07/25/2013 SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 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: Christopher Hubbard Cultural Affairs Specialist
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
3.1. Approval of Minutes of April 25, 2013
Member Gourdine moved to approve the minutes of the regular Sister Cities Advisory
Board meeting of April 25, 2013, as submitted in written summation to each board member.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4—Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
5—Old Business
5.1. Teacher Exchange Program report— June 2013
Member Damsky said she returned this week from Nagano and reported on her
experiences there with the Teacher Exchange Program. She and Diane Dove worked hard,
teaching in 14 schools, including exchange teacher Sachiko Miyashita's school. They also
toured Nagano's infrastructure facilities and took day trips to nearby cities. She reviewed Sister
City gifts presented to the Mayor and school administrators. At the end of their stay, they were
presented a compilation of photos of their teaching experiences at a small sayonara party
attended by city officials, home stay families, teachers, and principals.
Member Damsky said during the trip she mentored Ms Dove, who was enthusiastic and
eager to learn cultural traditions during her first visit to Nagano and is prepared to help with the
Sister Cities program. She said Nagano is eager re future exchanges and inquired about
middle and high school student visits from Clearwater. Students from Nagano's only high
school visited Nottingham, UK this year.
Member Damsky said her airfare was costly and the trip was expensive. She reported
she has retired from teaching and is resigning from the board.
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Member Damsky was thanked for her long term service on behalf of the Sister Cities
Program and her hard work and efforts mentoring others and maintaining Clearwater's
relationship with Nagano.
6 — New Business
6.1. CSCI Report
CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) Representative Schuster said CSCI is working with
Administrative Support Manager Felicia Leonard to develop a Young Ambassadors Program
marketing plan to recruit participants for the 2014 trip to Nagano. Volunteers have offered to
help with coordination, home stays, and chaperoning. It was suggested that previous teacher
exchange program participants would be excellent chaperones.
He hoped CSCI's June 14, Japanese beer, sake, and whiskey event, attended by
approximately 25 people, will attract new members. It was noted the party had created a
"buzz," with many people discussing the event afterwards. It was suggested a future event be
called "Taste of Nagano" and feature regional wines served with soba noodles.
Member Schuster said he is hosting 2 Japanese students with the International Student
Association. He reviewed issues presented at a week-long seminar on Contemporary Japan
that he recently attended at the University of Colorado Boulder. Discussion ensued regarding
challenges facing modern Japan and the lack of volunteerism in most world cultures.
6.2. Young Ambassadors Program —2014
Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard reported the next issue of My Clearwater
will feature the Young Ambassadors Program and a call for applications. Program information
also will be distributed via public utility bills and posters will be printed and hung at City
recreation centers. It was suggested the program could be featured at back to school nights.
Nagano has indicated they are ready and eager for the Young Ambassadors visit in June 2014
but have not provided travel dates; the group usually visits Nagano for one week. It was stated
that the Young Ambassador and Teacher Exchange visits should not overlap. Discussion
ensued regarding marketing and fundraising efforts. Concern was expressed that it is
expensive for students to participate in the program, June airfares are at peak prices. It was
stated the goal is for a robust promotion.
6.3. Future Exchanges
Applications for next year's teacher exchange will be distributed in November, with
interviews scheduled for January. Selected teachers will have 6 months to raise funds, book
flights, obtain travel documents, prepare teaching assignments, and attend training.
An exchange teacher from Japan will arrive here in the fall.
6.4. Board Members— PCS Representative
Member Damsky introduced Krista Valentage, who has applied for appointment to the
World Language Coordinator seat. She discussed Ms. Valentage's participation in the Sister
Cities program including work scheduling the exchange students' visit to Safety Harbor Middle
School and service as key contact person during Ms. Miyashita's visit.
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Ms. Valentage introduced herself and discussed her teacher exchange experiences in
Japan, middle school student activities during last fall's exchange visit, and hospitality efforts by
the PTA.
7 — Items not on the Agenda
It was reported that Karen King had passed away. She and her husband John were
very involved in the Sister Cities program.
8 - Upcoming Events
9- Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Next meeting — October 24, 2013 at the Long Center
Attest/
Board Reporte
Chair - Sister Cities Advisory Board
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