01/30/2007
SISTER CITIES ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 30, 2007
Present:
Linda Damsky
Robert Freedman
Carlen Petersen
Nicole Scholet
C.E. Snedeker
Richard Wisemiller
Chair
Vice Chair
Vice Mayor
Youth Advisory Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
none
Also Present:
Margo Walbolt
Marsha Beall
Division Manager, Cultural Affairs
Staff Assistant, Cultural Affairs
Chair Damsky called the meeting to order at 4:35pm at MSB.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 - Appointments
Members Petersen and Snedeker were reappointed to the Sister Cities Advisory Board.
Nicole Scholet was appointed to a new position as Youth Advisory Board member.
The floor was open to reelect the Chair. Member Petersen moved to reelect Chair
Damsky. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Approval of Minutes of Sister City Board Meetina of September 26. 2006
Member Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September
26, 2006 as submitted. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 - Old Business
a. 2006 October-November Nagano Teacher visit
As part the Clearwater Nagano Exchange Program, the City again was privileged to
have the opportunity to have a teacher from Nagano visit Clearwater. Mr. Tokutake, who
teaches English to middle school students in Nagano, visited several of our schools and
observed classes and came prepared with his own audio/visual presentation. Through the
support of the host families, Pinellas County Schools and the Clearwater Sister Cities
organization the visit was very successful.
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5 - New Business
a.-c. 2007 Clearwater Sister Cities Exchange Programs
The following 2007 schedule of events was discussed during the meeting:
. Jan. 31 - Feb. 7: Satsuki High School Exchange
Four students, one teacher, tour guide. Sayonara Party - Feb.6 at 6 p.m.,
Moccasin Lake Nature Park.
. Mar. 19 - 25: Nagano Middle School Exchange
11 students, 2 school administrators, tour guide attending school at Kennedy
Middle
. June 4 - 11: Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. Young Ambassadors Trip
8 students, 3 chaperones: Richard Wisemiller, Marilyn Hall, and Janet Clark
(Ms. Clark is the first School Board member to travel to Japan)
. June 21 - July 19: Pinellas County Teacher Summer Exchange
Teachers: Magen Studebaker - Morgan Fitzgerald Middle, Pinellas Park
Melissa Anderson - Norwood High, St. Petersburg
. July 5 - 19: Clearwater High School Students to Nagano
Students: Lucy Feigel, 10th grade, Countryside High School
Benjamin Popp, 11th grade, Lakewood High School
Joseph Stokes, 11 th grade, Calvary Christian High School
Zachary Tranter, 9th grade, Palm Harbor High School
Chaperone: Jane Hayes
Discussions ensued. Chair Damsky complimented the changes that have taken place in
the format of the program. Ms. Walbolt continues to fine tune the program in effort to narrow the
number of schools attended during visits, secure additional Clearwater resident homestay hosts,
maintain the quality of the program and have previous participants in the program continue their
involvement with the Sister Cities program.
d. Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. report
Member Wisemiller distributed a flyer announcing Clearwater Sister Cities, Inc. first adult
member trip to Japan with a visit to Nagano departing May 24 and returning June 3. The
anticipated cost of the trip is $2,500, excluding food expenses. Reservations are limited.
Members discussed promoting this opportunity through C-View and local adult community
centers.
Member Wisemiller advised members to research the new regulations governing
passports for minors. The new rule apparently requires minors who apply for a passport for the
first time to submit an itinerary of their travel plans.
e. 2007 Meeting Schedule
New meeting dates were discussed for 2007. Members agreed unanimously on the
following dates: April 17, August 14 and October 23.
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6 - Items not on aaenda
Mr. Snedeker mentioned the Clearwater Rotary Club sponsors a Youth Rotary Club
(Rotaract) at Calvary Christian High School. Rotaract is a service club for young professionals
and students ages 18-30. It may be prudent to discuss future fundraising opportunities with the
group.
Ms. Walbolt informed members that the annual Advisory Board Recognition dinner is
coming up in March. Invitations will be sent out.
7 - Adjournment
Members adjourned at 5:36 p.m.
The next Sister City Board meeting will be held Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at MSB,
Room 130.
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Sister City Advisory Board - Chair
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