Please mark your calendars for our next Hispanic Alliance meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Miguel's Authentic Mexican Restaurant at 5:00 PM.
At our last meeting, we discussed our final production of the alliance's push cards in Spanish to be distributed to restaurants, etc. subject to board approval; Leadership Marshall 2009 which kicks off March 26; a document we've converted to Spanish regarding permits and licenses through the State of Texas which will go on our website and be available in our offices; a window decal for businesses that offer bilingual services; and a very nice article in Vita Latina magazine featuring area Hispanic Business Alliances that included our alliance (Thank you, Vita!). If you haven't picked up a free copy, please come by our office or visit Avelar y Asociados, El Paisiana, Fruteria Perlita, or La Potosina -- all here in Marshall.
Judge William Hughey noted that the legal system needs qualified translators who are trained specifically to use, understand, and interpret legal terminology. We also discussed the possibility of connecting Command Spanish instruction with targeted career fields, such as law enforcement and firefighters, sales and marketing specialists, medical personnel, etc.
Dr. Bernardo Roman-Beato and Norma Latham previously contributed greatly toward the creation of a survey that may be used in the Hispanic community for identifying future projects of the alliance.
Additionally, we discussed the upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 2.
If you know of food or business vendors that might be interested in participating at the Cinco de Mayo festival, please email them to our alliance member, Carmen Ibarra, at cibarra@marshallhs.org or you can email them to me and I will forward them on to her. Please help us spread the word about the festival this year. Carmen will be sharing flyers with us to hand out very soon. She is also interested in finding quality entertainment for no cost or at least a minimal charge. If you have ideas, please let us know!
Also, if you know of someone who would make a great candidate for our outstanding Leadership Marshall program, please send me their name and contact information. We're processing applications now and sincerely want a nice cross-section of our community represented in the program. The program helps people learn about the community in a way that is positive and thorough. We have an aggressive and robust agenda, packed full of various forums covering topics such as: education, business & industry, health care, city & county government, and quality of life. Through these meetings and tours, participants connect with leaders in virtually every segment of the community. And through it all, they learn important qualities of leadership. The class is recognized at the Business & Industry luncheon at the Civic Center in May and they are honored at a graduation banquet held in August.
The response from other alliance leaders in the area for creating a regional alliance have all been favorable. We are awaiting the response of one or two more and we should be able to set a date for our first regional meeting! We'll keep you posted!
On May 15, Vita Latina magazine and La Invasora radio are hosting the Noche De Gala Hispanic Ball 2009 at the Bossier City Civic Center. Josie Liston, Eva Morales, and I plan to attend. Those of you who are interested in attending with us, visit www.vitalatinamagazine.com or call 318-286-5407. You may also email Vita Riner at vitariner@aol.com. Let her know that you are with the Marshall Chamber of Commerce's Hispanic Alliance. It promises to be a great event!
Last, but not least, we know everyone is busy and the very fact that you are a part of our alliance means you are recognized as a leader. We appreciate your time, effort and every contribution you make to ensure the Hispanic Alliance is a successful venture. We know that when we help others succeed, it makes the world around us a much better place. Please continue to share your ideas by email, by phone and at our meetings. (Don't forget! Next meeting is Thursday, April 23 at 5:00 PM at Miguel's!)
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully yours,
Keli Talbert
Business Development Director
