07/28/2011
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 28, 2011
Present: Margo Walbolt Vice Chair
Linda S. Damsky Board Member
George N. Cretekos Board Member/Councilmember
Ariana Lazzaroni Board Member/Youth Representative
Terrence Gourdine Board Member
Absent: Daryl W. Schuster Board Member/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Also Present: Felicia Leonard Administrative Support Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order
.
2 – Approval of Minutes
– April 28, 2011
Member Damsky moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory
Board meeting of April 28, 2011, as submitted in written summation to each board member.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Old Business
3.1. Revised Code of Ordinance – effective February 15, 2011
The Code was revised; the CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) representative is not
required to be a City resident.
3.2. New Board Member
CSCI representative Daryl Schuster was absent; Cathie Folan Johnson attended in his
place.
3.3. June 3 Belcher Elementary Japanese Fest
It was stated the event was impressive and attracted a large turnout.
4 – New Business
4.1. Nagano Middle school visit – October 17-22, 2011
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard reported the Nagano Middle School
students will arrive in Clearwater late on October 17, 2011. Nagano set up the itinerary. As
proposed, on Tuesday the students will visit City Hall and lunch before spending the afternoon
with their home stay hosts. A day at school is planned for Wednesday, followed by a Sayonara
party, Disney World on Thursday, and departure on Friday. Nagano has requested details
regarding home stays.
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Discussion ensued regarding the need to attract home stay hosts and comments that
transportation is easier when all visiting students attend one school. It was stated students
previously had enjoyed shopping on Beach Walk. Concern was expressed the free afternoon
may be difficult to organize as most local students will be in school and many home stay parents
work. Member Gourdine will contact the Friendship Force about volunteering transportation.
4.2. Nagano exchanges
Ms. Leonard said Nagano reported they also face budget issues. Nagano has not
indicated if a teacher will travel to Clearwater this fall. Nagano seems agreeable to adjusting
the exchange schedules with teachers continuing annual visits to Nagano, middle school
students travelling in Summer 2012, and high school students in Summer 2013. Teachers
selected for this summer's cancelled visit desire to travel to Nagano next summer. It was noted
the program provides great opportunities and has influenced careers.
Discussion ensued regarding the application process for high school students and the
need to raise funds. It was suggested students could raise funds by running concession stands
at Coachman Park, Tropicana Field, and perhaps Blast Friday, where origami art, holiday
ornaments, cards, and bookmarks could be sold. It also was stated students could work with
Ruth Eckerd Hall on a film night, perhaps an Asian culture film. It was commented that
operating a concession stand at Raymond James is profitable but requires staffing for every
home Buccaneer game. It was indicated that fundraisers help raise the program's visibility
It was recommended that high school applications be made available after Spring Break
2012, making clear that travel will occur in summer 2013. Support was expressed for selecting
participants by May 2012.
4.3. CSCI Report
CSCI representative Cathie Folan Johnson reported the new board is working to
increase membership and help with student/teacher exchanges. Ms. Leonard said to reach
home schooled students, program information can be included in My Clearwater magazine and
Sunshine Lines.
5-Items not on the Agenda: None.
6- Upcoming Events
August 18 OLLI, Sixties Spectacular, Peace Memorial, 10a.m. - Noon
August 26 Blast Friday, Downtown Clearwater, 5:30 - 10 p.m.
Summer Surface Design Guild Art Exhibit, Main Library, during business hours
September 23 Blast Friday, Downtown Clearwater, 5:30- 10 p.m.
7-Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
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Board Repo IV
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