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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 08/06/2007 Sister City Steering Committee 13147$ Ad Hoc Selection Committee Meeting — 5 p.m. •N011 12SSI? Regular Meeting — 6 p.m. q�� ` d'� Orientation for New Members — 7:15 p.m. �V(/� ?� o Fun Trackers, 9605 South Padre Island Drive: C C a8 Corpus Christi, Texas M 5tefti Monday, August 6, 2007 � 01,7e14454:S ,, 4'4 MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF Drue Combs Jonathan Lancaster Randy Farrar - A Chris Kailas Timothy Dowling H. Moretzsohn Ridge Hammons - A Chris Semtner Almira Flores Ellen Murry Ann Jaime - A Sally Gavlik Farley Frazier Guillermo Perez Coeta Montgomery - A Rose Gunji Flicka Rahn Sharon Phillips - A Westi Horn Drue Reining George Kopf Sukhbir Singh 7p.m. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kallas called roll. A quorum was met with 14 of 19 members present. Ms. Moretzsohn welcomed and introduced three new members, Javier Morin, George Kolf and Drew Reining. Each told a little about themselves. Javier Morin teaches Spanish at Del Mar College. George Kolf is an usher at the Hooks games. Drew Reining is an attorney and mediator. III. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Drue Combs moved to approve the minutes as written. Almira Flores seconded the motion. The motion was passed. V. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC: No one from the public spoke. VI. TREASURER'S REPORT: Chris Kallas referred everyone to the August report of July expenses both out of the General Fund and PALS accounts. July General Fund expenses show that $3,107.40 was spent on the rest of the travel for our local students. That puts the Sister City Steering Committee $3,881.47 over the budget. A transfer in this amount is reflected in the PALS account to cover the overage. Other PALS activity for the month of July was deposits of the 10% payments from various students totaling $649.58. Expenses for the Exchange Students Activities totaled $940.15. The PALS Fund account began with a balance of$6,803.39 and ended with a balance of $2,631.35. Next month the Sister City Steering Committee will begin with a new General Fund Budget in the amount of $17,943.00. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on recommendation for two new members to the Sister City Steering Committee. Copies of applications for the Sister City Steering Committee were given out to each member. General Chair Heather Moretzsohn called for nominations from the applications presented. Drue Combs nominated SCANNED Brandi Williams. Ellen Murry seconded the motion. The question was called. The motion passed. Ellen Murry moved to vote to recommend Alfonzo Trujano Jr. George Kolf seconded the motion. The motion passed. Ms. Moretzsohn asked each member to recruit possible new members and have them complete an application with the City Secretary's office. She said "We may have need of new members in October when the new business year starts." B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on the new Sister City relationship with Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The members who visited Playa del Carmen shared their experiences. They reported that they were treated very well. The officials in Playa del Carmen expressed a desire to have the relationship provide medical support for their fast growing community, intensive English training, help with building a University, Hurricane Preparedness information, and sports exchanges. They would also like to develop a port. They initiated a plan to grow for families and through tourism. They have done very well with a 20% growth every year, more than any other place in Mexico. Heather Moretzsohn explained that Playa del Carmen is reaching out to Corpus Christi, "They are very interested in us". The purpose of this discussion is to form an Ad Hoc Committee to work on building the ties between the two cities. Alberto Bache and his committee would like to know what we would want from our relation with them. Ms. Combs noted that she saw a breakdown of the people going to Playa del Carmen, there are 16,000 Italians living there. She also noted that they are building like crazy and have a shopping area like 5th Avenue. Rose Gunji asked if we can have another Sister City relationship in Mexico. Drue Combs said that Sister Cities International will not recognize them as a Sister City. Chris Kailas explained that their rules have changed and they now recognize more than one city in a country as being Sister City relationships. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is interested in an economic exchange and Chief Bryan Smith is very interested in following up with them to see how the Oily Police can be of help. General Chair Heather Moretzsohn asked if anyone was interested in being on the new Playa del Carmen Ad Hoc Committee. Volunteering for the Committee were Ellen Murry, Drew Reining, Heather Moretzsohn, Drue Combs, Javier Morin and Farley Frasier. Tim Dowling joined the meeting at 6:45 p.m. A motion was made to appoint these people as the new Ad Hoc Committee. Motion carried. C. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Ad Hoc Committee to develop sponsorship and a plan for a Mayan Performance Troup from the Playa del Carmen area for a cultural visit to Corpus Christi in October, 2007. General Chair Heather Moretzsohn said they are sending a group of 17 performers to San Antonio and if we would like and can work out the details of transporting them here and hosting them, they would be willing to come to Corpus Christi in October of this year. This task was delegated to the newly appointed Playa del Carmen Ad Hoc. D. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on changes to the Selection Packet as presented by the Ad Hoc Selection Committee. A hard copy of the changes to the packet was not in the packet. Drue Combs gave a summary of the changes made. The first part of their task was to include training in the packet making it mandatory, so the selected students would know that attendance at training is part of their responsibilities and a requirement for being a Sister City Exchange Student. When they have completed their application and are ready to affix their signature, the signature page has a list of things they are responsible for doing. They will be reminded again during their interview. With these changes the Application within the Selection Package makes training mandatory. Also, now everything given out at the training sessions will have to be in writing. Drue Combs moved to approve the changes the Ad Hoc Committee recommended. Ellen Murry seconded the motion. The motion passed with Jonathan Lancaster abstaining because the changes were not in writing. E. DISCUSSION AND ACTION concerning a reception for the Students' Presentations in both September and October, 2007. Ms. Moretzsohn opened the discussion by explaining that there was a pot luck reception last year and asked the Committee how they would like to handle it this year. Drue Combs suggested that we do the reports all in one night. She said the Sister Cities Chairs could invite the exchange students who went to their Sister City to arrive at around 7 p.m. till about 9 p.m. for the reception and the opportunity to share their trip with the Committee. It was suggested that Daniel Schorlemmer, the language student who went to Toledo, Spain also make a report to the Committee about his trip. George Kolf asked if the food was successful. The members told him it was very successful and enjoyed by everyone. It was noted that the reception breaks down barriers and makes people comfortable. Drew Reining moved to hold a marathon like evening of reports after a short business meeting on October 3, 2007. Timothy Dowling seconded the motion. The motion passed. Sukhbir Singh arrived at 7 p.m. Drue Combs also suggested the Ad Hoc Selection Committee research what the Sister Cities International has to offer the Committee in the way of Development Services. Rose Gunji and Ellen Murry agreed. Ms. Murry said most people don't have the time to study the internet. She suggested we send a representative to the Annual Convention; provide at least registration for the General Chair to attend. It was suggested the Committee could get a Sister City International representative to come here and make a presentation to the Committee. Ms. Kailas reported that the Convention and Visitor's Bureau will be working on a proposal to bring the Sister Cities Internatioiial Annual Convention here to Corpus Christi in 2010 01 2011. Wilma Harvey has asked the Committee to work with them in writing the proposal. Ms. Combs asked that these issues be placed on next month's agenda. F. DISCUSSION AND ACTION concerning past due annual dues bill from Sister Cities International. Ms. Kailas reported that she had called Sister Cities International explaining the reason why we had not yet paid the Annual Dues of $877. Now that there is a new budget, she will pay the Annual Dues for 2007 if the Committee agrees. It was moved and seconded that the bill should be paid. The motion passed. It was reported that Peter Bryant, promoter of the International Boat Show here last April, and it will be here again this coming April feels his one failure was to not seek out the City's Sister Cities of Monterrey and Veracruz, Mexico. He would like to work with the Committee to bring people from these cities to this event. Ellen Murry shared information that the Bay Yacht Club is planning a sailing cruise to Veracruz, Mexico. Also she feels we have plenty on our plates at this time. Drue Combs will give him contacts numbers and help him in what ever way she can. Ms. Combs also noted that the Committee needs to work on the EXPO. VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Selection Committee: Report already made during discussion Item D. B. Fund Raising Committee: Ellen Murry, — Ellen Murry and Rose Gunji have both completed an application for a contribution from Councilmember Marez. C. Publicity Committee: Sukhbir Singh —. Drue Combs suggested we outline the responsibilities for each of the Chairs. She said it seems that all our work with Sister City revolves around the Student Exchange Program and that's too limiting for what this Committee does. She further noted there doesn't seem to be enough explanation as to the work the Committee does and we do much more than the Exchange Program. Heather Moretzsohn was asked to refine the job descriptions and Drue Combs and Drew Reining will work on it with her. Jonathan Lancaster has been appointed to the Committee. He asked that a copy of the flyer be sent to him. The job getting an informational poster to go with the Flag Display at the International Airport was delegated to the Publicity Committee. D. New Sister City Evaluation Committee: Ellen Murry— Sukhbir Singh said that he would have something to report at the next meeting in September about Bethinda, India, a possible new Sister City. E. Agen, France: Ann Jaime — Ellen Murry, whose daughter went to France, said they were darling young people and they all had a wonderful time. F. Keelung, Taiwan: No report. G. Monterrey, Mexico: Almira Flores and Willie Perez — Their students are here. There is a conference in Monterrey the last weekend of August. The Mayors of all their Sister Cities were invited. Topics of interest are tourism, security, economic development, and others. Sally Gavlik will go for the Mayor and make a presentation on Tourism. Airfare is $368 per person. The conference starts 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 30 and ends on 7:30 p.m. Friday August 31St. Drew Reiling and Ann Jaime to be e-mailed if they can go. Heather Moretzsohn would like to attend but she is not sure she can. Heather Moretzsohn will send out an e-mail about the Conference. H. Toledo, Spain-Music: Flicka Rahn and Ann Jaime— No report. Veracruz, Mexico: Ann Jaime — No report. J. Yokosuka, Japan: Westi Horn and Drue Combs — No report. K. Curriculum/Training Committee: Sukhbir Singh — No report. L. Activities Committee: Sharon Phillips, Flicka Rahn and Westi Horn — No report. Chairs were outside at Fun Trackers with the students doing activities. M. Art Competition Committee: Rose Gunji and Sukhbir Singh — Rose Gunji reported that the theme for this year is "Reflections of Your Community". Our local deadline for art work is March 28, 2008. She said there will be a reception following the April 7th meeting, just like in past years. She explained that we will need to take down the winning picture and send it to Washington DC before the end of the show in order to make the International deadline. However, having the showing and reception later allows the teachers more time to get the art work in. Students from the ages of 13 to 18 are invited to participate and their art work must fit the theme. Ms. Gunji said she is working on a letter explaining the Art Competition. She plans to have it ready to give to each of the visiting students so they can take it back with them to our Sister City counter parts in their country. Drue Combs remarked that the Art Teachers and the student's families come with them and that their work is amazing. Rose Gunji has had both of Corpus Christi's winning artist's pictures framed. She brings them each year to show at the Artists' Reception. When we get the brochure from Sister Cities International, we will say the competition is for all students between the ages of 13 to 18 years old. IX. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT: Ms. Moretzsohn reminded everyone that the Farewell Party will be at the Lakes Club House from 6-9 p.m. on August 9th. She noted that the party is a great opportunity to mingle with all the students. Families are welcomed. X. STAFF REPORT: No report. XI. CURRENT CONCERNS: No concerns expressed at this time. XII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned around 7:30 p.m. Chris Kailas, Sister City Recording Secretary Cultural Services Division Parks & Recreation Department 7:30 p.m. - Orientation for new members: Jonathan Lancaster and Farley Frazier re-attended the training. Newly oriented members were Javier Morin, George Kolf and Drew Reining. General Chair Heather Moretzsohn reviewed a copy of the PowerPoint Presentation, the By-laws and Guidelines with the new members. The following guide explains the attendance code: A—Absent, unexcused AE —Absence Excused for those who were absent due to illness or Sister City Travel R — Resigned or removed Examples of arrival or leaving times — arrival, 6:07 p.m.; or leaving, L7:00 p.m.