ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

October 3, 2003

PRESENT: 35 Members attended. President Duane Clark called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. He welcomed all and recognized new members.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Don Lapworth moved to accept the minutes of the September meeting as printed and distributed. Seconded by Harold Staab. Motion carried.

Don reported that Doyle Geer went to the hospital today. He is in room 5A.

TREASURERS REPORT Mark Lijek, treasurer, reported:

Checking acct. balance $ 3298.51

Scholarship acct. 1738.65

Kisakata Exchange Fund 9408.67

Mark also reported that the proposal to the City for 2004 funding for the town crier and a return visit of the Kazakov family folksingers from Lomonosov has been submitted. Reimbursement requests were also submitted for the expenses connected with the Taiko drummers and ongoing town crier activities.

He also presented the 501-3c (tax exempt) advantages –which are different from present status of “non profit organization” which does not provide IRS tax deduction for donations to ASCA. Explorations continue to possibly place the ASCA Foundation under 501-3c as a non profit organization. Cost: $150 - $500 to IRS, (plus accountant and attorney fees) depending on funds collected. Duane then spoke of options. Discussion followed.

Don Lapworth moved to proceed with the 501-3c identification. Harold Staab seconded and motion carried.

VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT: Don reported briefly on the Vela Luka projects such as: olive oil, student exchange, etc. More on this later.

SIDNEY: Judy reported on her future trip to Sussex, N.J. to a town crier event. She also reported that the Sidney, BC reorganization of their Sister City Assoc. has been postponed until this week. She also requested that anyone who has large Christmas lights please consider donating same to the Causland Memorial Park for holiday decorations. She said any donations would be gladly accepted. Kim of the Anacortes American is spearheading this project.

Duane reported that the 3 people going to Kisakata, Japan on Oct. 22, 003 are: Mayor Maxwell, Jo Fuqua and Duane Clark. Scott, Cora and Duane will follow-up on the Kisakata arrangements

VELA LUKA: Vikki Lovric, chairperson, reported on the organization of the Vela Luka Sister City committee in Croatia. She reported that the Kumpanija Dance Group is interested in performing in Anacortes and the Catholic Church is interested in establishing a connection with St Mary’s Catholic Church of Anacortes. WA.

WEBSITE: John Lastar, Webmaster, reported that additions to the website include pictures and events experienced by the Lapworths and Duane Clark while in Vela Luka, Croatia. Included are pictures of the presentation of gifts such as the pictures of 55 of the Vela Luka, Croatian descendents as well as a picture of the Anacortes Croatian Club. All of which were gracefully accepted and greatly appreciated. A Vela Luka Committee meeting will be scheduled in the near future, now that the Lapworths and Duane are back.

JAKOBSTAD: Margo Jenson, Chairperson, reports that after months of trying to establish our Sister City Relationship with Jakobstad, Finland, we have finally (on 9/23/03) received an answer from Goran Honga, the Mayor of Jakobstad, who said that they are still working on the details, the City Council has to rule on the acceptance, and not to be discouraged since they are working on several cities at the same time as Anacortes – one in Russia and one in Poland. They do not take each city as a separate agenda but rather rule on all at once, so consequently the delay. Margo is working on getting together a group to go to Finland next summer, and, perhaps at the same time, St. Petersburg and Ireland. If a large enough group wants to go, she will contact Scandinavian Airlines System to donate 2 free tickets to raffle off to benefit ASCA savings account.

WAYS AND MEANS: Renate Staab, co-chairperson, reported that the committee is considering having another garage sale. Anyone with donations, please contact: Joy Walter: ph: 293-1082 or e-mail: Joy2u2@fidalgo.net or you may contact Renate: ph: 293-9218 or e-mail: hrstaab3@aol.com MANY THANKS TO THIS VERY EFFECTIVE COMMITTEE! Date and time will be announced later.

PRESIDENT Duane Clark encouraged all members to go to our website: www.anacortessistercities.com or www.asca.ws before next meeting! It’s GREAT! And, DON’T FORGET TO SIGN THE GUEST BOOK! If you have pictures of Anacortes (or any other pictures) that you want to get on the website, please get them to John Lastar, Webmaster via e-mail: webmaster@anacortessistercities.com or JohnL@post.com, or send to Jo Fuqua at 2030 I Ave…or call her and she’ll meet you somewhere to collect your pictures and “pass them on” to John.

Duane presented a Power Point program of his and the Lapworth’s trip to Vela Luka, Croatia.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua, Secretary