Secular Coalition for Texas Monthly Conference Call

Location

Secular Coalition for America - Texas Chapter Conference Call
Call in number: 530-881-1400 Participant Code: 978895
Tuesday, November 27 at 2pm CT

Welcome Message

• Who is here and who is not here that needs to be?
• Agenda available at Texas chapter page at secular.org
• Explanation of conference call style and recording
  • No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.
• Thank you for joining us for the Secular Coalition for Texas monthly conference call!
• The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c)(4) representing secular and nontheistic Americans.
• The Secular Coalition for America is working to make sure that we are heard on Capitol Hill. We fight in Washington DC against religious privileging on a federal level, yet some of the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are being promoted and passed at a state level.
• The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country to bring together secular and nontheistic Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.

• U.S. Senate
  • Ted Cruz (R) won the seat formerly held by Kay Bailey Hutchinson 
• U.S. House
  • Texas gained 4 seats after the 2010 census
  • All 36 Texas seats in the U.S. House were up for election
  • Republican Party gained 1 seat and now hold 24 of the 36
  • Democratic Party gained 3 seats and now hold 12 of the 36
• State Senate
  • All 31 seats were up for election
  • Republican Party maintained a 19-12 majority
• State House of Representatives
  • All 150 seats were up for election
  • Republican Party lost 5 seats, but still holds a 95-55 majority
• Texas State Board of Education
  • 9 candidates who felt textbooks that do not teach the "weaknesses" of evolution should be rejected by the board
    • DEFEATED:
      • District 1 Charlie Garza, El Paso (incumbent) DEFEATED
        
      • District 3 David Williams, San Antonio DEFEATED
    • WON: (watch out for)
      • District 5 Ken Mercer, San Antonio (incumbent)
        
      • District 6 Donna Bahorich, Houston 
        
      • District 7 David Bradley, Beaumont Buna (incumbent) 
        
      • District 8 Barbara Cargill, The Woodlands, (incumbent, SBOE chair) 
        
      • District 10 Tom Maynard, Florence 
        
      • District 12 Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, Dallas 
        
      • District 15 Marty Rowley, Amarillo
    • Candidates who WON who agree with teaching evolution: (work with)
      • District 4 Dorothy Olmos, Houston 
      • District 13 S.T. Russell, Dallas
  • 11 candidates that strongly agree or agree that the Ten Commandments should be displayed in public school buildings:
    • DEAFEATED:
      • District 1 Charlie Garza, El Paso (incumbent) 
        
      • District 2 Laurie Turner, Corpus Christi 
      • District 3 David Williams, San Antonio 
      • District 4 Dorothy Olmos, Houston 
    • WON: (watch out for)
      • District 5 Ken Mercer, San Antonio (incumbent) 
        
      • District 6 Donna Bahorich, Houston 
        
      • District 7 David Bradley, Beaumont Buna (incumbent) 
        
      • District 8 Barbara Cargill, The Woodlands, (incumbent, SBOE chair)
        
      • District 10 Tom Maynard, 
        
      • District 12 Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, Dallas 
        
      • District 15 Marty Rowley, Amarillo 
    • Candidates who WON who disagree with posting commandments (work with)
      • District 13 S.T. Russell, Dallas

• American Atheists 2013 National Covention
  • Austin, TX
  • March 28-31, 2013
  • Executive Director Edwina Rogers speaking Friday March 29th
• Any issues or events happening in Texas?

• Leadership
  • Executive Committee 

•  
  • Anyone one else interested? Email Brian at Texas@secular.org
  • Volunteer List
  • Those who do not wish to be on the Executive Committee, but still want to play an active role and help out once there is work to be done, please email Brian or Steven at walker@myvfp.com or sbratteng@gmail.com
• Resources Status 
  • Website
    • TX.secular.org still under construction 
    • Temporarily: Secular.org>States>Your State>Texas 
  • Conference Calls 
    • Changing call schedule in 2013
      • evening and weekend calls
    • Agendas and Call replays available on the Texas chapter page 
    • Looking into technologies to assist with online discussion 
  • Logo - viewable on Texas chapter page and Facebook page 
  • Facebook Page – Secular Coalition for Texas 
  • Future Resources 
    • Promotional resources- brochures, stickers, buttons, handouts 
    • Informational resources – Research, fact sheets and policy papers 
    • Trainings and Guides – media and lobby trainings and guides 
  • National Resources 
    • Powerpoints –available at secular.org/resources 
    • National Secular Calendar – secular.org homepage
    •  National Secular Update Weekly Conference Call - Thursdays at Noon 559-726-1300 Code 199568

• What the SCA is doing until the next call:
  • Getting resources in place
  • Researching technologies to assist in chapter coordination
• What you can do:
  • Email Brian or Steve if interested in leadership or volunteering
  • Sign up on our website to receive info and updates
  • Check out the Texas chapter page for updates
  • Like the Secular Coalition for Texas Facebook page
  • Spread the word!

• Kelly Damerow
• Research and Advocacy Manager, Secular Coalition for America
• Email: kelly@secular.org
• Phone: 202-299-1091 ext. 204