Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board
June 8, 2011
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Bill Keel, Linda Hyler, Jon Josserand, Kathleen Hodge, James Hilliard, Kelly Herndon, Gina Ross, Lynn Ground, Dennis Christilles |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Ken Albrecht, Michael Kennedy |
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STAFF LIAISON PRESENT: |
Cynthia Wagner |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
Ted Kuwana, Ginnie Ellis, Chris Grolock, Karen Drees |
The meeting was brought to order by Chair Keel.
“Jet Stream” youth group
Ginnie Ellis, Chris Grolock, and Karen Drees attended to inform the board that a recent meeting of individuals interesting in forming a “Jet Stream” youth group. This group was attempting to identify ways to raise funds to assist in hosting of youth from Hiratsuka at a future visit. They wished to secure board approval for their ideas.
One fundraising idea was to sell lemonade and/or similar soft beverages at the final city sponsored Wednesday summer concert in South Park. This idea may not be feasible because of a contractual issue between the city and a vendor, but this is being investigated. The board voted to approve this initiative, pending appropriate approval of the vendor and city.
Another idea proposed was to obtain in the future a $10 portion of the $25 sister cities annual membership fee when the family has a recent youth trip participant. Discussion occurred about how this would work administratively. The board voted to approve this idea.
The new group has elected officers and is meeting. A Facebook page has been established for the group.
Review of Minutes
The minutes were approved for the May 2011 meeting as previously distributed, with a correction made for attendance.
Board Attendance (Keel)
At last month’s meeting, a board attendance sheet was distributed. Per board policy, the chair contacted a board member who had missed four consecutive meetings. That individual indicated he wished to continue his service on the board.
The Chair reported that Darrel Ward had indicated his resignation from the board.
The Chair asked city staff about the process to consider new board members. Wagner reviewed the process and encouraged those with knowledge of individuals who wished to serve on the board to make application via the city’s website.
Grant Opportunity (Josserand)
Josserand reported on the potential grant opportunity with Sister Cities International and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership. Josserand, Hyler, and Keel were appointed to an ad-hoc committee to consider this proposal at more length.
The grant would finance transportation and meal costs to support four individuals from Lawrence to travel to Hiratsuka, Japan to explore future sustainable exchange relationships. Grants will be awarded in 2011 and 2012. Additional people could be part of this visit funded by board funds or fundraising. Since travel support is limited to $1,300, some additional board resources would be necessary. Also, additional people could be a part of such a visit supported by board resources or additional fundraising.
A draft of a potential grant application was distributed for discussion purposes.
It was suggested that the Lawrence application propose a delegation which would focus on 1) business relationships, 2) art community relationships, and 3) government and university relationships.
Preliminary contacts have been made with a staff person and officer with the Chamber of Commerce, the Lawrence Arts Center, Van-Go Arts, Destination Management Inc., the Spencer Museum of Art, the Lawrence Arts Council. All have expressed interest, of varying degrees.
Discussion occurred. The board agreed to submit a grant for this year (due next Wednesday) even if incomplete. The ad-hoc committee will meet this weekend and circulate an improved draft.
Wagner will inquire about a letter of support from the Mayor’s office. Hilliard will contact Hiratsuka to see if a similar letter of support can be obtained. If a grant is received this year, the delegation would be required to visit Hiratsuka between September 2010, and February 2011.
Friends of Hiratsuka
& Hiratsuka - 20th Year visit – (Hilliard)
The Hiratsuka visit is a tentative go, and will be from October 3 to October 7. The group would consist of approximately 15 people, including representatives of the city, the chamber of commerce, chairman of the city assembly, representatives of education, two city clerks, and the Friends of Lawrence. The visit would include a combination of hotel and homestays.
A very tentative schedule includes: a welcome reception on October 3 at the Gaumnitz residence, a lunch with city officials on October 4, and a sit-down dinner and program on the evening of the 5th at Lawrence Country Club. The committee is working on more aspects of the schedule for the visit. The committee is investigating using this visit to generate contributions for the scholarship fund.
Hiratsuka youth trip 2011 (Hilliard)
The youth delegation to Japan will include 12 youth and 2 chaperones this year. Several students withdrew from the trip this year.
Friends of Iniades (Christilles)
There is no KU summer theatre program this year. Christilles indicated he will be investigating a visit by Iniades youth in the summer of 2012.
Friends of Eutin (Keel)
Approximately eight students involved in business-to-business internships have arrived in Eutin, as well as thirteen students in the summer language institute.
The nearly seventy person contingent of student musicians is scheduled to arrive in Eutin in late June.
Keel reported that LHS German instructor Elissa Schlumpf has indicated interest in organizing the traditional Eutin –Lawrence student youth exchange for 2012. This would be a three-week exchange will full home-stays. The Lawrence visit to Eutin would be late May to mid June 2012 and be limited to twelve students.
Lawrence still anticipates a delegation of Eutin youth to visit Lawrence this fall.
Frank Baron invited the board to a post-meeting viewing of a German television video describing the visit by Lawrence musicians in January 2010. This visit resulted in the plans for the seventy members of the KU Symphonic Orchestra to perform at this year’s Eutin summer music festival.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.