City of Lawrence
Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board
January 16, 2013 minutes
Chair Josserand opened the regular monthly meeting in the city commission chambers at City Hall at 5:37 on January 16, 2013.
Josserand
Spoke recently on the phone with a citizen of Kearney, Nebraska. They are interested in seeking a sister city and wanted to ask about Lawrence’s sister city history, programs etc.
Herndon
Gave scholarship award information (see handout)
Discussion ensued regarding whether or not Bishop Seabury students could apply for scholarships for their upcoming trip to Iniades, Greece in the summer of 2013. They are travelling to our sister city, but there trip isn’t officially a Lawrence Sister City program exchange trip.
FOI (Friends of Iniades) – Christilles
FOI meeting - January 30, 2013, 4:15 PM, 900 Massachusetts, suite 600
Iniades will celebrate “Garden of Heroes” in April. This is a traditional celebration for people in Greece. Iniades has extended an invitation for a Lawrence delegation to come for the 2-3 day celebration. More information to follow.
Sometime in May, 2013, the mayor of Iniades, Demetria, and possibly 1-2 more persons will visit Lawrence. More information to follow.
FOH (Friends of Hiratsuka) – Hilliard
Tuesdays - Japanese language lessons given by intern, Erika Norikami, (Japanese Outreach Initiative (JOI) program (http://www.laurasian.org/joi/index.htm)
Approximately 10-12 students/adults have been attending these sessions
January 26 from 9-12 at South Middle School begins the trip meetings for the Lawrence Student delegation that will be travelling to Hiratsuka during the 2013 summer.
Sometime in the last week of July through the first week of August, the Hiratsuka student delegation will be visiting Lawrence.
Discussion ensued regarding the FOH trip leadership/the question of who chooses coordinators.
Friends of Eutin – Albrecht
7 students will be travelling to Eutin in the summer of 2013 with LHS teacher Natalie Aaron.
12 Eutin students will be travelling to Lawrence in the fall of 2013
Additional host families will be needed.
Discussion ensued regarding the trip style/language requirement/length of stay etc. Questions about whether or not a second trip of a different length/purpose might be able to be alternated into the program that wouldn’t have a language requirement, and might look for like the Hiratsuka program which is more of a cultural tour/exchange. The purpose to get more students involved in the sister city program.
Received an email from Hannover, Missouri (SCAKC) regarding the possible hosting of 3-4 Jazz musicians from Hannover’s sister city in Germany. Lawrence would host the musicians, and find a venue for them to perform.
Niccum
Discussed his findings on the possibilities of creating a PSA, TV commercial, and DVD. (see handout)
Discussion ensued
Josserand
The Lawrence Sister City website will be getting some improvements
Topics for future meetings:
Budget
Allocating money to friends groups
Membership money
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 P.M.