ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES September 4, 2003



PRESENT: 24 members including 4 new members.
Doyle Geer called the meeting to order at 7:02pm - in the absence of Duane Clark who is in Jordan and Vice President, Don Lapworth who is in Croatia. Doyle welcomed new members: Chuck and Bernadette Clapper, Diane Davidson and Barbara Graham.

MINUTES: Motion passed John Lastar moved to accept the minutes as distributed. Seconded by Harold Staab. Carried.

A REMINDER: The minutes of the General Meeting are now on the website at: www.anacortessistercities.com or www.asca.ws

CORRESPONDENCE: Ralph read an e-mail dated 8-29-03 from Maria Kirjaeva of Lomonosov, Russia which was distributed to the e-mail membership. Doyle read the card from the Duane Clark's family thanking the association for the flowers sent to the funeral of his mother.

TREASURER: Mark Lijek, treasurer, reported:

Checking account balance	$3530.72
Savings Accounts:
Scholarship Fund	$1737.43
Kiskata Exchange	$9112.76

Significant Events: The checking account decreased by about $2500. During the month we paid expenses in connection with the Taiko drummers and the board voted to transfer 50% of the Taiko drummer performance ticket revenue to the Kisakata student exchange fund. We also paid expenses connected with the July 4 Town Criers event hosted by our Town Crier, Judy Jewell. Some of these costs are reimbursable to the Assoc. Under contracts with the City of Anacortes and we are in the process of requesting reimbursement.

VELA LUKA: Nikki Lovric, chairperson, reported that on August 26th, President Duane Clark, Vice President Don Lapworth and Nikki presented the letter to Mayor Maxwell establishing our two cities as Sister Cities. This letter was framed and now hangs in the Mayor's office. Mayor Maxwell presented us with a centennial coin with Mayor Hogan and Mayor Rice on the face of it and an Anacortes Ferry pin. The Croatian Club provided a group photo of the Croatian Community, a picture of VLCDE and a picture of the Croatian Club for Don to take to Korcula, Croatia. (The picture was photographed by Marius Hibbard, matted and framed by Toncica Franulovic of Mt. Vernon). Nikki has e-mailed the Moreska Sword Dancers regarding the possibility of their coming to the United States in the year 2005. No answer to date. The Croatian committee is continuing to work on the Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble and ASCA trip to Croatia in 2004 as well as a "celebration" dinner at the Croatian Club with the ASCA members.

SIDNEY: no report

KISAKATA: Doyle reviewed the very successful visit of 31 people from Kisakata, including 16 students, 4 chaperons, and 11 Taiko Drummers. Doyle thanked the membership for all their hard work…to Harold and Renate Staab who went to San Francisco to transport the Drums to Anacortes and to Joy and Gary Walter who returned the drums to San Francisco…to the homestay families…to Chef David for the delicious meals…and to the members whose support and help is so essential. We were fortunate to have only one "incident"…a young Japanese student wandered to the beach in Skyline, but was quickly "found"! The middle school principal (who came as a chaperone) was tentative regarding student exchange, but changed…. is now positive about figuring out how their visit can be longer in the future. He was particularly pleased to attend a conference with Dr. Marrs, Supt. Of Anacortes Schools. On Sept. 21st the parent/student meetings will resume to consider fund raising and to prepare students for their visit to Kisakata. The Anacortes School District provided transportation via school bus. Sharon Howard said that Dan Senour videoed the Taiko Drummers performance at Brodniak Hall. She will confer with him regarding copies of the video.

LOMONOSOV: Ralph Frey, chairperson, reported that he and Margaret will leave for Lomonosov on Sept 27th and return October 2. This is a "working" trip to meet with a variety of organizations to learn about how ASCA might serve to fulfill the needs of the Lomonsov community. He plans a "tourist" trip to Lomonosov for ASCA members in the spring of 2004 and a "working" trip in the fall. Ralph reported that Maria Kirjaeva of Lomonosov visited Anacortes from July 11, 2003 to August 27th. She transported art and photos to the Lomonosov "Remembrance of Sept 11th", an annual event to commemorate "humanity" and "loss of life". Anne Martin McCool gathered the works. He shared some of Maria's reactions that she has sent via e-mail, among which is her difficulty in making her Russian friends understand how Americans opened their home and hearts and treated her as a daughter. She is now active in setting up meetings with various groups (firemen, police, etc) for Ralph and Margaret. Maria is a third year university student and will graduate with a teaching as well as language degree. She researched the US educational and governmental systems as her University project. John Lastar reported that some 15 original paintings by Doris Harding (Mother of Georgia Lastar - now deceased) were transported by Marina for the 2002 "September 11th Remembrance" event in Lomonosov. The Kosokov family is planning to return to the USA to perform on the east coast as well as the west coast in the year 2004. (They just completed performances on the east coast).

JAKOBSTAD: In the absence of chairperson, Margo Jenson, Doyle reported that things are moving in a positive direction. He reminded us that Finland built the Senior Center located in Lomonsov. He discussed the approach of ASCA in broadening our relationships and commended two strong committees, the Vela Luka and Jakobstad committees, for their commitment, competence and hard work in providing success of our sister city relationships. Carl Frantz added that Jamestown, New York was the problem in completing this relationship.

ARTS: Anne Martin McCool indicated that 15 paints and photos were sent to the "Remembrance of Sept. 11th" event in Lomonosov.

HOSPITALITY: David Rapella, chairperson, requested consideration of the members to provide food, one night, every other month, at the DINNER AT THE BRICK. Discussion followed. Consideration will be presented to the next Executive Board meeting.

NOTES: Doyle reminded members that a "thank you" potluck dinner for the Fire Dept. personnel will be held on Sept 27th, Washington Park, 3 pm. Please bring a veggie or salad. The fire dept. will bring their personnel, volunteers and equipment! ( A "thank you" is needed because they were so generous in allowing us to meet in the fire station conference room while our Library was being built.)
The Newsletter will be mailed to those who do NOT have e-mail capability. For all others - e-mailed and go to the website.

WEBSITE: John Lastar requested pictures for the website - pictures of Anacortes events, visits to our Sister Cities or ??? You can give them to Duane at Cap Sante Court, or John. Or you can e-mail them, if digital, to John : webmaster@anacortessistercities.com He further explained that each board member has an e-mail address on the website…just click the office to which you want to communicate and "go"…

Delayed for the next General Membership meeting will be: President's report - including Dues structure for 2004, Committee opportunities, Organizational chart, Newsletter, Non-profit status as well as other board items. Think about: A "Film Festival" at the Anacortes theatre….showing, perhaps, professional films created by our sister cities… as a fundraiser.

Anne Martin McCool moved to adjourn. Seconded by John Lastar. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua
Secretary