Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board
November 9, 2011 minutes
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Bill Keel, Linda Hyler, James Hilliard, Bob Moody, Michael Kennedy, Jon Josserand, Ken Albrecht, Gina Ross, Kathleen Hodge, Kelly Herndon, Dennis Christilles |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
Lynn Ground |
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STAFF LIAISON PRESENT: |
Meghan Gilliland |
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PUBLIC PRESENT: |
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The regular monthly meeting was held in the city commission chambers at City Hall at 5:30 on November 9, 2011.
Minutes – Josserand
The October draft minutes were approved as modified with submitted corrections.
Financial Report - Herndon
Herndon distributed the current check register for expenditures and receipts through 11/9/2011.
Herndon indicated the current balance with DCCF scholarship accounts through the third quarter is $29,906.77 although the expected reimbursement to sister cities from DCCF (to reconcile 20th anniversary of Hiratsuka accounts) of approximately $3,505 ($4,505 expenditures less $1,000 for guest meals) has not yet been made. She alerted the board that the dividend and interest earnings on this account were less than the expenditures for DCCF services. Other members noted the services provided to sister cities by DCCF, and that investment earnings are atypically low this year.
The city has recently provided her a copy of transactions for trip accounting to date. She will reconcile those transactions for the next board meeting.
Receipts have been submitted for reconciliation by the Hilliard’s for the 2011 Hiratsuka trip.
The students for the 2012 Eutin trip have made their initial deposits to the city trip fund.
Board Applicants Review – Albrecht
Albrecht reported that preliminary individual review of many of the applicants had occurred, th that no report had yet been concluded, due to several calendar issues.
Interview of the applicants has been suggested. New applications have also been received since the last date.
The mayor has unlimited and unfettered authority in appointing any and all board members.
The board indicated an interest in establishing a written description of ideal characteristics for a board member. No such description exists to date.
Albrecht indicated he would follow up with a report next month.
Scholarship Forms – Keel
New forms have been distributed to trip coordinators. Timing of the current applications for both Hiratsuka and Eutin was discussed.
Friends of Hiratsuka – Hilliard
Applications for summer 2012 youth exchange has been distributed to area schools. Applications are due on November 17 from students in grades 7-12. Actual timing of the visits is still approximate.
One issue of concern is higher-than-normal airfares this year. The same issue is of concern in the Eutin exchange.
Friends of Eutin – Albrecht
Interviews have recently been completed with prospective Eutin students. The number of expected students has grown from eight to nine students.
The matter of future exchange visits beyond 2012 was discussed.
It had been expected by some that Lawrence high school instructors were committing to support an annual exchange with Eutin every year in the future. However it has been discovered this commitment is only for an exchange on a once every two-year basis.
Eutin has a high interest in continuing the annual exchange relationship, and also at a level higher than Lawrence has been able to sustain with Eutin.
General discussion occurred about this situation, and whether and how exchanges could occur in intervening years. This will be a matter of future discussion.
Election of Officers
The nominating committee presented a slate of recommendations for officers for the term of January 2012 – December 2014: Josserand, chair; Herndon, vice-chair; Moody, treasurer; Kennedy, secretary. Moody indicated his commitment was for only one year.
The floor was opened to receive any other nominations, and none was received. The recommended slate was elected.
Friends of Iniades – Christilles
Christilles indicated that the city of Iniades (which this year became part of the larger collective municipal unit of Messolonghi) is interested in inviting an official delegation to Greece in the summer of 2012.
One option would be for the group to be in Iniades for the performance of the KU Study Abroad program’s theatre production currently scheduled for July 28, 2012.
Christilles indicated the KU group needs twelve students for breakeven. Their stay is for six weeks.
Lawrence delegates would probably be housed in hotels in the town of Messolonghi, or possibly the dormitory facility used by the KU students. Much detail will need to be developed and presented to the advisory board and other parties. Another concern is the issue of airfares.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm.