Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board
September 8, 2010
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Linda Hyler, Jon Josserand, Ken Albrecht, Kathleen Hodge, Michael Kennedy, James Hilliard, Bob Schumm, Kelly Herndon, Darrel Ward, Dennis Christilles, Lynn Ground, Gina Ross |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Bill Keel, Bob Moody |
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STAFF LIAISON PRESENT: |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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The meeting occurred at 5:30 pm in the Lawrence City Commission chambers. Vice Chair Linda Hyler called the meeting to order.
Introduction of Guests
Hyler introduced to the board Ms. Twyla Blackbird Rome, an administrative assistant with the school district, local and who was a trip chaperone on the Hiratsuka trip this summer. Ms. Rome provided an informal report on her experiences in Hiratsuka in response to a request made of her by Hyler.
Rome expressed her deep gratitude to the board for its works and its mission. She indicated that her experience with the Hiratsuka trip was one of the most meaningful of her life. She expressed great enthusiasm for the trip and indicated that she would like to assist in the future in any way.
Although the trip generally went very well, Ms. Rome did indicate that some of the behaviors of the students were perhaps culturally insensitive, including attitudes regarding food, and culturally derogatory remarks made to students in front of Japanese families. An incident involving caffeine drinks from vending machines also was mentioned. General discussion occurred.
Minutes – Accounting Documents
Minutes of the July 2010 meeting were approved with corrections as suggested.
Herndon said there had been little financial activity since the last meeting, and therefore did not have a financial report.
Since the last board meeting, a meeting of the ad hoc committee appointed last month met to review the Eutin trip expenditures met and made a number of determinations. Those have been communicated to the trip coordinator, and he had not yet scheduled a follow up meeting with the Treasurer.
Herndon indicated she had recently received the receipts for expenditures from the Hiratsuka trip and had not yet reviewed those, but that she thought she would have very few questions and will be able to report at next month’s meeting.
Friends of Hiratsuka & Hiratsuka 20th Anniversary Exchange – Hilliard
Hilliard reported that there had been a few drop offs for the trip, but that Lawrence is expecting to send a very strong delegation of 18 individuals (15 adults and 3 youth). The sculpture has been sent to Hiratsuka. Discussion about various details ensued.
Applications for students interested in participating in the 2011 Hiratsuka trip will be distributed mid-September.
Friends of Iniades & KU Theater Connection– Hyler
Christilles and Hyler reviewed the outcome of the recent KU Theatre performance of The Trojan Women.
An email update to the Sister Cities email list about this event will be distributed soon.
It was a sold out performance, and everyone was very pleased. Special information and refreshment tables were part of the post-performance activities. A plaque was presented to Lily Tsubaki in recognition of late husband’s significant contributions to Lawrence Sister Cities. In particular, Professor Tsubaki’s early role in the developing a relationship with Iniades, Greece is important for all to acknowledge and recognize.
DCCF Investments - Ground
Currently the Lawrence Sister Cities scholarship funds are held in a cash-equivalent account in DCCF. Ground noted that at current rates interest rates, annual interest income from the deposited funds amount to approximately $400, and that the annual required investment fees we pay to DCCF are $500. Ground reviewed a number of investment options for Sister Cities which should increase earnings. His committee recommended that approximately one-half of the funds be invested in a DCCF designated bond fund, and the remaining one-half in a cash equivalent fund. A motion was made to approve this recommendation. The motion passed.
Friends of Eutin – Albrecht
A meeting was held recently to work on the details of accommodating the 16 students coming to Lawrence from Eutin. This is a significantly higher number of students than usual to host. A welcoming ceremony will occur at the Lawrence Visitors Center on Tuesday, 28th after the traditional welcome at the City Commission Meeting.
Trip Coordinator Committee – Hodge
Hodge reported that that the committee met on July 26. Sue Hack was able to join the committee and provided an overview of past trip supervision experience and how it was structured in the past. An individual had previously been identified as a possible future trip coordinator. In an effort to review existing job descriptions and structure, Hodge inquired about the status of the notebook given to Friends of Hiratsuka, which should contain this material.
Hilliard has the notebook. Hodge indicated that another meeting will occur after the handbook is retrieved.
Kanagawa University delegation
Josserand briefed the board on what he knew relative to an official good will visit from officials of Kanagawa University visit occurring in late August. The relationship with Kanagawa University is part of the Lawrence-Hiratsuka relationship, which started 20 years ago. He indicated that although we did not know the full nature of the visit or its schedule, that the delegation had expressed an interest in visiting with Sister Cities Officials. KU International Programs indicated that a hosting or co-hosting opportunity might be possible. Schumm moved to authorize expenditures of up to $500 for expenses associated with hosting of this delegation from Hiratsuka. The motion was approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm.