10/25/2012
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 25, 2012
Present: 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
Absent: Terrence Gourdine Chair
Also Present: Christopher Hubbard Cultural Affairs Specialist
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Vice-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
.
1 – Introduce Sachiko Miyashita
Sachiko Miyashita, foreign exchange teacher from Nagano, introduced herself.
It was reported that Ms. Miyashita had visited Chi Chi Rodriquez, Blanton Elementary,
and spent two weeks at Safety Harbor Middle School. Next week she will visit Countryside and
Bayside high schools. The City was thanked for providing tickets to the Jazz Festival. She and
staff will visit Winter during the City Day.
2 – Approval of Minutes
– August 30, 2012
Member Gibson moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory
Board meeting of August 30, 2012, as submitted in written summation to each board member.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 – Old Business
3.1. Future Visits
In response to questions, Member Schuster, CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.)
President, said no applications have been submitted for the 2013 Young Ambassadors’ trip to
Nagano and Japan; the deadline is November 15. He will work with applicants and chaperones
on the interview selection timeline and hoped to complete the process by mid-December. He
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discussed a 10 grader who expressed interest in participating in next year’s trip. In response
to a concern that the Sister Cities Advisory Board had recommended that students who live in or
attend school in Clearwater be given preference and for the program to accept applications from
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6, 7, and 8 grade students, Mr. Schuster indicated he had requested flexibility with the
program until the City Council ratifies a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with CSCI. He
hoped between 9 and 15 students will participate; a minimum number has not been determined.
It was suggested that the number of chaperones could be reduced if a smaller number of
students qualify for the trip.
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4— New Business
4.1. Nagano Middle School Visit
Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard said dates for next year's Nagano Middle
School visit have not been determined; the group usually arrives during the third week of March.
4.2. CSCI Report
Mr. Schuster reported he was in communication with Nagano City regarding next year's
Young Ambassadors visit. As planned, the group will stay in Nagano for a week before touring
Japan. He said CSCI recently hosted Ms. Miyashita for dinner and sponsored an event at Ross
Norton Recreation Center for last summer's Young Ambassador participants to share their
experiences. He said the highlight of the trip seemed to be the relationships students
developed with their home stay families.
4.3. Meeting Dates - 2013
Sister Cities Advisory Board meetings for 2013 are scheduled on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.
at the Long Center: January 24, April 25, July 25, and October 24.
Member Gibson moved to approve the 2013 Sister Cities Advisory Board meeting
schedule. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5—Items not on the Agenda
Intern
Mr. Hubbard said a City intern will assist staff with the MOU to blend the CSCI and City
exchange programs to Nagano. .
City Council Presentation
Mr. Hubbard said board members will be advised when a date is scheduled for the Sister
Cities Advisory Board presentation to City Council.
6 -Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Next meeting—January 24, 2013 the • g Cente
Chair- Sister Cities Advisory Board
Attest:
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:oard Reporter
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