Table of Contents
Greetings Pages 3-8
Governor of Texas
Mayor of Dallas, Texas
President, Texas State Association of Parliamentarians
National Association of Parliamentarians
District Six Director, National Association of Parliamentarians
TSAP 70th Convention Chair
Convention Schedule Pages 9-11
TSAP Board of Directors Page 12
TSAP 70th Convention Committee Page 13
TSAP Unit Presidents Page 14
TSAP Presidents Page 15
TSAP Parliamentarian of the Year Award Recipients Page 16
TSAP Convention Standing Rules Page 17
Credentials and Registration Report Form Page 18
Convention Committee Appointments Page 19
Candidates for 2025-2026 Board of Directors Pages 20-29
Officer Election Recording Form Page 30
Nominating Committee Election Form Page 31
TSAP Board of Directors Report Pages 32-67
Audit Committee Report Pages 68-70
Report of the Units Pages 71-93
Proposed Revision of the TSAP Bylaws Pages 94 (inserts1-15)
Silent Gavel Page 110
Courtesy Resolution Page 111
Convention Presenters Page 112
May 2, 2025
Welcome to the 70th TSAP Convention held in the great city of Dallas, Texas. I hope you enjoy your time of learning as we continue to be Texas Strong: Building Excellence Through Parliamentary Education.
As you connect with old and new friends, I hope you get a few minutes to enjoy a little bit of Dallas, Texas and all it has to offer.
Thank you to Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP, TSAP President, for entrusting me as chair of the convention The woman that never takes a break and always lends her expertise to others, thank you for everything.
Special thanks to Marian Willard, RP, Co-Chair, and the fantastic convention planning committee. I am grateful to each of you.
Last, but not least, my outstanding unit, The Sounding Block Unit, which gave their support throughout the process.
If you see me around, please stop to say hello. I appreciate everyone in attendance and hope you enjoy the convention.
Sincerely,
Pamela Harmon
Pamela Harmon, PRP TSAP 70th Convention Chair
10am – 11:00am
TSAP 70th Convention Schedule
Friday, May 2, 2025
Registration/Credentials, Board Room
12pm Board of Directors Meeting and Lunch
Restaurant 1st Floor
2pm – 5pm Registration
6pm – 7:15pm Workshop, Manchester, 2nd Floor
CJ Cavin, PRP
Joint Code of Professional Responsibility
7:30pm – 9pm Welcome Reception, Newbury 2nd Floor
Saturday, May 3, 2025
7am-7:45am Sales Area Open, Windsor 1, 2nd Floor
7am–8am Full Breakfast, Windsor 1 Foyer, 2nd Floor
7am-8am
Registration/Credentials, Boardroom
8am Business Meeting, Windsor 1, 2nd Floor
Call to Order
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance-US Flag
Pledge of Allegiance-Texas Flag
Introductions
Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
Rita Cloman, PRP
Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
Welcome to Convention Pamela Harmon, PRP
Report of Credentials Committee Mary Nickson, RP
Report of Registration Committee Mary Nickson, RP
Report of Convention Standing Rules Ron Stinson, PRP
Report of Convention Program Marian A Willard, RP
Convention Appointments
Minutes Approval Committee
Pages
Sgt. At Arms
Tellers
Timekeepers
Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
Report of Officers
President Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
Treasurer Heather Diehl, RP
Report of Board of Directors Monica Isgren, RP
Report of Nominating Committee Elliott Rogers, RP
Election of Officers Fashika Willia McClelland, PRP
Report of Tellers Kirk Overbey, PRP
10am – 10:15am Break (Sales Area Open)
Report of Bylaws Revision Committee
Luch Hicks Anderson, PRP, CPP-T, JD
Bylaws Revision Vote Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
Report of Tellers Kirk Overbey, PRP
Report of District 6 Director Lucy Hicks Anderson, PRP Report of NAP President Alison Wallis, PRP
Parade of Presidents Delores Shaw, PRP
12pm-12:30pm Sales Area Open
12:30pm Buffet Lunch, Windsor 1 Foyer
1:30pm Remarks Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
Workshops All workshops approved for CEU(s)
#1 1:45pm-3:10pm Manchester, 2nd Floor Lucy Anderson, PRP
The Assembly’s Decisions: How They Swerve, Sway, Swing, and Stray (Motions Thought Final are Presented Again Before the Assembly)
#1 1:45pm-3:10pm Churchill, 2nd Floor Ramsey Cooper, RP
Delayed Flight, or Postponed Indefinitely? How to Leverage or Survive a Motion That Kills
#2 3:20pm-4:45pm Manchester, 2nd Floor Alison Wallis, PRP Presiding Without Tears
#2 3:20pm-4:45pm Churchill, 2nd Floor Kirk Overbey, PRP
Amending the Declaration of Independence
5pm-6pm Sales Area Open
7pm President’s Dinner, Windsor 1 Cocktail Attire
9:30pm
President-Elect Reception, Windsor 1 Foyer
Sunday, May 4, 2025
7am-8am Continental Breakfast, Windsor 1
7:30am-8am Sales Area Open
7:30am-8am
8:00am
Registration/Credentials, Windsor Foyer
Second Business Session (if needed)
Memorial Service/Silent Gavels Constance Baron Wilson, PRP
Report of Credentials Committee Mary Nickson, RP
Report of Registration Committee Mary Nickson, RP
Unfinished Business
New Business
Courtesy Resolution Announcements
Transfer of Seal and President’s Pin
Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP, President
Benediction Rita Cloman, PRP
Adjourn
Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
9am-10am Sales Area Open
TSAP President-Elect Board Meeting Boardroom, 2nd Floor
TSAP 70th Convention Committee
Fashika Willis McClelland, TSAP President
Pamela Harmon, Chair
Marian A Willard, Co-Chair
Tonya Adkism
Audrey Anderson
Charles Bowles
Carol Ann Davis
Heather Diehl
Yoshida Kirkwood
Tamekia Hancock
Andrea Hillburn
Devid Perez Hurley
Edwin K. Miles
Debbie Racca-Sittre
Elliott Rogers
Cherise Story
Jocelyn V. Williams
Unit Presidents
The TSAP Board of Directors met via Zoom on April 29, 2024; July 23, 2024; November 6, 2024; January 2, 2025, Special Meeting; January 26, 2025;
At the April 29, 2024, meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the following motions:
• That the meeting standing rules be adopted;
• That the agenda be adopted;
• That the following appointed officers and committee chairs be approved: Parliamentarian
Ronald Stinson, PRP
Historian
David Perez Hurley Editor Ramsey Cooper, PRP
Audit Committee Chair
Nominating Committee Chair
Bylaws Committee Chair
Convention Committee Chair
Procedure Handbook Committee Chair
Public Relations Committee Chair
Strategic Plan Committee Chair
Youth Committee Chair
Gregory Short, PRP
Elaine Vetter
Lewis Vetter, PRP
Pamela Harmon, PRP
Frances Rizo
Charles Bowles, RP
Bennyfer Bridgewater, PRP
Delores Shaw, PRP
• That the Audit Committee Chair Gregory Short, PRP, will attend board meetings as a visitor with speaking privileges and without voting privileges;
• That the 2024-2025 budget be adopted;
• That the following financial systems for TSAP be used for the 2024-2025 year:
o Continue the use of Frost Bank for TSAP accounts
o Continue the use of Quicken as SAP accounting software and for the Treasurer to purchase an annual subscription
o Continue the use of Zoom for online/virtual meetings
o And allow the treasurer to engage the best available financial applications for financial and credit/debit card transactions;
• That the 2024-2025 timeline was adopted with flexibility;
• That a committee sign up be available to members who may be interested in serving on committees.
At the July 23, 2024, meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the following motions:
• That the meeting standing rules be adopted;
• That the agenda be adopted;
• That the minutes of the Monday, April 29, 2024 Board of Directors Meeting be adopted;
• That the 2023-2024 audit report be adopted;
• That the resolution relating to the 2025 TSAP Convention be adopted as follows:
Whereas, the TSAP Bylaws require an annual convention; and
Whereas, TSAP Bylaws require Board approval of time and place, convention fees, convention activities and events, and the amount of TSAP funds to be designated to the Convention Committee, and
Whereas, Virgin Hotel Dallas has presented a generous offer and has adequate venue space at reasonable prices; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That May 2-4, 2025, at Virgin Hotel Dallas Hotel, shall serve as the time and place for the 70th TSAP Convention; and
Resolved, That the registration fee for the 70th TSAP Convention shall be $230 – early registration, $250 –regular registration, and $280 – late registration; and further Resolved, That convention activities and events shall include two business sessions, two receptions, five workshop offerings, and a Board meeting; and
Resolved, That the proposed budget for the 70th TSAP Convention be adopted;
• That the following members be appointed to serve on the Strategic Planning Committee: Belinda Brouette, Andrea Hilburn, RP, Yoshida Kirkwood, RP, and Frances Rizo, RP;
• That the following members be appointed to serve on the Extension Committee: Frances Rizo, RP, Regenia Moore-Lee, PRP, Karen Parson, RP, Diana Alcocer, Elliot Rogers, RP, and Gregory Short, PRP;
• That the Extension Committee continue to investigate a partnership with the Methodist Healthcare Ministries for the study of parliamentary procedure in the Colonias communities of South Texas;
• That all submitted 2024-2025 scope of works be adopted;
• That TSAP submit a one-page full-color ad in the amount of $125 for the NTC program book;
At the November 6, 2024, meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the following motions:
• That the meeting standing rules be adopted;
• That the agenda be adopted;
• That the minutes of the Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Board of Directors Meeting were adopted;
• That a fee of $40.00 for a virtual symposium hosted by TSAP on January 11, 2025, be adopted;
• That a standalone message calling for officer nominations will be sent to all TSAP members by the end of the week;
• That the continued contract with CJ Cavin, PRP, CPP-T, and Flywheel for the website services to maintain the TSAP website at the amount of $1,000.00 per year be adopted.
• That the board ratify the Virgin Hotel contract for the 70th TSAP convention, signed by the President in July 2024.
At the January 2, 2025, special meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the following motions:
• To approve The Crowne Plaza Dallas Love Field - Medical Area Hotel and the iOVATIONS IN MEDIA, LLC. contracts be adopted;
• That the TSAP Board be added as a sponsor to the proposed NAP bylaws amendment related to the Association Affiliate Membership Application, Unit Member Application, and Vacancy Filling.
At the January 26, 2025, meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the following motions:
• That the meeting standing rules be adopted;
• That the agenda be adopted;
• The minutes of the Wednesday, November 6, 2024, regular Board of Directors meeting be approved;
• The minutes of the Thursday, January 2, 2025, special Board of Directors meeting be approved;
• That the candidates of contested offices would have the opportunity to speak for up to two minutes;
• That the TSAP Board endorse a motion to amend the NAP bylaws relating to the biennial convention, the NAP Training Conference, membership meetings, and the Leadership Conference;
• That the TSAP Board endorse a motion to amend the NAP bylaws relating to the Commission on Credentialing;
• That the TSAP Board endorse a motion to amend the NAP bylaws relating to officers.
Monica Isgren, RP TSAP Secretary
February 27, 2025
To: TSAP Board of Directors
From: Edwin K. Miles, PRP First Vice-President and Extension Chair
Re: Vice-President’s
Annual Report
During the past year, this officer was honored to serve as the First Vice-President and Extension Committee chair. Working with many officers, members and Units provided a perspective about the organization that can only be gained through service. This officer worked on the following programs and projects throughout the year:
• Served as the NAP National Training Conference Workshop Coordinator for the 2024 NTC in San Antonio. Responsible for the selection and coordination of over 32 workshops presenters and logistics while assisting the conference coordinator and assistant coordinator with offsite entertainment for attendees.
• Donated a rental van for transportation of NTC attendees.
• Served as an observer for the Professional Registered Parliamentarian Credentialing Exam (PRPCE) in preparation for becoming a PRPCE examiner.
• To extend the TSAP’s reach into deep South Texas, this officer is preparing a program in conjunction with the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas (MHM) to provide parliamentary procedure training to the people of the South Texas Colonias. The goal is to provide bilingual training to the regional groups being organized to advocate for healthcare inequities in their areas.
• This officer continues to work in cooperation with The Bell Parliamentary Unit’s Education Committee to assist the Unit in developing parliamentary education and tools for the blind and vision impaired community through a partnership with Vibrant Works of San Antonio (formerly The Lighthouse for the Blind). This officer and the Unit’s Education chair visited with the CEO of Vibrant Works to discuss specific needs for the program and are now developing a parliamentary bootcamp series based on Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, In-Brief.
• This officer continues to serve on the TSAP Bylaws revision committee and as part of that effort, served as chair of a subcommittee that focused on reviewing the responsibilities of officers and committees.
Though we have attempted to be innovative in the areas of membership (unit) growth, this officer received notification that the East Texas Parliamentarians Unit of Tyler, Texas has been dissolved. The unit chartered in December 2011.
This officer also worked with the Barbara Jordan Unit and the Beaumont Unit to stabilize their units. This officer is thankful to past TSAP President Donna Mitchell for her assistance with both units.
Though this officer understands the primary mission of the association is to provide parliamentary education, he recommends that an equal amount of time be given to the administrative functions of the association. Particular attention should be given to the overlapping missions of the NAP, District 6 and TSAP. As we review the TSAP strategic plan, this officer recommends that a survey focusing on the needs of the membership be conducted, particularly in the areas of recruitment and retention. Similar research should be conducted to better understand the needs of the units and how the association can assist with unit growth and sustainability.
In my role as Second Vice President, the study and teaching of parliamentary law and procedure was accomplished and other duties were performed as noted below.
• Coordinated and hosted the four-week ParliStudy parliamentary training course in August 2025, covering the entire Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief 3rd edition. The series aimed to prepare participants for the NAP membership exam and provide fundamental parliamentary tools to manage effective and efficient meetings when serving as a presiding officer or consulting as a parliamentarian. The program is a method of outreach in the community to increase the knowledge of parliamentary procedure. The course attracted 272 participants, with average session attendance of 68 participants. The study schedule and presenters are in the chart below.
• Secured distinguished presenters for informative and innovative 3rd Thursday ParliSeries workshops from May 2024 to April 2025. Obtained CEU approval from the Commission on Credentialing and submitted the required reports upon completion of workshops. Mid-year, began posting workshops on the NAP calendar to promote increased attendance. Through February 2025, 516 participants attended sessions with an average attendance of 57. The workshop schedule and presenters are in the chart below.
Attended TSAP regular and special board meetings. Appointed to minutes approval committee for several meetings.
• Submitted TSAP workshop information for inclusion in the Texas Parliamentarian.
• Notified TSAP unit presidents of requirements and the April 1, 2025 deadline for the Outstanding Unit Award and submitted the information for inclusion in the Texas Parliamentarian.
Engaged in the following additional activities throughout the year.
• Attained NAP credential of Professional Registered Parliamentarian.
• Provided administrative support and promoted attendance of community organizations to the NAP-sponsored We Want You parliamentary training series held in March 2025. Also distributed the event flyer to TSAP unit presidents for further dissemination.
• Presented a fundamental parliamentary procedures workshop to the Humble Intercontinental Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. in November 2024.
• Presented virtual parliamentary procedures training to several NAP units during the year.
• Supported the Teen Conference Parliamentary Training series offered in May 2024 by the Green Gavel Electronic Unit (GGEU) to Jack and Jill of America, Inc. teens by assisting with obtaining and scheduling presenters.
• Attended NAP District 3 Unit Presidents Virtual Training on February 1, 2025.
• Attended the September 30, 2024 TSAP President’s meeting.
• Attended the NAP Training Conference September 3 – 5, 2024, in San Antonio, TX, and served as a workshop monitor.
• Attended virtual NAP Leadership Conference August 9 – 10, 2024, and presented a conference planning workshop.
• Attended virtual NAP Spring Conference on April 20, 2024, and served as workshop monitor.
• Planning is in process for the 2025 NAP National Leadership Conference in my capacity as Conference Coordinator.
• Planning is in process for the 2025 NAP District Six Conference in my capacity as Conference Coordinator.
• Elected 2024/2025 president of the NAP Bayshore Unit.
• Appointed board parliamentarian for a national religious organization.
• Elected parliamentarian for the local chapter of a national organization.
• Served as professional presiding officer for a homeowners association annual meeting.
• Served as parliamentary consultant and prepared a parliamentary opinion for a nonprofit organization.
• Appointed to the 2024/2025 GGEU Membership Committee. Served on the minutes approval committee.
In the role of Recording Secretary, this officer has:
• Recorded the meetings of the Board of Directors.
• Distributed to the Board of Directors a copy of the draft minutes for review & comment
• Emailed a copy of the approved minutes of the Board of Directors’ meetings to each member of the Board.
• Filed written reports received from officers and standing committee chairmen.
• Prepared the Board of Directors Annual Report reflecting the actions taken by the Board.
Additional activities completed:
• Served as a presenter for the NAP Membership Exam study group facilitated by the TSAP Education Committee.
• Served as the Flonnie Mae Larimer Parliamentary Unit President
• Presented educational sessions and workshops hosted by the Beaumont Parliamentary Unit, the Barbara Jordan Parliamentary Unit, and the Flonnie Mae Larimer Parliamentary unit.
• Judged HOSA and YMCA Youth And Government Competitions
• Served as the Houston Alumnae Alpha Delta Pi Association Representative on the Houston Alumnae Panhellenic Association Bylaw Committee
Personal Education:
• Attended the TSAP 2nd Thursday ParliStudies
• Attended the Educational Sessions of the District 4 Virtual Conference
• Attended the District 6 Virtual Meeting and Educational Sessions.
• Attended the District 6 RP Education ParliSeries
• Attended the NAP Virtual Spring Conference
• Attended the NAP Training Conference in San Antonio.
• Attended the NAP Virtual Leadership Conference
Texas State Association of Parliamentarians Treasurer Report
June 2024-March 2025
• Collected provisional and state affiliate dues and received monthly regular member dues from NAP and provided disbursements per the TSAP budget.
• Served as 2025 TSAP Convention Treasurer; collected sponsorship and registration payments for the 2025 TSAP Convention; and provided regular reports to Convention Chair Pamela Harmon and TSAP President Fashika Willis McClelland.
• Collected registration fees for the 2024 Summer Membership Series and provided reports to 2nd Vice President Cherise Story and President McClelland.
• Developed provisional and state affiliate member dues collection process to include with the treasurer’s guide and letter to unit presidents and treasurers explaining the process.
• Revised TSAP treasurer’s guide for incoming treasurer.
• Served as ex-oficio member of the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) Board of Trustees.
• Sent renewal notices to unit presidents and treasurers for provisional members and to state affiliate members. Updated the provisional and state affiliate member lists regularly, and provided them to President McClelland 1st Vice President Edwin Miles, 3rd Vice President Omar Jimenez, and PR Chair Charlie Bowles.
• Presented “Treasurer Pro Tips: Accounting for Success” to TSAP members on January 30, 2025 and provided unit treasurer guide to participants.
• Assisted members with questions regarding state and provisional dues and convention sponsorships and registrations.
• Attended the TSAP Institute on January 11, 2025, the NAP Leadership Conference on August 9-10, 2024, and the NAP National Training Conference September 5-8, 2024.
• Submitted the State of Texas Sales Tax Form on January 20, 2025.
• Will submit the 990N for 2024 in March 2025.
Submitted by:
Heather C. Diehl, RP Treasurer
To: Texas State Association of Parliamentarians
From: Ramsey Cooper, RP, Texas Parliamentarian Editor
Subject: Texas Parliamentarian Editor’s Report
Overview
This report provides an update the Texas Parliamentarian newsletter publication for 2024 to 2025. The goal has been to ensure timely and effective communication with TSAP members while maintaining high-quality content.
Publications
The Texas Parliamentarian newsletter was organized for distribution in the following months:
• June 2024
• September 2024
• December 2024
• March 2025
Content Highlights
Each issue included a variety of informative and engaging content, such as:
• A presidential update, coordinated with the TSAP President
• Upcoming Educational Opportunities
• Parliamentary Procedure Insights
• Member Profiles
• Financial Reports
• Articles submitted by member units
The March 2025 edition also featured a call to the convention, candidate bios and a draft of the proposed bylaws revision.
Conclusion
The Texas Parliamentarian newsletter is a valuable resource for our members, and I hope editions have lived up to expectations. It has been a pleasure serving as the Editor.
Ramsey Cooper, RP
Texas Parliamentarian Editor
Texas State Association of Parliamentarians
Board of Directors
Report, January 26, 2025
Bylaws Committee
The membership at the TSAP Convention of 2024 has authorized the formation of a committee responsible for the revision of the TSAP Bylaws. During that time, no bylaw amendments may be considered. (RONR, 12th ed. 57:5)
Submitted by:
Lewis Vetter
Lewis Vetter, PRP
Bylaws Committee Chairman
Final Report from 2025 TSAP Nominating Committee
Elaine Vetter
Nominating Committee Chairman
Final Report from 2025 TSAP Nominating Committee
Elaine Vetter
Nominating Committee Chairman
The TSAP Nominating Committee met on January 25, 2025, prior to the winter board meeting on January 26th , 2025, to finalize and adopt the following slate of candidates for the upcoming 2025 elections.
The committee announces the following slate of candidates.
President Edwin Miles, PRP Bell Unit
1st Vice President Cherise Story, PRP Bayshore Unit
2nd Vice President Marsha Thornton, PRP Sounding Block Unit
Philip Ruiz Crossroads Unit
3rd Vice President Omar Jimenez Crossroads Unit
Howard Redmond, RP Golden Triangle Parliamentarians Unit
Recording Secretary Monica Isgren, RP Flonnie Mae Larimer Unit
Treasurer David Perez Hurley Crossroads Unit
Gregory Short, RP Bell Unit
The TSAP Nominating Committee Members are: Mohith Gajjela, Regenia Moore-Lee, PRP, Erica Courtenay-Mann, Elliott Rogers, RP, Philip Ruiz, Gloria Shinkawa, RP, Jenita Thomas, Marsha Thornton, PRP, and Elaine Vetter, Chairman. I wish to thank my committee for their support, participation and for sharing their knowledge and TSAP experience.
It is after thorough and thoughtful review, discussion, and visiting with numerous TSAP members, our committee is pleased to present these candidates for our membership’s consideration for the 2025 Board. We thank you, our members, for your help with our search and we thank our slate of nominees for their willingness to serve the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians.
January 26, 2025
The PR committee supports programs of TSAP through the website, social media, MailChimp, management of membership data, and various improvement projects.
The website evolved this year to become more useful for TSAP members and the BOD. The website is continually being cleaned from old files and links. New features and pages were added, and some pages were restructured and rebuilt to make web functions work and look better.
We supported marketing functions for a Symposium and Annual Convention, as well as NAP, District 6, and some TSAP Unit functions. We marketed and notified the ParliThursday and a NAP Study series. This included sending member emails and posting ads on our social media platforms, FB and LI.
The PR Committee teamed with Sounding Block to produce the 2024-5 Leadership Symposium with Zoom system setup and management of meetings.
The MailChimp account has allowed us to manage regular mail campaigns to the entire membership. We reached nearly 600 members with 46 separate messages through March 1 high quality email messages and reminders, with 20-25% click rates, those who clicked a link and to interact with website and Zoom meetings.
Our TSAP LinkedIn account and Facebook Group is getting hits on posts, indicating the message is spreading. We will be extending our outreach to new potential members with boosted market campaigns, beginning with the Convention 2025.
Our FB Page has 475 followers and and we have posted content about events and seen an average of 1000 views to 700 unique members, many of whom reposted in their own groups and pages. Since we posted the Convention notice in February, we have had 1050 views to 540 member interactions and 18 clicks to the registration page. We expect this to go up by early May. Our follower demographics is about 500 followers, 25% men and 75% women. Those are located about 40 each in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, with about 80 across other Texas and US cities.
Our LinkedIn account was built mid-last year and had a slow uptake in connections. As of March 1, we have averaged around 50 impressions with a few reactions and clicks to follow events. The build-out of the LI marketing plan is a work-in-progress, with more work to do to increase the followers and connections and begin to use this as a profitable market channel. We have seen a
large uptick in the February reactions to our Convention posts. We need to increase a regular basis if educational content which will, in the LI ecosystem, get many more impressions to nonTSAP members.
We have completed the development of the ParliSearch function on the website and have begun to roll it out to TSAP credentialed members. We added a Find-A-Unit search function on the main public page by reusing the NAP Find-A-Unit function on their site.
Submitted by:
Charles P. Bowles RP, DTM Public Relations Chair
From Delores Shaw, PRP
TSAP Youth Committee Report (continued)
Texas State Association of Parliamentarians
Audit Committee Review
30 May 2024
The Audit Committee thoroughly reviewed the records for the fiscal year of 2023 to May 2024.
Observations
The accounting of all transactions to include deposits, withdrawals, and transfers, have been meticulously maintained by the current treasurer Heather Diehl. All transaction were recorded with receipts, copies of checks and a monthly roll-up of activities as they occurred.
• There was no Completed monthly roll up for May, due to the fact of the time of this review.
• The Flonnie Mae Larimer Unit of Parliamentarians received a grant in the amount of $350.00 from the TSAP Education and Endowment fund. Invoices for the TSAP Conference have been paid and annotated properly and in detail.
• Donations made to the Education Endowment fund have been recorded properly.
Education Endowment Fund/Money Market (May 24, 2024) Interest Pending end of month (May2024)
*Transactions remain pending for May 2024
Report of the Units
Alamo Registered Unit, NAP Annual Report
May 2, 2025
TheAlamo Registered Unit sponsored a Parliamentary Workshop for the BoardsAnd Commissions of the City of SanAntonio, Texas in October of 2024. Members participating were LucyAnderson, PRP,Alison Wallis, PRP, Carol Habgood, PRP, Kathleen Carter, RP, Lewis Vetter, PRP, William Friedrich, PRP-R, Ronald Stinson, PRP, Louise Simpson, RP-R. The City Clerk of SanAntonio, Texas, Debbie Rocca-Sittre, SanAntonio Unit President and her staff who are also members of the SanAntonio Unit planned the entire event and the members of the Alamo Registered Unit lead by LucyAnderson, PRP, served as the instructors.
TheAlamo Registered Unit meets every other month on the first Wednesday of the month.
Ronald Stinson, PRP President
Austin Parliamentarians 2024 Annual Report
TheAustin Parliamentarian Unit meets in-person or by Zoom on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Monthly lesson presentations based on Robert’s Rules of Order, 12th edition and Robert’s Rules of Order In Brief (Fully updated 3rd edition) were given by Guest Presenters or President Ronald Reed, RP.
On February 20, 2024, Ronald Reed, RP and Gloria Shinkawa, RP participated the TSAP Day at the Capitol, hosted by Hon. Richard Hays, PRP.
President Ronald Reed, RP, and Treasurer Gloria Shinkawa, RP, represented theAustin Parliamentarians as Delegates at the Texas State Convention, heldApril 26-28, 2024, in Spring, Texas.
At the May 15, 2024Annual Meeting, unit officers were elected for 2024-2026 as follows:
President Ronald Reed - RP
Vice President Dr. Brenda Burrell
Treasurer Gloria Shinkawa – RP
Secretary
Erma Smith
For the year 2024, the membership of theAustin Parliamentarians unit totaled 24 individuals.
Submitted by,
Ronald Reed, RP
President,Austin Parliamentarians
Barbara Jordan Unit of Parliamentarians Annual Report
In December 2023, the Barbara Jordan Unit of Parliamentarians (BJUP) had the pleasure of seeing its officers installed, fully reviving the former Spring-Klein Parliamentary Unit (which had been established in 2008). Under the guidance of its charter leader, President Erica CourtenayMann, the BJUP spread its wings to bring more parliamentary education to this part of the state. The Unit meets virtually on the first Tuesday of the month from September to May, at 7 p.m. CT.
2024 officers were:
Erica Courtenay-Mann - President
Donna Q. Frazier - Vice President
Redessa Shaw - Treasurer
Tracey Lewis - Secretary
As of early March, the 2025 officers are:
Lee Woodward, PRP, CP - President
Lucy Hicks Anderson, PRP, CPP-T - Treasurer
The BJUP is looking forward to a year of learning together and encouraging others to joining in the spirit of Houstonian and U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan herself, who knew how vital it was that all Americans be able to participate equally in fair and well-administered democratic governance.
BARBARA JORDAN UNIT OF PARLIAMENTARIANS
BarbaraJordanParliamentarians@gmail.com
70th
Annual TSAPConvention Report of the Bayshore Unit
The Bayshore Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians, chartered in 1960, is dedicated to studying,teaching, and promoting the principles of parliamentary procedure. The Unit meets on the second Monday of the month from September through May at 7:00 p.m. All meetings in the 2024/2025 program year were virtual. Our membership consists of fifteen primary members, two affiliate members, and three provisional members. Officers are J. Cherise Story, PRP President; Regenia Moore-Lee, PRP, Vice President; TophasAnderson, Secretary; and Vicky Fransham, Treasurer. NAP Director Representative and District Six Director Lucy Anderson, PRP, CPP-T, is a distinguished Unit member. In addition, our members include a current TSAP Officer, a former TSAP President, a former President of the California Association, and current and former TSAP Committee members.
Membership development in parliamentary knowledge increased through monthly educational training, often using the NAP Parliamentary Education Toolbox as a resource. The program calendar included The Agenda, Handling Motions, Words to Use as a Member, Rules of Debate, Subsidiary Motions, Privileged Motions, Methods of Voting, Nominations & Elections, and Governing Documents. We were honored that TSAP President Fashika Willis-McClelland, PRP, presented the January 2025 training, and guest speaker Patricia Clark, RP, presented the March 2025 training. To increase parliamentary knowledge in the community, unit meetings frequently had guests in attendance, which led to two new primary members in the past year. In addition, the President and Vice President presented a workshop entitled “Taking Care of Business: Parliamentary Procedures Every Lady Should Know!” to the Humble Intercontinental Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., which generated additional interest in the Unit. Approval of a Unit logo and Zoom background increased Unit branding and visibility in both the parliamentary and greater community.
Bayshore Unit members supported TSAP and NAP events, participating in or attending the TSAP Convention, TSAP Leadership Symposium, TSAP 3rd Thursday ParliSeries Training, NAP Spring Conference, NAP Leadership Conference, and NAP National Training Conference. They volunteered as monitors, workshop facilitators, and presenters. Members continue to serve in the community in a variety ofways,includingasmentors,parliamentariansandinprogramdevelopment. Affiliatemember GailLover, former California State Association President, serves as a mentor to several individuals studying to obtain NAP credentials. Vice President Regenia Moore-Lee was instrumental in large-scale member outreach programs on the District Six Administrative Team and on the Youth Committee of the Green Gavel Electronic Unit, and assisted with leadership development as NAP National Leadership Conference ViceCoordinator. President Cherise Story assisted with member outreach and District Six conference planning on the District Six Administrative Team, and leadership development as NAP National Leadership Conference Coordinator.
The Bayshore Unit is proud to continue its legacy of active member engagement and parliamentary excellence.
J. Cherise Story, PRP Unit President
National Association of Parliamentarians
Texas State Association of Parliamentarians
TSAP 70th ANNUAL CONVENTION
DALLAS, TEXAS May 2-4, 2025
Report on the Beaumont Parliamentary Unit
The Beaumont Parliamentary Unit’s 2024-2025 theme is Empower, Educate, and Engage through Community Outreach. Even though the unit’s membership is small we continue to move forward to reach and teach others about parliamentary procedures and best practices. The extraordinary teamwork of our unit members unites us with a special purpose.
We are proud to share that our unit donated the RONR in brief books to support a group of high school students that registered to participate in the free NAP Student Membership Bootcamp. Following the bootcamp, we received exceptional comments about the bootcamp being an asset to their officer roles in the varied organization which they serve. Our desire is to stay connected with our young people and continue empowering them to embrace the benefits of becoming a NAP Student Member. It is a journey that we are committed to pursue without hesitation.
In December, our unit hosted its annual parliamentary workshop. The extraordinary teamwork from Monica Isgren, RP, Flonnie Mae Larimer Parliamentary Unit, President, and TSAP Secretary and Tamesia Garner, DTM, Vice President of the Flonnie Mae Larimer Parliamentary Unit, made this event a momentous success. The presentation topics were “I’m in Charge What Now?” and “Tackling the Rules: A Game Plan for Updating Bylaws.” The workshop was an exceptionally festive learning opportunity and enjoyed by all who attended.
One of our unit goals was to increase membership. Unfortunately, we did not meet that goal. Certainly, we are grateful for the guidance from afar of Edwin Miles, PRP, 1st Vice President TSAP. We have been encouraged by Edwin’s unwavering support of our unit.
It is with gratitude that we submit this 2024-2025 report for the Beaumont Parliamentary Unit. Throughout the year, our members participated in online educational training. Thank you, Texas State Association Parliamentarians, for your ongoing leadership and educational support that keeps us current and engaged.
Marilyn Pace-White, President
Beaumont Parliamentary Unit Best wishes TSAP for a successful 70th Annual Convention
BRAZOS VALLEY PARLIAMENTARIAN UNIT
Our Unit meets four times a year, the last Monday of March, June, September, November. We have approximately ten members. Our programs are given by members on basic parliamentarian subjects followed by discussion. We are currently studying questions for the Membership Test.
We look forward to gaining new members by placing articles/photos in the local newspaper. Our intentions are for Unit members to become more educated in parliamentary procedure in order to become better leaders in the community and members of NAP and Registered Parliamentarians. Please share our Unit with friends and family by contacting us through the state organization.
Weldon Merritt President
May 2-4, 2025
Report of the Christopher Registered Unit, NAP
The Christopher Registered Unit (CRU) chartered in 1999, meets on the Zoom platform on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., except November, December, June, July, and August. CRU members welcome Registered Parliamentarians of NAP and TSAP to membership. In the past, the emphasis of this unit was on teaching teaching members how to maintain their proficiency in the study of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. In September 2024, the unit members agreed to take a new approach to our education. Each month, a parliamentary topic is reviewed ahead of our upcoming meeting. We discuss how we would apply parliamentary law and procedure to the topic. The goal is to have an advanced level discussion about parliamentary procedure that is worthy of a “registered unit.” Occasional workshops, or other types of presentations can still be offered.
The unit officers are:
Sheryl C. Womble, PRP
Edwin K. Miles, PRP
Vernon A. Gray, PRP
Gregory Short, RP
President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Treasurer
The primary members are Mary V. Holub, PRP-R; Daniel T. Jackson, PRP; Alice Rose Kennedy, RP-R; and Margaret C. Winn, PRP-R.
The affiliate members are Yvonne Anthony, RP; Heather Diehl, RP; Irether Gaines, RP; Dennis Harrell, RP; and Elliott Rogers, RP; Vernon A. Gray, PRP; Edwin K. Miles, PRP; Carol A. Habgood, PRP, and Sheryl C. Womble, PRP.
Our members volunteer to serve the San Antonio and Texas community in various areas. These parliamentary leaders mentor students, serve as judges at state parliamentary competitions, serve as presidents, committee chairmen and members, parliamentarians, and board members for local and national organizations. We feel confident that we have fulfilled the TSAP President’s theme: “Texas Strong: Building Excellence Through Parliamentary Education.”
Sheryl C. Womble, PRP
President
Christopher Registered Unit
TSAP: Crossroads Unit Highlights from 2024-2025:
Crossroads Unit elected the following members as the 2024-2025 Executive Committee:
President – Carol Davis
Vice President - Omar Jimenez
Secretary - N. Yvonne Odimgbe
Treasurer - Phillip Ruiz
Executive Member – Crystian Lloyd
Congratulations to Vice President Omar Jimenez who was elected TSAP-3rd VP
Congratulations to then President-Elect Carol Davis who received the honor of serving as 69th Convention Secretary.
Crossroads Unit Members at the 69th TSAP Convention Vice-President Jimenez, Treasure Philip Ruiz, President-Elect Carol Davis, Member Frances Rizo, RP, and Member David Hurley
Crossroads and other TSAP members shared a moment with TSAP President-Elect Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP
President-Elect Carol Davis served as member of the Credentials Committee
Report of the DFW Parliamentarians Unit April 2025
DFW Parliamentarians, organized in 2003, has maintained a consistent presence in the Grand Prairie and mid-southern Tarrant County community. The unit meets the fourth Monday at Prairie Paws Animal Facility in Grand Prairie. We are switching between Hybrid meetings in-person or Zoom meetings when there’s a conflict at the facility.
Our regular meetings include an educational session, with one of our members teaching from RONR or other parliamentary sources, followed by a business meeting. Our annual meeting is November when we elect officers for the next term.
Members will again participate in judging high school parliamentary competitions in DFW, such as BPA, HOSA and FCCLA. These activities contribute to the educational goals of those organizations and a new generation of NAP members AND promotes NAP/TSAP in the community, while extending members’ education and practice.
We lost a couple of members due to non-renewals, inactivity, or relocation. We maintain our core group.
The Officers for the 2024/2025 year are:
• President Charles Bowles RP
• Vice-President Charles Bass PRP
• Secretary Denise Dotson-Hardwick
• Treasurer Kevin Baker
• Membership Chair Kevin Baker
• Members: Hester Schwarzer
David Beckworth RP
Josefina Chavira
The main goals for this year are to: assist non-credentialed members to RP, add members through open workshop projects, and assist the 2025 TSAP Convention this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Charlie Bowles President
This past year the East Texas Parliamentarians based in Tyler, Texas met to study parliamentary procedure monthly. ETP awarded the Edward M. Moore Scholarship to a promising parliamentary student interested in becoming a Registered Parliamentarian. ETP also awarded funds to two High School FFA parliamentary programs. The Unit has enjoyed the years participating with the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians as well as the National Association of Parliamentarians, but due to a variety of issues the unit has begun the process of disbanding.
President,
K. Jenschke, RP
The Flonnie Mae Larimer Parliamentary Unit (FMLPU) had an active and impactful programming year in 2024, emphasizing leadership development, professional responsibility, and community engagement under the leadership of 2023-2024 President Lynell Wright and 2024-2025 President Monica Isgren, RP. With eight diverse monthly programs, participation in state and local institutes, active community outreach, and member engagement, the unit upheld its commitment to parliamentary education and fostering community involvement.
Key Programming Highlights:
Monthly Programs: The FMLPU offered eight programs covering topics such as quorum requirements, committee accountability, motion handling, bylaws review, and professional ethics. Notable presentations included:
o "Quorum:Are You Legal?" by Donna Mitchell, PRP
o "Tackling the Rules:AGame Plan for Reviewing the Bylaws" by Monica Isgren, RP
o "Joint Code of Professional Responsibility" by C. J. Cavin, JD, PRP, CPP-T
o “Lay it on the Table: Is my MotionAlive?” Cherise Story, PRP
Institutes and Workshops:
o Co-sponsored with the HoustonArea Parliamentary Units, the 2024 Midwinter Institute, featuring sessions like "Parliamentary Law is for Everyone" with Monica Isgren and Tamesia Garner among the workshop facilitators. Tamesia Garner, committee member, andArt Escobar, institute treasurer, provided leadership in planning the successful institute.
o Hosted Leadership Matters: From the Inside, Out, the first in FMLPU’s Leadership Matters Series focusing on leadership presence, effective communication, and personal significance.
o Monica Isgren, RP, and Tamesia Garner, DTM, facilitated workshops on “Tackling the Rules:AGame Plan for Reviewing Bylaws” and “I’m in Charge, What Now?
o Monica Isgren, RP, facilitated a training session for the TSAP New Member Education Series.
Community Impact:
o Partnered with the YMCAof Greater Houston’s Youth and Government program, mentoring students and providing training and judges for district events.
o Volunteered as judges for various Health Occupations StudentAssociation (HOSA) competitions ○ Members actively served in organizations such as PTAs, Toastmasters, sorority associations, and political committees, offering parliamentary counsel and leadership.
o Members provide leadership on the local, state, district, and national levels of NAP and eNAP.
Membership Engagement:
o The unit held its favorite Sandals and Sangria Social inAugust to welcome prospective members and introduce the unit’s goals.
As the oldest active parliamentary unit in the State of Texas, the FMLPU continues its proud tradition of sharing parliamentary knowledge, building leaders, and connecting with the community.
The President’s Annual Report, Tobi Bray, 2025
The Fort Worth Unit will hold seven planned meetings, via zoom, in 2025. As president, I will preside over these meetings. Meetings will be held in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November 2025.
The meetings consist of a call to order, a quorum present, the minutes, and a business meeting. We then have a member or a guest give the program on parliamentary procedure. Libby Willis has presented our program as from Robert’s Rules of Order in brief. We currently have 11 members, the same number of members as last year.
Thank you,
Tobi Bray
214-906 -2545 (c ) tobibray@att.net
Golden Gavel Registered Parliamentarians Unit Annual Report
The Golden Gavel Registered Parliamentarians Unit has been pleased to experience another full year of education and mentorship. Members enjoyed the Fort Worth Unit of Parliamentarians' celebration of Betty S. Green, PRP, in May 2024. A co-founding member of the GGRPU, Betty was celebrated on her 50th anniversary as a member of NAP. GGRPU member Libby Willis, PRP, who is also a FWUP member, organized this special event to recognize this well-loved and respected parliamentary leader in the D/FW metroplex. Betty was honored with letters of acknowledgement from the presidents of NAP, AIP, and every other parliamentary dignitary asked about providing one, each of whom enthusiastically provided their appreciation and acclaim.
Additionally, GGRPU member and frequent officer Kay Crews, PRP, continued to provide a number of the educational presentations for the unit this year. She was also called on by NAP to perform an act of mercy in the closing weeks of 2024, serving as an instructor for a special virtual two-hour professional responsibility session for NAP members from across the country who needed to complete their CEUs.
The Golden Gavel Registered Parliamentarians Unit meets virtually on the second Wednesday of the month to study and support parliamentary training. NAP members who have passed the Registered Parliamentarian Credentialing Exam may join for annual dues of $5.
Gerry Woods, PRP President
Golden Gavel Registered Parliamentarian Unit
Golden Triangle Parliamentarians Annual Unit Report
2024 began with great ambitions for the Golden Triangle Parliamentarians. Elected to serve as officers were President, Lin Sarfaraz RP, Vice President Kathy Blair, RP, Secretary, Kelly Sayre, and Treasurer, Tracy Fiers, RP. Monthly meetings were planned for the fourth Tuesday of each month and held at the offices of Hays, Berry, White, and Vanzant at 512 W. Hickory, Suite 100, Denton TX 76201 or via Zoom when held electronically.
Golden Triangle Parliamentarians has 10 primary members on our roster and two provisional members. Our unit membership includes one Professional Registered Parliamentarian and four Registered Parliamentarians.
A strategic plan was adopted with the goal to promote the study of parliamentary procedure and the educational programs of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP). Three objectives were listed to support the unit’s goal. Each objective listed three actions as a guide. The objectives are:
• Support prospective or provisional unit members to progress to full NAP membership.
• Present monthly programs that provide CE credit for NAP members.
• Investigate and initiate the use of hybrid (in-person and electronic) meetings for ease of participation.
The 2024 TSAP Annual Convention was held in Sprint, TX. Golden Triangle Parliamentarians was represented by Tracy Fiers, RP and Kathy Blair, RP. Our unit submitted a monetary donation to participate in the Captain’s Circle of Excellence and donated a gift basket for the TSAP Education Endowment Fund.
Monthly meetings were held, except for July. Programs for the monthly meetings were shared by the attending members and presented by Kathy Blair, RP, Tracy Fiers, RP, and Lin Sarfaraz, RP.
In September, when it was becoming obvious that attendance and interest was waning, an informal discussion was held on future considerations of our unit. Two options were suggested by President Lin Sarfaraz of unit dissolution or redirecting the purpose and structure of our unit. At the regular meeting in October a plan of change was discussed, including the need for bylaw amendments. The president assigned sections of the bylaws for review by four interested members, which were discussed and adopted in January 2025.
Our unit’s objective is to revitalize and serve the parliamentary needs of organizations in surrounding communities while igniting a renewed interest and passion within our members. A reorganization includes quarterly unit business meetings in person while holding once monthly study group sessions electronically led by our active members on basic parliamentary procedures.
Officers elected to Golden Triangle Parliamentarians for 2025 include President Lin Sarfaraz, RP, Vice President Kathy Blair, RP, and Secretary-Treasurer Tracy Fiers, RP.
Gulf Coast Parliamentarians Unit Annual Report
In November 2024, the Gulf Coast Parliamentarians Unit (GCP) installed 2025 officers. The Unit meets virtually the third Monday of the month at 7:30 pm. Meetings are held August to November and January to May, at 7:30 p.m. CST.
2025 Officers
Gladis Sanchez – President
Pearline Williams-Brown, RP – Vice President
Rebecca Huerta – Treasurer
Pamela Baker-Holmes – Secretary
Effective March 17, 2025, the president is Lee Woodward, PRP, CP. The GCP is looking forward to a year of growth and learning together.
REPORT OF THE LANDMARK PARLIAMENTARY UNIT
The Landmark Parliamentary Unit meets virtually monthly on the third Tuesday, September – May, except December, June, July, and August. The unit officers are:
Sheryl C. Womble, PRP President
Georgia Edwards Vice President
Esther Bailey-Young Secretary
Dorothy A. Carroll Treasurer; and, Vernon A. Gray, PRP Parliamentarian
The primary members are Ann Johnson Brown, Devona Bonner, Beverly Flowers, Tomas Henderson, Angela Jenkins, Paulette McClure, Patsy Newborn, Aurora Perkins, Janet Dotson Ray, LaLeche Seay, Xiomara Thomas, RP, Audia Wells; and, Rheba Wilson.
The affiliate members are Vernon A. Gray, PRP; and Margaret C. Winn, PRP-R.
The Landmark Parliamentary Unit had several members in attendance at the 2024 National Training Conference (NTC) held at the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel in San Antonio, TX., September 5-8, 2024. The members are Ann Johnson Brown, Esther Bailey Young, Georgia Edwards, Vernon Gray, PRP, Patsy Newborn, Aurora Perkins, and Sheryl C. Womble, PRP serving as the NTC Conference Coordinator.
Under the leadership of Vice President Edwards, the Program Chairman presented parliamentary programs on Parliamentary Procedures from A to Z. Each month the programs offerings addressed topics from a- z in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th Edition.
We are grateful to our members for their participation in this year’s programs and activities to provide solid and consistent leadership to be Texas Strong: Building Excellence Through Parliamentary Education to each other; and, to the San Antonio community.
Sheryl C. Womble, PRP President
REPORT OFTHE LONE STAR PARLIAMENTARY UNIT
The Lone Star Parliamentary Unit was chartered on March 18, 1980. The unit meets at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom on the second Monday of the months of September through May, excluding December.
The 2024 – 2025 officers are: President – JulieAvedikian; Vice President – David Morgan, RP; Secretary – Elizabeth McFarland, RP; Treasurer – Pam Meyercord, PRP. The Lone Star Unit consists of thirteen members, which includes one provisional member, five regular members, four RP’s and two PRP’s.
Abenefit of virtual meetings is that our members who live outside the north Dallas area are able to attend meetings, along with out-of-state guests. The unit also launched a new updated website.
Unit members continue to mentor youth groups, give workshops to outside groups, serve as parliamentarians, and serve in leadership roles in other organizations.
The Lone Star Parliamentary Unit looks forward to the continuation of the study of parliamentary procedure in the coming years.
JulieAvedikian
2024 – 2025 President
Martha Knowles Memorial Unit – No Report at time of printing
THE BELL PARLIAMENTARY UNIT 2024-2025 ANNUAL REPORT
The Bell Parliamentary Unit of San Antonio began its year in September of 2024 under the leadership of President Elliott L. Rogers. The Unit’s leadership team includes Jacqueline White-Tolefree, RP, Vice-President, Diana Alcocer, Secretary, and Gregory Short, RP, Treasurer. Additionally, Paula E. Miles serves as the Unit’s Education Committee Chair and Jacqueline White-Tolefree, RP, does double duty as Membership Committee Chair.
The Unit’s officers met in early August of 2024 to reconfirm that The Bell Parliamentary Unit continue its mission to be the premier Unit in San Antonio for introductory parliamentary education. For the 2024-25 program year, the Unit broadened its focus to include supporting individuals and community organizations in their growth beyond the introductory phase.
Actions taken to implement the Unit’s mission included:
• Leveraged the Unit’s growing group of credentialed members to deliver monthly programs within the Unit to an audience that averaged 23 members and guests every month
• Unit members, especially the credentialed ones, regularly delivered training sessions for other area units, within the organizations they are members of, and to other community organizations
• Recruited widely in the San Antonio community to increase the number of provisional members
• The Unit is planning a Parliamentary Institute in April 2025. The Institute will include four workshops conducted by parliamentarians from San Antonio and within the TSAP family of Units.
Paula Miles, served as Assistant Coordinator for the 2024 National Training Conference in San Antonio, Texas and Edwin Miles, PRP, served as the NTC Workshop Coordinator. Other Unit members supported by packing bags, providing transportation and serving as monitors. Unit members are gearing up to support the approaching 70th TSAP Annual Convention by attending and serving as volunteers to make it one of the best. We have two members running for 2025-2026 TSAP Office, Edwin K. Miles, PRP and Greg Short, RP.
We are also proud of our members who serve on the current 2024-2025 TSAP board: Edwin Miles, PRP, is TSAP First Vice President; Heather C. Diehl, RP, is TSAP Treasurer; Diana Alcocer is TSAP Historian; Gregory Short, RP, is Audit Committee; Elliott Rogers, RP, Nominations Committee; and Edwin Miles, PRP, Bylaws Committee.
Members of The Bell Parliamentary Unit actively participated in Texas State Association of Parliamentarian Virtual Leadership Symposium: TSAP Finance and Treasurer Workshop in January of 2025.
Elliott L. Rogers, RP
2024-25 President – The Bell Parliamentary Unit National Association of Parliamentarians
March 5, 2025
San Antonio Unit Report
We had a great start to the new NAP term beginning with a National Training Conference here in San Antonio. Mayor Nirenberg welcomed the attendees to our beautiful city and proclaimed September 5-8, 2024, to be NAP National Training Conference Days in San Antonio. Over 300 from across the globe attended the conference. We were lucky enough (thanks Ron Stinson) at the San Antonio Unit to get one of the authors of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 12th Edition to stay one more day to give an exciting presentation on the History of Robert’s Rules at our September 9 unit meeting.
October began with a partnership between the San Antonio Unit, Alamo Registered Unit, and Office of the San Antonio City Clerk to provide parliamentary training to 74 City of San Antonio volunteer board members. These City board members play a key role in advising the City Council and City departments in various areas of expertise ranging from Animal Care Services to Zoning and everything in between. The training was developed by District 6 President Lucy Anderson, PRP, and featured distinguished Alamo Registered Unit members Ronald Stinson, PRP; Bill Friedrich, PRPR; Lewis Vetter, PRP; Kathleen Carter, RP; Carol Habgood, PRP; Louise Simpson, RP; as well as NAP President Alison Wallis, PRP (also a member of the Alamo Registered Unit). Training was held in City Council Chambers and trainers even demonstrated a mock meeting of the fictional “Weekend Commission.” While basic parliamentary procedures were included in the two-hour presentation, the mock meeting featured the chairman (Lewis Vetter, PRP) handling various contentious situations with board members as well as a public speaker. Excellent feedback from the attendees was received and the entire session was videotaped to be shown online to those unable to attend.
The videos can be found at Part I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRTa2NkXcxg&t=0s
Part II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRTa2NkXcxg&t=6718s
Office of the City Clerk staff assisted, including San Antonio Unit Members Aurora Perkins, Jamie Nieto, John Lowery, Victoria Owens, and SA Unit President, Debbie RaccaSittre, City Clerk. Our October SA Unit meeting featured Kathryn “Kitty” Myers, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Retired, who presented “What I Wish I Knew, and Still Want to Know About Robert’s Rules of Order.” Colonel Myers is the President of the Alamo Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. In November, Deborah Arrington, PRP, presented “Small Boards – Do We Need the Whole Book?” and at our holiday banquet Kathleen Carter, RP, presented “Let’s Take a Vote – Elections, Tellers, Ballots, etc.” It was a fitting presentation because since we started our new year in September, we have welcomed four new members to the San Antonio Unit: Tophas Anderson, John Lowery, Norma Maldonado, and Victoria Owens. So happy to have you as a part of the San Antonio Unit. Let’s Go San Antonio!
Debbie Racca-Sittre, President
San Antonio Unit, Texas State Association of Parliamentarian
Texas Triangle Parliamentarians
The Beginning
On March 6, 2024, the Texas Triangle Parliamentarians (TTP) unit was chartered becoming the 23rd unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) in the great state of Texas. The charter members are Tonya Adkism, Karen Baker Sonier, Donna Mitchell, PRP, Maya Smith, PRP, Jenita Thomas, Anita Williams, Beryl Williams, and Jocelyn Williams. An installation ceremony was held on June 24, 2024. Special guest speaker for this event was Alison Wallis, PRP, President of the National Association of Parliamentarians. President Wallis performed the installation ceremony in front of over 80 guests which included Texas State Association of Parliamentarians President Fashika Willis-McClelland, Texas State Association of Parliamentarians (TSAP) Board members, unit presidents, organizational leaders, members and guests.
Educational Highlights
1. August 20-29, 2024 – New Member Parliamentary Bootcamp facilitated by Tonya Adkism, Instructor Donna Mitchell, PRP
2. September 11, 2024 – “That’s Not Right, Correcting Mistakes in a Meeting” presented by Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP, President of the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians
3. October 9, 2024 – “Lights, Camera, Action – Script Writing” presented by Ceresh Perry, RP, President of the Marion J. Martin Blue and Gold Gavel Electronic Unit
4. November 13, 2024 – “Parliamentary Research” presented by Cherise Story, RP, Second Vice President of the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians
5. December 11, 2024 – “Parliamentary Jeopardy” presented by Maya Smith, PRP, President of the Texas Triangle Parliamentarians
Membership Highlights
TTP takes pride in serving its members who serve as leaders in the community and the organizations they serve. Our members serve as officers and members of several organizations including, but not limited to, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Association of Professional Genealogists, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc., National Council of Negro Women, National Alumni Associations, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Toastmasters International, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
Additionally, we have members who currently serve on TSAP and NAP committees. Jenita Thomas serves on the TSAP Nominating Committee, Donna Mitchell, PRP, serves as the National Youth Committee Chair.
TTP membership grew from 8 charter members to 45 parliamentary enthusiasts who each contributed to building our foundation of parliamentary excellence in the West Houston area.
Maya Smith,
PRP President Texas Triangle Parliamentarians
The Sounding Block Unit
Annual Report
The Sounding Block Unit continues to uphold its mission: To study, teach, practice, and further the interest of parliamentary law within our organization and in the community.
We are proud of the following accomplishments:
• Nine unit meetings and eight unit lessons were taught by the unit members.
• The unit was recognized during Parliamentary Law Month with a proclamation from the City of Dallas, Texas.
• During Parliamentary Law Month, the unit held a “Meet and Greet” with the topic “What’s on the Agenda?”
• The unit conducted an NAP Membership Exam Study for students.
• The unit conducted an NAP Membership Exam Study for adults.
• Members served as judges at the Business Professionals of America Convention.
• Eight members attended the NAP Training Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
• Several members served TSAP and NAP in various ways:
Fashika Willis McClelland, PRP, President
Pamela Harmon, PRP, 70th Convention Committee Chair
Marian Willard, RP, 70th Convention Committee Co-Chair
Bennyfer Bridgewater, PRP, Strategic Planning Committee Chair
Delores Shaw, PRP, Youth Committee Chair
Michelyn Washington, PRP, Education Endowment Fund Trustee Chair
Marsha Thornton, PRP, TSAP Bylaws Revision Committee, TSAP Nominating Committee, NAP Educational Resource Committee
Sincerely,
Pamela Harmon, PRP President
The Sounding Block Unit
Our Motto: “Founded on Procedure, Committed to Order” Meetings are held virtually each 2nd Monday at 7 p.m.
Email: thesoundingblock@gmail.com
Proposed Revision of the TSAP Bylaws
Courtesy Resolution
Adopted at the 70th Annual Convention of the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians Dallas, Texas | May 2–4, 2025
Whereas, the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians (TSAP) successfully convened its 70th Annual Convention on May 2–4, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Market Center in Dallas, Texas;
Whereas, Pamela Harmon and Marian A. Willard served with distinction as Chairman and Co-Chairman of the 70th TSAP Convention;
Whereas, the members of the Convention Committee devoted countless hours and exceptional dedication to planning and executing a well-organized and memorable event;
Whereas, CJ Cavin, Lucy Anderson, Ramsey Cooper, Alison Walis, and Kirk Overby served as knowledgeable and engaging workshop presenters, contributing to the professional development of attendees;
Whereas, Edwin K. Miles, Cherise Story, Omar Jimenez, Monica Isgren, Heather Diehl, Ramsey Cooper, David Perez Hurley, Charles “Charlie” Bowles, Elaine Vetter, Lewis Vetter, Pamela Harmon, Frances Rizo, Bennyfer Bridgewater, and Delores Shaw provided exemplary leadership as members of the 2024–2025 TSAP Board of Directors;
Whereas, Glenda Williams and the entire staff of the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Market Center extended outstanding service and hospitality to the members and guests of the 70th TSAP Convention;
Whereas, Alison Wallis, Lucy Anderson, and CJ Cavin represented the National Association of Parliamentarians with dignity and enthusiasm during the 70th TSAP Convention; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians extends its sincere appreciation to all individuals and entities who contributed to the success of its 70th Annual Convention; further
Resolved, That this resolution be incorporated into the official minutes of the convention and that copies be shared with those recognized herein, as a token of our gratitude and esteem.
