HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 12/06/2004 (17282930
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Sister City Steering Committee
Regular Meeting 200
Monday, December 6, 2004 N Cffy CEIVED
At The Home of Randy Farrar � E�R T RY'S 4v
5417 Whitemarsh —Corpus Christi, Texas9p
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MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS AB4
Edna Balboa Elizabeth R. Iglesias Dr. Mufid Abudiab (E)
Judy Benkendorfer Ann Jaime Joseph P. Alley (E)
Dr. Hsiu "Mindy" Chang Ellen Murry Bebe Morris
Randy Farrar Sharon Phillips Mary Ann Lopez
Yalee Shih John Rocha
Vicki Garza Regis Barber
Rebecca Hawn Sonia Heil
Westi Horn Venecia Kelly
Heather Moretzsohn Flicka Rahn
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order at 6:25
p.m. by Chair, Randy Farrar.
II. . ROLL CALL:
Recording Secretary called roll, announced quorum.
III APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Corrections made to give John Rocha an excused absence and name Sharon Phillips
(not Elizabeth Iglesias) as having contacted Veracruz, Mexico 3 times by e-mail. Motion was
made by Vicki Garza and seconded by Regis Barber to approve November 3, 2004 Minutes with
corrections. Minutes were approved as corrected.
IV. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC:
Sister City Exchange Students Jeremiah Walter and Elizabeth Escohea made their
reports about their trips and experiences in Monterrey, Mexico.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Chris Kailas reported there were no expenditures since last month and the budget
amoun' is the same as last month, $13,539.71. Chris did not make a printout of the
budget this month.
V DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. Discussion of EXPO in Laredo, Texas - Randy Farrar explained the concept of
the EXPO in Laredo, Texas the weekend of January 28-30, 2005. He asked who would
like to attend the EXPO and especially the workshop City Secretary, Gustavo
Guevara of Laredo has put together for those who would like to put on their own EXPO. Many
of those attending the Laredo EXPO would like to come to Corpus Christi in year 2006
the week following the Laredo, Texas EXPO that year. Those Committee members
interesting attending are Ann Jaime, Judy Benkendorfer, Dr.Mindy Chang,
Heather Moretzsohn, Rebecca Hawn, Vicki Garza, Westi Horn (maybe), Flicka Rahn,
Sonia Heil, Sharron Phillips, Yalee Shih, Randy Farrar, and City staff, Dr. Gustavo Valadez
(Friday only) and Chris Kailas.
B. Discussion of trip to General Trevino, Mexico —The location of General
Trevino, Mexico is about 20 miles from our Sister City Monterrey, Mexico. The Mayor's
Office has informed us that the Mayor is unable to attend their Founder's Celebration.
Since there will be no transportation provided, our Committee members will not be able to
attend either.
SCANNED
C. Discussion on Development of program connected with the Youth and
Education Network— Randy Farrar said he received a packet of information about
forming a program connected with the Youth and Education Network from Chris
Kailas. Ms. Kailas explained that the packet came from one of the articles in the Sister Cities
International Newsletter sometime in November. There are 5 main areas in which a
Sister City can participate with their youth. The Committee may participate through
"Student Exchange", "Governance", "Technology", "Young Artist's Competition",
"Finance", and "Local Involvement". The packet provides a mission statement, goals and
objectives, a listing of benefits, and an application to participate. Rebecca Hawn was
asked to look into this program and Ms. Kailas will mail a copy to her. Mr. Farrar said
he wants representatives from the Selection, Curriculum and Feasibility Committees
to meet, choose a chair and develop a recommendation for action.
Mr.Farrar suggested the newly formed Committee meet sometime between now and the
March, 2005 Sister City Committee meeting when it needs to make a report. Regis
Barber said "though he could not head up the new Committee, he would host the
meeting(s) at the Lighthouse for the Blind and be on the Committee. No one
volunteered to head the new Committee.
D. Discussion on development of Conflict of Interest statement— Mr. Farrar
stated that he believes the Sister City Committee needs a Conflict of Interest
Statement for occasions when someone on the Committee participates in
one of our exchanges, either as a parent or as a participant. Rebecca Hawn remarked that she
agreed especially if a youth doesn't get to go. Judy Benkendorfer stated she doesn't
believe it is a conflict of interest if one of our members wants to participate and is willing
to pay their way in something like the VIP program with Japan. Regis
Barber stated that those who come from Japan must go through a lengthy interview
process (example is the VIP program). It is not a competition, but a way to choose the
best representative. We could use a Conflict of Interest Statement for programs
like the VIP, Artist's and Musician's Exchange. Randy Farrar stated he believes the
Committee needs to add a selection process for these programs to avoid any conflict
of interest or the appearance of one. Vicki Garza asked if the Sister City Committee
could integrate the Student Selection Process. Ms. Garza said "I think we could just
tweak our student selection process for our adult opportunities. If we
have more than one person apply, that would help us choose." Mr. Farrar stressed that
recruiting is part of the selection process. He expressed his belief that the Committee
needs to do this part of the process better for our adult programs. Regis Barber
said that a selection process would help us to formalize the process. Mr. Barber
explained that"in January, Yokosuka will be interviewing for VIP so they can choose their
best representatives. They have many applicants and have to limit their selection. It
would serve our City and our Committee better if we have a fair process, but, I would
not eliminate anyone from our Committee just because they are on the Committee. The
process would make it fair. We should definitely have a process if the Committee
funds any part of the travel for our chosen representative." Mindy Chang noted that"to
formalize the process would be good, since the Committee members know one
another we cannot get away from the appearance of nepotism." Rebecca Hawn will give
thought to development of a process for our adult exchange programs.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Sister Cities Young Artists Competition: Sonia Heil and Venecia Kelly have not
yet made contact with Rose Gunji, but plan to meet with her next week.
B. Feasibility Committee: Ellen Murry will have a report by the March meeting. She
plans a meeting in January. Venecia Kelly and Heather Moretzsohn joined the
Committee. Ms. Murry reported that for the Committee's first project she has been
asked to raise $1,000 for the Young Artists' Competition. Mr. Farrar reminded her to
follow the guidelines on fundraising.
C. Agen, France—Ann Jaime reported that Robert Isaacs sent a Christmas Card,
wishing Committee Members a merry Christmas and to tell us he is working on the
selection of their exchange students.
D. Keelung, Taiwan —Yalee Shih reported on her recent trip to Keelung, Taiwan. Ms.
Shih said that Melody Cooper had to drop out at the last minute and Rose Gunji got
sick and could not go. Ms. Shih said she talked with Government Officials about the
budget for the student exchange program. They said they could not make the funds
needed for the student exchange a continuing budget item each year. Ms. Shih
explained that last year's money was a special opportunity from the Mayor's budget.
She said they don't want to work with us early, but that the Mayor they have now
really likes the Sister City Program. She is hopeful Keelung, Taiwan will continue to
fund this program.
E. Monterrey, Mexico—John Rocha said he and Heather Moretzsohn have
exchanged e-mails with their contact. Mr. Rocha said she is very new and they had
a bit of a rough start last year but are looking forward to this year's program.
F. Toledo, Spain — Dr. Mufid Abudiab called in sick. Flicka Rahn called Dr. Abudiab
but he did not get back to her. It was suggested Ms. Rahn make contact with our
Sister City contact in Toledo, Spain. When Council Member Melody Cooper visited
Toledo, Spain two summers ago, she told them we wanted to continue our
exchanges, which include the Student, Artist's and Musician's Exchanges.
G. Veracruz, Mexico— Elizabeth Iglesias reported she was not the person who had
sent 3 e-mails to our contact in Veracruz, Mexico, but, that it was Sharon Philips who
made those contacts. Ms. Phillips confirmed that statement. The minutes from
November, 2004 will be corrected. Ms. Phillips still has not heard from our Sister
City Contact in Veracruz.
H. Yokosuka, Japan — Regis Barber reported that Japan wants to send two people
here in March for the VIP Program. Mr. Barber and Westi Horn will get together to
find out if the two who had said they were interested in going were still interested in
being our representatives for the VIP program and visiting Japan this coming year.
VII Staff Report— No report.
VIII Current Concerns—General Chair's Report— Randy Farrar asked for nominees for
the "Distinguished Volunteer" award which will be presented at the Sister Cities
International Convention in Washington D.C. in 2006. Sister Cities International started
in 1956. Suggestions given were Rose Gunji and Sue Dulaney.
X Adjournment— Motion to adjourn was made by Rebecca Hawn and seconded by Vicki
Garza at 8:00 p.m.
Chris K Ilas, Recording Secretary
Park & Recreation Department