History
The Southeast Texas Chapter, located in Houston, is the first chapter of AAGP in the State of Texas! Starting with only 14 members, it has more than doubled its membership in a relatively short period of time.
The chapter is the outgrowth of the Harris County Resource Development Leadership Team that consisted of grant professionals throughout the region and surrounding schools districts. In 2004, several members of the team attended AAGP’s 7th Annual Conference in Boston and enjoyed networking with other professionals in their field. Having no other place for a public forum for grant writers to receive professional development, the team decided to establish a local chapter. This decision not only meant the group would be a part of a larger collaboration with national presence, but also would provide an avenue for individuals from diverse industries to interact and elevate their professional development.
However, since there were no chapters in Texas, the area did not have a State Representative, which was necessary to establish a chapter. Taking the initiative, Gayla Rawlinson applied for the competitive position and was selected as the Texas State Representative in February 2005. In June 2005, Rawlinson convened a meeting of interested grant professionals. At this meeting, election of officers was held, members paid their dues, bylaws were approved, the chapter minutes and charter application were submitted to the National Chaptering Committee for approval. The chapter designated as the Southeast Texas Chapter to encompass: Harris, Chambers, Walker, Galveston, Jefferson, and Walker Counties. These counties stretch from the north of Conroe to the east of Beaumont to the south of Galveston and to the west of Houston and Katy, Texas.
The first officers for the chapter held their positions for a one year term. The first year officers were: Jennifer Hughes, President; Gregory Gibbs, Vice-President, Darlene Weaver, Secretary, and Danielle Lutz, Treasurer. The charter members of the chapter were: Joyce Akins, Lisa Burrell, Gregory Gibbs, Debra Goolsby, Adrianne Sterling Holms, Judy Hoya, Jennifer Hughes, Lynn Luther, Stephanie McClain, Jerri Monbaron, Danielle Lutz, Gayla Rawlinson, Cindy Stamps, and Darlene Weaver.
In 2006, the chapter held its second election of officers and the current positions are held by: Danielle Lutz, Ed.D., President; Jerri Monbaron, Vice-President; Mercille Machaera, Secretary; and Susan Bauer, Treasurer.