HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 01/03/2005 „1123456
Sister City Steering Committee •9
Regular Meeting �o
Monday,January 3, 2005 FEB 2005
At City Hall, 1201 Leopard, 6th floor Conference Room.FC '1VED N
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MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS
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Judy Benkendorfer Dr. Mufid Abudiab Vicki Garza E Chris Kallas
Dr. Hsiu"Mindy" Elizabeth R. Yalee Shih Gustavo Valadez
Chang Iglesias Rebecca Hawn Ortiz
Randy Farrar Ann Jaime Westi Horn
Joseph P. Alley Ellen Murry Bebe Morris
Heather Moretzsohn John Rocha Mary Ann Lopez
Flicka Rahn Regis Barber Sharon Phillips
Venecia Kelly Sonia Heil
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order at 6:05
p.m. by Chair, Randy Farrar.
II. ROLL CALL:
Recording Secretary called roll, announced quorum.
III APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from December 6, 2004 were read and approved.
IV. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC: No one from the public was at the meeting. There
was a short discussion about the two 2004 exchange students, Cyndi Meyers and Cristel
Perry, who still have to make their reports. Regis will contact Ms. Meyers and Ann
Jamie will call Ms. Perry and let them know they must still make their reports.
V. TREASURER'S REPORT:
Chris Kallas reported there were no changes in the Sister City budget since last month. It
is still at $13,539.71.
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. Reception Following February 7th Meeting: The Committee discussed how they
would do the Reception after the February meeting. They will have cookies and
punch(John Rocha-cookies and Venecia Kelly-punch), cheese and crackers (Heather
Moretzsohn) and some one will take pictures of the winning students and the co-
leaders of the various Sister Cities. Flicka Rahn will bring table clothes and paper
goods. Chris Kallas will provide roses from the rose garden, dollies and trays for the
cookies and cheese and crackers.
B. Action Item to form the Selection Sub-Committees: General Chair Randy Farrar
reminded the Committee that all Student Applications must be in by 5 p.m. on
Friday, January 21, 2005. He passed around a sign-up sheet for volunteer
interviewers. He encouraged members to sign up for at least one committee. He
SCANN E D explained that the interview committee meets 30 minutes early. The Committee
members will receive a packet before they come in order to have time to read and
prepare for the interviews. Each interview lasts about 20 minutes, 16 minutes for the
actual interview and 4 minutes to evaluate and review next applicant's materials. It
was realized that the initial interview date for the boys was on January 29th, the same
date as the EXPO in Laredo. The date was changed to February 6, 2005. Interviews
of girls will be held Saturday, February 5, 2005, 8:30 a.m. Those who volunteered
to interview girls are Venecia Kelly, John Rocha, Mufid Abudiab, Elizabeth Rose
Iglesias, Judy Benkendorfer and Ann Jaime. Boys will be interviewed on Sunday,
February 6, 2005 at 12:30 p.m. and will be interviewed by Ellen Murry, Heather
Moretzsohn and Joe Alley.
VI COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Agen, France—Ann Jaime spoke with Roberto and Michelle. They say they are on
track and have several students.
B. Keelung,Taiwan—Dr. Chang spoke with Director Liao, Taipei Economic and
Cultural Bureau in Houston and invited him to the Corpus Christi area. She would
like to see if we could work out an improved selection process.
C. Monterrey, Mexico—John Rocha and Heather Moretzsohn are expecting to visit
Monterrey and meet with our new contacts there.
D. Toledo, Spain—Ann Jaime spoke to her contact today. Her contact said she could
not make a commitment. She thinks there is a strong probability they will not have
any students this year either, though there is a possibility that one family could afford
to send their child and accept one of ours.
E. Veracruz, Mexico—Elizabeth Iglesias still has not heard from Barbara Hernandez.
Ellen Murry reminded the Committee that Veracruz has had a complete of
government. Ms. Murry suggested Ms. Hernandez may not be there any longer. Ms.
Murry offered to help Ms. Iglesias through the contacts she had developed during the
Wheelchairs for Peace Program.
F. Yokosuka,Japan—Regis Barber reported Yokosuka will be making their selection
by the end of the month for their VIP visitors to Corpus Christi. Holly Hubner and
her mother are very interested in going and are willing to host. Mr. Barber said he
realizes they have not been chosen by a set, criteria,but, until that criteria is
developed, this will work and they are willing to pay their own way.
G. Curriculum Committee: Heather Moretzsohn has been researching information
needed for the student's curriculum packets. John and She met. They need an
outline. Chris Kallas told them she had found useful information in old files she was
going through. It is in her office for pick up. Ms. Moretzsohn asked her committee
to meet for a few minutes after this meeting. Regis Barber and John Rocha agreed.
H. Feasibility Committee: Will report in February. Sonia Heil has asked we consider
selecting a Brazilian City if we should choose to take on another Sister City.
I. Activities Committee: There is no report at this time.
VII Staff Report—No report.
VIII Current Concerns—General Chair's Report—
A. Randy Farrar suggested committee members going to the EXPO get their rooms
now. The Holiday Inn is across from the Civic Center. Opening Ceremonies are
at 9 a.m. on Friday and the event is over at 4 on Sunday.
B. Dr. Abudiab suggested the Committee re-evaluate our relationship with Toledo,
Spain. Dr. Valadez and Flicka Rahn mentioned the two art exchanges we are
doing this coming summer and the Educational opportunities they made available
last summer. Ann Jaime will give Dr. Abudiab her contact number in Spain.
Adjournment—Motion to adjourn was made by Ann Jaime and seconded by Venecia Kelly at
7:30 p.m.
A short meeting of the Curriculum Committee followed the Regular Sister City Meeting.
Heather Moretzsohn, John Roach, Regis Barber and staff, Chris Kallas attended.
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hris Kallas, Secretary
Park &Recreation Department