Annual East Montrose Civic Association Holiday Party and Election Night
The Annual East Montrose Holiday Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange will take place Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the home of Mary Quinn, EMCA Past President, 305 Fargo Street. The EMCA Board will provide some holiday munchies along with water and soft drinks. We ask everyone to bring their own adult libations and an appetizer, snack or food item to share if possible.
Members will be entered into a drawing for a raffle prize. Non-members are welcome to attend with a $5.00 donation.
Remember each person who wants to participate in the gift exchange must bring a wrapped (or at least disguised) white elephant gift for the gift exchange.
At the beginning of the evening, we will be electing a Secretary, Treasurer and an At-Large Director. If you would like to run for one of these positions, please email the Chair of the Nominating Committee, Karen Brohn @ president.emca@gmail.com.
Secretary – Jamie Flatt/Joey Zamora
Joey Zamora and Jamie Flatt moved into East Montrose in 2019. Both native Houstonians, they are committed to the area and have been active in various community-based organizations locally for years.
Jamie was a Girl Scout Troop leader, Elementary School PTO President (Poe), and is now a Central Houston Inc. Board Member.
Joey prefers building community less formally by organizing neighborly gatherings, connecting with immediate neighbors and more recently establishing a micro-bird habitat to enliven Stanford Street and entertain the four family cats.
Joey and Jamie have been actively involved with EMCA for several years now, starting with supporting the SEAL Patrol initiative. Leveraging her day job as an architect (and the graphic capabilities that brings), Jamie enjoys helping make sure EMCA communications as clear as possible.
Treasurer – Betsy Anderson
Betsy Sears Anderson is the interim Treasurer of East Montrose Civic Association, a position she has held since this past summer. She has been an active member of EMCA since moving here from Meyerland in 2013. She is currently the chair of the Yard of the Season Committee and assists in our neighborhood projects whenever possible. In her past life, she was the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer of Energy Planning, Inc., an energy consulting firm for the natural gas industry. She was the Chairman of the Bellaire High School Mathematics Department for over 8 years, having taught HS math for over 20 years. She has volunteered for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo for 14 years, the Nutcracker Market for over 5 years, the Houston Sports Authority for over 8 years. She is a sucker for any organization that supports the lives of animals and the protection of our earth. She has run 15 Full Marathons, and countless Half Marathons, including what will be her 15th Houston Half in January. If elected to the position of full-time Treasurer, Betsy hopes to encourage all our residents to become active members of the East Montrose Civic Association. To be a part of EMCA shows your interest in our community and helps ensure our voices will be heard by the City on questions that affect East Montrose.
At-Large – Mary Dedeaux-Swinton
Mary Dedeaux-Swinton is a native Houstonian who has lived in a number of cities around Texas and the mid-west. She and her husband Jeffrey bought their home in East Montrose in October 2024 and are in the neighborhood to stay! Mary believes that the more people involved in the neighborhood, the safer and enjoyable it is for everyone. She has the time and energy to dedicate to the work of the association and looks forward to making a difference.
Mary is carefully considering where to get involved in her new community. She has volunteered in her previous neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations, and city boards, developing skills in board governance, member engagement, fundraising, relationship building, and collaboration. Most recently, Mary served on the Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission, and she chaired the inaugural Minneapolis Community Commission on Police Oversight. She served in numerous roles in organizations including the Junior League, the Twin Cities Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Haven Housing Board of Directors (a homeless shelter for women and children), Domestic Abuse Project Board of Directors, the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Outside of her work in the community, Mary enjoys sewing and crafts, traveling, and baking.
All members in good standing (meaning your dues are up to date) are eligible to vote. You can check your status by reaching out to Betsy Anderson at treasurer.emca@gmail.com.
If you are unable to attend the Holiday Party, you can complete an absentee/proxy ballot and drop it off at 503 Welch Street or email it to president.emca@gmail.com.