HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 11/03/2014 SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting, November 3, 2014, 6:00 pm
6t" Floor Conference Room, City Hall
1201 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
MEMBERS P A MEMBERS P A STAFF
1. Misaki Berrios X 9. Heather Moretzsohn X Reba George
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Mark Bradsher X 10. John Sloan X Tess Allan
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. Yvonne Fernandez X 11. Alan Thornburg X
............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4. Coretta Graham X 12. Lee White X
5. Westi Horn X 13. Vacant X
6. Wan Sun Kim X 14. Vacant X
7. Hailey Kimball X 15. Vacant X
8. John Maldonado X
Total: 9 6
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Committee was called to order by Alan Thornburg at 6:00
pm.
II. ROLL CALL: Tess Allan called roll. A quorum was met with 9 members present.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Hailey Kimball moved to accept the minutes as submitted. Westi
Horn seconded. Minutes were approved.
IV. FINANCIAL REPORT: Current available funds is $5,277.77.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
VI. DISCUSSION/ACTION
Chair Appointments for Vice Chair, City Liaisons and Task Managers — Item tabled until General
Chair Report
VII. Liaison Reports
A. Yokosuka, Japan — None
B. Agen, France — Mark shared a letter received from Philippe in Agen thanking the SCC for
the 2014 Student exchange; inquiring about the viability of future exchanges; expressing a
desire to grow the exchange through our High Schools; and informing the SCC of the
passing of the Agen Chair's wife. Mark will respond to Philippe regarding the viability of the
Sister City Program for next year, and look into working with the local high schools on
expanding the exchange. Westi will bring a sympathy card for the SCC members to sign at
the next meeting.
C. Keelung, Taiwan — None
D. Playa del Carmen, Mexico — John Sloan shared a letter from the Playa del Carmen Fire
Department and will share the letter with Fire Chief Robert Rocha as well. The letter stated
that they would like training in sea rescue, cave rescue, and equipment usage and that they
would also appreciate any surplus equipment that we may be able to share with them.
E. Veracruz, Mexico— John Sloan reported that he was able to make contact with Maria Doyle
who had contacted the Mayor's office regarding the Veracruz Sister City connection and
encouraged her to submit an application to join Sister City.
F. Toledo, Spain — None
VIII. Task Manager Reports
A. Publicity - None
B. Curriculum — None
C. Fundraising - Lee White shared some ideas: creating a database of `Friends of Sister
City'; strengthening the SCC's Face Book presence; and proposed a ticketed food and
wine event featuring foods from our Sister Cities. Lee also requested information on the
501 c3 status for a donor who has agreed to give 100,000 airline miles. Reba will provide
the tax exempt letter.
John Sloan reported that he has applied to be on the airlines `official charity' list so that
people can begin to start donating their miles. And, will look into the possibility of bringing
an honorary council to Corpus Christi.
Alan reported that he has applied for the Whataburger grant but was denied, and he has
written a letter to Sherwin Alumina, similar to John's letter to M & G, requesting
sponsorship.
Wan Sun Kim requested a letter from the Sister City Committee with information about the
committee so that she can share it with potential donors.
D. Activities - None
E. Selection — Westi asked that everyone touch base with the Counselor they have been in
contact with as a friendly reminder.
F. Student Service - None
IX. Identify Items to be Placed on Next Agenda — None
X. General Chair Report
Alan appointed Westi Horn as Vice Chair and John Maldonado volunteered to be the
backup Liaison for Agen, France. Alan reported that the City Liaison's with student
exchanges needed to buy their tickets in March as airfare costs increase in April.
Alan announced that the next SCC meeting is the traditional Christmas Pot Luck. Members
are welcome to bring their families, a $20 or less wrapped item for a gift exchange, a
donation to the Sister City Committee and a Pot Luck food dish. City Staff will look into the
availability of the Galvan House.
XI. City Staff Report
SCC members are invited to attend a Volunteer Recognition event on Thursday, November
6th at 5:30 pm in the Courtyard of Heritage Park. Alan Thornburg, Lee White, Mark
Bradsher, and Wan Sun Kim plan on attending.
XII. ADJOURNMENT: Alan Thornburg adjourned the meeting at 6:48 pm.
Tess Allan
Parks & Recreation Department