Events

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-resource-recovery

Andy Dawson is the Assistant Division Manager for the City of Austin's Resource Recovery department, managing the Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center (RRDOC) since April 2014. He specializes in environmental compliance, hazardous waste management, and sustainability, overseeing the collection of household chemicals, electronics, and materials to support City Zero Waste goals. 

Andy Dawson attended school at Texas State University – San Marcos, where he got his degree in Environmental Engineering. Shortly after graduating, he came to work for City of Austin as an Environmental Program Specialist, working at the Household Hazardous Waste facility, handling and processing household chemicals. In 2015, the City expanded the facility to include recycling operations, and the facility was rebranded the Recycle and Reuse Drop-Off Center. He moved over to manage recycling operations, which soon included accepting styrofoam, electronics, and mixed rigid plastics. Andy later came to oversee all operations of the RRDOC in 2018 as an Assistant Division Manager.
 

https://foundcom.org

Xochitl is a Volunteer Coordinator at Foundation Communities

Foundation Communities is a local, homegrown nonprofit. We provide affordable, attractive homes and free on-site support services for thousands of families with kids, as well as veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. We offer an innovative, proven model that empowers our residents and neighbors to achieve educational success, financial stability, and healthier lifestyles. We operate 31 apartment communities. – 28 in Austin and three more in North Texas.

https://traviscad.org/

Anjum Malik is an educator and social entrepreneur who creates practical pathways to education, work, and opportunity for those too often left behind. She is the Executive Director of the Global Impact Initiative, leading programs that have reached more than 190,000 students and professionals across 60+ countries, including refugee and immigrant youth rebuilding their lives in the U.S.

A former professor of Political Science, Anjum is known for turning big ideas—workforce readiness, STEM access, and social mobility—into programs that succeed in real-world, high-stakes environments. She has curated international convenings, spoken at global conferences, and participated in two panels at the United Nations.

Her work has earned honors including 100 Women Rising Beyond the Ceiling, finalist for the Exceptional Woman of Peace Award, and nominee for CNN Hero of the Year. At her core, Anjum believes lasting change starts with listening deeply and empowering people to thrive.

https://www.globalimpactinitiative.com/

Prospective member, Mark Pecina from Dignity Memorial will be our speaker.

ELVIA ROSALES ARRIOLA is a Latina, feminist critical legal theorist. She has a JD from UC Berkeley and an MA in American History from NYU. She is a former ACLU Karpatkin Fellow (1983-84) and Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Department of Law (1986-1990).

Arriola first became a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin where she taught civil rights, employment and family law and writing seminars on gender, sexuality and the law.  She is proud of a teaching project she conducted with her students in 1997-1998 as a response to the controversies surrounding the use of affirmative action in law school admissions. 

https://womenontheborder.org/author/elvia/

https://womenontheborder.org/2020/04/elvia-r-arriola-founder-and-director/

My name is Sherrick West, and I am proud to serve as the District Executive for the Thunderbird District, supporting Scouting programs throughout South and East Austin.

Originally from a small town in Virginia, I began my Scouting career in North Carolina before relocating to Texas in 2024. Since arriving in Austin, I have enjoyed working alongside dedicated volunteers, community partners, and families to help grow Scouting opportunities for youth across the district.

My passion is building strong relationships, supporting local units, and creating new opportunities for young people to experience adventure, leadership development, and service. Whether I’m helping start new units, supporting district events, or working with community leaders, my goal is to ensure every youth has access to the life-changing experiences Scouting provides.

Amy Bawcom serves as the Senior Director of Leadership Giving for the ACC Foundation at Austin Community College, a position she has held since April 2021. Based in Georgetown, Texas, she leads fundraising initiatives, including the Career Scholars program, and helps manage the foundation's endowment and community partnerships.

See and hear our new District Governor here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qrd7ZP9Uxsc

Our new District Governor is a dynamic speaker, you won't want to miss this special meeting.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!