City of Lawrence

Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board

April 13, 2005 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Stuart Boley, Kathleen Hodge, Linda Hyler, Sheila Immel, Jon Josserand, Bill Keel, Graham Kreicker, Beth Reiber, Gina Ross, Bob Schumm, Karen Swisher, Andrew Tsubaki

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Nancy Bjorge, Michael Kennedy

STAFF PRESENT:

David Corliss

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:

none

 

 

Kreicker called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm.

 

Ross moved to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2005 meeting.  Seconded by Keel and passed unanimously.

 

Treasurer Boley reviewed those monthly reports that the Board members had previously received via e-mail from our bookkeeping service, Office Helpline.   Keel moved that the Treasurer’s report be approved.  Seconded by Ross and passed unanimously.

 

Immel proposed that the Board hold a Visioning & Planning retreat to concentrate on our problem areas and future goals in a way that we have insufficient time to do at regular monthly meetings. The concept was eagerly accepted by all members and after discussion it was decided to meet on Saturday, May 21st, from 7:30 to 10:00 or 10:30 am.  Immel will investigate locations and facilitators and report back to us at our May 11th meeting.

 

Schumm, as Chair of the Third Sister City Committee, reported on their March 14th meeting and member, Kathleen Hodge’s, trip to Ronda, Spain.  Hodge augmented his remarks with a glowing report about the gracious hospitality and enthusiasm displayed by the Ronda officials that have been our contacts in previous efforts to establish a partnership.  Schumm will contact the Ronda officials again and seek to reestablish the link.  Board members felt that the required “Friends of Ronda” group could be quickly established once everything was on track.  Ross stated that she had talked with four teachers of Spanish at Free State and Lawrence High Schools, West and Southwest Junior High Schools about participating in a Friends organization for a Spanish speaking Sister City. They were all very enthusiastic and ready to get involved. Meanwhile, citizen Jim Reagan had attended their March 14th meeting and will be proceeding with the investigation of a potential Irish Sister City and the formation of an appropriate Friends group.

 

Keel reported nothing new with the student trip to Eutin. The Kansas City “Friends of Hanover” will sponsor a concert of German music on Saturday, May 7th.

 

Regarding our student visit to Hiratsuka and the following visit of Hiratsuka students to Lawrence, Hyler stated that she had made several requests to receive a budget for the costs of the two events, but had no response.  Boley reported that it appears that some parents have not yet paid for their students to go to Hiratsuka.  Kreicker will follow-up on both items.

 

Tsubaki said all is in readiness for the delegate visit to Hiratsuka.  A final orientation meeting will be held at the Max Kade Center on Thursday, May 12th at 5:30 pm.

 

The subject of a fall fund raising event was tabled until our next meeting on May 11th.

 

At 6:50 pm. Boley moved that we adjourn.  Seconded by Schumm and passed unanimously.