ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION

General Meeting

April 1, 2004

 

Opening: President Duane Clark called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. with his new gavel, donated by Don Lapworth, and a bell, donated by Joe and Setsuko Amburn.

 

Welcome: Duane welcomed members and guests. The following were introduced:

·         Binki Franulovich-Spahi, Co-Director of the Ruze Dalmatinke Orchestra. Binki’s orchestra will be providing the entertainment on August 17th.

·         Dick and Barbara Roberts, residents of Cap Sante Retirement Court and ASCA members. Dick and Barbara are in Duane’s computer class, which has emailed the three Croatian students.

 

Minutes: Don Lapworth moved that the March general membership meeting minutes be accepted as though read. Judy Jewell seconded the motion. The motion passed.

 

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Audit- The audit was not completed as members of the audit committee are in Alaska.  The audit has been rescheduled for April.

Balances/Activity-  he checking account has $4,399.56, the Kisakata account has $13,388.00, and the general scholarship account has $946.00.  Travelers deposits in the amount of $2,700.00 for the Vela Luka trip were received, and the airfare deposit in the amount of $2,800.00 was paid.  The airfare deposit was paid for the Kisakata exchange. 

Foundation- The People to People Fund has been approved as a 503c.  We will have to rewrite our by-laws, which will first be approved by the Executive Board and then presented to the membership.  ASCA dues and donations will be paid to the fund, and will be tax deductible.

 

Vice President’s Report: 

Vela Luka- Don is working with Nikki Lovric on the three students coming to Anacortes this summer.  The embassy had been asking for an affidavit of support that required detailed financial information from a sponsor for an extended stay even though these students will only be here for one month.  Mark contacted the embassy to verify whether the affidavit was needed.  The response was that just a letter is needed.  Mark noted that the current ambassador in Zagreb is a friend and originally from Seattle.

Flagpoles- Don reported that the Kiwanis are buying 12 flagpoles for about $4,000.00.  Six will be placed at the eastern entrance of Anacortes at the view spot along highway 20 by summer.  By fall, the second set of flagpoles will probably be installed at the western entrance of the city.  The city engineer has been very helpful with this project.  The Department of Transportation, Mount Baker Division, will require a maintenance agreement. The plan is to have a US and WA state flag, as well as a city and country flag from each of our sister cities.  The US flag will be lighted at night.  We hope to also redo our sister cities sign to include our new sister city, Vela Luka, and to also place it at the view spot. 

 

Sister Cities International State Conference- The state conference will be on Saturday, April 24.  Don will be attending and would like another member to accompany him.  The cost is $25, which includes breakfast and lunch.

 

MOTION:  Don Lapworth moved that  the Anacortes Sister Cities Association pay for up to four representatives’ registrations for the state conference on April 24.  Theda Morton seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

 

ASCA Banner- We are looking for the general ASCA banner.  It was last used at the Arts Festival.  Judy will check to see if she has it.  (The banner has since been found.)

 

Sidney Report:

Activities- Susan Sumasko was planning to have members start coming over for visits, but Judy has not heard from her or anyone else from Sidney in quite a while.  She will invite members for July 4.  David, Judy’s escort, Andy, and Judy will be leaving around June 6 for Chester, England for a competition. 

Fundraiser- We are going to participate in the Skyline Flea Market on Saturday, April 17.  If you have anything to donate, please either take it to Renate Staab’s house or bring it to the Skyline Beach Club the day before.

Other- Judy will be singing at the Senior Center Easter parade on April 7.

 

 

Kisakata Report: 

Adult Visit- As most members know, nine visitors were here from Kisakata last week.  Cora thanked those who hosted the visitors and helped with the trip, Diane and Rick Davidson, David Rapella, Joe and Setsuko Amburn, Dolores and Rudy Gahler, Barb Hathaway, Anne Martin McCool, Jo Fuqua, Helen Andrews, Duane Clark, Marius Hibbard, Robert Hancock (AHS), and Nathan Smitha (AHS).  The Davidsons and Gahlers took four visitors skiing at Mt. Baker, and Anne and Barb took three of the women to Vancouver.  Kenny spent a lot of time at the high school, and Kyoko, who arrived Monday afternoon, spent Tuesday with Tracy Schlegel and Wednesday with Barbara Hathaway.   Anne and Cora took the group to SeaBear for a tour to City Hall, where they talked with the mayor at length and saw our display cases; to the Senior Center; and to the library, where the director led the tour;  They also were treated to a delicious salmon lunch at Cap Sante Court, where they met some of the residents.  Jo arranged for the group to visit a private museum, which Anne and drove them to.  Dolores, Diane, and Setsuko took a few of the visitors to the quilt museum in La Conner.  The visitors seemed to enjoy their short time here.  The welcome, which was attended by about 40 people, and the farewell, which David cooked for, both went well.

Students- The students are continuing with their Japanese lessons once a week, and with fundraisers.  On April 9 and April 10 from 10 a.m. the students will be selling tulips in front of the Dish that Ran Away with the Spoon, 2216 Commercial.  The cost will be $4 for ten stems.  The students will also be holding a bowling tournament on Sunday,

April 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at San Juan lanes.  The cost is $180.00 per team.  Each team will consist of five bowlers plus a student.  Please let Cora know if you are interested in participating in the tournament.  Your support is appreciated.

 

Vela Luka Report:

Student Cultural Exchange- Nikki Lovric reported that things are going well with the exchange bringing three students to Anacortes this summer.  The main fundraising event to help pay the travel expenses for the three students will be the dinner at 5 p.m. on April 17 at the American Croatian Club.  Nikki hopes to have 150 people at the dinner, so please help by coming to the dinner and bringing friends and neighbors.  The dinner, which costs $25 for adults or $15 for children 12 and under, includes prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, green salad, bread, and pastries.  Also, the Ruze Dalmatinke Orchestra will be performing.  Nikki had one Croatian-English dictionary for sale, which Don bought.  She will try to find another for Setsuko Amburn.  If anyone else is interested in buying one, let Nikki know.  They cost $8.  Judy said she and Andy would be in costume on Friday for the Art Walk, and would give fliers about the dinner out.

 

Lomonosov Report:

Committee- Duane thanked Maria Papritz and Elizabeth Zevely for stepping in as Interim Chairs.  Maria reported that there was a meeting two weeks ago, and Suzanne Harris agreed to be the Secretary.

Arts Festival- The Committee discussed the Kosakovs’ performing this summer, but as the committee has just reformed, the members felt it would not be feasible for this summer.  In the mean time, Nikki has stepped in to try to find alternative performers.  Nikki is talking with someone in Canada with a large choir.  They are trying to find a dance ensemble to work with them.

Correspondence- Duane gave three letters to Joan McIntosh, who is in St. Petersburg right now on a Rotary project, to be delivered to the Kalinka.  One letter is from Mayor Maxwell, one is from Maria Papritz, and one is from Duane.  Duane is trying to arrange for Marina to meet Joan while she is in St. Petersburg.

Maria received a letter from Tatiana Proshkina who reported that there have been many changes in Lomonosov as there have in Anacortes, and yet many things are unchanged.  There is a new head of administration in Lomonosov, but the Kalinka is the same.  The Kalinka celebrated its 10th anniversary.  They received comments from many people.  The young people said the Kalinka had opened the world for them, helped them make new friends, and made them realize that the world is not so big, and is for everyone.

Student Exchange- Tyler Hobbs, who traveled with the adult group and two other students to Lomonosov in 2002, spent one month in Lomonosov.

 

Other Reports:  There were no other Chairs present to make reports.

 

Program:  David Rapella showed slides and talked about his trip in February to Trinidad and Tobago with the Rotary.  The Rotary had 280 wheelchairs shipped there.  They were distributed by Rotary members from various places.  David said it was a wonderful experience, and that the people who got wheelchairs were very enthusiastic and grateful.  The chairs are given to people who need them on a loan basis.  When they no longer need them, they are given to someone else.  If a child outgrows his or her wheelchair, a larger one is found.  The program was started by Ken Barry, but after one year it was decided that a partner was needed.  That partner was Rotary International.  Mr. Barry gives $75 for each $75 the Rotary raises as each wheelchair costs $150.  He also pays for the transport and administrative costs.   Anyone can buy a wheelchair through the Rotary.  Each donor receives a thank you with a photo and information about where the wheelchair is he or she paid for.  Talk to David or any Rotary member if you would like to purchase a wheelchair for this program.

 

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. by the president.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Cora Lijek (in the absence of the Secretary)