City of Lawrence

Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board

December 14, 2005 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Stuart Boley, Nancy Bjorge, Kathleen Hodge, Linda Hyler, Jon Josserand, Michael Kennedy, William Keel, Graham Kreicker, Beth Reiber, Gina Ross, Bob Schumm, Karen Swisher

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Sheila Immel, Andrew Tsubaki

STAFF LIASION PRESENT:

Lisa Patterson

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Sharon Holladay, Kathy Hillard

 

Meeting called to order at 5:35 PM by Kreicker

 

Ross moved and Kennedy seconded that the minutes of the November meeting be approved.  Passed unanimously.

 

Boley gave the Treasurer’s report, which was approved as presented.   He noted that we needed a couple of items from the Hiratsuka and Eutin trips in order to close the books on their 2005 activities.

 

Reiber moved and Schumm seconded that we keep $100 for actual canceled plane ticket costs and refund $100 to the Kellum Jones family for payments made for the 2005 Hiratsuka trip that he was unable to make.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Holladay made a report about the 2006 Hiratsuka trip.  It will cost each student $1,650.  Currently, there are 20 students signed up.  The Board reviewed a tentative 2006 budget from the Hiratsuka Friends Group.  Boley moved that we approve the tentative budget.  Schumn seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.  The next student meeting is January 21 at 9:00 am. in the ninth grade pod at SWJH.  Board members are invited to attend.

 

Keel read an e-mail from Stuart Strecker.  For 2006, they have nine students planning to go to Eutin.  The cost of this year’s trip will be for $1,600 for each student.

 

Keel reported that we had $3,500 available for scholarships.  There were 7 requests, totaling over $6,000.  After reviewing family need and the number of people in each family, the committee decided not to award scholarships to two students.  The committee recommended that we award a total of 5 scholarships; 2 scholarships of $1,000 and 3 of $500.  Our scholarship policy says we cannot give a student more than 50% of the cost of the trip.  Hyler moved that we waive our policy and give two students $1,000 each, which is more than 50% of the cost of their trip, due to family need.  Boley seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Kreicker acknowledged Bjorge and Hodge for providing the 70th birthday gifts for Helmut Schwee that we sent to him in Eutin with Frank Baron.  Kreicker also acknowledged the work that Baron has done in setting up different types of exchanges (not just the student exchanges) with Eutin over the years.

 

Kreicker showed the certificates of appreciation that we will be printing to send to Hiratsuka, acknowledging their help with the 15th anniversary delegation visit there last summer.  Kreicker also reported that Hiratsuka would like to do some different types of exchanges again.  There was some discussion of the Hiratsuka City Choir, an opera singer, a pianist, and others who would are interested in pursuing exchanges in the future.

 

On February 19 and 20 we will be needing home stays for about 20 students from Kanagawa University.  Sharon Holladay is assisting Elizabeth Byleen at the Applied English Center in securing these home stays.  Hodge will send to Patterson a list of Friends members who had expressed an interest in doing home stays.  Patterson will work with the Applied English Center and this list.

 

Kreicker reported on a recent request made to the County Commission for a sister county in China.  He and Nancy Hope from KU will follow-up with the County Commissioners when asked.  Nancy Hope has secured a Confucius Center for K.U., one of only five in the US.  The Chinese government will fund the center.  Through Nancy’s initiative, the Chinese Peace Corps has assigned full- time Mandarin teachers to three schools in Northeastern Kansas.

 

Kreicker has spoken to the mayor about appointments.  The mayor reported that three-terms was enough for any member of any board.  As a result, Reiber will be leaving the board.  Reiber was presented with a gift as she departs from our board.  Richard Lynn Ground who had been with the World Bank has been appointed by the major to fill Reiber’s place beginning in January.  He will be transitioning into the Treasurer’s position now held by Boley.

 

Hodge shared a book of Kansas scenes that we might want to purchase to have on hand as gifts.  The idea was favorably received and Hodge will pursue pricing on 200 copies.

 

Schumn reported on a conversation with Jim Reagan about possible Sister Cities in Ireland.  Reagan was asked to pursue the connections he had referenced.

 

Kreicker adjourned the meeting at 6:45.