, Tomball; Michael Hall, City Secretary/Administrator, Quitman; Tina Jauz, Assistant Director of Community Services, Midland; and Erik Rejino, Director of Administration Services, Levelland

The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

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TCMA Membership Committee
September 25, 2009
Dallas Love Field Airport, Dallas Room

Members of the committee present were: Chair: David Landis, City Manager, Perryton; Lesli Andrews, Division Manager, Abilene; Brenda Samford, City Manager, Carthage; Michael Goodrum, Community and Environmental Director, Sugar Land; Jim Gray, City Manager, Ingleside; Brent Branham, Deputy City Manager, McAllen; Chase Patton, Transportation Superintendent, Midland; Ben Nibarger, Management Intern, Westlake; Mario Canizares, Deputy City Manager, Coppell; Carrie West, Lieutenant, Corinth; Rona Stringfellow-Govan, Director of Development Services, Lancaster; David Harris, Assistant City Manager, Schertz; Gabriel Reaume, Budget Analyst, Sugar Land; James Fisher, City Manager, Murphy

TML Staff: Kim Pendergraft

Committee chair David Landis, city manager of Perryton, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m., welcoming and thanking committee members in attendance for their support. David reviewed the committee responsibilities.

The meeting discussion focused on the strategic plan objectives charged to the Membership Committee.

1. Electronic Newsletter: The committee felt the Management Messenger is effective and no changes are needed. Mario Canizares, Coppell deputy city manager, asked if the assistants’ groups can place events and quarterly meeting schedules in the newsletter. Kim Pendergraft, TML staff, stated that if something is submitted, it will be reviewed; if it meets the objective of the newsletter, it will be published.

2. Council-Manager Form of Government: James Fisher, Murphy city manager, suggested that a series of articles regarding the council-manager form of government be written and submitted to the TML magazine, Texas Town & City. David Harris, assistant city manager of Schertz, stated that the Michigan League provides videos and articles on their Web site. Mario Canizares and David Harris suggested partnering with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) to produce television advertisements to be televised statewide. Brenda Samford, city manager of Carthage, suggested providing articles for the TCMA newsletter. David Landis suggested that the Legacy Leaders video being produced by TCMA could have multiple uses and be used to promote the council-manager form of government. David Landis and David Harris will ask the Board at the January meeting how the committee should focus on this issue.

3. In-transition Services: James Fisher stated that the services have improved over the years, but the key is for managers and TCMA leaders to contact and provide support for those who have lost their jobs. David Landis stated that support at the regional level is essential. Jim Gray, city manager of Ingleside, stated that managers need to look for in-transition members to fill temporary positions within their cities. He also suggested that the TML staff periodically mention the services in the monthly newsletter. The committee asked the TCMA staff to send an e-mail to the membership committee when a member applies for in-transition status. This will provide quick notification, and the committee can respond. TML staff was asked to find out if the database will allow for alternative contact information to be collected and available without being published publicly on the online roster or the membership directory. This will allow quick response to those who lose their position. If the database will provide this feature, it can be collected on the dues renewal form and membership applications. Jim Gray suggested that the TML staff make copies of the services available and place them in the TCMA Annual Conference bags, along with the other material provided. The committee suggested that there be a concurrent session at the TCMA Annual Conference on the topic. It was noted that it had been on the program in previous years.

4. Awards: David Landis stated that each member of the committee needs to market the awards program at the regional level. He stated that the program should be somewhat competitive to add value. The committee asked the TML staff to provide a link to past recipients in an e-mail in the publicity for nominations. David Harris requested that the committee chair and vice chair be proactive to contact award recipients to ensure they will be present at the TCMA Annual Conference to receive their awards. David Landis will ask the TCMA Board if placing an article in Texas Town & City about the awards to promote participation and nominations would be appropriate.

5. Scholarships: Kim Pendergraft provided information regarding scholarships available for MPA students from universities around the State of Texas. This allowed the committee to determine if the current level of support is competitive. The committee agreed that scholarship levels were sufficient and competitive.

6. Membership Drive: James Fisher, David Harris, Mario Canizares, Brenda Samford, and Chase Patton will prepare a plan for a membership drive and present it for review at the next committee meeting.

Dates and future locations for the next meetingx will be provided following the awards and scholarship program deadline, which is January 15, 2010.

David Landis thanked everyone for their participation, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.