The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce M o n t h l y
N e w s l e t t e r
June 2010
Javier Palomarez talked about immigration
State immigration laws hurt small businesses, and the issue should be left up to the federal government, Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said during the Excelencia Awards 2010.
“The Chamber believes there is another way of doing this,” said Palomarez. “We need reform that can actually attract talented individuals to add to the prosperity of the greatest nation of the world.”
Palomarez, a former multicultural marketing executive at ING, a financial services company, said states like Arizona have already seen an economic impact by bypassing the federal government. “There have been a lot of seminars, a lot of hotels and a lot of entertainment venues who have lost contracts because people are pulling up and out of the state and frankly boycotting the state,” Palomarez said.
There are more than three million Hispanic-owned businesses across the U.S. and Puerto Rico and over 200 Hispanic chambers fostering small businesses and local economic development. “Hispanic small businesses are being started at a rate of 4 to 1 compared to the general market,” Palomarez said. “When you look at Latina-owned business, they are being started up at a rate of 6 to 1 when compared to the general market.”
Palomarez addressed more than 150 attendees at the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Excelencia Awards event. Cox Communications, Bronco Auto Sales and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation were honored.
The Monthly Newsletter is published monthly by The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. If you would like to place a display ad, gives us a call 664-5326 Francisco J. Treviño Executive Director Juan Miret Executive Assistant PG 1
Chamber News
The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Councilor proposes immigration checks by city the verification system is “totally free.” E-Verify is a federal system that compares information supplied by prospective employees to that found in governmental records. The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce issued a news release stating that enactment of such a proposal “will subject the city of Tulsa to unnecessary work that will waste taxpayers’ money.” The chamber adds that according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the employment verification system, although free, has indirect costs such as training staff to meet system requirements and to deal with problems caused by errors in the system’s database.
Mautino said he is planning to place his proposal on the council’s agenda in June. City Councilor Jim Mautino on May 20
The draft proposal is similar to sec-
Mautino said he is planning to place
proposed a city ordinance regarding
tions of state law H.B. 1804 that were
his proposal on the council’s agenda in
immigration that would require use by the
temporarily suspended by a federal
June.
city of the federal E-Verify employment
judge, but Mautino said lawyers for the
“I have not talked to any councilor
verification system when hiring employ-
city are analyzing the language “very
yet,” he said. “But the citizens of Tulsa
ees or contractors and would require
carefully.”
want this ordinance.”
checking on the lawful presence of anyone over the age of 14 who requests pub-
Mautino said immigration is a federal
Approval of the ordinance would
lic assistance dispensed by a city agency.
matter, but said Congress has ignored
require a vote in favor by at least five of
the problem. “We need to do something.
the nine councilors.
“Many of my constituents and many
If they in Washington are not listening,
other persons that do not reside in my
then we here in Tulsa, we do listen, we do
District 4 Councilor María Barnes
district have called me, they have sent
understand that we have a problem with
spoke against the proposal. “There is no
me e-mails, and they have talked to me
illegal immigrants.”
question about it, Mautino’s proposal is out of context.” She said it would be “tar-
about the problem with illegal immigration in our city,” said Mautino, who represents
He could not cite any study to support
District 6. “This is a nation of laws. We
the need for such an ordinance. As for
cannot continue ignoring them.”
costs of implementation, he said use of
geting the Hispanic community and all minorities.”
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Chamber News
The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
The Hispanic American Foundation’s annual scholarship luncheon
Students from all over Tulsa attended the Hispanic American Foundation Luncheon at TCC. More than 400 area Hispanic high school students attended the Hispanic American Foundation’s annual scholarship luncheon and college fair May 20. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded. Students from 13 area high schools attended the event at Tulsa Community College’s Southeast campus. Nilda Reyes, director of diversity and inclusion at Tulsa Public Schools, said participation has steadily increased every year. “Children who are undocumented
and documented struggle to get to college and so we are here to help,” Reyes said. “We are growing in every way.” Reyes said she credits the growing participation to TCC’s Tulsa Achieves program, which helps first-generation college students with financial aid and career guidance. “Hopefully I can find a college that’s right for me,” said Josué Sánchez, a senior at Will Rogers High School. María Gaytán plans to attend TCC in the fall and said college fairs are good ways to learn about options available for graduating seniors.
“I’ve learned how important it is to go to college because you see other young kids that used to go to your school and now they come here (TCC),” said Gaytán, a senior at Will Rogers High School. “That shows that they are doing well, and I can do it, too.” TCC and Tulsa Public Schools also sponsored the event. Scholarship recipients are: Evelyn Gutiérrez, Union High School; Elena Martínez, Bishop Kelly High School; and Ethel Rodríguez and Fátima Gómez, Booker T. Washington High School.
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Chamber News Excelencia Awards 2010 The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Bronco Auto Sales received the Avance Award Cox Communications, Bronco Auto Sales and Tulsa Economic Development Corporation were this year’s recipients of the Excelencia Awards presented by the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Cox Communications received the Adelante Award, given to the Chamber's Corporate Partner of the Year. The award recognizes a company that is active in the chamber and its programs and has a record of working with Hispanic businesses locally and nationally
Tulsa Economic Development Corporation received the Fred Bendaña Amigo Award
Bronco Auto Sales received the Avance Award, given to the top Tulsa Hispanic business of the year, which recognizes a company whose growth and success contribute to the city's economic development. Tulsa Economic Development Corporation received the Fred Bendaña Amigo Award, given for outstanding community leadership that exemplifies the importance of embracing Tulsa's Hispanic community. Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,
Cox Communications received the Adelante Award delivered the keynote speech at the ceremony. “We were very pleased to have Mr. Palomarez come to the city of Tulsa and see our growing Hispanic community,” said Francisco Treviño, president of the Tulsa chamber. “We feel honored that he accepted our invitation without hesitating.” The event theme was “Growing Business through People and Partnerships”. "We do this for the Hispanic business community, so we appreciate it when they come to support the event," said Trevino.
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The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Monthly Luncheon
Wednesday June 23rd, 2010 Presented by:
Keynote Speaker Steven A. Broussard Mr. Broussard is a shareholder at Hall Estill and also a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Since joining the Firm in 1988, Mr. Broussard has practiced in the areas of landlord/tenant law, oil and gas law and immigration matters.
11:30 am-1:00 pm Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center $20/member $25/non-member The cost of the function includes lunch. Please RSVP at (918) 664-5326 or e-mail admin@tulsahispanicchamber.com
Media Sponsors:
Hosted by:
HISPANO DE TULSA
Bilingual Newspaper
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The Greater Tulsa
Hispanic Chamber’S Radio Show
This is an informative radio show recently launched by the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber in partnership with KXTD La Que Buena 1530AM.
‘Negocio para Todos’ or
‘Business for Everyone’
Once a month the Hispanic community may learn the latest news about the Chamber’s programs, services and events. Our next show will be aired on Saturday, June 26th from 9 to 10 a.m. You may listen live at www.quebuenatulsa.com or on you radio at 1530 AM. ‘Negocio para Todos’ is produced by Francisco Treviño, President & CEO of the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce PG 6
The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies RIBBON CUTTINGS, GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES & OPEN HOUSES Won't You Join Us! Do you have a new business, new location an expansion or an anniversary? The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to assist you with your grand opening or ribbon cutting. Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions:
please coordinate this with the Chamber if at all possible well in advance to avoid date and time conflicts You provide any refreshments for those in attendance – this is entirely up to you Invite Your Board of Directors, if applicable and friends and family
WHAT THE CHAMBER DOES:
Those who helped with your new location like contractors, bankers, etc.
All free of charge, to our Chamber member
You provide any refreshments for those in attendance - this is entirely up to you
Sends out a broadcast email our members on our email list to notify them of your opening
Provide background information on your company ahead of time to those who are speaking so they can prepare remarks (we can help with that)
Provides the “giant scissors” and bows and ribbon to cut (we usually deliver them the day before or several hours before the event – please let us know what color bows and ribbon, and how long) Podium and microphone
HOW IT RUNS : Your agenda could be something like this: Welcome Guests – done by a company rep
Attends the event and takes pictures for our e-newsletter and web page
Intro on the company – done by a company rep – Explain what you do if a new business, about your new location – if a second location or a move, your hours, introduce your staff
Typically our Chamber Executive Director, President of the Board, some Board Members will attend.
Congratulatory Remarks – from Chamber, other dignitaries – these are 1-3 minutes each – very brief
Publicizes the event in our e-newsletter and web page with a photo after the fact in the next edition
Cut the ribbon – usually done by dignitaries and head company rep, some choose to have all employees do the cutting
Keeps track of RSVPs, unless you prefer to handle that yourself
KEEP IN MIND: Weekend grand openings (including Friday after 5:00) are harder for the Chamber to draw attendance to than weekday events. Hanging your ribbon – should be placed in front of the doorway – you and the “cutters” would stand behind the ribbon facing the crowd Keep in touch with the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber as your plans progress As mentioned above, the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber will handle RSVPs, unless you prefer to do it yourself. As you may know, people will wait until the last minute to RSVP, or will show up without RSVPing. Call the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber during the morning of the day before the event to get the latest count, and add a little cushion before communicating a final number to your caterer. If experienced, your caterer can probably help with your estimate. Will parking be an issue? If so, please let us know where you would like guests to park so we can inform them in advance The farther ahead you contact us the more publicity we can give your event If you have a digital version of your logo, please email it to the Ribbon Cutting Coordinator so it can appear on our email
To arrange for your special event, please contact:
Invite the media We will help you prepare an agenda WHAT THE COMPANY DOES Sets the date and time of the event – typically first thing in the morning (8AM or 9AM), Noontime, end of the day (4PM or later) or evening (7PM) –
Thank you for attending – by a company rep Then you offer everyone to come take a look at your facility, and if large enough, you might want to offer tours
The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 918-664-5326 or email admin@tulsahispanicchamber.com
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The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Winner of the Small Hispanic Chamber Award 2008 for Region III, from The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce &
2009 the Whitney M. Young, Jr. award for unselfish service to the youth of America. 295 Members! In the 11 years history of the The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, membership levels have had their peaks and valleys, with the 295 membership mark being achieved. We are extremely enthusiastic. Thank you for your extraordinary support.
Our next monthly luncheon is June 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 am Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center PG 8