07/25/2006
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 25, 2006
Present: Linda Damsky Chair
Robert Freedman Vice Chair
Carlen Petersen Councilmember
Also Present: Margo Walbolt Division Manager, Cultural Affairs
Marsha Beall Staff Assistant, Cultural Affairs
Absent: C.E. Snedeker Board Member
Richard Wisemiller Board Member
Special Guest: Myrtle Sachs Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Chair Damsky called the meeting to order at 4:40pm at MSB.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in
that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes of Sister Cities Board Meeting of April 25, 2006 – Member Freedman
motion
moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 25, 2006 as submitted. The was
carried
duly seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Old Business –
a. Report on Recent Exchanges:
1. Young Ambassadors Program – 8 Young Ambassador Middle Students and one chaperone
participated in a two-week trip to Nagano on May 22, 2006. One chaperone whose travel
costs are provided accompanies the group. This year two additional teachers also
accompanied the middle schoolers. Although the two teachers were responsible for funding
their trip, the District supplemented two trade days and sixty-component points as an
incentive for continued education.
Ms. Walbolt received feedback that the trip went well, although there were some issues
regarding the adult supervision. Ms. Walbolt reported the organization is revisiting the roles
and responsibilities of chaperones who accompany students on future trips. CSCI is creating
a contract or letter of understanding to identify the key components necessary when
qualifying future chaperones.
2. High School Students - 4 Clearwater High School students and their chaperone teacher, Judy
Barrett had an extremely successful trip to Nagano. Ms. Walbolt mentioned the amazing
comradery the group had and contributed it to them working together prior to the trip through
community volunteering, events and social interaction. While in Nagano the students
performed dance routines at various gatherings. Feedback on the performances was so
positive that Ms. Walbolt suggested members considered including aspects of performance in
the interview process. In developing the selections for next year, Ms. Walbolt suggested
providing the schools applications in September and having the selections in early October.
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3. Pinellas County Teachers – Exchange Teachers from Clearwater – Previously, Clearwater
sent over two teachers for 10 months to teach native English and American culture. Effective
2007, Clearwater will send two teachers for a one-month stay during the month of June or
July. Nagano will cover expenses for travel and accommodations within Japan and a stipend.
Teachers are responsible for flights and insurance. Ms. Walbolt will be meeting with Ms. Jan
Kucerik to fine tune the process for next year. Chair Damsky suggested addressing the
timeline next year by coordinating the Teacher trip with the High School Student trip in order
to have arrival in Nagano at the same time. This would benefit Nagano financially and
logistically in arranging transportation, welcome party and events.
b. Report on Sister Cities International, Inc. Conference in Washington DC – On July 13-15 more
than a thousand sister cities activists from throughout the world traveled to Washington, D.C. to
mark the 50th Anniversary of Sister Cities International and President Eisenhower’s 1956 White
House Conference on Citizen Diplomacy. Ms. Walbolt, Ms. Sachs and Ms. Marilyn Hall were
Clearwater representatives. Previously in March 2006, Ms. Walbolt submitted an electronic
scrapbook documenting the Clearwater/Nagano program’s history to the Sister Cities
International 50th Anniversary Award Program. This program commemoratively recognizes all
communities demonstrating long-term sustainability of sister cities programs. Out of 79 entries
only 20 cities were chosen for this award and City of Clearwater was one of the recipients. Ms.
Walbolt accepted an award and will present it to City Council on August 3.
ITEM #4 - New Business –
a. Discussion of recommendation procedure to City Council – Members have been discussing
establishing a pre-approval selection process for engaging in discussions with prospective sister
cities. Following that selection, a formal procedure is needed when advising City Council of
potential selections. Initially, these relationships can be between anyone and are usually citizen
based through family relations or heritage. Ms. Sachs emphasized the importance of having
citizen involvement and community commitment as the first step in considering a Sister City.
Ms. Walbolt distributed information on “Finding a Sister City” and the Sister Cities, Inc. website.
Ms. Walbolt has been working with Ms. Marilyn Hall, Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc., preparing a
Sister Cities presentation to present to various groups. Members were asked to identify some
key community groups to invite to a program presentation. Discussion will be ongoing. Target
date for a program presentation would be around February/March 2007.
b. Sandy Lane and Kennedy Middle School magnet grant for Primary and Middle school IB
program – Chair Damsky was pleased to report that since Sandy Lane and Kennedy Middle
Schools involvement in the Sister Cities Exchange program, they have expressed an interest in
offering a Japanese language course to their middle school children. In October 2006, the School
District will submit a grant application to Florida Language Assistance Program (FLAP). The
Foreign Language Assistance Program provides grants to local educational agencies for
innovative model programs providing for the establishment, improvement, or expansion of
foreign language study for elementary and secondary school students. If the grant is approved the
school board will hire a Magnet Grant Coordinator to plan the program and have staff in place in
the 2007-2008 school year.
c. September Concert – The September Concert is a series of free musical performances held in
cities around the world on September 11 every year. Sister Cities International has partnered with
this group encouraging communities across the globe to participate. Clearwater’s celebration will
begin 5:30pm at the City Hall steps and conclude with a concert at Peace Memorial Church. The
entire event should last one hour. Participants will include local music groups, area school
children and community groups.
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.
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ITEM#5 - Items Not on Agenda - Ms. Walbolt mentioned that after reviewing the City guidelines for
Advisory Boards it became apparent to her that it would be beneficial to have a student designated to sit
on the Sister City Advisory Board. Members were in agreement. Ms. Walbolt will pursue with City
Clerk's Office.
ITEM #6 - Adjournment - Members adjourned at 5:45 p.
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