Committees

2022-2023

Joining a committee is a great way to gain leadership experience and make a difference in our community. Email the chair to sign up for a committee!

Committees	Chairs	Board Liaison
Book and Culture Committee	Jasmin Blas- Mendieta	TBD
Elections Committee	Virginia Hoskins	TBD
Holiday Assistance Committee	Lex Orozco	TBD
Fiesta Committee	Vacant	TBD
Leadership and Professional Dev. Committee	Jesse Lafarga and Anthony Martinez	TBD
Scholarship Committee	Jewel Talbert	TBD
Membership and Engagement Committee	Amy Beebee	TBD
Staff Equity and Inclusion Committee		TBD

BOOK AND CULTURE CLUB

The goals of the HFSA Book and Culture committee include promoting and informing HFSA members about Latina/o cultural events on campus and within the Austin area; strengthening our literary connection to our culture by reading one book per semester; hosting community immersion activities for HFSA members on/off campus; and encouraging & planning activities that promote service to the Latina/o community.

ELECTION COMMITTEE

The HFSA Election Committee manages all election procedures for executive officers and committee chair elections. The committee is responsible for planning and executing successful nominations and elections to fill these offices annually, as well as periodically, for offices as vacancies occur. Election rules and regulations proposed by this committee are vetted and approved by the executive committee. Article VIII: Elections and Election Procedures delineates the election process.

HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE

The HFSA Holiday Assistance Committee (HAC) provides the ingredients for a full-course holiday meal to eligible UT employees and their families during the winter holidays through the newly named John Treviño Jr. Holiday Assistance Program. Recipients abide by a set of guidelines set by the HAC. The duties of this committee include: recruiting and selecting recipients, soliciting community contributions of goods and/or cash, recruiting and coordinating volunteers, and implementing all other aspects of this program to execute a successful event.

FIESTA COMMITTEE

The HFSA Fiesta Committee is charged with coordination and planning of HFSA’s annual scholarship fundraising celebration. The committee plans, coordinates, and executes all aspects of the celebration, including: catering, entertainment, location, publicity, event registration and other duties necessary for a successful event. The committee members work closely with the Scholarship Committee to raise money where 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Texas Exes for HFSA’s scholarship fund.

If you would like to volunteer and help plan the next HFSA Fiesta to raise money for our HFSA

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The HFSA Leadership & Professional Development Committee develops a series of lectures, workshops, and events to provide participants opportunities and tools for development in their careers and professional work environment. The committee develops the series for the year and executes its events. Committee duties include program design, scheduling, coordination, publicity, and final execution of each meeting or event, ensuring each is well-attended. Each chairperson works with the executive committee to determine appropriate topics, agendas, speakers, budget and other logistics as needed.

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

The HFSA Scholarship Committee manages the fundraising program for the annual scholarship awards. The committee is responsible for all aspects of the scholarship awards, including: setting eligibility criteria, reviewing applications, and selecting award recipients. Student award recipients are presented their award at the annual Texas Exes Dinner Event in September. Recipients are notified of their award during the summer preceding the dinner.

MEMBERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The HFSA Welcome Committee coordinates monthly membership meetings. In addition to planning and managing the logistics involved for each meeting, committee members work with the executive committee to ensure guests are greeted with hospitality and goodwill for a sense of community among members and guests.

STAFF EQUITY AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE

The HFSA Staff Equity and Inclusion Task Force is charged with researching, evaluating and recommending actions to be taken by The University of Texas at Austin to create an equitable and inclusive working environment for Hispanic staff. The findings contained in the recent Hispanic Equity Report highlight substantial salary gaps among Hispanic faculty members on the UT campus, and provides us an opportunity to critically reflect on the community and culture we want to promote for Hispanic staff members. The actions recommended by the task force will be driven by the use of our convening power of dialogue among our members, in partnership with UT leaders, to advance and sustain justice and equity for Hispanic faculty and staff.