04/25/2013 SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 25, 2013
Present: Sallie Parks Chair
Daryl W. Schuster Vice-Chair/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Linda S. Damsky Board Member
Terrence Gourdine Board Member
Paul Gibson Board Member/Councilmember
Danielle Dilday Board Member/Youth Representative
Also Present: Felicia Leonard Administrative Support Manager
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.
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approval of Minutes of January 24, 2013
Member Gourdine moved to approve Item 3.1. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
4—Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
5— New Business
5.1. CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) Report
Member/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. President Schuster said the Nagano Middle
School visit in March had gone well; four Young Ambassadors who traveled last summer acted
as hosts.
Approximately 20 people attended the annual CSCI banquet; the slate of officers is
unchanged. CSCI needs a newsletter editor and help with its Facebook page. The May 21,
2013, board meeting is at Clearwater High School. The next CSCI event, tentatively scheduled
at Belle Harbor on Clearwater Beach in June, will feature the documentary "Japanland" and a
tasting of Japanese spirits. It was suggested the event be tied to a Japanese festival, such as
an annual tasting celebrating the Cherry Festival, and decorated with tents and lanterns.
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard said the event could accept donations but
would need insurance and a permit if alcohol is sold. It was suggested that participants bring
Japanese spirits to the event.
5.2. Teacher Exchange Program —June 2013
Board Member Damsky, a participant in the teacher exchange program, June 21 to July
22, 2013, said based on Nagano's schedule, travel costs are quite high; each airplane ticket is
$2,650 and the required Certificate of Residency is $85. Teachers will receive approximately
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$1,300 as a stipend for teaching in Japan. They await home stay information. She reviewed
efforts to gather tokens and gifts for schools, principals, the superintendent, and Mayor; the City
will ship the items. It was suggested that the City offset some costs for teachers participating in
the exchange program, perhaps through a scholarship program. Pinellas County School Board
contributions to Clearwater's Sister Cities Program were reviewed.
5.3. Future Exchanges
The history of teacher and student exchanges between Clearwater and Nagano was
reviewed. Ms. Leonard said while Clearwater had recommended sending high school and
middle school students during alternating years, Nagano said they are flexible but will continue
to send middle school students to Clearwater annually and high school students to their Sister
City in China. Without a true high school exchange program, it will be difficult for Clearwater to
send high school students. The Young Ambassadors program encouraged scheduling annual
trips for middle school students to maintain momentum. The Japanese Consul visited
Clearwater asking specific questions regarding the exchange program but did not specify grade
levels for participating students. This year, Nagano sent their middle school students with a
Board of Education representative, rather than regular chaperones; the representative has been
promoted to be the City's contact.
Ms. Leonard reviewed targeted community outreach efforts, including press releases, to
encourage student participation. The City can develop an application and in-house video to
show at local middle schools. One volunteer has offered to reach out to students at Clearwater
Fundamental Middle School or Safety Harbor Middle School, where there is support from the
principal and teacher exchange participant. Three home stay families have expressed interest
in sending their children to Japan as part of the program. Work is underway on a scholarship
program, supported by the City, CSCI, and the Arts Alliance. It is important that participants are
chosen early enough to raise funds at Coachman Park events. The airfare will be higher if only
a few students participate.
It was stated that students previously paid a portion of the chaperones' expenses and it
was recommended that the City cover costs for the lead chaperone. Discussion ensued
regarding qualities necessary for a chaperone, with comments that Nagano's official tour guide
is expensive but takes care of all travel arrangements. Ms. Leonard will research costs. it was
recommended that costs be identified and plans be finalized by the board's July meeting so that
the process can begin.
6 —Old Business
6.1. Youth Ambassadors Program
See Item 5.3.
6.2. Nagano Middle School visit— March 2013
All efforts on behalf of this year's visit by Nagano middle school students were
complimented and activities at Safety Harbor Middle School and the Sayonara party were
discussed. A volunteer who spoke fluent Japanese was of great help. The visit kindled interest
in the program among local students, their friends and families. Gratitude was expressed to
Safety Harbor Middle School and its principal for her commitment and enthusiasm.
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7 — Items not on the Agenda
Differences between middle school and previous high school exchange trips to Japan
were discussed and concern was expressed that the high school program not be abandoned.
Ms. Leonard said the board will revisit sending high school students to Japan next year. She
will request additional funds to support the Sister Cities program. She said the City may not be
interested in funding a 55th anniversary celebration of the Sister Cities relationship with Nagano
due to substantial costs associated with the 50th anniversary; the City may instead focus on
celebrating the program's 60th anniversary.
8 - Upcoming Events
Ms. Leonard reported that 8 Nagano high school students will participate in the World
Championship cheerleading competition this weekend in Orlando. CSCI and the City sent
letters of congratulations.
Volunteers are working at the Sun 'n Fun festival to raise money for the Sister Cities
program.
It was reported that the Friendship Force is hosting 6 Ukrainian government officials
during their visit to this area, which is funded by the US Congress.
9- Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
Next meeting — July 25, 2013 at the Long Center
Chair - Sister Cities Advisory Board
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