tulsa hispanic chamber newsletter 6-2010

State immigration laws hurt small

businesses, and the issue should be left

up to the federal government, Javier

Palomarez, president and CEO of the

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

said during the Excelencia Awards 2010.

Palomarez, a former multicultural

marketing executive at ING, a financial

services company, said states like

Arizona have already seen an economic

impact by bypassing the federal govern-

ment. “There have been a lot of semi-

nars, a lot of hotels and a lot of entertain-

ment venues who have lost contracts

because people are pulling up and out of

the state and frankly boycotting the

state,” Palomarez said.

“The Chamber believes there is

another way of doing this,” said

Palomarez. “We need reform that can

actually attract talented individuals to add

to the prosperity of the greatest nation of

the world.”

There are more than three million

Hispanic-owned businesses across the

U.S. and Puerto Rico and over 200

Hispanic chambers fostering small busi-

nesses and local economic development.

“Hispanic small businesses are being

started at a rate of 4 to 1 compared to the

general market,” Palomarez said. “When

you look at Latina-owned business, they

are being started up at a rate of 6 to 1

when compared to the general market.”

Palomarez addressed more than

150 attendees at the Greater Tulsa

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annu-

al Excelencia Awards event. Cox

Communications, Bronco Auto Sales and

Tulsa Economic Development

Corporation were honored.

The Greater Tulsa HispanicChamber of Commerce

M o n t h l y N e w s l e t t e rM o n t h l y N e w s l e t t e rJune 2010

PG 1

The Monthly Newsletter is publishedmonthly by The Greater Tulsa Hispanic

Chamber of Commerce.If you would like to place a display ad,

gives us a call 664-5326Francisco J. TreviñoExecutive Director

Juan MiretExecutive Assistant

Javier Palomarez talked about immigration

City Councilor Jim Mautino on May 20

proposed a city ordinance regarding

immigration that would require use by the

city of the federal E-Verify employment

verification system when hiring employ-

ees or contractors and would require

checking on the lawful presence of any-

one over the age of 14 who requests pub-

lic assistance dispensed by a city agency.

“Many of my constituents and many

other persons that do not reside in my

district have called me, they have sent

me e-mails, and they have talked to me

about the problem with illegal immigration

in our city,” said Mautino, who represents

District 6. “This is a nation of laws. We

cannot continue ignoring them.”

The draft proposal is similar to sec-

tions of state law H.B. 1804 that were

temporarily suspended by a federal

judge, but Mautino said lawyers for the

city are analyzing the language “very

carefully.”

Mautino said immigration is a federal

matter, but said Congress has ignored

the problem. “We need to do something.

If they in Washington are not listening,

then we here in Tulsa, we do listen, we do

understand that we have a problem with

illegal immigrants.”

He could not cite any study to support

the need for such an ordinance. As for

costs of implementation, he said use of

the verification system is “totally free.”

E-Verify is a federal system that com-

pares information supplied by prospective

employees to that found in governmental

records.

The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber

of Commerce issued a news release stat-

ing that enactment of such a proposal

“will subject the city of Tulsa to unneces-

sary work that will waste taxpayers’

money.”

The chamber adds that according to

the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the

employment verification system, although

free, has indirect costs such as training

staff to meet system requirements and to

deal with problems caused by errors in

the system’s database.

Mautino said he is planning to place

his proposal on the council’s agenda in

June.

“I have not talked to any councilor

yet,” he said. “But the citizens of Tulsa

want this ordinance.”

Approval of the ordinance would

require a vote in favor by at least five of

the nine councilors.

District 4 Councilor María Barnes

spoke against the proposal. “There is no

question about it, Mautino’s proposal is

out of context.” She said it would be “tar-

geting the Hispanic community and all

minorities.”

Chamber News

The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

PG 2

Councilor proposes immigration checks by city

Mautino said he is planning to place his proposal on the council’s agenda in June.


PG 3

Chamber News

More than 400 area Hispanic high

school students attended the Hispanic

American Foundation’s annual scholar-

ship luncheon and college fair May 20.

Four $1,000 scholarships were award-

ed.

Students from 13 area high schools

attended the event at Tulsa Community

College’s Southeast campus.

Nilda Reyes, director of diversity and

inclusion at Tulsa Public Schools, said

participation has steadily increased

every year.

“Children who are undocumented

and documented struggle to get to col-

lege and so we are here to help,” Reyes

said. “We are growing in every way.”

Reyes said she credits the growing

participation to TCC’s Tulsa Achieves

program, which helps first-generation

college students with financial aid and

career guidance.

“Hopefully I can find a college that’s

right for me,” said Josué Sánchez, a

senior at Will Rogers High School.

María Gaytán plans to attend TCC in

the fall and said college fairs are good

ways to learn about options available for

graduating seniors.

“I’ve learned how important it is to go

to college because you see other young

kids that used to go to your school and

now they come here (TCC),” said

Gaytán, a senior at Will Rogers High

School. “That shows that they are doing

well, and I can do it, too.”

TCC and Tulsa Public Schools also

sponsored the event.

Scholarship recipients are: Evelyn

Gutiérrez, Union High School; Elena

Martínez, Bishop Kelly High School; and

Ethel Rodríguez and Fátima Gómez,

Booker T. Washington High School.

The Hispanic American Foundation’s annual scholarship luncheon

Students from all over Tulsa attended the Hispanic American Foundation Luncheon at TCC.


PG 4

Chamber NewsExcelencia Awards 2010

Cox Communications, Bronco AutoSales and Tulsa Economic DevelopmentCorporation were this year’s recipients ofthe Excelencia Awards presented by theGreater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber ofCommerce.

Cox Communications received theAdelante Award, given to the Chamber'sCorporate Partner of the Year. The awardrecognizes a company that is active in thechamber and its programs and has a recordof working with Hispanic businesses locallyand nationally

Bronco Auto Sales received the AvanceAward, given to the top Tulsa Hispanic busi-ness of the year, which recognizes a compa-ny whose growth and success contribute tothe city's economic development.

Tulsa Economic DevelopmentCorporation received the Fred BendañaAmigo Award, given for outstanding commu-nity leadership that exemplifies the impor-tance of embracing Tulsa's Hispanic commu-nity.

Javier Palomarez, president and CEO ofthe U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,

delivered the keynote speech at the ceremo-ny.

“We were very pleased to have Mr.Palomarez come to the city of Tulsa and seeour growing Hispanic community,” saidFrancisco Treviño, president of the Tulsachamber. “We feel honored that he acceptedour invitation without hesitating.”

The event theme was “GrowingBusiness through People and Partnerships”.

"We do this for the Hispanic businesscommunity, so we appreciate it when theycome to support the event," said Trevino.

Bronco Auto Sales received

the Avance AwardTulsa Economic Development Corporation

received the Fred Bendaña Amigo Award

Cox Communications received the Adelante Award


PG 5

11:30 am-1:00 pmRenaissance

Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center

$20/member

$25/non-member

The cost of the function includes lunch.

Please RSVP at (918) 664-5326 or e-mail [email protected]

Monthly LuncheonWednesday June 23rd, 2010

Media Sponsors: Hosted by:

Presented by:

HISPANO DE TULSABilingual Newspaper

Keynote SpeakerSteven A. Broussard

Mr. Broussard is a shareholder at Hall Estill and also a member of the firm’s

Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Since joining the Firm in 1988, Mr. Broussard

has practiced in the areas of landlord/tenant law, oil and gas law and immigration matters.

PG 6

Once a month the Hispanic community may learn the latest

news about the Chamber’s programs, services and events.

Our next show will be aired on

Saturday, June 26th from 9 to 10 a.m.

You may listen live at www.quebuenatulsa.com or

on you radio at 1530 AM.

‘Negocio para Todos’ is produced

by Francisco Treviño, President & CEO of the

Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Tulsa

Hispanic Chamber’S

Radio Show

‘Negocio para Todos’

or

‘Business for

Everyone’

This is an informative radio

show recently launched by the

Greater Tulsa Hispanic

Chamber in partnership with

KXTD La Que Buena

1530AM.


PG 7

Won't You Join Us!

Do you have a new business, new loca-tion an expansion or an anniversary?

The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber ofCommerce is pleased to assist you withyour grand opening or ribbon cutting.Here are the answers to a few common-ly asked questions:

WHAT THE CHAMBER DOES:

All free of charge, to our Chambermember

Sends out a broadcast email our mem-bers on our email list to notify them ofyour opening

Provides the “giant scissors” and bowsand ribbon to cut (we usually deliverthem the day before or several hoursbefore the event – please let us knowwhat color bows and ribbon, and howlong)

Podium and microphone

Keeps track of RSVPs, unless you pre-fer to handle that yourself

Attends the event and takes pictures forour e-newsletter and web page

Typically our Chamber ExecutiveDirector, President of the Board, someBoard Members will attend.

Publicizes the event in our e-newsletterand web page with a photo after the factin the next edition

Invite the media

We will help you prepare an agenda

WHAT THE COMPANY DOES

Sets the date and time of the event –typically first thing in the morning (8AMor 9AM), Noontime, end of the day(4PM or later) or evening (7PM) –

please coordinate this with the Chamberif at all possible well in advance to avoiddate and time conflicts

You provide any refreshments for thosein attendance – this is entirely up to you

Invite Your Board of Directors, if applica-ble and friends and family

Those who helped with your new loca-tion like contractors, bankers, etc.

You provide any refreshments for thosein attendance - this is entirely up to you

Provide background information on yourcompany ahead of time to those whoare speaking so they can prepareremarks (we can help with that)

HOW IT RUNS :

Your agenda could be something likethis:

Welcome Guests – done by a companyrep

Intro on the company – done by a com-pany rep – Explain what you do if a newbusiness, about your new location – if asecond location or a move, your hours,introduce your staff

Congratulatory Remarks – fromChamber, other dignitaries – these are1-3 minutes each – very brief

Cut the ribbon – usually done by digni-taries and head company rep, somechoose to have all employees do thecutting

Thank you for attending – by a companyrep

Then you offer everyone to come take alook at your facility, and if large enough,you might want to offer tours

KEEP IN MIND:

Weekend grand openings (includingFriday after 5:00) are harder for theChamber to draw attendance to thanweekday events.

Hanging your ribbon – should be placedin front of the doorway – you and the“cutters” would stand behind the ribbonfacing the crowd

Keep in touch with the Tulsa HispanicChamber as your plans progress

As mentioned above, the Tulsa HispanicChamber will handle RSVPs, unless youprefer to do it yourself. As you mayknow, people will wait until the lastminute to RSVP, or will show up withoutRSVPing. Call the Tulsa HispanicChamber during the morning of the daybefore the event to get the latest count,and add a little cushion before commu-nicating a final number to your caterer. Ifexperienced, your caterer can probablyhelp with your estimate.

Will parking be an issue? If so, pleaselet us know where you would like gueststo park so we can inform them inadvance

The farther ahead you contact us themore publicity we can give your event

If you have a digital version of yourlogo, please email it to the RibbonCutting Coordinator so it can appear onour email

To arrange for your special event,please contact:

The Greater Tulsa HispanicChamber of Commerce918-664-5326 or email

[email protected]

Ribbon Cutting CeremoniesRIBBON CUTTINGS, GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES& OPEN HOUSES


Our next monthly luncheon is June 23rd, 2010 at 11:30 am

RenaissanceTulsa Hotel & Convention Center

PG 8

295 Members!

In the 11 years history of the The Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, membership levels have had their peaks and valleys, with the 295 membership mark being

achieved. We are extremely enthusiastic.

Thank you for your extraordinary support.

Winner of the Small Hispanic Chamber Award 2008

for Region III, from The United States Hispanic

Chamber of Commerce&

2009 the Whitney M. Young, Jr. award for unselfish service to the youth of America.

tulsa hispanic chamber newsletter 6-2010

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