01/23/2014 SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 23, 2014
Present: Daryl W. Schuster Vice-Chair/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.
Terrence Gourdine Board Member
Paul Gibson Board Member/Councilmember
Danielle Dilday Board Member/Youth Representative
Absent: Sallie Parks Chair
Krista Valentage Board Member
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.
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approve minutes of October 24, 2013 Sister Cities Advisory Board meeting as submitted in
written summation
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—Old Business
5.1. Young Ambassadors Program — June 2014
Member/Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. President Schuster said a panel interviewed 8 girls
and 5 boys, sixth, seventh, and eight grade students, for this summer's Young Ambassadors
trip. Each candidate made a good impression and seemed well mannered and well behaved.
Anthony Davis will be group leader and Pinellas County French and Spanish language teacher
Betty Rioux has committed to chaperone. A 19-year old female Clearwater resident, who will
pay her own travel costs, will serve as the second female chaperone. Nagano is excited about
the visit and is working out details. Students will double up in Nagano as they are having
difficulty securing enough hosts for home stays. The group will stay at a youth hostel In Kyoto.
Mr. Schuster said the 13 Young Ambassadors have been informed re their acceptance.
Airfares have come down to approximately $1,300, but tickets must be purchased in March.
Meetings for participants will begin in February. Mr. Hubbard will check availability of meeting
space at the Long Center.
6 — New Business
6.1. Nagano Middle School Visit: February 22—27, 2014
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Cultural Affairs Specialist Christopher Hubbard reviewed the schedule for the Nagano
Middle School visit, which will include a Threshers game. Attendees to the February 26
Sayonara party at the Countryside Recreation Center are requested to bring beverages for
themselves and a dessert. Home stay host families are being sought.
6.2. CSCI Report
Member /Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. President Schuster reported he will lead a 3 -hour
professional development course on Japan in the 21st Century for Pinellas County School Social
Studies teachers.
Mr. Schuster said all are invited to the CSCI (Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc.) membership
party on January 26, 2014 at the Coconut Grove Resort on north Clearwater Beach. Going
forward, CSCI will focus on the Young Ambassador Program.
Mr. Schuster thanked Chair Sallie Parks for hosting a Thanksgiving Party for Nagano
teacher Shinji Tsukada.
6.3. Election of Officers
Member Gourdine moved to reappoint Sallie Parks as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Gourdine moved to reappoint Daryl Schuster as Vice - Chair. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
7 — Items not on the Agenda
Member /Councilmember Gibson was thanked for his service on the board.
8 - Upcoming Events
Next meeting — April 24, 2014 at the Long Center
9- Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
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Chair - `ister Cities Advisory Board
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