Implementing Our Mission and Goals
TxDLA has a number of standing committees, each charged with a specific purpose, to carry out the mission and goals of the association. These standing committees report to the President, with the exception of the Conference Committee which reports to the Board of Directors. TxDLA also appoints ad hoc committees for special issues as needs arise.
Step Up and Lead!
Get a brief overview of the specific roles of committee members and chairs, and the functions of each of TxDLA's specific committees in the document below.
Recognizing Outstanding Achievements: TxDLA provides recognition of outstanding achievements in statewide distance learning through an annual awards program. The Awards Committee is charged with reviewing the award categories and criteria to ensure they are appropriate and with overseeing the nomination and selection process as approved by the Board of Directors.
Members:
- Chair: Francisco Garcia (4 Year Higher Ed, Rio Grande Valley)
- Jessica Sanchez (4 Year Higher Ed, Rio Grande Valley)
- Elizabeth Rodriguez (2 Year Higher Ed, Rio Grande Valley)
- Harriet Watkins (Corporate, North Texas)
- Maryanne Maddoux (Government, Central)
- Tomsio, Lisa (Non-Voting, TxDLA Executive Manager)
Planning Our Annual Conference: It is anticipated that an annual conference will be held each year to provide members an opportunity to network, share experiences and knowledge, and view new vendor products and services. This annual conference also serves as the primary membership drive for the year and generates revenue for the association's operating budget. Conference planning is the responsibility of the Conference Committee, chaired by the President-Elect or other designee appointed by the Board of Directors. The Conference Committee Chair is responsible directly to the Board.
Members:
- Texas Reardon, Conference Chair
Overseeing Our Operations: The officers of TxDLA, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the Parliamentarian comprise an Executive Committee presided over by the President or the President's designee. It is the responsibility of this committee to aid the President, who functions as the Executive Officer of TxDLA, in carrying out the instructions of the Board of Directors and providing oversight of the day-to-day business of the organization. All members of the Executive Committee, with the exception of the Parliamentarian, are voting members.
Coordinating Communication Channels Across Our Membership: The Executive Partnership Council (EPC) furthers TxDLA’s success in providing peer networking, information, and coordinated communication channels across the broad spectrum of the membership. Responsible directly to the Board of Directors, the EPC is comprised of members from public and private sector organizations that have supported, through cash and/or in-kind products or services, TxDLA’s operations and activities.
The EPC encourages collaborative public/private relationships and partnerships, fostered in honesty and integrity, and initiates activities to advance the cause of distance learning, TxDLA, and its members. These activities include collecting and disseminating information regarding distance learning issues, trends, and technologies; participating in all levels of the association, such as on the Board of Directors and in regional groups; and generating revenue through corporate sponsorships, financial and in-kind assistance, and the annual conference Exhibit Hall.
Members:
- EPC Board Chair: Kelli Erwin
Managing Our Fiscal Activities: The Finance Committee assists in reviewing and planning the budget in May and June. The committee is on call for financial reviews and policy decisions throughout the year.
Members:
- Chair: Harmeet Singh (Treasurer)
- Harriet Watkins (President)
- Texas Reardon (President-Elect)
- Michelle Singh (Chair of the Board)
- Jenell Paul
- Chantell Link
- Oscar Hernandez
- Pamela Darling Facio
Conducting Our Elections: The Governance Committee will conduct all necessary Officer and Board Member nominations and elections in a fair and impartial manner. The duties include preparing the call for nominations and ballots for the officer and Board of Director positions as set forth in the Bylaws, reviewing and certifying the official results for any elections, reporting this information to the appropriate person, and reviewing the bylaws, policies, procedures, every three years with the assistance of The Parliamentarian.
More Information on Nominations
Members:
- Chair: Eric Miller
Honoring Long-Term Advocates: The Texas Distance Learning Hall of Fame Award recognizes long-term distance-learning practitioners or advocates whose careers are characterized by exceptional commitment, outstanding achievements, and enduring impact in the field of distance learning. The award is intended to be an honor of high distinction; accordingly, inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected with great care. The HOF Committee will evaluate all nominations according to the criteria stated in these policies and procedures and will recommend inductee(s) to the TxDLA Board. Induction of the recommended nominee(s) into the Hall of Fame is contingent upon the Board's approval by majority vote.
Members:
- Chair: Jenell Paul
Marketing Our Association: The dissemination and collection of information is critical to the success of the association and is the responsibility of the Information Committee. This committee shall be responsible for all areas of marketing, website development and maintenance, and association newsletters. The Chief Information Officer will chair this committee.
Members:
- Chair: Rhonda Blackburn
Recruiting New Members and Improving Benefits: The membership committee recruits new members and strives to find and improve benefits for existing members of TxDLA. The committee communicates with regional group coordinators to assist them with activities for their regional membership meetings, and develops ideas for marketing TxDLA through membership drives. The TxDLA board of directors occasionally requests the membership committee to research specific issues related to membership, such as constituency representation. Finally, the membership committee helps welcome new members and assists with effective communication of the benefits of membership to all TxDLA members.
Members:
- Chair: Tamarin Butcher
- Harriet Watkins
- Rinki Suryavanshi
- Jason Poe
The Professional Development Committee supports TxDLA’s goal of “Resources” by
assessing and prioritizing the professional development needs of the members and assisting in the development and delivery of training and certificate courses and materials.
Members:
- Co-Chairs: Rhonda Blackburn and Kelli Erwin
- Janet Kamps
- Jackie Luft
- Raymond Rose
Advocating TxDLA Positions: The Public Policy Committee will advocate TxDLA positions to policy makers including government officials, legislative committees, and agencies that influence actions. The committee will mobilize support statewide, actively participate in the ongoing discussions and debates on distance education within the state and nationally, and endeavor to be considered an active player by state and national officials.
Members:
- Chair: Raymond Rose
Forming and Sustaining Networking: TxDLA supports Special Interest Groups and will help to form groups as requested by the organization's membership through the Special Interest Groups Committee. The purpose of the groups is to network with colleagues through periodic meetings which might be hosted by a member or TxDLA partner. These meetings bring professionals together for sharing of activities and ideas with the intent to work together. Each group has coordinators to facilitate activities and communication to area members, and each coordinator is a member of this committee.
Members:
- Chair: Aleyda Cantu-Lee
Offering Opportunities to Participate: TxDLA is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships for its Annual Conference and for Fall Leadership Workshop each year. This committee shall be responsible for establishing criteria for the selection of scholarship recipients, as well as selecting recipients.
More Information on Scholarships
Members:
- Chair: Tilisa Thibodeaux