ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION

GENERAL MEETING

February 6, 2004

 

Duane Clark, announced that all future meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month in the Library Conference Room, and then called the meeting to order.

He welcomed members John and Joan Baker of Olga, WA.

 

MINUTES:  The minutes of the January meeting were corrected, as follows:  In the Kisakata report, Doyle said, “the fundraisers might lead to a situation where transportation costs have been raised.”  Judy moved to accept the minutes, as published and corrected.  Seconded by Don.  Motion carried.

 

MEMBERSHIP:  Jo introduced the most recent PATRON MEMBER, Duane Clark.

She encouraged all to pay their 2004 membership dues before March 1st – which helps in planning the calendar of events for 2004.

Duane called the membership’s attention to the article about Lomonosov, which was given front page space, in the February 4, 2004 ANACORTES AMERICAN.  He also noted the biography of Roy Duncan in the same issue.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  Duane read the following letters:

      -  Boys and Girls Club which thanked the Association for their contribution of $ 100.00. 

      -  SISTER CITIES, INTERNATIONAL thanking the Anacortes Sister Cities Asso. for the membership fee of $250.00 which was paid for Vela Luka, Croatia.

 -    Copies of letters written by Mayor Dean Maxwell to our sister cities: Kisakata, Japan,  Vela Luka, Croatia, Sidney, BC, and to the KALINKA chairperson of Lomonosov, Russia.

He noted the announcement of the Anacortes-Vela Luka relationship which was published in the SISTER CITIES, INTERNATIONAL Newsletter.

 

TREASURER: Mark announced that the 501(c)3 application has been completed and mailed to the IRS.  It may take 3 months for the provisional approval, however, the permanent approval will be in 5 years.  He will present the 2003 financial report at the March meeting.

            Report as of January 31, 2004:

                        Checking     $1254.85

                        Savings Accounts:

                                    Kisakata Exchange fund   $14,322.98

                                    Scholarship fund                      944.44

 

            (The students and parents have raised a significant amount of the Kisakata Exchange fund).

           

Significant events:

            A deposit of $2800.00 paid for Vela Luka adult trip, Sept, 2004. (this will be reimbursed from travelers.)

            A grant of $800.00 was made from the Scholarship Fund to the Northwest Ballet Theatre towards the expenses of the 6 dancers who are going to St. Petersburg and Lomonosov, Russia.

            A grant from the Freeman Foundation was received by the Kisakata Student Exchange Fund.  This is the organization that supports Pat Burleson’s teacher exchange program with Kisakata).

 

VICE PRESIDENT:  Don reported that he has not heard from the Sister Cities, International regarding the grant application for Vela Luka, Croatia.

 

KISAKATA:  Doyle Geer was granted a “leave of absence” (though he requested “resignation”) by the board on January 27th.  During his absence, Cora Lijek and Anne Martin McCool will co-chair this committee. 

       Cora reported that a group of 9 people from Kisakata will be in Anacortes March 21 – 25.  Two of them are approximately 20 years old.  She asked if there are any young people who would be interested in participating with these visitors to please call her.

Transportation is needed on March 21 and 25th to transport the group to SeaTac.

       Duane requested the Kisakata group come to dinner at Cap Sante Retirement Center while they are in town.  

       The Student Exchange group is continuing to raise funds.  They need over $17,000.

The chaperones have raised some $1800.00. 

        John Roney will chair the golf tournament. Seed money for the golf tournament comes from the Anacortes Youth Sports Coalition, which is having a delightful dinner/auction (with open bar) on March 20th.  This is a very pleasant evening and certainly worth the support of ASCA.

       Cora also announced that the women’s group of Oak Harbor is having a luncheon.  For more information, call Setsuko Amburn.

 

LOMONOSOV: Ralph reported that Aeroflot Airlines is looking at SEATAC as a “less than favorable stop” and may be terminated. 

       KALINKA is reorganizing since the new Mayor of Peterhof (and therefore Lomonosov) is NOT interested in Sister Cities relationships.  Marina can get letters of invitation, but they will take longer to secure.

       The Anacortes Noon Rotary Club grant of $350.00 to the Lomonsov Library is commendable.

       Tyler Hobbs left for Lomonosov on Feb.1, 2004 to attend school.  His United Airlines flight was canceled, but he managed to arrive safely.

       Mayor Dean Maxwell and Ralph met to discuss the situation in Lomonosov. Both agreed to continue the relationship as we are.

       Ralph requested reimbursement of $1400.00 expended to bring Masha Kirjaeva to Anacortes in 2003. Duane reminded Ralph that all expenditures over $100. must be approved by the board and invited him to bring his request to the board.

 

VELA LUKA:  Nikki reviewed the Vela Luka students trip July 1 –24th.  She passed copies of the student’s biographies (attached) and requested that anyone interested in participating in the group’s activities/home stays, please call Nikki. To date, Lapworths’ ,Fuqua and Papritzs’ have offered to participate.  She is developing a calendar of events for their stay.  Six Anacortes Croatian Club Members have offered home stays to these students.  On February 6th, Nikki and John will contact Ivan Mirosevic and Lena Marinovic (English teacher) to finalize the participants’ trip. 

      The annual CROATIAN FEST 2004 will be held on Oct.10th at the Seattle Center House.  The ASCA will have the opportunity to have a booth at the celebration.  We should have pictures of both the student trip to Anacortes, as well as the adult trip to Vela Luka available.  The event will include art exhibits of Croatian Artists, dancers, singers, musicians, booths, etc.  ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THIS EVENT AND TRAVELING VIA BUS, PLEASE CALL NIKKI.    The individual costs will be reasonable if enough people attend.

       THE NEXT CROATIAN CLUB DINNER IS FEBRUARY 28TH, AT 6:30 PM.  The Menu includes traditional sarma and other Croatian delicacies. Cost is $8.00. (This is NOT an ASCA event….but a lot of good food, good fun and fellowship).

        There is nothing new to report about the Kumpanija 2005.  Nikki is awaiting communication from Ivan Mirosevic about the funding from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia.

        Nikki closed by teaching us to say: Good night! In Croatian: Naku Noc!

 

ARTS:  Duane reminded the group of the newest gallery in Anacortes…THE BOWMAN GALLERY, which is Marius Hibbard’s photographic gallery.  He will highlight pictures of Croatia taken in 2001 and provide cards depicting photos from Croatia to be sold as a fundraiser for ASCA.  The show will be “up” until February 26th.

 

DUANE: Called the members attention to the website and encouraged all to read and explore.

While there please sign the guest book.

 

A calendar of events will be available at a later date.

 

DON:  The newsletter is in process and will be available March 1st.  All articles are to be forwarded to editor, Scott Gorman at: sgorman@nwlink.com  

 

Doug Everhart:  Presented the Kisakata, Japan visit – Oct. 2003.  He showed the Kisakata community and surrounding area via Power Point.  He also added information about the geography, history, people, etc. This was gratefully received by the members present.

 

The meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua, Secretary