City of Lawrence

Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board

October 10, 2007 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Nancy Bjorge, Stuart Boley, Lynn Ground, Kathleen Hodge, Linda Hyler, William Keel, Jon Josserand, Michael Kennedy, Graham Kreicker, Bob Moody, Gina Ross, Andrew Tsubaki

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Russell Blackbird, Bob Schumm

STAFF LIAISON PRESENT:

Michael Tubbs

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Friedeman Eisert, LHS German teacher, and Birgit Steingräber-Klinke, teacher from Eutin

 

Meeting called to order at 5:45 by Ross.

 

Moody moved. Kreicker seconded that the minutes from September be approved.  Passed.

 

Ground presented information on our finances.  Since there were only two transactions this past month, very little has changed financially.  Both exchange groups had balances remaining in their trip account.  Keel moved and Moody seconded approval of the financial documents.

 

Kennedy reported that Saturday, October 13, will be the Friends of Hiratsuka organizational meeting at the Lawrence Public Library. Hodge reminded the board that Advisory Board Members and Friends Groups members and officers are to be current with the Sister Cities dues.

 

Tsubaki reported on exchanges between Lawrence and Hiratsuka in March 2010 as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of our relationship.  Tsubaki will be traveling to Hiratsuka this month and visiting with representatives there about this proposed trip that may include the Lawrence Children’s Choir.  Kreicker suggested we proceed with the sculpture for Hiratsuka by Jan Gaumnitz.  This will be similar to the sculpture entitled Eternal Spring that was given to Eutin.

 

Eisert introduced Birgit Steingräber-Klinke the teacher who is here for six weeks from Eutin, Germany, with the exchange group.  She spoke about the activities that she and her students have enjoyed since their arrival in Lawrence.  Recently, she attended a concert by Melanie Hadley. 

 

November 1 or November 2 is our membership event.  It will be at Lawrence Art Center at 7:00 P.M.  Hodge and Keel will sit at the table to “register” people.  Keel will bring 100 renewal forms.  Hyler will buy water, plastic tablecloths, pop, name labels, and markers. Kreicker and Hodge will bring the wine.  Moody will bring ice and tubs.  Eisert and Kennedy will contact scholarship recipients of SCAB scholarships and Sauer Danfoss scholarships who will be giving speeches.  Kreicker will invite someone from Sauer Danfoss to attend so they can be recognized and hear one of “their students” speak.

 

Ross reported on the interviews she and Ground had done regarding a search for a new bookkeeper.  Moody moved and Boley seconded that we replace Office Helpline with Darlene Secondine.  Motion passed.

 

Keel presented a preliminary budget for the board’s consideration.  Changes were made at this initial review.  Tubbs will email the revised draft of the budget to the membership.

 

Tsubaki reported that the Japan Festival was most successful.  Boley attended the festival and Bjorge helped again with the origami for the festival.  Graham Kreicker volunteered to house one of the classical Japanese musicians from Colorado and Tsubaki took in the other musician on occasion of their performance at KU prior to the Festival performance. Kreicker also provided the transportation of the musicians to Kansas City. That eased the tight situation Tsubaki had on hand and he thanks his help very much.  Thanks to Tsubaki for his continued work on this Festival!

 

Boley moved and Josserand seconded we adjourn.  Motion passed.

 

 

Next meeting November 14, 2007.