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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 12/06/1993 J 1 1 SISTER CITY STEERING COMM11"1'EE REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1993, 6:00 P.M. MEMBERS ATTENDANCE ABSENT STAFF Drue Combs Sam Polk Rudy Delgado Mary Saenz Marion Loucks John Marez Rose Gunji Fred Hoffmann Jose Aparicio Yvonne Haag Jose Garcia Jose Torres Lauro Cuellar Blida Gonzalez Lydia Leos Allie Young Rudy Delgado Michael Flores Ramon Lopez Johnnie Norman Fernando Iglesias I. CALL TO ORDER - The Monday, December 6, 1993 meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was held in the Committee Room of City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 6:20 p.m. by Drue Combs, General Chairman. II. ROLL CALL - Attendance was taken and a quorum was present. III. ACTION ON NOVEMBER 1, 1993 MINUTES - Michael Flores motioned to accept the minutes of the November 1, 1993 meeting. Sam Polk seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. IV. TREASURER'S REPORT - Marion Loucks presented a copy of the FY 1993-1994 Sister City Committee budget. She informed the committee that there was $1,513.63 in the Trust Fund and $19,586.51 in the General Fund. Drue Combs requested discussion on the FY 93-94 budget for the January 1994 meeting. V. GENERAL COMMITTEE REPORTS A. MONTERREY, MEXICO - Rudy Delgado reported that the visit from Benjamin Clariond Reyes Retana, the Mayor of Monterrey, Mexico, was a success. Mr. Delgado also reported that Julieta Pisante is the designated liaison for the sister city affiliation in Monterrey. B. TOLEDO, SPAIN- Fernando Iglesias shared correspondence he has received from Sister City International.delegates from Italy and Spain. C. VERACRUZ,MEXICO - Ramon Lopez reported that the Sister City Committee will not need to host guest artists involved with the Mexican.Art exhibit scheduled for the Art Museum of South Texas, March 18th -31st. D. YOKOSUKA, JAPAN - Johnnie Norman reported having received a letter from Mr. Hiroshi Sato, municipal employee from Yokosuka, Japan, for the hospitality extended to him during his visit to Corpus Christi in October 1993. Ms. Norman also reported that a Volunteerism Program grant has been awarded to the Sister City, Committee from the Japanese Foundation-Center for Global Partnerships. E. AACHEN, GERMANY- Fred Hoffmann reported that there has been no reply from Aachen, Germany regarding a possible sister city affiliation. F. PROJECTS COMMITTEE - (1). Michael Flores reported that the Golf Tournament Sub-Committee had met to discuss solicitation of tournament sponsorships. The date of the tournament remains tentative for April 16, 1994. SCANNED (2). Drue Combs, reporting for Elida Gonzalez, announced that the retirement dinner for Harry Plomarity is canceled and-alternate ideas for recognition of Mr. Plomarity's contributions to the Sister City Committee are welcome. G. SELECTION COMMITTEE - Drue Combs reported that committee member, Kurtis Loomis has resigned and is moving to Colorado. Ms. Combs will appoint a new chairman for the Student Exchange Selection Committee. H. ATHLETICS - Joe Torres reported that he has received only one application for the National Football League volunteer project for U.S. coaches to teach football in Europe for three months. Mr. Torres believes there is a possibility that the project will be rescheduled for the Summer 1994 due to the low response for the exchange during the school year. Mr. Torres also reported that the two local soccer teams to participate in the Mastercard International/Sister Cities Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, July 26-30, 1994 are raising funds for the expense of lodging, food and transportation. VI. CURRENT CONCERNS A. Drue Combs requested to meet with the Review Committee one hour prior to the January 10th Sister City Steering Committee meeting. B. Drue Combs led a brain storming exercise listing "present functions and responsibilities of the Sister City Committee" and "what the Sister City Committee could do if money were not an issue" (attachment). VII. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. SISTER CITY STEERING COMMITTEE Brainstorming Exercise - December 6, 1993 The following lists of activities/programs and responsibilities are the result of a brain storming exercise conducted by the Sister City Committee on December 6, 1993. The lists are not prioritized or in any particular order. I. Present functions and responsibilities of the Sister City Committee 1. Coordinate and administer the city student exchange program. 2. Serve .as the City's liaison to officially welcome foreign visitors (public receptions). 3. Provide host families for foreign visitors. 4. Provide educational experiences for Corpus Christi and visiting foreign students. 5. Coordinates activities with other area agencies for the promotion and enhancement of foreign relations (i.e. Mexican Consul, Port of Corpus Christi, Economic Development Corp, etc.) 6. Serves as selection panel for the student exchange program, and hosts a reception in recognition/honor of the student representatives. 7. Coordinates and hosts activities for visiting exchange students. (introducing the City of Corpus Christi and the U.S.) 8. Attends and participates in the annual Sister City International Conference. 9. Establishes relations with participating U.S. Sister Cities (i.e. Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A. for our Sister City in Toledo, Spain.) 10. Coordinates/facilitates city employee exchanges with Japan (Overseas Dispatch Training Program with Yokosuka, Japan). 11. Directs and assists Corpus Christi travelers/officials in making contact with Sister Cities overseas. 12. Works with Texas State Sister City International's Coordinator. 13. Provides professional exchange, i.e. educators, athletic coaches, volunteer professionals, etc. 14. Serves as agent for establishing new international relations/commerce for the City of Corpus Christi (i.e. economic exchange with Monterrey, Mexico, Las Carabellas from Spain, etc.) H. "What the Sister City Committee could do if money were not an Issue" 1. Develop a.sistercity affiliation in Canada. 2. Develop a teacher exchange. 3. Sponsor language clinics or seminars for business people/students. 4. Designate a historian to maintain records. 5. Solicit members/volunteers who speak the language of the various participating countries. 6. Establish more cultural exchanges with Sister Cities. 7. Extend student exchange to 1 or 2 months. 8. Generate and maintain better communication with our Sister Cities. 9. Have Sister City signs posted at the entrance of the City (IH35). 10. Information packet for visitors (City info. & Sister City info). 11. Establish Sister City with Jamaica (caribbean) 12. Have several paid staff members to handle all sister city activities - professional and cultural exchanges. 13. Pay for travel expenses of members to Sister City International conference. 14. Name street in Corpus Christi after a City Sister. 15. Provide better exchange experiences for visiting exchange students. 16. "College for Kids" - Develop a summer educational exchange. 17. Develop/purchase/stock good memorabilia lapel pins. 18. Allocate an advertising budget. 19. Provide scholarships for student representatives when they graduate. 20. Coordinate a variety of athletic exchanges. 21. Designate a display area for memorabilia. 22. Participate in Bayfest, displaying Sister City promotional video. 23. Provide international protocol training for committee members. 24. Provide compensation to host families for food, transportation, etc. 25. Invite visiting professionals to conduct informative seminars/lectures for community. 26. Expand support network for Sister City Committee. 27. Dedicate City Parks to Sister Cities. 28. Provide greater opportunities for group excursions to affiliate Sister Cities. 29. Provide city pins for exchange students. 30. Establish a contract with the students regarding their responsibilities as program and city representatives.