Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 12/02/2013 SISTER CITY COMMITTEE Regular Meeting, December 2, 2013, 6:00 pm Galvan House, Heritage Park 1513 N. Chaparral St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401 MEMBERS P A MEMBERS P A STAFF 1. Kevin Aguilar- X 9. Heather X Reba George Ferrari Moretzsohn 2. Mark Bradsher X 10. Evan Paret X Tess Allan 3. Yvonne Fernandez X 11. Michelle Patton X .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4. Westi Horn X 12. Judith Prewitt X .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5. Chris Kailas X 13. Donald Russell X .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6. Wan Sun Kim X 14. John Sloan X .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7. Hailey Kimball X 15. Alan Thornburg X .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8. Kelly Kimball X Total: 11 4 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... I. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Committee was called to order by Heather Moretzsohn at 6:11 pm. II. ROLL CALL: Tess Allan called roll. A quorum was met with 11 members present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Donald Russell Moved to accept the November 4, 2013 minutes, Mark Bradsher Seconded. Minutes were approved. IV. FINANCIAL REPORT: Current Available Funds is $7,864.60. V. PUBLIC COMMENT: None VI. NEW BUSINESS: VII. OLD BUSINESS: VII. Liaison Reports A. Yokosuka, Japan — Westi Horn reported that Japan asked about health insurance arrangements for their students while they are in the United States. Japan has universal coverage in their country so our students are covered while they travel there but the City of Corpus Christi does not offer coverage. It was determined that if they want coverage for their students while in the United States they will have to purchase a private policy. Westi will draft a letter stating such for Heather and Reba to review. B. Agen, France — Alan Thornburg and Heather Moretzsohn brought a meal and a sympathy card signed on behalf of the Sister City Committee to Megan Turner's family. Megan was our student who traveled to France this year and her brother has passed away. C. Keelung, Taiwan — Alan spoke with Taiwan and they would like to extend their student exchanges from two weeks to three weeks so beginning in 2014 their exchanges will now be three weeks long. D. Monterrey, Mexico — None E. Toledo, Spain — None F. Playa del Carmen — John Sloan reported on his meetings with the Sister City officials in Playa del Carmen. They are eager to begin exchanges with us and are open to any arrangement. John suggested that a one way exchange, with them sending someone to us, would be the best arrangement but if we did decided to send someone to them it should be an adult exchange, not youth, at least for the time being. They are specifically interested in a Fire Department exchange, a civil disaster preparedness exchange, a Police Department exchange and a reef enhancement exchange. Heather and John will meet to put together an exchange plan. (See attached for John's written report) VIII. Task Manager Reports A. Publicity Reports — None B. Curriculum/Training — Students will now be given the option to create a Power Point or a poster board for their presentations and training with the understanding that if they choose to use PowerPoint they will have to provide their own technology device to display their presentation. C. Fundraising — Kelly Kimball has touched base with her contact at Whataburger to let them know that the SCC Grant application has been submitted and they have flagged it for review by their team. Heather stated that she will take the same information to other potential donors to ask for a matching grant opportunity. Suggested donors were: Thomas J. Henry, Citgo, Stripes, and Five Hills. D. New Sister City Evaluation — None E. Activities — None F. Selection — None G. Pen Pal — None H. Student Service — This year's students should have one more service activity to complete before they receive their reimbursements. I. Historian — None IX. Updates • Reba stated that the Strategic Planning process has been temporarily put on hold as there is a meeting planned to discuss the need for a protocol office or an ambassador role which could have implications for the direction of the Sister City Committee. X. Identify Items to be Placed on Next Agenda • Goal Setting • Del Mar Small Business Development Council/Global Trade Section Expo • Whataburger matching grant opportunities • Sister City Case at City Hall or the Visitors Bureau to provide information about all of our Sister Cities to promote tourism between the two sister cities. XI. ADJOURNMENT: John Sloan Moved to adjourn the meeting. Don Russell Seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:09 pm. Tess Allan Parks & Recreation Department