Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board
April 8, 2009 minutes
Approved May 13, 2009
|
MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Bill Keel,
Stuart Boley, Bob Schumm, Jon
Josserand, Ken Albrecht, Michael
Kennedy, Gina Ross, Kelly Herndon, Bob Moody, Lynn Ground, Kathleen Hodge,
Linda Hyler |
|
MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Andrew
Tsubaki, Lori Hutfles |
|
STAFF LIAISON PRESENT: |
Jonathan
Douglass |
|
PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Friedemann
Eisert |
The meeting was held in the city
commission chambers at City Hall at 5:30 on April 8, 2009. Bill Keel, Chair, announced the presence of a
quorum.
Introduction of guests:
Stuart Boley introduced Chip Blaser, Executive
Director of the Douglas County Community Foundation. Mr. Blaser explained the nature of the
community foundation and the way the organization operates. It has been suggested that student
scholarship monies held by the advisory board be transferred to the community
foundation as a way of simplifying its books and perhaps improving on returns. A number of technical issues were discussed
by the board.
This possibility will continue to be
investigated and considered.
Chair Keel introduced Friedemann Eisert,
longtime coordinator of the Eutin School Exchange Program.
Review of Documents:
Minutes from the March meeting were
approved as corrected.
Accounting documents for March were presented
for any questions.
Old
Business – Committee Reports:
Public
Relations Committee (Hodge)
Hyler
wanted to alert the board to a possible calendar conflict of the annual
membership meeting being conducted in too close proximity of the annual
fundraiser. She will revisit this issue
in the future.
New
Sister Cities Committee (Schumm)
Schumm
announced that he and his wife, and Kathleen Hodge and her husband, will be
making a trip to Iniades Greece as individuals as a goodwill informational visit
to Iniades, Greece, which is seeking closer relations and possible sister
cities status with Lawrence. They will
stay a number of days in the Iniades area to learn more about the area and to
meet individuals in Iniades who are promoting these with their existing
cultural programs. A motion was made to
authorize $175 from the appropriate account for a token gift to Iniades
officials. The motion was approved. Schumm will also be investigating the
possibility of obtaining of an informal letter of greetings from the Mayor of
Lawrence to Iniades officials.
20th
Anniversary of Eutin Exchange (Keel)
In
association with the Eutin visit to Lawrence, a request was made to process a
payment for a deposit to Maceli’s Catering for $500 ($250 x 2). The motion was approved.
The
issue of financing of a third guitarist to Eutin is now moot.
Efforts
regarding the photo exhibit in Eutin are underway.
Unfortunately,
the Mayor of Eutin will not be able to visit Lawrence during this
exchange.
Keel
reported that city funds for the first half of the year have been requested of
the City.
20th
Anniversary of Hiratsuka Exchange (Tsubaki)
Keel
reported on the condition of board member Tsubaki, who has had recent serious
surgery. Flowers were sent on behalf of
the board. The motion to pay for these
was approved.
Membership
Project (Boley & Josserand)
Keel
reported that a membership mailing for lapsed members had been made of
approximately 250. This has not been
done for a couple of years, and many addresses may be stale.
Eutin
School Exchange
Eisert
reported to the board about a situation involving two students who were
selected for the Eutin exchange who have subsequently been disciplined for a
violation of school rules. The teacher -chaperones
have informed these students they may no longer participate in the
exchange. Discussion ensued. The students may be appealing their
circumstances with the teachers. Keel
indicated a special meeting may need to be called regarding this matter.
Next
Regular Meeting: May 13, 2009, 5:30 pm
at City Hall