04/26/2012
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 26, 2012
Present: Terrence Gourdine Chair
Linda S. Damsky Vice-Chair
Daryl W. Schuster Board Member/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Paul Gibson Board Member/Councilmember
Sallie Parks Board Member
Danielle Dilday 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
.
3 – Approval of Minutes
– January 26, 2012
Member Gibson moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory
Board meeting of January 26, 2012, as submitted in written summation to each board member.
The minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
4 – Old Business
4.1. Board Rules & Regulations: No discussion.
5 – New Business
5.1. Nagano Exchanges
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard said the Nagano City Board of
Education wants to send middle school students to Clearwater annually and not send high
school students. Through its Young Ambassador program, CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.)
wants to send middle school students to Nagano annually. She said sending students is easy;
receiving them is difficult. The City does not have sufficient staff devoted to planning annual
middle school visits. In response to a question, she said high school students, chosen to travel
to Nagano, can be slotted additional time at Coachman Park events to raise funds. Some
money may be available for need based scholarships.
Discussion ensued regarding the Sister Cities Board’s decision to alternate middle and
high school student visits to Nagano. It was noted the CSCI Young Ambassador program is
funded by students and chaperones; the high school program is supported by the City. Concern
was expressed that while Young Ambassador participants do not travel to Nagano under the
City’s auspices, Clearwater, not CSCI, is responsible for coordinating and hosting students
visiting through Nagano’s official city program. It was noted middle and high school programs
and purpose differ greatly and the School District spends significant effort partnering with the
City for Nagano visits. Clearwater high school groups generally total four students and one
chaperone. It was recommended the alternate year schedule of visits be tried. Concern was
Sister Cities 2012-04-26 1
expressed that reducing middle school visits will make it more difficult to attract home stay
families. It was stated that families who may want to host visiting students may be unfamiliar
with the program and need. It was estimated that nine students from across Pinellas County will
travel with this year's Young Ambassador program to Nagano and Japan.
In response to a question, Ms. Leonard said the School Board arranges all details and
coordinates official teacher visits to Nagano. Teacher visits are part of an official City program.
It was reported the program is sending two teachers from Safety Harbor Middle School to
Nagano this year for a one month visit. An exchange teacher alumni gathering was held last
week; another is planned in August. Ms. Leonard will check if Nagano can accept middle
school students annually in addition to biannual visits by high school students
5.2. CSCI Report
Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. representative Schuster said he will speak with the Nagano
City Board of Education during his June visit regarding the Clearwater Sister Cities program. It
was recommended CSCI meet with Nagano's friendship club to discuss and expand its
program.
Mr. Shuster reported the CSCI annual dinner was held recently. CSCI has a Facebook
page. CSCI meetings are held at Clearwater High School. He anticipated hearing from Nagano
soon regarding home stay families for Young Ambassador participants; two of the chaperones
teach at Tarpon Springs Middle School.
6— Items not on the Agenda: None.
7— Upcoming Events
April 27 Blast Friday, Cleveland Street
April 27 Clearwater Threshers —70's Night
April 28 Arbor Day Tree Giveaway, Public Works, Arcturas Avenue
April 28 Bright House Spring Star Spectacular& Classic Car Show, Downtown
Cleveland Street/Station Square, 12:30 -6:30 p.m.
May 19 Hospice Beach Stroll, Clearwater Beach, 8 a.m., free
May 23 - 27 Big East Baseball, Bright House Networks Field
July 4 Clearwater Celebrates America, Coachman Park
8-Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Next meeting —July 26, 2012 at the Long Cen /
Chair- Sister Cities Advisory Board
Attes, /
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Sister Cities 2012-04-26 2