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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 10/06/2008 (1,442.e-de 40. Sister City Steering Committee RECE�V Monday, October 6, 2008, 5:45 p.m. G EQ City Hall, 1201 Leopard St. Corpus Christi, TX 78403 JAN 0 9 2009 CITY SECRETARY' MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT STA S OFFICE Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari Maria Jaramillo Rose Gunji - A Sally Gavlik - A Jorge Brenner 5:50 5:50 Westi Horn Melissa Melendez - A Chris Kailas Drue Combs Javier Morin H. Moretzsohn - A Chris Semtner Tim Dowling Willie Perez Danny Williams - A Wes Vardeman Randy Farrar Sharon Phillips Almira Flores Flicka Rahn Janice Garrett John Rocha Dora Hidalgo Phyllis Roseman Brandi Williams CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order by Vice Chair, Randy Farrar at 5:45 p.m. II. ROLL CALL: Chris Kailas called roll. A quorum was met with 17 of 21 members present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes for September 8 were read. Sharon Phillips moved to approve the minutes as read. Flicka Rahn seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: DISCUSSION ITEMS: Ms. Kailas provided a three-page report that included financial updates from May through September for the PALS Fund account as requested. In the General Fund there was a total of $1,814.81delineated under current expenses from the August student activities. The balance in the General Fund is $16,128.19. The PALS Fund did not have any activity in August and September with an ending balance of$4,177.24. Randy Farrar noticed that there were only 9 students listed as having paid their 10% fee. Ms. Kailas said that all ten paid and she would check on that for next month's report. It was noted that Ms. Lopez was not listed. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS: A. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on voting for new general chair. Randy Farrar explained that he did not like having an open vote for General Chair. He asked Ms. Kailas to call the City Secretary's office for permission to have a written ballot. That permission was given and Ms. Kailas handed out ballots for everyone. Mr. Farrar called for further nominations. There being none, the Committee was asked to vote and pass their completed ballots forward to Ms. Kailas for tallying. While Ms. Kailas was counting the votes, Mr. Farrar asked the new members to introduce themselves and give some information about what they do and are interested in doing on the Committee. New members, John Rocha, Maria Jaramillo, Dr. Jorge Brenner and Dora Hidalgo introduced themselves. Ms. Kailas gave the results to Mr. Farrar who announced that the new General Chair is Ms. Brenda "Brandi" Williams. Mr. Farrar asked if Ms. Williams wanted to run the meeting. She asked Mr. Farrar to continue facilitating the meeting. SCANNED B. DISCUSSION AND ACTION on updating Sister City Information on the City's web site and development of the Steering committee's own web site to be linked to the City's site. Appointment of a Committee to study feasibility. The Committee discussed the possibility of having the City Staff develop a new web site for the Sister City Steering Committee. Ms. Kailas explained that the City would probably not develop a separate web site for Sister City but could update the current information on the Parks and Recreation Dept. site. (CCParkandRec.com). Wes Vardeman said the Committee would have to come up with suggestions to update the site. Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari said there are about 6 too many clicks to get to the current Sister City information. He said that the information needs to be continuously updated. He suggested someone on the Committee take ownership of the site to do that. Mr. Farrar noted that the Sister City information is not very exciting. Brandi Williams showed the new members a copy of the materials on that web site. Randy Farrar suggested that Item B be tabled and asked that during this next month, all the Committee members look over the material, offer suggestions for updating the Sister City information and for cutting out the number of clicks it takes to get there at next month's meeting on November 3, 2008. Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari said that the recent video of the Student activities could be added to the web site. Current students interested in applying for the 2009 Exchange Program could view it and maybe recognize their school friends from this year and ask them about the program. Brandi Williams said they would each need to sign a release as they have had to do in order to display their posters. Another suggestion was that we could post the current Student Exchange Program Application for students to access and download for completion. It was noted that the student would still have to take the completed application to their school's counselor for evaluation and approval. Mr. Aguilar-Ferrari wanted to know if the school sends only selected application. Ms. Combs said "yes, otherwise we would have too many applicants." Mr. Aguilar-Ferrari asked if we needed to vote on tabling Item B. Mr. Farrar noted that was not necessary. VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Publicity Committee — Brandi Williams, Danny Williams, Willie Perez — Brandi Williams reported that the press was invited to tonight's Student Reports and reception. Hopefully, she said, they will be here. B. Selection Committee — Randy Farrar and Brandi Williams — Ms. Williams reported that she delivered most all of her Student Exchange Program packets to her selected schools. She said she was able to visit with all the school counselors responsible for handing out the packets and working with the student applicants. She was unable to find the person at the address we had for Home School Association but delivered packet to a person at her shoe! church who works with the Home School Association. Also, she was unable to deliver the packet to the Annapolis Christian Academy; the reception there said they didn't do that program. There is another new school called New Vision Academy. Ms. Williams said there was no one there. It was noted that these schools are year-round schools and it may be their break time. Javier Morin said there is a Collegiate High School at Del Mar College. It is located in the Coles Building and is a Bill Gates school. Tracie Rodriguez is the Principal. Mr. Morin will get the information about the school to Ms. Kailas tomorrow. She will make up a packet and make sure it get's there. C. Fundraising Committee — Heather Moretzsohn — No Report D. EXPO/International Cultural Festival —There will be a meeting tomorrow. Phyllis Roseman said the EXPO has been tabled for now in favor of doing an International Cultural Festival with the City inviting our Sister Cities to contribute to the event through their arts, cultural and wares. This festival is a way to ease into the International EXPO business event combined with a cultural event. The cultural event would have a gate fee and be a fund raiser for the Sister City Steering Committee and a way to showcase our Sister Cities. Houston has a very large cultural event each year and planning committee for the International Cultural Festival plan to visit that event in April. We are currently looking at November 14, 2009 as the date for this event. We have been told that week is International Educational Week; a program funded by the Federal Government at both the University and Del Mar. E. Agen, France — Ms. Maria Jaramillo volunteered as the new Agen, France Chair. Ms. Jaramillo speaks French and has already interpreted a letter from the Mayor of Agen, France for the Mayor's office. F. Keelung, Taiwan —Tim Dowling — No report. Mr. Dowling has a class and is unable to be here this semester. G. Monterrey, Mexico —Almira Flores and Willie Perez —No report. H. Toledo, Spain — Flicka Rahn and Javier Morin — The music exchange working with Consuelo Morin Pilar is moving forward. We hope to hear next what our dates will be. Veracruz. Mexico— Melissa Melendez— No Report. It was announced that Dr. Jorge Brenner will be going there in December and he hopes to make contacts at that time. J. Yokosuka. Japan -Westi Horn and Drue Combs — Nothing to report at this time. K. Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Heather Moretzsohn — Brandi Williams reported that later on in our relationship, this City wants to participate in the Student Exchange but they need more time to develop their Sister City Program. Randy Farrar brought a concern about this Committee not sending so many students to Agen, France for budget's sake. He said it would cost the Committee less to send students to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. L. International Art Competition Committee — Sharon Phillips and Rose Gunji —The Corpus Christi Winner in this year's International Young Artists' Competition was one of the top 10 winners and has already her $300 gift from Sister Cities International. Because they sent her their check direct, we missed a promotional opportunity. VII. GENERAL CHAIR'S REPORT— No report VIII. STAFF REPORT — No report. IX. CURRENT CONCERNS — Mr. Willie Perez announced again that he is running for an At Large Position on the CCISD School Board. He gave the Committee background information on himself. Brandi Williams said she thinks she wants to thank everyone for voting for her. Kevin Aguilar-Ferrari said he wanted to thank everyone for voting for Ms. Williams, too. It was suggested that the training Committee add a phrase book in each language for our students traveling to France, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan. The Committee should also add information on how to pack, what to pack and the Committee should make a souvenir notebook for each visiting student much like those that Keelung, Taiwan makes for our students. It was noted that Jason Elizalde, said he tried to send something to Japan but it came back. He could use some help getting his gift sent there. Randy Farrar noted that Jason Elizalde (08) and Glen Ayers (07), both former Exchange Students, were honored in the News Paper for their work in school. X. ADJOURNMENT: The regular business meeting ended around 6:50 p.m. Randy Farrar suggested the Committee and guests take about 10 minutes before the Students began their presentations. A representative from Kill TV showed about that time and was introduced to the students that would be making their presentations. The students began their presentations around 7:05 p.m. The four presentations were in teams. Sharon Phillips moved to adjourn the regular meeting around 8:05 p.m. Flicka Rahn seconded the motion and the meet was adjourned. A wonderful reception followed. i l r /<(/' 1(1 Chris Ka tas, 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.