09/27/2005
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SISTER CITY ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 27,2005
Present:
Robert Freedman
C.E. Snedeker
Richard Wisemiller
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present:
Margo Walbolt
Marsha Beall
Division Manager, Cultural Affairs
Staff Assistant, Cultural Affairs
Absent:
Linda Damsky
Carlen Petersen
Chair
Councilmember
Vice Chair Freedman called the meeting to order at 4:55pm 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 City Board Meeting: of July 26. 2005 - Member Snedeker
moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 26, 2005 as submitted. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Old Business -
a. Nagano Middle School visit Aug. 8-14 - Ms. Walbolt reported the program went extremely well.
Oak Grove Middle School was gracious to the open their doors to Nagano visitors. One
advantage to working with one school was the networking between the school, students who
attend the school, and their home stay families. One disadvantage was the short lead-time to
arrange the visit. Ms. Walbolt suggested for the future, if Nagano is unable to adjust the dates of
their visit to occur later in the school year, the plan would call to secure the selection of the
school, line up the homestay families, and offer an orientation as early as May.
b. Nagano Teachers Visit Clearwater Oct./Nov. - Ms. Walbolt discussed the tentative schedule.
From October 22 - November 20, two teachers from Nagano will be visiting Clearwater to
observe our schools and participate in the classroom. Letters were sent to five schools:
Clearwater High, Coachman Fundamental, Kennedy Middle, Oak Grove Middle, and Plumb
Elementary seeking permission for the two Nagano teachers to visit the school sometime during
their stay. Ms. Walbolt is also requesting a teacher in their school who is willing to serve as a
facilitator. During their visit, the Nagano teachers would like to observe classes, particularly in
language arts, foreign language, ESOL, art, music, math, social studies and science. They are
also prepared to give class presentations.
Other tentative activities scheduled include City Hall visits, sightseeing, and a Sayonara party on
Friday evening, November 18 at Ross Norton Recreation Center. Mr. Wisemiller will arrange to
have the Nagano teachers to provide a program for the October 25 Clearwater Sister City, Inc.
meeting at Clearwater East Library from 6:30-8:00pm. Mr. Snedeker will inquire as to securing
tickets to attend the Chrysler Championship at Westin Innisbrook Resort held from Oct. 24-30.
Mr. Freedman offered tickets to attend a Ruth Eckerd Hall performance of Michael Cooper on
November 6 or 7 or the Munich Symphony on November 17.
Sister City 2005-09-27
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ITEM #4 - New Business -
a. Future Sister Cities - strategic planning - Ms. Walbolt consulted with Carole Ketterhagen,
Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Mike Meidel, Pinellas County Economic Development
Director. Both recommended considering a northern European or Scandinavian country. Mr.
Wisemiller spent considerable time profiling various Sister Cities who are actively pursuing
partnerships. Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc has suggested considering Bourgas or Sofia
Bulgaria, County Fermanagh near S. Wales, and Beziers in France. Discussion ensued. Ms.
Walbolt suggested members continue to research and explore opportunities.
b. From October 26-30, Ms. Walbolt will join others in a visit to Chicago to explore the visual,
performing and literary arts Chicago offers, such as Millennium Park, and meet with
Commissioner Lois Weisberg who supervises a municipal department that is charged with
making the arts accessible to all and promoting the City of Chicago's creative community.
She will learn about Chicago's Sister City programs which includes 23 cities.
c. 2006 Sister City Advisory Board meeting schedule - Meeting dates are as follows: January
24, April 25, July 25, September 26. Additional meetings may be called if needed.
d. Future speakers were discussed. Mr. Wisemiller would like to invite a gentleman from
Bulgaria to speak at a future date. Mr. Freedman mentioned Ruth Eckerd is presenting
Carmina BuranaIBolero in January 2006 and would like to set up a meeting with Ms. Walbolt
to discuss a speaking engagement.
NOT ON AGENDA
Ms. Walbolt opened discussion regarding the future financial opportunities for the Sister City
Exchange program. Currently, Nagano provides all of the funding for Clearwater's four students.
Due to the increase in cost of travel each year, Ms. Walbolt suggested Clearwater might need to
consider alternative ways to help bear the cost of the High School Exchange program. Perhaps the
students could pay for their own airfare. Suggestions included student/parent car washes, candy
sales, concession work during events. Mr. Freedman suggested increasing the Sister City
program budget through support from the City and offer a matching travel grant to the funds
raised by the students. Mr. Snedeker advised adding a disclosure on the initial application stating
the student's responsibility in raising a portion of the cost. Discussion will continue.
Discussion ensued about the Teacher Exchange Program. Mr. Snedeker brought up the topic of
the quality of teachers selected for the program and suggested we develop a list of expectations
for those who are applying. Ms. Walbolt advised Pinellas County School Administration is
responsible for teacher selection. Mr. Wisemiller suggested it would be beneficial for Sister
Cities to help provide marketing support to entice teachers to consider the program. He felt the
lack of publicity has kept many good, qualified teachers from participating.
ITEM #5 - Adjournment - Members adjourned at 6:05 p.
Sister City 2005-09-27
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