HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 03/01/2004 k. +rt
Sister City Steering Committee
Regular Meeting
Monday, March 1,2004
Art Center of Corpus Christi-100 Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi,Texas 78401
MEMBERS PRESENT -.: ,; MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF
_ .
Dr. Mufid Abudiab Amanda Jane Haney Edna Balboa Chris Kailas
Regis Barber Gary Hansen Valerie Ballesteros Barbara Williams
Judy Benkendorfer Elizabeth R. Iglesias Drue Combs
Dr. Kent Byus Bebe Morris Sarah Hicks
Dr. Hsiu"Mindy"Chang Ellen Murry Ann Jaime
Sue Dulaney Sharon Phillips John Rocha
Randy Farrar Yalee Shih
Rose Gunji
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order at 6:16 p.m. by Chair, Randy
Farrar.
II. ROLL CALL:
Recording Secretary called roll, announced quorum.
III APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion made by Dr. Kent Byus and seconded by Amanda Jane Haney to approve Minutes of the February
2, 2004 meeting as is.
IV HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC
No comments from the public
V TREASURER'S REPORT
The Treasurer's report is unavailable at this time due to technical difficulty. To be e-mailed to committee
members at a later date.
VI DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Sub-committee on formal curriculum for exchange students- It was suggested by the Chair that 1 to 2
persons from each Sister City Committee volunteer for this Sub-Committee. Amanda Haney, Dr. Mufid
Abudiab, Sharon Phillips, Regis Barber and Yalee Shih volunteered to be on the Sub-Committee. A
formal curriculum with 4 to 5 sessions is to be formulated. Another suggestion is that foreign language,
and history teachers, parents and former exchange students be contacted for input and resource
support for these sessions.
B. Sub-committee on programming for each of our Sister Cities— It was suggested that parents and
former students from the past 2 years be invited to implement programming guidelines as backup to
the 6 Sister City Committees. Dr. Kent Byus, as chair for the Focus group explained that another duty
of the Focus Group is to formulate a Program Sub-Committee. It was suggested that the formation of
this sub-committee be postponed until a later date and that the Curriculum Committee identify some
people who would be interested in being on the Program Committee.
C. Discussion on written nominations for the various Sister City Awards—The General Chair called for a
progress report on the various categories to be submitted for awards. The written reports are
due to Sister City International by March 2e. It was suggested these reports on Wheelchairs
for Peace,Young Artist Competition,Activities, Peace Pole&Best Overall be submitted to Chris
Kailas by March 20th.
SCANNED
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D. Discussion on recruitment of students to attend the Fort Worth Youth Conference-3 students have
expressed interest in participating in the conference. Dr. Byus volunteered his son,William Byus to
also participate in the conference. It was suggested that an article be placed in the newspaper to
announce the conference being held and students are requested to contact Sister City if they are
interested in participating.
VII COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Wheelchairs For Peace-Ellen Murry reported the 240 wheelchairs are scheduled for delivery in
June. There is some difficulty in getting the wheelchairs from China to Veracruz, however,the
problems are being worked through. Amanda Haney reported that she is still working on getting the
best airfare possible for the trip.
B. Focus Group—No report.
C. Agen, France—Bebe Morrison reported that the program is progressing and France is asking to send
1 additional student.
D. Keelung,Taiwan.—Yalee Shih had no report.
E. Monterrey, Mexico- No report.
F. Toledo,Spain—Mufid Abudiab reported he received an e-mail from Mary who said the student
selection would be done by the end of the month and that this year marks the 15th year of the Sister
City exchange with Toledo, Spain.
G. Veracruz, Mexico—Sharon Phillips reported that she sent pictures of the exchange students to
Veracruz
H. Yokosuka,Japan—Gary Hansen reported he sent pictures of our students to Yokosuka as well as
information pertaining to the students. Yokosuka has not yet made their selection of students to send.
On the Volunteer Exchange Program Yokosuka would like to send to 2 volunteers, 2 twenty-one year
old college students interested in child care and caring for the handicapped. This exchange should
begin March 16—30th. Gary is requesting from the committee to act as hosts during the Volunteer
students stay. He is requesting that committee members provide transportation, act as host for
various activities and host dinner for the students each night.
I. Young Artist Competition
Rose Gunji reported that awards would be given at the Awards Reception this evening following the
SCC meeting. Rose Gunji asked for a volunteer to take pictures of the Young Artist Awards Program.
Gary Hansen volunteered.
VIII STAFF REPORT
Chris Kailas reported that there was an Expo at the Laredo Sister City Conference and Sister Cities from
Mexico and the surrounding areas participated in the Expo to develop business. There were over 100
exhibitors at the Expo and it was very successful.
IX. CURRENT CONCERNS
Randy Farrar informed the committee that Chris Kailas had forwarded to them an electronic Sister City
Newsletter and on one of the links there is information regarding low cost travel insurance which can be
purchased by the day. This is useful information that could be passed on to the students since it is
required that they have insurance coverage before they travel.
X. ADJOURNMENT—A motion was made by Dr. Kent Byus and seconded by Gary Hansen. The meeting
adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
C27 •
Chris Kailas, Supervisor •
Park&Recreation Department