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10/20/2008 SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 20, 2008 Present: Linda Damsky Chair Robert Freedman Vice Chair Katie Bosley Youth Member Carlen Petersen Councilmember Lois Sewell Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. C.E. Snedeker Board Member Absent: none Also Present: Margo Walbolt Division Manager, Cultural Affairs Marsha Beall Staff Assistant, Cultural Affairs Chair Damsky called the meeting to order at 4:34pm at MSB. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 2 – Welcome Members welcomed Katie Bosley, new Youth Member to the Board. Member Bosley is currently a Junior at Clearwater High School and has a great interest in the Japanese culture. Her family has been a past homestay host for the Sister Cities Nagano Exchange program. 3 – Approval of Minutes of Sister Cities Board Meeting of May 20, 2008. Member Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 20, 2008 motioncarried as submitted to members. The was duly seconded and unanimously. 4 - Old Business a. Pinellas County Teacher Exchange – June 26 – July 24, 2008 Darryl Schuster and Kerry Cunningham were chosen to travel to Nagano for one month during June 26 – July 24, 2008 as exchange teachers. Last week, Ms. Walbolt and Chair Damsky attended a meeting with Jan Kucerik, World Language Supervisor, Mr. Schuster and Ms. Cunningham to discuss their experiences during their time in Japan. The prior year, Nagano invited two teachers for a one-month visit and scheduled them to teach mainly in high schools. This year, the schedule of Mr. Schuster and Ms. Cunningham involved teaching together in elementary schools. This required a lot of flexibility on their part. The teachers found handling elementary children required them to be much more active in singing, dance and creative skills. The days were long and travel time to and from the school required a good deal of time. They also mentioned the weather at that time of year was exceptionally warm. They did express that it was a great experience. Their input will help facilitate future exchanges. 1 Sister Cities 2008-10-20 In 2009, we anticipate that Nagano will offer the opportunity for another two teachers to visit. As in the past, the teachers will be required to pay for their own transportation, but will receive an honorarium for their teaching. They are usually required to teach class every day. Should we hear back that Nagano extends an invitation for two teachers to return in summer 2009, preliminary dates in December have been set up to begin the interviews and selection process. When selecting teachers for the 2009 exchange, it will be imperative to clarify with Nagano what level of school they will be teaching and impress on the teachers the importance of being adaptable to change. b. High School Student Exchange: July 10-July 24, 2008 This was another successful summer trip for the high school exchange. Ms. Judy Barrett was a repeating chaperone along with four students: Rachel Canning, Clearwater High; Samantha Gray, Osceola High; Megan Hays and Katherine Humberstone, Countryside High. Since their return, the students attended a City Council Session and spoke about their journey (one student recited her experiences in Japanese). On October 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Morningside Recreation Center the students will be doing another presentation regarding their experiences in Nagano at the Clearwater Sister Cities Board meeting. The girls have also prepared a journal of their trip. Throughout the year, they will be facilitating visits from the Nagano teacher, high school and middle school students at their respective schools. They will also be doing community presentations, and assisting in the orientation of exchange students for next summer’s program. c. Young Ambassadors – June 10-22, 2008 Ms. Sewell reported that this past June, seven girls, two boys and three chaperones traveled for two weeks in Japan as part of the annual Clearwater Sister Cities Young Ambassadors Program. They all had a very good time as they toured and visited Nagano, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo, Japan. They attended the Tojo Middle School. It has been suggested for next year to reverse the schedule so they attend school in Nagano first and do the touring afterwards. 5 - New Business a. Nagano Teacher Exchange Oct. 19 – Nov. 17 Mr. Koichi Imai, a teacher from Nagano Junior High school arrived in Tampa on October 19 for a month’s visit in Clearwater. Mr. Imai will be home staying with The Wisemillers for the first two weeks and The Kessingers for the last two weeks of his visit. He will be visiting several local schools and will teach them about Japanese culture. Mr. Imai will also be attending a city council meeting, tour City of Clearwater facilities, meet with the Pinellas County School Board and attend a performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall. A Sayonara party has been arranged for Friday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Norton Park Recreation Center. th b. Update on 50 Anniversary Celebration in 2009 Ms. Walbolt has been in correspondence with Ashley the interpreter for the Nagano th International Relations Section regarding the 50 Anniversary Celebration visit in 2009. Nagano th officials are requesting that if there is any travel between Nagano and Clearwater for the 50 Anniversary, it may be better if Clearwater would send a delegation to Nagano in 2009, and then Nagano would visit Clearwater in 2010. Discussion ensued. Members considered various scenarios and opportunities based on their requests. Ms. Walbolt has been in discussion with Consulate General of Japan in Miami 2 Sister Cities 2008-10-20 th about hosting a “Lantern Festival” possibly in early 2009due to its conjunction with the 50 anniversary of sister cities relationship between Clearwater and Nagano.The suggested timing for this event would take place preferably after April 1 and be held in Clearwater’s downtown or Station Square (if completed). The event could include different stations of Japanese food and beverages, origami crafts, drummers, Ikebana flower arrangements and art works. Member Peterson suggested getting our students involved in the Lantern Festival by asking them to design the artwork for the lanterns. Funding for this festival will come in part from the Japanese Consulate Generals office. To summarize, Member Petersen will present this agenda to Council on November 3 as a discussion item regarding the formal invitation initiated Mayor-to-Mayor to have a cultural exchange between countries within 2009-2010. c. Budget/High School Exchange Program 2009 In the early years, Nagano International Relations financially support the high school exchange program. Two years ago that changed due to Nagano’s financial complexity, therefore Clearwater’s City Council generously stepped in and helped fund half the airline cost for the program for City residents. The students worked for the remaining half at city Special Events and provided their own money for incidental expenses. Last year (2008), instead of going to Council for funding we succeeded in securing unrestricted funds from a Cultural/Nagano donation account, the Nagano project budget, and funds provided by the students working service hours at certain city activities supported with Special Events developmental funds. Additional monies were obtained thru donations or student fundraising activities such as the International Bazaar. As we prepare for next year’s exchange program, there is a real dilemma regarding funding. Recent estimates for airline tickets/plus higher fuel charges will average around $1800-2000 for four (4) students and one (1) chaperone to participate in the program. The question now is how to raise $9-10,000 for the trip. Many people have been brainstorming ideas and looking for other options. One scenario suggested was to downsize the group to three (3) students. Another suggestion was to take a year off (this seemed to call for reluctances from everyone). Discussions ensued among Member Petersen suggested considering developing two (2) scholarship members. positions and two (2) participant-funded positions for airfare, along with the chaperone airfare fully paid for. Members discussed the proposal and called for a consensus to Member Consensus agreed. Petersen’s suggestion. Members will carry on their quest of financial support from community outreach, appeal to local businesses for support and hearten the students to hold additional fundraising events. d. Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. report – Member Sewell Events – October 9-11: the Clearwater Sister Cities held an International Bazaar at the Main Library. They were able to raise $485. October 28: CSC Board meeting at Morningside Recreation Center. Student Present- ations at 6:30 p.m. Come hear students speak about their experiences in Japan. November 18: CSC Board meeting at Morningside Recreation Center with Sushi preparation demonstration at 6:30 p.m. 3 Sister Cities 2008-10-20 Newsletter - the September newsletter has been emailedout.This issue featured many of the exchange students' individual adventures in Nagano. 50th Anniversary Booklet - research continues on the "50th Anniversary Booklet". The book will not be official presented until 2010. e. 2009 Meeting dates Members discussde meeting dates for 2009. Due to various conflicts in schedules, it was decided to change the next two (2) meeting dates from Tuesdays to Thursdays. The next two (2) meetings are: Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. 6. Items not on aQenda Note: Ms. Walbolt's new cell number is 421-7030. 7 - Adiournment Members adjourned at 6:11 p.m. The next Sister City Board meeting will be held 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2009 at MSB, Room 130. g~S Sister Cities 2008-10-20 4