PUBLISHED BY EXECUTIVE WOMIN IN GOVIRNMENT NOVEMBER 2OOi f-__** I rrrr: EWTG's Silent Auction is awaiting you at the conference. This is the EMG's EWTG 15th Annual Professional Development ' largest fundraising event of the year! Think of yourself or others for holiday Conference gift giving. This yearwe will auction a Family Membership to the Ladybird Building Leaders: Steps to Success Johnson Wildflower Center, a 3-month membership to Body Business, 4 tickets up front to see Bobby Fenin at the Performing Arts Centel November 18-19, 2001 and one free night at the Santa Fe Hilton in New Mexico among other items. All The EWTG 15th Annual Professional Development Conference is going proceeds from the auction go to support EWTG's scholarship and mentorship to be a very rewarding and exciting event. With three keynoters, a programs. Do your pad and stop by the Sileni Auction tables on Sunday legislative panel, and over 35 breakout sessions as well as various and Monday and make a bid for a good cause. extracunicular activities such as the grand pnze, silent auction, exhibits Avnet Enterprise Solutions will sponsor the Grand Prize - a vacation package and raffle, it is the "don't miss" event of the vear. from Southwest Airlinesl lt's easy to win - just visit the fun and informative Keynoters and Panel Exhibitors including ING Aetna Financial Services, Body Business, Texas Natural Resource Conservatjon Commission, Capitol Credit Union, Earfulof Marie C. Wilson, President of the Ms. Foundation, The White House Books, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Employees Retiremeni System, Office of the Prolect and the Women's Leadership Fund, will open the conference with Attomey General, and the Texas Department of Insurance. a keynote address on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Following Ms. Wilson's See you there! address, a Legislative Panel featuring Representative Mary Denny and Representative Anna Mowery with other legislators to be announced, will &, provide a "behind the scenes" look at the 77th Legislative Session. The Board of Directors cordially invites On Monday, the lunch session keynote speaker will be Dr. Barbara P. EWTG committee members Mink, Dean of the Human and Organization Development Graduate At the Fifteenth Annual EWTG Conference Program at the Fielding Institute. Beverly Keamey, Head Coach, Women's To attend the Annual Gommittee Members Track and Field, University of Texas at Austin, will provide the closing Reception session keynote address. Both of these women have participated in previous EWTG Conference to rave reviews. We are so honored that "Building Leaders Steps to Success" Sunday, November 18, 2OO1 they will join us for the 15th Annual Conference. Austin Renaissance Hotel 4:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

In appreciation of your contributions To making 2001 a successful year for EWTG.

-4-\_ Marie C. Wllson Beverly Kearney Dr. Barbara Mink -lEWTG NCUTTV! NOMEN A' Calendar o ]'EXAS (ilNIFR\IFH Euents Breakout Sessions

Three breakout sessions will be available on Monday with over 1 1 sessions from which to choose at each time. Great training is provided in such sessions as "Managing Transformation," "Getting More Out of Available Technology," and "Leadership Through Effective Insights." Sessions are designed to provide participants with new skills and knowledge while increasing their value and productivity to their agencies. Extracurricular Activities

Sauthwest Airlines has donated two round-tnp tickets to anywhere they fly for a Raffle; tickets will be $3.00 or 2 for $5.00. The drawing will be held at the closing session on Monday; you must be present to win.

E\X,TG IS DEDICATED To DEvELopING AND ENCouR\crNG \(/oruEN rN Tpx,ls srATE GovERNMENT AND HIGHER EDUCATToN AND TO MA]NTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONS]BIL]TY. I 2OOI OFFICERS 2002 Slate of Officers EWTG Board of Directors has approved the slate of officers presented by the 200'1 Nominating President The Committee. The 2002 Board of Directors will be sworn in during the holiday luncheon scheduled for Mory Cheryl Dorworl Tuesday, December 4 at Green Pastures Restaurant, The 2002 Board of Directors is comprised of the 512/463-3909 following individuals:

President-Elect President: Denise Pittard Denise Pittord Denise Pittard, a Legislative Analyst in the Legislative Affairs Office of the Texas Department of Transportation, 512/463-87 46 has over 20 years of state legislative experience. She is currently serving on the 2001 EWTG Board of Directors as the PresidentElect. In 1998 and 2000, Denise served on the board as the Director of Membership Communications. She was Chair of the EWTG Legislative lssues Committee in '1997, 1999 and currently Dee Mcllroy in 2001, Denise was named the 2000 EWTG Woman of the Year, s12/305-997 4 She worked 12 years for the Texas House of Representatives, beginning in 1978, and has worked as a Legislative Assistant for several State Representatives. She also served as Chief Committee Clerk for the Finonciol 0ffker House Business and Industry Committee, the House Public Safety Committee, and the Special House Bev Schulke Committee on Health Care Services for Low Income Texans. 512/936-997 4 Denise majored in Public Relations and has a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Treosurer President-Elect: Lynn Whitten Deboroh Mitchell Lynn Whitten is Quality Assurance Specialist for Process lmprovement Engineering at the Comptroller of 5171867 -7 424 Public Accounts, She has also worked for the Railroad Commission of Texas and the State Treasury. Lynn's EWTG service includes member of the 1998 Program Committee and'1999 Director of Public Relotions Communications on the EWTG Board. In 2000, she coordinated EWTG's successful effort to become a Corol 0lewin founder of the Women's Museum, while also serving on the Board's Communications Committee and the 512/490-4024 Conference Program Committee. She has been on an EWTG Executive Success Team since 1998. She is also a member of the 2001 Leadership Texas class and is the recipient of a 2001 EWTG Leadership Communicotions Texas Scholarship, Becky Berryhill Lynn is a long-time volunteer on the Board of the Austin Tenant's Council, a non-profit organization providing 512/834-454s tenant-landlord dispute resolution and fair housing monitoring and education, She currently serves as the agency's Board President. Affilioles She has a Master's Degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. Corol Nosworthy 512/258-8708 Vice-President: Nikita Rogers Nikita is the Chief of Staff for State Representative Ron Wilson where she manages the Capitol and District Prog ro m Offices. She is also Chief Clerk for the Committee on Licensing and Regulations, the committee responsible Lori Moyo for legislative oversight of agencies that issue licenses. Nikita also served as the Chair of the Facilities 512/475-0118 Committee for the '1999 and 2000 EWTG annual conferences. Nikita's community involvement activities include Texas Organized Professionals, Delta, Sigma, Theta Execulive Director Sorority, and American Society of Public Managers, Corolyn Bible Nikita received her Bachelors Degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. 3500 Jeffenon, Ste. 210A

Ausfin, Texos 78731 Financial Officer: Deborah Mitchell 512/371-1263 Deborah works as budget analyst in the Finance and Administration division of the Employees Retirement

Fox t System, In addition to coordinating the agency's budget process, she is responsible for preparing fiscal and s12/371-9380 notes on proposed legislation, preparing the legislative appropriation request, operating budget report performance report.

Emoil Address' Her 18 years of state service includes work at the Teacher Retirement System as consultant and internal [email protected] auditor and the State Auditor's Office as auditor, Deborah has a Bachelor's of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and is a Certified Website: Public Accountant. She is also currently serving on the school board and flower guild at St. Martin's www.ewtg.org Lutheran Church. Treasurer: Susan Steeg Susan has been General Counsel of the Texas Department of Health (TDH) since 1992. Prior to serving as General Counsel, she was a staff attorney at TDH for more than six years and at Parkland Memorial in Dallas from 1988-1990' 2 x N0VEMBER200r * EWTGTTO*HosPital In recent years, Susan has served on the national level as a representative of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials to the Privacy Law Advisory Committee that reviewed the Model State Public Health Privacy Act. She was appointed by the Texas Supreme Court to serve on its Special Subcommittee on the lmplementation of Family Code Chapter 33. Susan has participated in a wide range of community activities including Chair of the Texas AIDS Network and many years on the advisory committee of the Capital Area AIDS Legal Project that oversees volunteer legal services to persons with AIDS/HlV in Central Texas and treasurer of her neighborhood association. Susan also volunteers to counsel persons with family law issues through Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas. Susan received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in 1975, and her law degree in 1977 from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a graduate of the Class XV of the Governor's Executive Development Program. Director of Programs: Sandy Edwards Sandy serves as the Executive Assistant to Attorney General John Cornyn, In this role, she oversees general administrative and office management assistance and fulfills other special assignments and duties as required for the Attorney General. She has been with General Cornyn since shortly after he took office in January 1999, She has over 23 years of service to the State of Texas, which includes Executive Associate to the Vice Chancellor for Development and External Relations at The University of Texas System. Her responsibilities were to assist the Vice Chancellor in administrative management, donor relations, meeting planning, and maintaining the Vice Chancellor's calendar. Her employment with UT Austin and UT System combined over 21 years of service. Director of Communications: Mercie Zapata Mercie is an Information Resource Planning Analyst in the lnformation Technology Support Division at the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Prior to her work at the OAG, she was office manager with Parents Anonymous of Texas, Inc. She also worked in the law office of McCreary, Veselka, Bragg and Allen. Her community involvement activities include Austin Komen Race for the Cure, Second Blessing Marketplace and EWTG Community Service Committee. Mercie received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Masters of Public Administration from Southwest Texas State University, As a graduate student, she participated in the Centex American Society for Public Administration, Director of Membership: Dee Mcllroy Dee is Section Manager for Capacity Planning and Storage Management in the Information Technology Division at the Comptroller of Public Accounts, Prior to working for the Comptroller's Office, Dee worked in the Information Technology arena at the Texas Legislative Council. Dee is currently the 2001 Director of Membership and is an active co-chair and member on one of the EWTG Executive Success teams. Dee's community involvement includes the Hospitality Committee and Flower Guild and Wednesday night worship service planning at her church, Dee received her Bachelors of Business Administration in Management from . Director of Public Relations: Janis Guerrerro Janis serves as Program Director for Communications and External Relations (at the University of Texas), She oversees work on the Center's Web presence, publications, marketing communications, and proposal development. She also facilitates Dana Center communications with external constituents, including the university community, various educational agencies, the private sector, and the media. Before her work as program director, Janis served as a program coordinator for the Dana Center's STAR (Support for Texas Academic Renewal) Center, a regional assistance center for technical support to Title I schools. Janis came to the Dana Center from the Texas Education Agency, where she served as project director of the Texas Middle Grade School State Policy Initiative, a national Carnegie Corporation initiative for systemic change in middle schools, Janis also taught English for more than fifteen years in Texas public schools before becoming a school district administrator in gifted education. She holds an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction and a Ph.D, in Educational Administration from The Universitv of Texas at Austin. Affiliates Director: Lesley Guthrie Lesley serves as Director of the Governor's Commission for Women, and oversees the activities of both the commission and the State Agency Council. Prior to joining the Office of the Governor, Lesley worked for Congressman Sam Johnson (R-Plano) in Washington, DC as Executive Assistant and campaign fundraiser. Lesley has over'14 years of state and federal government expeilence. Lesley is also a member of the Young Women's Alliance, the Junior League of Austin, United Way Young Leaders Society, Safe Place Visionaries, and the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault Advisory Board. Lesley received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin,

tMG STAR x N0VEMBIR 2001 x 3 ,.a,!.S rtyt#:\!! \* ::;F Sgl?) r," "rtw wry" -qdfatr ,.,;::.v, ,W. Wf;iSii.t W 'W =. Wr !:,1 1f 4 ''+ First Year Members W

Mary Alverson :i.{ Comptroller of Public Accounts 512t463-4233 :::a Karen Brisco-Richards State Securities Board 713t426-0336 t:^ Sharlotte Castro ,ffi Dept of Public Safety 936t442-2800 '/ry Cathy Clark Attorney General's Office 512t460-6467 l" $Jll I Juli Davila Employees Retirement System 512t867-7736 i.\\r Linda Franco Attorney General's Office 512t460-6537 Melissa Franco TNRCC 512t239-5460 .i::7 Fran Gregg Attorney General's Office 51 2/460-6509 Roxanne Gruhlke Texas Workforce Commission 512t475-4833 W Elizabeth Hall Texas Tech University 806t742-2184 Rebecca Hott Attorney General's Office 512t460-6537 s ."i Ann Huddleston UT Health Science Center 210t567-2679 ?6, Jennifer Jones Sunset Commission 512t463-1300 Valerie Korba Attorney General's Office 512t460-6287 S,= Cynthia Lopez Legislative Budget Board 51 2/936-1 604

Luz Lozano Commission on Jail Standards 512t463-7815 &,t Tonya Martinez Attorney General's Office 51 2/460-61 39 ?,,, Ginny McKay Sunset Commission 5'1 2/463- 1 300 ,F Donna Miller Employees Retirement System 512t867-7482 a:. Jane Norwood Department on Aging 512t424-6850 w Jeanette O'dell Legislative Budget Board 512t475-2900 v,2b w" Ursula Pariss Legislative Budget Board 5't21305-9580 w Nell Roberts Commission on Jail Standards 512t463-8084 Laura Judith Saenz State Securities Board 21 0/886-0073 Ramona Satcher Dept of Criminal Justice 936t437-7282 = = Barbara Selke-Kern TX State Technical College Sys 254t836-0325 ::rS Pt "k'" 7,/,t/! Diane Shepard-Hill Legislative Budget Board 512t463-1200 ",,,/,t, Vtrnnna Qnonno TNRCC 512t239-0496 F Gloria Stanford TNRCC 512t239-1871 Judy Stewart Attorney General's Office 512t460-6537 =' {:4 Joyce Wang Department of Health 512t458-7111 W

":l \r Nr' &).itu* ffi ,,ffi//1,.*, .,itlrt,/,,$f8,, ,ry r, .h r\ Member Info

Elaine Bouquet has a new position as Ul Specialist at the Texas Workforce Commission. Her phone number is 51 2i936-3987.

Lora Weber has a new position as Director of Governmental Relations and Public Information at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Her phone number is 5121427-6121.

Kathryn Perkins has a new position with the Texas Department of Health as Chief of the Bureau of Emergency Management. Her new phone number is 512/834-6740.

4 x NOVIMBER 2001 * tMG STAR Affiliate News Dallas AffiIiate News 2001 Affiliote 0fficers

Member Profile Lubbock Affiliote Meet Eileen Sandy Dallas Affiliate Woman of the Year. She will represent Dallas in the statewide EWTG Woman of the Year comoetition.

Shelby she has been a member of EWTG since February 2000, and has served as the Peoples, Choir chair and co-webmaster for our web Page Design committee for 2001. she has 806/7 45-4439 enthusiasticaliy supported EWTG during this time, and continues to remain a very active member. She has work at UT Southwestern since 1984 and is currently the Assoc. Director of Information Resources. She is continuing her education at Our Lady of the Lake University. Dollos Affiliote Eileen says she feels more complete and gets her most restful sleep after doing her volunteer work, Since 1984 she and her husband have been involved at the Austin Street Shelter, They lead a team to feed 350- t'-o;,Tl:tli:iD,^-r^7;^r.^ rl^i. 400 homeless people and have been known to make and bag 350 sandwiches in an hour. She has also been a phone counselor on a crisis hotline for the past three yeirs. She says one never knows what problem 2lU64B-4923i will be on the other line, but it is always a challenge. Corollynch,Vicethoir,l November 2141648-S518 Meeting i Morquilo Wigginl The Dallas affiliate November meeting will be Thursday, November B, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. The guest speaker will ]:::l'::l be Yolette Garcia of KERA, The topic will be "How a Newsroom Thinks ". Please call Nancy Jones at 214-351- 214/648-2132i 6143 or srnsil [email protected] to RSVP. NoncyJones,Seaetory,| October Wrap-up 2t4/351-61$tr

The Dallas affiliate had a good meeting in October with 12 in attendance. The guest speaker was Susan younger, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs at UT Southwestern, She spoke on the history of the Dallas .omrriity. It was very interesting to hear stories of people who helped make Dallas the city it is today, She encouraged everyone to visit Oakland Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Dallas, to learn more about Dallas history

Meeting Information: Dallas Affiliate meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month at the Wyndham Hou$on Affiliure Garden Hotel, located at 2015 Market Center Blvd., Dallas (between l-35 and Turile Creek). Our regular meetingsmeellngs beginoegln wnwith an lnlormalinformal socialsoclal at 6:00b:UU pm, followedtollowed by dinner and business meeting at 6:30, and the *"";:::","..]:l:lo^r^.,^ o^^ rr.^;. i program begins at7:00 pm. The costof dinner is $16.00. lf you would like to receive the DallasAffiliate monthly email/mail program announcement, please /tJ/?5t-6t9t call Nancy Jones at 214-351-6143, or [email protected] i Come join us. iotricio Brodley, Treosurer, I Houstontlouston AffiliateAllrllate News 713/696-7165i713/6e67t6si New meeting location! The Houston Affiliate will meet November 13 at the Olive Garden Restaurant at'1010 DorloRos,Membership,j OST, one and a half blocks west of Kirby, The former meeting site permanently closed. Contact Becky Rae, 409/g3;t199l chair, at work 281-656-2562 or [email protected] for more information. TerryBoyce,gcretory/Historion,i ,rr,rrn 'r. 713/669-1140^n! Information about the Nov. 6th Ballo On November 6, 2001 exercise your right to vote in the constitutional referendum o"-ffi 3/ election. Proposition 8 will authorize the issuance of approximately $850 million in ffi'* bonds for 13 state agencies. Turnout for the election is anticipated to be low, please *EtfZ: make every effort to inform your friends and family of the election and VOTE d'\*Zq Millions of Texans who love state parks, hunting and fishing are counting on it, as are thcusands of deaf and blind students, victims of drug-resistant tuberculosis and wayward youth. Hundreds of local police forces need it, as do thousands of soldiers and airmen in the Texas National Guard. Proposition 8 would repair or improve state parks, prisons, hospitals, schools and youth and military facilities, But the real story isn't the buildings; it's the millions of Texans they serve, People in every region of Texas would feel the effects of Proposition 8, The ballot language will read, "The constitutional amendment authorizing issuance of up to g850 MILLION lN Bonds payable from the general revenues of the state for construction and repair projects and for the purchase of needed equipment." * Details about Proposition are on the lnternet at WWW,PROPOSITIONS.ORG. EMG STAR x NOVIMBER 2OO1 * 5 EWTG Board Member Profiles:

Name: Bev Schulke Name: Becky Berryhill Date & place of birth: June 16, 1943 in Enid, Date & place of birth: Oklahoma May 16, 1950 Huntsville, Texas Occupation : Superuising Auditor for the State Occupation: Auditor's Office Chief, Bureau of Licensing & Myfavorite movies: 'Good Morning, Vietnam", Compliance, TX Dept. of Health "Mrs. Doubtfire','O, Brother, WhereAft Thou?" My favorite movies: My hero: My mother who has taught me so Auntie Mame, Paint Your Wagon much about living. My hero: Bestadvice I could give a 2O-year-old: "Go! Nancy Drew You never know whom you will meet! - and Best advice I could give a 20-year- keepgoing!" old: To thine own self be true. My Iast meal would be: at Le Hanger in Paris, My last meal would be: France and would include champagne, avocado Dessert with wine salad, fried fois gras on creamy mashed Guests at my fantasy party: potatoes and chocolate souffl6. dinner , Barbara Jourdan, Harry Guests at my fantasy din ner parly: Absolutely Connick Jr., Anne Rice, Rene Magritte, everyone I have ever loved in my lifetime plus Eleanor Roosevelt, and Billy Graham, Juliet Binoche, George Bush, Charles Kuralt. Julia Child, George Clooney, Colin Powell, and LanceArmstrong. .. and they would all be fascinated to learn about me. There would also have to be a great dance band, a big dance floor and a wonderful dance partner.

GOOL CLEAN FUN = GREAT BrG SUCCZSS

During the summer, EWTG members donated more ihan $1,800 in merchandise for the Good Clean Fun campaign. Combined with donations from area businesses, EWTG's total @== contribution to SafePlace was valued at more than $4,000.00. The staff at SafePlace has expressed gratitude for the entertainment l',&W coupons, toiletries, linens and new undergarments. The needs of SafePlace are great, and they sincerely appreciate our help. The Community Service Committee also appreciates the generous support provided by EWTG members for this effort. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this success story.

6 x N0V[MB[R 2001 x tMG STAR IWTG ANNUAL MEETING rjtuFsr AND HOLIDAY TUNCHEON btuNR Tsffihiltu EWTG's annual holiday luncheon will be here before we know it, so it's time to think about Teddy Bears. Each year EWTG members TUETDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2OOI provide Teddy Bears for ll:3O A.M. donation to the Travis County Sheriff's Victim Services GRIEN PA'TURET. AII'TIN Program. These cuddly creatures provide much needed comfon to young victims of crime. Please bring a bearto the December holiday luncheon on September Luncheon Wrap-up December 4th at Green Pastures Restaurant. At the September luncheon, Sheilah Beckett spoke about the Members of the Community Seruice Committee highlights of the 77h Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. will collect the bears and deliver them to the She discussed the various parts of the ERS bill that included: an Sheriff's Victim Seruices Program. increase in the multiplier for ERS and TRS contributors; an increase for retirees, and an option to buy additional service credit. Employees' summary statements will include the cost to purchase 1 year of "air-time'. This is beneficial to those who are close to retirement. The details and purchase options will be announced Updote Directory soon. Informotion by Several were passed that affect the retirement program. bills December 31 The Death Benefit Plan has been enhanced to allow survivors to draw on sick and annual leave, The orohibition on return to New EWTG Directories will work was repealed. This will allow rehires to return immediately be printed in Jonuory 2@2. without being off the payroll for one month. She expects that we If your informotion hos will see more of these types of solutions in this biennium to chonged, please provide the address the workforce shortage. correct inf ormotion to EWTG by December 31. The Legislature did not want any co-pay changes and wanted cost controlled without increases. Doctors are requesting pay increases from Blue CrossiBlue Shield, The issues regarding retention of doctors and integrity of the networks is being worked, For more information on the ERS, go to www,ers,state.tx,us,

EWTG Supports Red Cross Membevs of EWTG vespondedtothe invitation of ouvkesident,Mayy ChevylDorwant, to donate to the Red Cross thvouqh EWTG. Ouy vnenrbeys donated $89o, which was fovwarded to the Red Cross in October. Mayy Cheyyl Dorwavt made the followinq statement: "The members of Exeq,,ftwe Wonnen in Texas Government express our sadness and gnef fov the victims of the Septembey tt attacks on Amenca. We applaud the work of the Red Cross and othev vehef and support ovqanizafrolrs that ave pyoidinghelp to the victims and the yesc.re workers. The enclosed donations in the amount of $8qo ave only a small part of the many ways the membevs of EWTG hatre parttcipated in the efforts to heal our ncttion . Please accept thenn for the Red Cross Relief Fund."

Awondevful thanks you to all members who payttcipated in this effort. tMG STAR * |\I0VEMB[R 2001 * 7 EWTG STAR Presorted Standard Executive Women in Texos Government U.S. POSTAGE PAID Suite 2l 0A, 3500 Jeffenon AUSTIN, TX PERMIT Au$in. Texos /8/31 NO.815

Return Service Requested

October Luncheon Wrap-up

Nelda Laney spoke on the role of the Speaker's wife. She let us know, that there was no defined role for the wife of the speaker when Pete Laney was elected Speaker of the House. She and Speaker Laney decided that they wanted the House to feel like a family for as long as they are served in this capacity. She chose, unlike her predecessors, to spend her time in Austin rather than in Hale Center, their hometown. The Sergeant's and others call her Mom, so she feels that she is the Mom of the Capitol, which is just fine with her.

When pete Laney became Speaker, the capitol restoration project was beginning and she decided that someone needed to take charge of the House side restoration project, Her goal was to complete the restoration for less than the expected cost. She wanted quality for a good value,

The Capitol Ornament project developed from her desire to put a Christmas tree up on the House side of the Capitol. Some reporters saw her up on a "cherry picke/ and wrote articles for various Texas newspapers. A woman from Dallas, Martha Brooks, sent her a commemorative ornament from the White House for the tree. The idea for the Texas Capitol ornament was born, By Dec. 12,1996, 14,000 ornaments were sold, To date, through the sales of the ornaments, $1.5 million dollars has been returned to the Capitol preservation project. She is committed to continuing this project "forever".

The Texas History Museum is offering an ornament in 2001 designed by Nelda. She discussed the Adopt a Child program and encouraged people to give her names of children who are not on anyone else's list. Her most recent endeavor was Tech She encouraged the design of the ornament for the 2002 Vatican Exhibit in Lubbock at the Texas .U"niver:fy^^y^u,.^ej1^* .u.ryon. to get online and order the ornament. The website to purchase the ornamenl |twww'vaucan0rnament'c0m'