ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

January 12, 2006

President Duane Clark called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.  He welcomed all to a new year for ASCA and to guests: Joan Stewart and Florin Hazabau.

Secretary’s Report:  Judy Jewell moved to approve the minutes of November 3 and December 8, 2005.  Andy Hanson seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Secretary’s Announcements:

1.  Member Rae Kozloff is looking for a Russian tablecloth to use at her booth for the Anacortes Museum’s Melting Pot Multicultural Fair. Please call her if you can help.

2.  The Anacortes High School Drama Dept. is one of 30 Drama Depts. Selected to represent the United States at the International Fringe Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August, 2006.  300 schools were nominated to attend this two-week event.  Some 26 students want to attend; therefore fund-raising efforts are on going.  Two of these fund raisers will be held at the Senior Center:

                 1.  Dinner with a “Scottish Theme”…. April 22, 6:00 pm,   $10.00

                 2.  Dinner with a “50’s Theme…May 13^th, 6:00 pm,   $10.00

The public is invited however; guests will be limited to the first 100 who make reservations. 

Donations to this worthy cause are encouraged and are tax deductible.  Checks should be made out to AHS Drama Dept. and mailed to Drama teacher, Scott Burnett at the school, 2200 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221 or to Sally Hill, Director of Senior Center, 1701 22^nd St, Anacortes, WA 98221.

3.  Duane reminded the members that Doug Everhart’s Retirement Gala will be held on January 22, 2006 from 2pm to 6pm, at the City Library. (Doug was one of the original ASCA members and has continued over the years.)

4.  Duane read a “Thank You” note from John and Anne Lastar for their wedding gift sent by ASCA.

Treasurer’s Report:  Mark reported the ASCA Checking Account Balance = $814.73

          Savings Account:

                   Scholarship Fund          $995.66

                   Kisakata Exchange 6919.88

                   Kumpanija Reserve Fund                 3300.00

                   Vela Luka Student Trip Reserve Fund     621.46

People-to-People Fund

          Checking              $1765.84

          Savings
                   General Reserve             2123.16

                   Doyle Geer Memorial Fund              700.00

                   Cookbook Fund             1255.00

                   Golf Tournament Reserve                 143.47

                   Kumpanija Reserve Fund                     2108.00

Significant Items:

          We placed deposits for Kumpanija performances at three venues, totaling $1592.00. The funds were taken from the Kumpanija reserve of $7000.00 that was discussed at the October meeting.

The cookbook publisher was paid $1130.63 for the second order of cookbooks.  The balance in the Cookbook fund represents current net profit after that payment.

          The Kisakata exchange students raised an additional $969.00 and the Vela Luka exchange students raised $621.46.

Vice President:  John Lovric reviewed the major items for consideration in 2006:

1.     Channel 10 update:  We need to more effectively use this opportunity to increase/promote attendance in events and memberships.

2.     Prepare an informational display for the Library.

3.     The City Hall display case needs to be updated.

4.     Membership:  Diane reported that 27 of 83 memberships have been renewed.

She will prepare an e-mail to remind members to renew.

Hospitality:  Joyce spoke about the opportunity to prepare an occasional dinner for Jack Greenewald and Scott Gorman.  Both are doing well and if you would like to  “surprise” one or both of them, please call Joyce Lapworth.

Historian:  Just a reminder that the Archives contain memorabilia of various trips taken by members, including a video tape of the 2001 ASCA trip to Japan.  Contact Willy Evans to borrow it.

Website:  John Lastar, Webmaster, asked about the status of the (quarterly) newsletter and urged that announcements of all important events be sent to him, too, for inclusion on the website.  He also encouraged all to visit our website frequently.  Go to: www.anacortessistercities.com.  Duane stated that the newsletter will be ready by 1 February and that Jack Greenwald will continue to produce it.

PLANS FOR 2006…….

Lomonosov:  Due to an emergency, Suzanne was absent.  However there are plans for a possible trip in 2006.

Kisakata: Cora reviewed preparation for our students who will be visiting Kisakata in July.  She indicated that a small group of adults might be included.  She encouraged members to attend the Anacortes Sports Coalition Dinner/Auction is on March 18^th. If you have items to auction, please call her.  She will have tickets available at a later date.

Sidney:  Judy Jewell reviewed 2005 activities and announced that David Rapella is the  new chairperson of the Sidney committee.  (See attachments for complete report).

David announced that he and his “Sidney counterpart” are planning a Barbeque in Sidney sometime in April.  He reminded the members of the Town Crier Competition that will be held in Sidney in May.  Please plan on attending, and supporting, both events.

Vela Luka:  Nikki presented slides that listed the students and their backgrounds:  Krys Lijek, Caitlin Dolan, Lauren Gong, Brianna Bikker and Sonja Kassa.  She then presented information about the students who will be coming to Anacortes from Vela Luka.  Plans for visitors to Anacortes also include the Kumpanija Sword Dance group and the Klapa Vela Luka singing group coming fall of 2006.  Donations are richly rewarded by the committee – such as:  for a $1000.00 donation (which is the cost of one person’s airfare) the donor will be mentioned at all performances; will receive special recognition in the thank you section in all of the programs; will receive 2 VIP tickets with special seating to the performance of your choice with NO WAIT seating; 2 VIP seats to the welcome party for Kumpanija and Klapa Vela Luka and will receive an event Poster signed by Kumpanija and Klapa Vela Luka members.  Other levels of sponsorship (donations) are $2500.00; $500.00; $250.00; and $50.00 - $100.00.  Please make checks payable to Anacortes Sister Cities Association and mail to ASCA, People to People, PO Box 1464, Anacortes, WA 98221.  Donations to ASCA are tax-deductible.

                   Scheduled performances for the two groups include:

                   Brodniak Hall, Anacortes 9-30-06    7 PM

                   Everett Performing Arts Center, Everett 10-1-06     2 pm

                   Seattle Town Hall, Seattle    10-14-06    7 pm

                   Bellingham Mount Baker Theatre     10-15-06     2 pm

More performances are being pursued.

Nikki reported that CroatiaFest is being planned.  She will have more information in February.

Romania:  Don Lapworth reviewed a map of Romania, indicating the area to be covered during the trip.  He indicated that we are fortunate to have Robert Gesczi as our tour guide and expect to cover some 150 kilometers per day in the Transylvania area of

Romania. The trip is scheduled for September 5 – 19, 2006 and includes 6 days of bed and breakfast with families and 7 days lodgings in hotels.  It is expected to cost approximately $2000.00.

Announcements:  The Doyle Geer Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2006.  (We were reminded that “all working together” we can exceed the net profit of $10,000.00 in 2005.)

Cookbooks are available at: Earthbound Books, McCool Gallery and Cap Sante Court Retirement Center.  THEY MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

The president adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua, Secretary