Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 05/05/2008 (-2:1A31476Sister City Steering Committee f/ , . �, Monday, ^p, ;-7, � 2008, 5:45A' � p.m. tem 2008 . a CP1 y�1''C'R ?:rk- OFFlc r,s Ai1, i MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF Kevin Aguilar-Fired H. Moretzsohn Randy Farrar-A Chris Kailas Drue Combs Javier Morin Ann Jaime - A Chris Semtner Tim Dowling Ellen Murry Willie Perez - A Almira Flores 6:15 Sharon Phillips Brandi Williams - AE Farley Frazier Flicka Rahn Rose Gunji Phyllis Roseman Westi Horn 5:55 Sukhbir Singh Melissa Melendez 5:50 Danny Williams CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order by Committee General Chair, Heather Moretzsohn around 5:45 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kallas called roll. A quorum was met with 16 of 20 members present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The blanks were filled in with the words "well publicized". Javier Morin moved to approve the minutes as amended; Tim Dowling seconded the motion. The minutes from May were approved as amended. IV. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC: There was no one from the public. V. TREASURER'S REPORT: Chris Kallas reported the General Fund has a balance of $8,343.85. Expenditures for last month, April, were $4.49, $45, and $6,830 for 4 airline tickets to France for a total of $6,879.49. The current balance in the PALS Fund remains at $2,758.89. She also reported that she is seeking bids for the rest of the tickets and has one bid to Taiwan for $1,689.20 and another for $1846.20. The agent is trying to get both tickets for the better price. Again, the expectation for income from the student's 10% payment is about $1,500. VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on Chess Tournament. Ellen Murry turned in a written report. She explained that though the Committee had lots of volunteers last year, the tournament doesn't need a lot of people during the event. She said that the committee is still working on getting sponsorships. Ms. Murry noted that the publicity has been great; it's been out for two months. B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on getting a pen pal for a 26 year old young friend of Robert Isaacs, President of the Sister City Committee in Agen, France. It was explained that the French Student is working od improving his English and Mr. Isaacs asked through an e-mail request for an English pen pal for him. Committee member, Danny Williams who is studying French offered to be his pen pal since he too is 26 years old and would like to work on his French. The Committee agreed to have Mr. Williams be his pen pal. The motion passed. C. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on sending a college student to Toledo, Spain for an intense language study program. Committee member, Javier Morin said that Kat Edmondston from Del Mar has applied. She has had two semesters of Spanish. Drue Combs moved the Committee approve Ms. SCANNED Edmondston for the Language Program in Toledo, Spain and Ellen Murry seconded the motion. The motion passed. D. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on resetting a date for the Sister City Planning Retreat with Bobbi Reed. Drue Combs said she prefers to spend one hour for several months. Ellen Murry agreed. Ms. Murry asked if we could bring in something to eat and meet sill about 9 or 9:30 p.m. Farley Frazier agreed. He said weekends are a premium for families. Ms. Murry suggested we meet for June and July to get a plan finalized. Sharon Phillips asked we keep the same Monday evening; that is the first Monday. Phyllis Roseman asked if it was really necessary to have more than one meeting. Ellen Murry said we need about two months to complete the work. A straw vote was taken to get the feel of the Committee, 13 liked meeting June and July, 2 disagreed. Drue Combs suggested the Committee change their approach by not including the History of the Committee. She said the priority is to look at what we are doing and what we need to be doing. Ellen Murry said we don't need to do so much team building. Ms. Murry moved to do the retreat on two regular meeting days, June 2 and July 7, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. to evaluate and re-assess the Committee's work. Phyllis Roseman said she likes the idea of looking at where are to see what we still needed to be doing. The motion passed. Javier Morin left at 6:35 p.m. for class. VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Keelung, Taiwan - Tim Dowling reported that our students have exchanged names and contact information with the Taiwanese students. B. Toledo, Spain, Flicka Rahn, Javier Morin, Melissa Melendez and Ann Jaime - Flicka Rahn reported that Tim is going there as our Ambassador and she has given him a packet of music. He will be leaving on June 5, 2008. Tim Dowling left at 6:45 p.m. C. Fund Raising Committee - Ellen Murry, Danny Williams, Willie Perez, and Farley Frazier- Report was already made under Item A. D. Evaluation Committee, Ellen Murry and Ann Jaime - a. Playa Del Carmen - Heather Moretzsohn will make a report at the end of the meeting. b. Bethinda, India - Heather Moretzsohn sent the Coastal Bend India Association a Power Point presentation for them to view and to help them make a decision. She mentioned they may have a shortage of funds. c. Netanya, Israel - Ms. Roseman reported that she has no idea yet about our local Jewish Community sponsoring this City. E. Activities Committee, Danny Williams, and Westi Horn -The Committee told the Activities Committee they need to get started on planning the activities for this year. F. EXPO Planning Committee -. No report G. Publicity Committee, Brandi Williams, Danny Williams - Brandi Williams said the publicity was out and they are all set for the upcoming Chess Tournament on May 10, 2008. Farley Frazier recommended posting a flyer at the Harbor Playhouse and also in the schools. H. Art Competition Committee, Rose Gunji and Sharon Phillips - Rose Gunji thanked all those who to ke care of the awards, and especially Sharon Phillips who made sure this year's art got-e# ,`‘,.V.7§51� to Washington, D.C. on time. I. Selection Committee, Randy Farrar and Brandi Williams - No report. J. Agen, France, Ann Jaime - No report. K. Monterrey, Mexico, Almira Flores and Willie Perez—Almira Flores reported that our contacts in Monterrey, Mexico suggested new dates. They asked that we send our students around July 21, 2008 and that they come back around July 31, 2008. They will bring their students back to Monterrey on August 11, 2008. The Committee agreed that M the dates are 044- L. Veracruz, Mexico, Melissa Melendez - Nothing new has happened. It was noted that the Committee has hopes for the newly recommended applicant, Dr. Jorge Brenner; that he might be able to make contact with people there in Veracruz, Mexico. M. Yokosuka, Japan, Westi Horn and Drue Combs — No report. Ms. Kailas said she is getting bids now for the tickets to Yokosuka, Japan. N. Curriculum/Training Committee, Brandi Williams, Melissa Melendez, Danny Williams — Ms. Williams reported that the final training will be June 8, 2008 at the Galvan House from 2 to 4 p.m. Ms. Williams asked every chair to be there to answer specific questions about their Sister City and its culture and customs. She expressed the need for the Chairs caa M answer last minute questions that are making the students and their parents anxious. 0. Pen Pal Program, Danny Williams — Danny Williams — Danny Williams said the letter is fine, but he has to use the library's computers right now and he can't bring himself to walk there. VIII. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT— Heather Moretzsohn reported that the City Council accepted Playa Del Carmen as a new Sister City. She said there is a proposed official trip to the new Sister City for June 11-13, coming back on Monday. She said we could send 10 delegates. The Mayor appointed Police Chief Brian Smith and Nelda Martinez to head the delegation. Chief Smith will be setting up a time to go there and provide training for their police force. Phyllis Roseman said her last ticket there was about $800. She said you would be lucky to get that price now. People who are or may be interested in going are Keith Arnold and Linda, CVB; Fred from the Airport, Council members, Brian Smith and Farley Frazier expressed an interest. IX. STAFF REPORT— No report. X. CURRENT CONCERNS — Drue Combs said they handed out a lot of information to people at the International Cultural Festival. She suggested we could have an International House in Heritage Park so Cultural Groups meet there and we could show off our Sister Cities. She also mentioned that we need ambassadors that can go out from our Committee and talk to Civic Groups. Ellen Murry said we could bring that up at our retreat. Drue Combs said we used to have a speaker's bureau. Xl. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. The meeting was adjourned. Chris Kailas, 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.