Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board
May 12, 2010
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Bill Keel, Jon Josserand, Kelly Herndon, Ken Albrecht, Darrel Ward, Gina Ross, Kathleen Hodge, Dennis Christilles, Bob Schumm; |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Linda Hyler, Lynn Ground, Michael Kennedy, James Hilliard, Bob Moody. |
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STAFF LIAISON PRESENT: |
Cynthia Wagner |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Mechele Leon & Kathy Pryor, KU Theatre Department |
The meeting occurred at 5:30 pm in the Lawrence City Commission chambers. Chair Bill Keel announced the presence of a quorum.
Introduction of guests & announcements
Keel announced the presence of guests Mechele Leon & Kathy Pryor.
Mechele and Kathy are with the KU Theatre Department and wanted to discuss a potential opportunity associated with the Iniades exchange. The play which will be presented in Iniades by the KU summer study abroad program will also be presented in the KU Inge Theatre opening on August 28. Discussion ensued about a possible fundraiser in association with this performance.
University Theatre is offering to donate the proceeds of admission to the play (between $1,000 and $1,500) as part of a package ticket that would include the theatre ticket, reception food, and the remainder going to the scholarship fund. The University Theatre would also provide the space (Crafton-Preyer lobby) for the reception. More information will be collected. A decision regarding this opportunity would need to be made at the next meeting.
Minutes & treasurer’s documents
The April 2010 draft minutes were approved as distributed.
Treasurer’s report
Herndon distributed a summary of deposits, expenses and fund balances. The IRS Form 990 has been filed for the board. We have received our first quarterly report from Douglas County Community Foundation, which has custody of our scholarship funds. The current value of these investments is $22,533.20. The accounting sheets were approved as submitted.
Refund Policy
Herndon indicated a refund policy is nearly complete. It was initially believed to be simple, but became more complex. Because of this, it will be circulated before next month’s meeting, to allow for board members to become familiar with it before the June meeting.
20th Anniversary of Hiratsuka Exchange
Josserand relayed a conversation he recently had with Ted Kuwana regarding the composition of the official delegation to Hiratsuka. Discussion ensued. Wagner provided information about recent emails regarding the topic. Keel will be asking for a full update at the next meeting.
Membership Development
Josserand indicated a committee meeting had occurred and 5 of the six committee members were present. The committee reviewed prospective solicitation letters and approved of them. The committee discussed the issue of a new letterhead design and approved of moving forward. The committee reviewed lists of members to identify missing emails and phone numbers. Pursuant to the committee’s direction, Josserand has met with a graphic designer to obtain several letterhead/logotype prototypes. He circulated those at the meeting looking for feedback. He will circulate them again in June before a decision is reached.
Josserand had intended to have membership follow up letters tonight. These will instead be circulated at the June meeting.
Friends of Hiratsuka
Hodge indicated that she had finally reached Sue Hack regarding assisting with finding a new Trip Coordinator for Hiratsuka. Sue has some ideas including a particular individual who might have a high interest. Keel asked for Hodge to convene a committee meeting to pursue this. Josserand indicated he would volunteer to draft a volunteer job description to assist in this effort.
Friends of Eutin
A meeting of the Friends of Eutin occurred on April 27. Twenty-three people were in attendance.
The group received a report about a number of upcoming internships between Eutin and Lawrence. Jimmy Morrison will be going to Eutin this summer in support of this initiative. Lawrence Rotary Club is providing assistance with hosting some of these interns in Lawrence and identifying possible Lawrence firms and organizations for intern opportunities.
Because of the budget challenges of the school district, it was recently announced that German I will not be taught next year at any junior high (9th grade) or at either high school. This announcement has led to significant concerns being expressed by a large number of people associated with the Eutin and Sister Cities programs, as well as students and parents.
The Friends group discussed this topic at some length. It was decided the Friends group should work with others in a positive fashion to identify proposed alternatives which would assure all students wishing to take first year German in the coming academic year to have an opportunity to do so. Some of the possibilities identified would be Wednesday afternoon, or Saturday instruction, or use of distance/virtual learning.
Friends of Iniades
Christilles followed up with some discussion about the possibility of reception for the Greek play which will be performed both in Iniades and Lawrence this summer and fall. He will be at the next board meeting, but then will be in Iniades.
The Chair indicated he would be circulating an agenda for next month to focus on key issues which need to be fully addressed before the summer.
The meeting was adjourned.