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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 09/11/2006 122232425Q 6 Sister City Steering Committee �� 1.0 Orientation Training at 5:30 for new members r���� , RD'S w Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. C Sfltc' Monday, September 11, 2006, 6 p.m. 0' ti City Hall, 1201 Leopard, 6th floor conference room 1. Agl9y� MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF - Vii.��. ^�/'. .1�/ i'. .,_ .,ti✓. . Drue Combs H. Moretzsohn Patricia Garcia - A Chris Kallas Randy Farrar Ellen Murry Ridge Hammons - A Dr. Gustavo Valadez Almira Flores JJ Nelson Elizabeth Iglesias - A Rose Gunji Sharon Phillips Ann Jaime - A Cecilia Hanna Gilberto Porter Jennifer Nesmith - A Westi Horn John Rocha Flicka Rahn - A Peter Kunta-Mensah Sukhbir Singh 6:20 Van Phan Villa Orientation beginning at 5:30 p.m. was facilitated by Chris Kailas for new members, Drue Combs, Almira Flores, JJ Nelson, and Van Phan Villa. Each received a packet of materials including By-Laws; Guidelines; Criteria for selection of a new Sister City; a Committee Roster; and last year's time-line. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order by General Chair, John Rocha around 6:08 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kailas called roll. A quorum was met with 15 members present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Dr. Gustavo Valadez noted the there was a typo on the first word (plaque instead of plague) of the 6th line under item "A". Randy Farrar moved to accept the minutes as corrected and Peter Mensah seconded the motion. The minutes were passed as corrected. IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: Chris Kallas reported that the City Council funded the Sister City Steering Committee at the same amount as last year; $8,943. August balance in the PALS Fund began at $1,294.55. Activity in August was: $40.04 Joe Alley; $200 DJ for party; add back expense for overage in Sister City General fund of $2,088.48 for air fare; payment of$100 for Harbor Playhouse; Payment $152 for Roadhouse Dinner; payment of $100 to Subways for lunch; donation of $250 from First Commerce Bank and $68.06 for lunch at TAMUCC. Total at end of August was $2,972.93. Chris Kallas reminded the Committee members that $1,333 was donated by Council Member John Marez but we don't know where that funding is at this time. Also, Ms. Kailas asked Ellen Murry about the $1,000 donation from Wells Fargo. Ms. Murry said she would follow up on the check tomorrow. Ms. Kailas said if all these items can be pulled together, our balance for extra funds would total $3,305.93. Total for all actual funds are $12,248.93. The $1,000 donation from Wells Fargo has not been received and not added. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on bill from Sister Cities International for annual dues. Is it worth the cost? There was a question as to whether or SCANNED not the $835 dues for Sister Cities International was worth the expense. Rose Gunji started the discussion by stating that she felt the expense was a good investment. She believes the Committee needs to take better advantage of all that the International Organization offers. JJ Nelson feels that it's a lot easier for an organization to fund raise if they have the credibility of a National or International organization. Others speaking up for paying the dues were Gilberto Porter, Ellen Murry and Cecilia Hanna. Cecilia Hanna moved that the Sister City Steering Committee pay the Annual Dues and Westi Horn seconded the motion. The motion passed. B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on whether or not to do a strategic planning to build commitment and provide direction for the Steering Committee. Ellen Murry shared her idea that this Committee should do a strategic planning session for 5 to 6 hours to help set goals and seta course for action over the next 5 years. She suggested a Saturday morning. If the Steering Committee is interested in doing strategic planning she will talk with two facilitators she knows to see if they would work with us and find out how much they would charge. It was suggested that the Committee might be able to use the Galvan House for the Planning session. Ms. Kallas will check on its availability. Ms. Murry moved that the Sister City Steering Committee initiate phase one of a strategic plan sometime soon and then in 6 months follow up on that plan. Gilberto Porter seconded the motion. The motion passed. Ms. Murry suggested the Committee begin thinking about November 4th or 11 t from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. C. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on electing the General Chair for the 2006-2007 year. General Chair John Rocha opened the floor for nominations. Heather Moretzsohn was nominated by Ellen Murry; Randy Farrar was nominated by Westi Horn but he declined; and John Rocha was nominated by Sharon Phillips. A vote was taken. Eleven voted for Heather Moretzsohn. John Rocha asked if Ms. Moretzsohn would like to take over at that time and she asked if Mr. Rocha would please continue for the rest of the meeting. VI. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC: 4 of the 8 Sister City Exchange Students made their reports about their summer trips to; Agen, France; Yokosuka, Japan; Keelung, Taiwan and Monterrey, Mexico. Mr. Larry Dechant who went to Yokosuka, Japan gave an oral report using a poster and followed with a power point presentation. Mr. Jesse Belock who went to Agen, France was second with an interesting power point presentation. Ms. Olivia Dowling who went to Keelung, Taiwan was third with a beautiful presentation. Ms. Stephanie Gallegos who went to Monterrey, Mexico was forth with a very creative presentation. After each presentation the Committee members asked the students questions about what the trip meant to them and how it would affect their life. The students received a great show of appreciation with heart-felt applauses from the audience and Steering Committee. VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS: There were no Committee Reports VIII. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT—John Rocha No report IX. STAFF REPORT— No report. X. CURRENT CONCERNS — None XI. .JJ Nelson moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting and Gilberto Porter seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned around 7:50 p.m. XII. Following the presentations the Steering Committee provided a beautiful reception with cheeses, crackers, sliced meats, meat balls, dips, chips, olives, fresh fruit, cookies and a wonderful chocolate cake with water and sodas. Pictures of the guests and students were taken. Chris Kallas, Sister City Recording Secretary Cultural Services Division Parks & Recreation Department The following guide explains the attendance code: AE—Absence Excused for those who were absent due to illness or Sister City Travel R—Resigned Examples of arrival or leaving times—arrival,6:07 p.m.;or leaving,L7:00 p.m.