El Tropicano, site for 2009 TAD Conference in SA,
welcomes TAD Board and conference committee on July 26

TAD Conference co-chair Tony Kirby and chair Karen Kirby
sit between TAD board member Marianne Sasseen and
Larry Evans during their luncheon

Miss Deaf Texas Katherine Murch of CC performs
for TAD board and conference committee

A copy of the agenda is added to this announcement after the two enclosed photos. Those two photos will show you why TAD is celebrating two awards and one pageant honor that were given at the 49th National Association of the Deaf Conference in New Orleans during the week of July 6. TAD board director Gertie Galloway was given the Spirit of the NAD Award for her many contributions to the Deaf Community and for helping with the lst Annual National Leadership Training Conference that TAD, TSD and NAD hosted last April in Austin. TAD President Steve Baldwin received the Robert M. Greenmun Memorial Award for local leadership. NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins, also a resident of Austin, presented awards. Accepting the award for Baldwin were delegates John Mills and Larry Evans and member Betty Bounds.

Like icing on the cake for TAD, our Miss Deaf Texas Katherine Murch of Corpus Christi nearly won the Miss Deaf America crown by one notch over 20 other contestants. The other highlight for Miss Murch was winning the Platform Presentation Award during the pageant at New Orleans Marriott Hotel where 1600 people registered for the NAD Conference. Winner of the crown was Miss Deaf Maryland and should she resign or become ineligible, Miss Murch will step in to finish the reign for the next two years. Murch will attend the board meeting to give a short talk and TAD will present a surprise for her and those in attendance.

During the meeting there will be reports about the NAD Conference, TAD business matters, items, and issues, 2009 TAD Conference information in SA, and much more. See the attached agenda for more information. Minutes of the July 26 meeting will be posted within two weeks on the TAD website www.deaftexas.org.

TAD is a non-profit 501 (3) C organization that was established in 1886. There are about 650 members, including online E-newsletter subscribers. TAD is an advocacy state association with the National Association of the Deaf and many laws like ASL, Relay Texas, TSD 51% board make-up, commission for the deaf and other legislative mandates have benefited Deaf Texans. For those who wish to join TAD, there is a membership form at www.deaftexas.org.

Five minutes after winning lst Runner-Up at the Miss Deaf America Pageant in New Orleans, Miss Deaf Texas Katherine Murch shows off her award and bouquet. (Photo by Larry Evans)

Left to right: TAD treasurer/delegate John Mills, Steve Baldwin, president and Greenmum winner, Gertie Galloway, director/Spirit of the NAD winner, and Larry Evans, director/delegate. (Photo by Betty Bounds)

_______________________________________________

TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF
Board Meeting
July 26, 2008
1:30-3:30 PM
El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel
San Antonio, Texas
-AGENDA-

Introduction/Recognition of Special Visitors – President Steve Baldwin

Public Comments/Special Reports/Short Presentations:

- Miss Deaf Texas Katherine Murch
- Delegates‘ Report- Larry Evans and John Mills
- Karen Kirby, Chair, 2009 TAD Conference
- David H. Pierce- TAD rep for Advocacy, Inc. and Disability Policy Consortium

Reports or Discussions by Individual Board Members:

President - Steve Baldwin
Vice President - Cathy Edler-Ashley (absent-excused)
Secretary - Marianne Sasseen
Treasurer - John Mills
Directors: Larry Evans, Gertie Galloway, and Christopher Kearney (absent-excused)

Standing and Ad Hoc Committees:
Membership Committee: Fred Newberry
Website Committee: Steve Baldwin
The Deaf Texan: Steve Baldwin
Youth Committee: Christopher Kearney
Investments Committee: John Mills

Bylaws Committee: Cathy Edler-Ashley
Legislative Committee/state agency:Larry Evans
MDTP Report: Marianne Sasseen
(Other standing and ad hoc committees may be added)

Recess – 10 minutes (optional…discretion of board)

Unfinished Business:

New Business (action)
- Approval of Minutes from January 12, 2008 board meeting in El Paso
- Approval of emailed motions
- Approval of sending Rosie Serna an Linda Hill to the Texas Latino Council of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Conference in McAllen on October 10, 2008
- Approval of three booths for TSD HC on Oct. 4
- Board meeting on Oct. 5 or later
- Other

Adjournment

Public announcements

(Subject to change by meeting time)

_____________________________________________________

First Runner Up - Texas

Second Runner Up - Missouri

Katherine won Best Platform Presentation for Preliminary 1 on Monday.

We are so proud of Katherine Murch!!

Submitted by Laura Loeb Hill

Katherine with Miss Deaf America Michelle Lapides from Maryland and 2nd runner up JoAnn Benfield from Missouri

Katherine with NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins 

Katherine with new Miss Deaf America Michelle Laides

Katherine with outgoing State Director Laura Loeb Hill

Katherine with outgoing Miss Deaf America Chelsea Tobin

Miss Deaf Texas Katherine

Tonight is the big night of the Miss Deaf America Pageant. They will be announcing the preliminary winners for Platform Presentation and Artistic Expression (Talent) then the Too 6 Finalists and one of the top 6 will win the crown.

Katherine stunned the audience with her beautiful evening gown during Preliminary 3 yesterday afternoon. She felt good about her private interview.

Let’s wish Katherine the best of luck tonight. We want the crown!!

Check the website either tonight or tomorrow.

Katherine has done a phenomenal job in New Orleans. She finished preliminary 1 on Monday which was her platform presentation and did an outstanding job. She did preliminary 2 which was yesterday and did her artistic expression and did fabulous. She brought tears to people in the audience. Katherine did her private interview this morning and will do her Presence and Poise this afternoon.

Tomorrow night is the big night! We will send results as soon as it is over!