Texas Breastfeeding Coalition
Minutes of the Formation Meeting
May 7 & 8, 2006
Houston Texas

In attendance at the formation meeting: Pam Berens (Houston), Diana Cardona (Valley), Stacy Ciashini (San Antonio), Jeannette Crenshaw (Dallas), Tracy Erickson (Austin), Annette Frantz (Dallas), Rani Garcia (Dallas), Judy Hopkinson (Houston), Kat Jackson (Dallas), Linda Jackson (Dallas), Nora Klein (Houston), Nicole Larrabee (Corpus Christi), Cathy Liles (College Station), Marcia Lutostanski (Houston), Cheryl Mills (Corpus Christi), Diana Montano (San Antonio), Alisa Niederstadt (Houston), Kathy Parkes (San Antonio), Veronica Riojas (Valley), Janet Rourke (Austin), Julie Stagg (Austin), Patty Stone (Austin), Hellen Sullivan (Austin), Carol Townson (Tomball), Lori Wenner (Beaumont), Kimberley Traylor (Hockley), Amy Vickers (Dallas), Norma Zuniga (San Antonio), Jan Van Nort (Houston - Monday only)

The meeting opened at 1 pm with introductions and descriptions of activities of local coalitions and breastfeeding promotion activities around the state. 

Report from the USBC: This was followed by discussion of the structure and activities of other state breastfeeding coalitions and reports on specific sections of the USBC conference of state breastfeeding coalitions. Judy Hopkinson reported on the CDC best practices and data collection presentation. Rani Garcia reported on legislation and lobbying efforts. Janet Rourke reported on coalition building and maintenance. Lively discussions were stimulated by each presentation. 

Legacy, Mission, Goals:

Janet Rourke then led the group in a brainstorming session to characterize what we want breastfeeding to look like in Texas in 20 years.  This was followed by joint development of the following:

Legacy Statement: To ensure that breastfeeding is the cultural norm in Texas

The next morning, Jeannette Crenshaw led the group in an exercise to formulate a mission statement.  It was noted that legacy statement, mission statement and goals can be changed later if we so desire. The following mission statement was adopted:

• To improve the health of Texans by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

• Jeannette continued the very successful exercise paradigm (breaking into three rotating groups followed by whole group discussion and vote) to develop goals for the coalition. The following goals were adopted:

• Ensure that all state and local laws and policies protect breastfeeding
• (This goal will include, but will not be limited to, activities designed to impact:
• Policies in workplaces, educational institutions and childcare facilities support breastfeeding families.)
• Protect and promote a public environment supportive and accepting of breastfeeding
• Improve breastfeeding rates
• Build, link, and ensure access to state and local resources.
• (This goal will include, but will not be limited to, activities designed to
• Ensure Access to comprehensive, accurate, and culturally sensitive lactation care and services for all women, children and families.
• Cultivate, coordinate and mobilize all communities to use programs and resources.)
• Foster communication and build a strong networking system among stakeholders.

Priority activities: Because of time constraints, a full discussion and prioritization of activities for 2006 was truncated, and Judy Hopkinson suggested the following target activities for 2006 after caucusing with Janet Rourke and several others:

• Collect local breastfeeding support resource information
• Support 2007 legislative agenda
• Continue to build the web site to include
• Local resources contact information
• Facilitation of legislator contact to support breastfeeding legislation
• including facilitation of legislator contact through the TBC web site
• Identify and invite stakeholders

By-laws / Organizational Structure

Rani Garcia chaired a discussion of organizational structure. Development of bylaws was deferred until decisions regarding structure of the coalition have been made. The following areas were identified as needing clarification before bylaws can be written:

• Who is eligible for membership?  (or “paid associate status” as in California)
•             Organizations only? Individuals?           
• Who is ineligible for memberships?
•             WHO code violators? Other who act against the goals or best interests of the coalition? ` Felons?
• How do candidates become members?
•             Who votes – quorum of memberships?  Board of directors or executive board?
• What is required of members?
•             Commitment to goals statement? Dues payment?
• How and when can members by removed?
• What are the privileges of membership?
•             Voting? How many votes / organization – how many representatives / organization?
•             Do individuals get the same votes as organizations?           
• Officers / Administration:
•             Will we have an executive council or board of administrators?
•             If so, will they be able to vote on issues without going to the full membership?
• What officers do we want?
•             President?  VP,  treasurer,  sec,  ….
• Meetings
•             How often? Teleconferences vs on site meetings?
• Dues
• Multilevel structure?  - How much for different levels? Share with local coalitions?   What percentage? 

• The following decisions were made:

• All members should commit to do something for organization
• A temporary leadership team is needed to make decisions and carry forth the formation of the TBC.
• The following temporary executive council was elected:
• Judy Hopkinson and Janet Rourke (Co-chairs)
• Annette Frantz, Julie Stagg, Pamela Berens, Kat Jackson
• Linda Jackson, Kathy Parkes (members)
• Rani Garcia and Jeannette Crenshaw (advisors)
• The next general meeting will be held by conference call on or about June 23. Rani Garcia can provide access to no-cost conference call services. 
• The temporary executive council will meet by conference call as soon as feasible during the month of May.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm.

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