HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 11/07/1994 SISTER CITY STEERING CON MIftrEE
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1994, 6:00 P.M.
MEMBERS ATTENDANCE ABSENT STAFF
Drue Combs Johnnie Norman Ramon Lopez Marion Loucks
Michael Flores Mary Saenz Fernando Iglesias Yvonne Haag
Christina M. Tinning Adrian Dansby Sam Polk Esta Hardy
Joe Garcia Dolores DeLeon - Miguel Rendon
Toni Medina John Marez
Elida.Gonzalez Jose Torres
Rudy Delgado Humberto Tijerina
Rose Gunji Jose Aparicio
I. CALL TO ORDER - The Monday, November 7th, 1994 meeting of the Sister City •
Steering Committee was held in the Committee Room of City Hall. The meeting was
called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Drue Combs, General.Chairperson.
II. ROLL CALL - Attendance was taken and a quorum was present.
III. ACTION ON OCTOBER 3, 1994 MEETING MINUTES - Drue Combs requested
that the minutes from the October 3, 1994 meeting be amended to reflect the correct
spelling of Ms. Yuko Sakurai's name in Section V.C. Ms. Combs also requested
clarification regarding the large order of the Sister City custom wrist watches to
explain that several committee members also agreed to personally purchase some of
the watches ordered (Sec. VI.A.). Michael Flores motioned to approve the minutes
of the October 3, 1994 meeting as amended. Johnnie Norman seconded the motion,
and the vote was unanimous.
IV. TREASURER'S REPORT = Marion Loucks reported that the Trust Fund was
$2,404.65, and the General Fund was $19,477.76.
V. VOLUNTEER INTERNSHIP EXCHANGE REPORT - Johnnie Norman introduced
Ms. Yuko Sakurai, Yokosuka Japan's, representative• for the U.S. Japan
Volunteerism Internship Program. Ms. Norman described the program itinerary
planned for Ms. Sakurai's exchange visit (October 29 - November 19).
VL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. MONTERREY,.MEXICO = Rudy Delgadoreported that no one from Corpus
Christi was able to attend the inauguration of the newly elected Mayor of Monterrey
and that regrets were sent by Mayor Rhodes' office.
B. TOLEDO, SPAIN - Michael Flores reported a possible visit by the Mayor of
Aldeacentenera, Spain in November 1995. Mr. Flores also reported interest by
Charo Misas, an artist from Toledo, Spain, who would like to explore the possibility
of an exhibit in Corpus Christiin late 1995. Mr. Flores will secure additional
information for further discussion at.the next meeting.
C. YOKOSUKA,JAPAN-Johnnie Norman introduced William Bulham, a past
U.S. representative to Japan as part of JETRO, a.teacher's"exchange program,where
he.spent two years teaching English. Ms. Norman also highlighted the visit by Mayor
Sawada and the Citizens Goodwill Delegation (October 7-9, 1994). Rose Gunji
reported a visit by a 1987 exchange student from Yokosuka,Japan,Yoshinori Ogawa.
SCANNED :
Sister City Committee
November 7, 1994
Page 2
D. ISRAEL- Drue Combs reported that she received a letter from Rina Shiponi,
from Rishon-Le-Zion, verifying interest in a Sister City affiliation. Ms. Combs also
reported the Jewish Community Center representatives are beginning discussions and
progressing with plans for a Sister City affiliation in Israel.
E. PROJECTS - Michael Flores reported that he received information from
Tyler, Texas outlining the Eisenhower Golf Tournament and that plans are
progressing for the April 1995 Corpus Christi Sister City golf tournament.
F. EVALUATION - Drue Combs requested further discussion next month
regarding a time extension for the summer student exchange program.
Ms. Combs announced that John Marez will edit the Sister City Newsletter.
G. MEXICAN ART EXHIBIT - Rudy Delgado reported on the art exhibit from
the State of Mexico, sponsored by the Mexican Consulate and the Economic
Development Corporation. Mr.Delgado announced that host families will be needed
for participating Mexican curators and artists.
VII. CURRENT CONCERNS:
A. PEN PAL PROGRAM - Ms. Combs reported that a, Flour Bluff student
received a letter from a granddaughter of a couple that accompanied Mayor Sawada
on their recent visit to Corpus Christi. Ms. Combs would like to renew a pen pal
program with Yokosuka with the assistance of Ms. Yuko Sakurai.
B. PROMOTION - Christina Tinning reported speaking to the Civitan Club on
October 25th regarding Sister City Committee programs and promoting host family
opportunities.
VIII. HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC:
Richard Gonzalez, a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, was present
to report that Corpus Christi will host the Gulf of Mexico Symposium (March 29th -
April 1, 1995), sponsored in part by the General Land Office and the Environmental
Protection Agency. Mr. Gonzalez requested the support of the Sister City Mexican
Committee chairpersons in establishing a contact in Vera Cruz and Monterrey,
Mexico.
IX. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
c)14G4ll1GtJ �C✓
Mario Loucks, St Liaison
Sister City Steering Committee
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.
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.)
t
II. "What the Sister City Committee could do if money were not an issue"
* 1. Develop a sister city 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. (3 weeks)
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.
( * indicates priority ratings from the January 10th, 1994 meeting)