ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION

General Meeting

March 4, 2004

President Duane Clark called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm and welcomed Suzanne and Cliff Harris and Virginia Haywood: and Patron Member 2003 – Lois Worthington.

Duane reviewed the request of Doyle Geer to help the Northwest Ballet Theatre students to participate in the “St. Petersburg Open Competition” by contributing $800. to their fundraiser. He then introduced John Bishop, owner and teacher of the Northwest Ballet Theatre who presented a synopsis of their trip and showed the “special award” for Choreography presented to John and the six students attending. John invited members of the Association to visit the school. Sixty students, age 3-17 years, are taking ballet this year.

SECRETARY: Jo reviewed corrections to the minutes of February 6^th. A motion was made by Don to accept the minutes, as corrected. Seconded by Judy. Motion carried.

Jo encouraged all members to become “current” by remitting their 2004 membership fees: Individual - $25.00 Family - $35.00.

CORRESPONDENCE: Duane presented:

1. The thank you card from the family and letter from Gary Robinson, Director of Anacortes Parks Department for the ASCA’s donation of $25.00 to the Forest Lands in memory of former member Ethel Hibler.

2. Certificate of Membership of SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL for 2004. This annual fee is paid by the City of Anacortes.

TREASURER:

In the absence of Mark, due to the conflicting follow-up interview of his and Cora’s escape from Iran by a Canadian group, Duane presented the Treasurer’s report:

Checking Account Balance: $3794.34

Savings Account Balance:

Scholarship Fund $945.12

Kisakata Exchange Fund $14,531.38

Significant Events:

The Application form for 501c(3) status for the ASCA People-to-People Fund to the IRS along with a $150.00 filing fee was submitted. Receipt of the application has been acknowledged.

ASCA made a donation of $25.00 to the Anacortes Community Forest Lands in memory of Ethel Hibler.

The Kisakata Exchange students raised an additional $198.00

Ten travelers have made deposits totaling $2200.00 for the ASCA sponsored trip to Vela Luka, Croatia.

In addition, Duane reviewed the need for him to appoint an audit committee to audit the 2003 financial report by April 1, 2004. Suzanne Harris and Sharon Horak, Sharon Alban and Virginia Haywood

volunteered to serve on this committee.

Duane reviewed the communication with Kiwanis and the City regarding the placement of twelve flagpoles (6 each at the entrance of the City as well as the ferry entrance) to fly our sister city country and city flags. This is an idea “in progress”.

Duane indicated that By-Law revisions need attention in the immediate future.

VICE PRESIDENT: The Vela Luka, Croatia trip is scheduled for September 19 – October 5, 2004. The trip goes via Frankfurt, Germany, overnight in Split where a brief tour will be conducted. After lunch depart via ferry to Vela Luka followed by 10 days home stay and then to Dubrovnik for 2 days. The Vela Luka Dancers will be in Vela Luka early in September.

SIDNEY, BC: Judy reported that David Rapella will be her escort at the June 2004 Chester, England town criers competition. This is the “ultimate” crier contest in the world.

She reported that the Sidney, BC Sister Cities Asso. members are anxious to attend ASCA meetings, organization, etc. They will be visiting in the near future. They also indicated their desire to attend the Anacortes Arts Festival.

A person from Horizon Air is interested in writing an article about Judy – her “American Champion” award in Sussex, N.J. Judy included information about our president, Duane Clark, (who was born in Sussex) among her championship cries.

The Sidney BC ferry resumes March 21^st.

KISAKATA: In the absence of Cora, Anne (co-chair) encouraged members to attend the Sports Coalition Dinner that benefits the Kisakata student exchange.

She reminded the audience of the 9 Kisakata visitors arriving March 21^st. There will be a POT-LUCK WELCOME PARTY at 6 pm at the Croatian Club on that date. Members are requested to bring a MAIN DISH and a side dish, or a dessert, or a salad, or bread, or beverage. 31 people members signed up to attend. If other members wish to attend, please call ANNE AT 293-3577.

VELA LUKA: Nikki announced that 3 students from Vela Luka will be visiting Anacortes June 30 – July 24. The students will march in the July 4 parade as well as many of the Vela Luka Dancers. They will be distributing Croatian flags to the “onlookers”. There will be a July 4^th celebration party on the land near the Health Club.

Fundraisers to help with the student visits include:

April 17- 5 pm Dinner with music by Ruze Dalmatinke of Seattle, and raffle. Cost $25.00 RAFFLE ITEMS ARE NEEDED.

July 10 – Croatian Club dinner (with music) party for students.

$20.00.

OTHER ACTIVITIES in which you are encouraged to participate:

March 27^th 6:30 pm Monthly Croatian Dinner, $8.00

April 24^th - 6:30 pm Monthly Croatian Dinner $8.00

May 8^th – CroatiaFest Fundraiser Dinner $25.00 with music by

Sinovi of Seattle.

This event is to raise funds for the cost of the booth at the Seattle CroatiaFest. The Sister City relationship with Vela Luka will be highlighted. It is hoped that many of the ASCA members will want to go to the celebration via bus. If you are interested in attending the Seattle CroatiaFest by bus, please let Nikki know.

May 22^nd 6:30 pm Monthly Croatian Dinner, $8.00

OCTOBER 10, 2004 – CROATIAFEST AT SEATTLE CENTER

If you wish to PARTICIPATE or VOLUNTEER for any of these events, please call Nikki Lovric – 293-8530.

Nikki recommended the Langenscheidt’s Universal Dictionary; Croatian -English for visitors to Vela Luka. It is available on www.barnesandnoble.com for $7.95.

LOMONOSOV: Duane updated the members on correspondence with Tim Honey of Sister Cities International who put Duane in touch with Arisha (of SCI) who wrote: “It is crucial for your relationship to continue developing to foster mutual understanding and cooperation. Politics should not be an obstacle to your relationship with Lomonosov”.

He further reported that Mayor Maxwell endorsed the maintenance of the Lomonosov relationship despite the changes in governmental entities in Russia.

The interim co-chairs of the Lomonosov committee are: Maria Papritz and Elizabeth Zevely. Three new members to that committee are: Joan MacIntosh (a retired judge from CA who will be traveling to St. Petersburg for the Rotary later in March), and Suzanne and Cliff Harris.

The existing committee and new members will meet on March 15^th at 6 pm at Cap Sante Retirement Center.

Willy Evans asked if the Kosokov family should come this year or perhaps another year. Duane’s response was that March 31^st is the deadline for determination of participation in the Arts Festival and that the committee will have to discuss the matter.

Rudy asked for the committee to assess the “Doctor to Lomonosov” situation. Suzanne indicated that a doctor in the clinic where she works is interested in this event.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua, Secretary