MEMBERSHIP MEETING

November 3, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm by president, Duane Clark.  He welcomed all and presented a PATRON membership pin to Sam Gebala.  He reminded the members that it is now time to renew 2006 memberships.  He recognized the 2005 SUSTAINING AND PATRON MEMBERS and encouraged all to consider such memberships.  The December meeting will be a Holiday Celebration Dinner at the American Croatian Club facilities on December 8th, 6 pm.  David Rapella, Hospitality Chairperson,  will prepare the food. On that evening there will be a RAFFLE of gifts that have been brought to various members from members of our sister cities….Lomonosov, Kisakata, Sidney and Vela Luka.  Please call Duane if you have a donation.

HOSPITALITY:  David reviewed the menu for the December 8^th Holiday Celebration Dinner and Raffle.  He will prepare the turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Member cost is $5.00 each. Members attending are asked to bring vegetables, salad or dessert. David also announced that members John and Anne are getting married on December 10th.  On that date, there will be a Reception at the Bowman Gallery, located at 5^th and R Street, 3 pm to 6 pm. If you wish to bring “finger food”, please call David.

VICE PRESIDENT:  John reported that removing part of the ASCA display at City Hall is being considered, as well as preparing a small display case for the foyer of the library.  John also reviewed the need for updating the information on Channel 10.

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT: Don displayed the decals for home or car.  Cost - $3.50 each.  He asked that those interested in the August 2006 trip to Romania look at the information in the back of the room. Those going on this trip need to make a firm commitment by March 2006.  Robert G. has prepared the flyers and itinerary for the August 25 – Sept 8, 2006 trip.  This is a two-week trip, and is close to Vela Luka, Croatia for a visit. 

SIDNEY:  Judy announced that all arrangements have been made for the 12 people from Anacortes to attend the Sidney Christmas parade.  Home stays and events have been arranged.  Please bring a small gift, homemade or under $5.oo, as a “grab bag” item for one of the “events”.  We will take Decals as gifts to the Sidney people.  Departure is Sunday, November 27^th and return on Monday, November 28^th.  Ferry schedules and information about Sidney was distributed to those involved. The need for the Parade Banner was discussed.  Judy reminded the group that the Chamber of Commerce Tree Lighting at is December 2 and the parade December 3.  Our Sidney Sister City friends will come for our parade and bring the little ferry. 

KISAKATA:  Cora announced the city’s name change – from Kisakata to Nikaho City.  She explained that this change was made because three cities combined. However, no change in the sister city relationship is expected.  The mayor of Nikaho town, one of the three towns that merged, is now the mayor of the Nikaho City.  He and the former mayor of Kisakata will be running against each other in a mayoral election this month.  The new city government is in the old Kisakata city hall. The students have had their last meeting in 2005 and will begin again in January 2006.  The students who traveled to Kisakata in 2004 had a “scrapbook competition” depicting their memories, discoveries, pictures, etc.  Caitlin Dolan and Jillian Whitney tied for first place in the contest.  Sally Hill, coordinator of the Anacortes Senior Center, arranged for a committee to review and evaluate the entries.  Members are reminded that the Anacortes Youth Sports Coalition annual Auction is scheduled for March 18^th.  Donations are needed.  This organization is generous in donating funds for the Kisakata Student Exchange. 

Please support them by attending and either donating items or soliciting items for the Auction.  If a member has a contact in the business community or other contact that would be willing to donate an item or service to the auction, please contact Cora before asking for a donation as we want to be sure that no business or individual is contacted twice, once by us and again by another group in the AYSC.  If anyone would be interested in attending the AYSC meetings and helping with fundraising, please give Cora a call at 299-4335 in the evenings or on weekends.

VELA LUKA;  Nikki received 5 applications for the student exchange to Vela Luka, Croatia.  Three of the applicants had participated in a Kisakata, Japan exchange trip.  Interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible. The students will attend a Croatian language class in preparation for their trip in 2006.  We are anticipating 15 – 18 Kumpanija Sword Dancers, 8 Klappa Singers and 4 Directors/Costumers and the Mayor of Vela Luka will be in Anacortes Sept. 27 to Oct. 16, 2006.  Duane commented on the many hours that John and Nikki have spent in communication by phone, planning, applying for grants, securing performance sites, etc.  They have some six venues arranged.  Among them are: Brodniak Hall for a paid performance as well as a free performance for the High School, Middle School and Elementary School students; CroatiaFest; Mt Baker Theatre; Everett, etc.  Home-stays will be arranged.  Those members interested in hosting a guest, please contact Nikki and John. It is hoped that other citizens of Vela Luka will also be able to come to Anacortes.

TREASURER:  Mark reported:

            ASCA ACCOUNTS:

                        Checking         $635.63

                        Savings:

                                    Scholarship fund                       $995.66

                                     Kisakata Student Exchange     $5950.88

            PEOPLE TO PEOPLE:

                        Checking         $752.39

                        Savings:

                                    General Fund                          $2123.16

                        Doyle Geer Memorial Reserve             $700.00

                                    Cookbook Fund                       $1050.25

                        Golf Tournament Reserve                        $143.47

                        Kumpanija Fund                                   $3700.00

Significant Items:

            City approved $1500.00 Tourism funding for Town Crier program.  (We are required to provide matching funds of $750.00).

            Executive Board decided to spend up to $7000.00 to bring the Kumpanija group to Anacortes in 2006.  Two reserve funds have been established for this purpose.  By board action an additional $5000.00 “back-up” funding is available, if needed, to prepay certain expenses. 

            We paid the cookbook publisher $1736.65, and received another $924.40 in sales revenue.  The cookbook fund balance reported (above) represents net profit to date.

            $283.66 was paid to Speedpro Signs in Sidney, BC for the ASCA decals.  The City reimbursed us $523.25 in Town Crier expenses. A $100.00 deposit was paid for the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI for 2006.

            Nikki reminded the group that the students who will be chosen to go to Vela Luka will be selling chocolate bars at $4.00 each and Gingerbread Hearts at $10.00 each.

COOKBOOK:  Willy announced that of the 334 books ordered, 249 have been sold.  Theda is the “saleswoman with the most” – 33 books.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Cap Sante Court Retirement Center Bazaar is Nov. 17 and 18^th, 1-6 pm.

                                        Cookbooks will be sold at the Bazaar, as well as the Senior Center 

                                       Bazaar on November 18^th and 19^th.

         Maria Papritz displayed a newspaper clipping from Lomonosov, Russia that included reactions from our Sept. 2005 visitors from Lomonosov.  The young High School student now attending Anacortes High School then translated the article.  The clipping and translation of the articles will be e-mailed to the members.

         John reported that the website has been updated to include pictures from the 2005 visit of our Russian, Japanese and Croatian guests.  Go to: www.anacortessistercities.com or www.asca.ws 

       Diane requested that members renew their membership as soon as possible. Please be sure to include your name, address, (e-mail, included), and phone number with your check.  She reviewed the memberships as:  Single - $25.00; Family - $35.00; Youth (to 21) - $15.00; Individual, Sustaining - $85.00; Family, Sustaining - $150.00; Individual, Patron $300.00; Family, Patron - $500.00; Organization - $35.00; Business - $50.00.

       Judy reviewed the Kiwanis presentation and the raves about Vela Luka and the planned student exchange.  Nikki and Duane will make the next presentation at the Soroptomist Organization.

PROGRAM:  Tom Moser who was the Prosecuting Attorney in 1980-1986 now is in private practice.  He is also on the Board for the Skagit Valley College.  He presented a Power Point Presentation of his visit to China.  Don Wick, who also went to China was to appear also, but was unable to.  The Program was very informative.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua, Secretary