01/26/2012
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 26, 2011
Present: Margo Walbolt Vice-Chair
Linda S. Damsky Board Member
George N. Cretekos Board Member/Councilmember
Terrence Gourdine Board Member
Daryl W. Schuster Board Member/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Absent: Ariana Lazzaroni Board Member/Youth Representative
Also Present: Felicia Leonard Administrative Support Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at the Long Center.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order
.
2 – Election of Officers
Member Damsky moved to appoint Terrence Gourdine as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Cretekos moved to appoint Linda Damsky as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Approval of Minutes
– October 27, 2011
Member Gourdine moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory
Board meeting of October 27, 2011, as submitted in written summation to each board member.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 – Old Business
4.1. Board Positions
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard reported Linda S. Damsky had been
reappointed to the board and youth member Ariana Lazzaroni would resign.
5 – New Business
5.1. Nagano exchanges:
Ms. Leonard reported she had received from Nagano the following schedule:
Clearwater to Nagano: Summer, 2012 - two teachers
Clearwater to Nagano: June 11-19, 2012 – Young Ambassadors, Jr. HS students
Nagano to Clearwater: October 2012 - teachers
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Nagano to Clearwater: March 2013 - junior high school students
Clearwater to Nagano: Summer 2013 - two teachers
Clearwater to Nagano: Summer 2013 - high school students
Nagano to Clearwater: October 2013 - teachers
Nagano to Clearwater: March 2014 - Junior High School Students
Discussion ensued regarding previous exchanges and how the two cities worked to
meet each other’s expectations. It was commented that Nagano is sending high school
students to its Sister City in China this year. Concerns were expressed the program may derail
due to the biannual schedule and lack of consistency. It was noted economic issues had
caused the schedule change. Support was expressed for continued high school student visits
as it is a critical point in students’ academic and personal development.
It was suggested Young Ambassador chaperones could clarify related issues during this
summer’s trip to Nagano. Ms. Leonard said the Sister City relationship is between the
governments of Clearwater and Nagano. She will set up appointments and have conversations
with those in charge of international affairs and the board of education in Nagano to review the
schedule, question why high school student visits to Clearwater are not scheduled, and discuss
future plans.
It was reported teachers scheduled for this summer’s trip to Nagano are unable to travel;
following Safety Harbor Middle School’s enthusiastic welcome to visiting Nagano students, two
teachers from that school were chosen for this summer’s trip to Nagano to help feed and grow
the program at that school. Necessary efforts by the school district office and host school were
reviewed; it was noted schools burn out after a few years due to the tremendous efforts and
monetary resources required. It was recommended that the program focus on Clearwater
students and that Clearwater school representatives be invited to the Safety Harbor Middle
School visits to understand their value. It was suggested that Coachman Fundamental be
cultivated for a future transition of the program. Information was requested regarding the
percentage of Safety Harbor Middle School students who live in Clearwater.
High School applications
Application forms will be reviewed at the April meeting after program details are
concluded. It was recommended applications be distributed when school starts in the fall.
5.2. CSCI Report
Member Schuster reviewed CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) board activities and
recent efforts. He encouraged the City to allow him to set up a CSCI table at upcoming events
to raise awareness of the program. CSCI meetings now are held at Clearwater High School.
The organization has a Facebook page.
6 – Items not on the Agenda
Nagano lanterns
Ms. Leonard reviewed volunteer help to create lantern panels for a Nagano festival. A
photograph of student efforts was requested.
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Rules and Regulations
It was recommended that membership on the Sister Cities Advisory Board be expanded
to allow two youth representatives.
Member Gourdine moved to adopt the Sister Cities Advisory Board Rules and
Regulations. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7— Upcoming Events
January 27 Blast Friday, Downtown Clearwater, 5:30-10:00 p.m.
February 18 -19 Knology Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival, Coachman Park
February/March USF Series Softball Tournament, E.C. Moore Fields
March Great American Clean-Up month
April 29 - May 8 Fun `n Sun Festival, Coachman Park
NEXT MEETING —April 26, 2012 at Long Center, 4:00 p.m.
8-Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. ' _27J-1--
Chair- Sister Cities Advisory Board
Attest: /
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B•ard Repo er
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