ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
April 6, 2006
Duane introduced the Regional Operations Manager – North Washington State Ferries, Jayne Davis. Jayne thanked ASCA for their participation on the April 1, 2006 first ferry run (for the summer) to, and from, Sidney, BC.
She reviewed concerns that need attention: proposal to require passports for Anacortes-Sidney trip; change custom inspections for luggage, etc from Anacortes to Sidney; concern for maintaining US control of Sidney ferry terminal. Duane reminded the members that our ten-year Sister City relationship began as a result of the activities of citizens of both countries when there was a threat to close the ferry run between Sidney and Anacortes.
MINUTES: Don moved that the minutes of March 2, 2006 be approved as published. Renata seconded. Motion carried.
Jo announced the scheduled Dinner event, May 13th, 5 pm, to raise funds for the Anacortes High School Drama Group’s trip to Edinburgh, Scotland to represent the USA at the Fringe Festival in August. The dinner will be held at the Senior Center and entertainment includes: Celtic Dancers, Bagpiper, Harpist and Galic soloist. Tickets may be secured from the Senior Center, McCool’s Gallery, Earthbound Books or Cap Sante Court Retirement Center. She also reminded the group that ASCA membership applications and decals (at $3.50) are available – just call or e-mail her to secure either (or both).
TREARURER: Mark reported the following:
ASCA Checking Account Balance $690.30
ASCA Savings Balances
Scholarship Fund 1037.84
Kumpanija Reserve 3262.63
Kumpanija Sponsorship Reserve 50.00
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE FUND:
Checking Account Balance 3534.01
Doyle Geer Memorial Fund 700.00
Cookbook Fund 1799.12
Kumpanija Sponsorship Reserve 200.00
Kumpanija Reserve 1858.47
TOTAL ASSETS: $15,275.91
CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS:
Romania Trip Reserve $7474.00
Vela Luka Exchange Fund 1713.79
Kisakata Exchange Fund 7822.88
SIGNIFICANT ITEMS:
The Treasurer’s Report (above) has been reorganized to better reflect ASCA funds from those funds being held of behalf of others. Two new reserve funds have been established to track funds (donated by persons or businesses) to sponsor the Kumpanija performances.
Cookbook revenues during February/March period were $492.00. Another $175.00 has been received and will be included in the April report.
The Vela Luka students raised $814.33 and the Kisakata students, $372.00 during the two months. $1130.00 in Dues revenues was deposited.
VICE PRESIDENT: John Lovric reported that the flags on Highway 20 are now more visible from the road because of the reduction of trees. Suzanne reported that the second set of flags is now up and the flags that have been removed are “under repair”.
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT: Don thanked Jayne Davis for her many courtesies regarding the April 1st ferry run and her appearance tonight. He also announced that Romanian travelers may pick up their tickets from San Gebala. He displayed a sweatshirt and hat (printed with the ASCA emblem) that is available. It is hoped that the travelers to Romania will wear them for identification. Others may also order them. The costs are: Sweat shirt (gray, with logo) - $18.00; Hat (white, with logo) - $8.00 or Cap (white, with logo) - $8.00. Please call Don to order.
Don indicated that the health insurance MUST be 100% participation. Florin Harabin will lead tour preparation meetings as follows:
Saturday, June 17, 10am – Cultural and Language
Meetings will be scheduled, one each in July and August, and a final “refresher” meeting just before the trip.
KISAKATA: Cora reported that the 12 students bound for Kisakata, are meeting weekly. They leave July 22 and return August 10th. Four Chaperons will accompany them. Due to parental effort, the flight tickets have been secured for $990.00 each, from Travel Adventures. Cora reminded the members that the Cherry Blossom Festival in Seattle is April 22-23. She reviewed predictions of earnings of the Anacortes Youth Sports Coalition Dinner/Auction and was pleased to announce that the Russian tea service, donated by the Lomonosov committee brought $925.00 and the Sidney package donated by Cap Sante Court and the Anacortes-Sidney Sister Cities brought over $1000.00. Other ASCA members donated interesting items, i.e.: Gary Walter donated some Cereal Boxes that brought up to $30.00 each.
Duane reported that the Sidney president, Susan Simosko contacted him requesting a package to Anacortes (similar to the package to Sidney auctioned at the Sports Coalition Dinner/Auction) that could be used for a raffle fundraiser in Sidney. He was able to work out a package at the Majestic Hotel – 2 nights, breakfasts and spa.
Duane then presented a collection of pictures taken at the April 1 ferry ride by some 50 people from the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and Anacortes Sister Cities Association. Many members of the Sidney Sister City met the ferry and we were able to participate in their fundraising by purchasing poster and/or donating to their fund that totaled $700.00. “Two minute” speeches were made by dignitaries at the ferry terminal, and, after one hour they returned to Anacortes. ,
VELA LUKA: Nikki showed a Power Point Presentation that reviewed the many fundraising activities of the four students going to Vela Luka and the schedule of the Kumpanija & Klapa Vela Luka groups: ANACORTES – September 30, Brodniak; EVERETT – October 1st, Performing Arts Center;
SEATTLE – October 14th, Seattle Town Hall and BELLINGHAM – October 15th – Mount Baker Theatre. Tickets may be secured by calling Nikki.
LOMONOSOV: Suzanne announced that the committee met last month and, since the Cookbook sales have been so profitable, they voted to grant $350.00 to the Kisakata committee; $300.00 to the Croatian committee and $500.00 to be reserved for the Mayor as he accompanies members traveling to Lomonosov/Croatia in the fall, 2007. Cookbooks are still available at McCool’s Gallery, Earthbound Books, Dr. Madden’s office or Cap Sante Court Retirement Center. No reorder for the cookbook will be placed, however a “second edition” may be in the future. The printers of the Cookbook are holding a contest to determine the most attractive cookbook. The prizes are: 1st - $3000.00, 2nd - $2000.00 and 3rd - $1000.00. We have entered our book…NOW, THE WAIT!
Maria and Willy have reserved a spot for ASCA at Ship-Wreck Days. Items of international flavor will be sold. Please donate your items and bring them to Earthbound Books the day BEFORE the opening of Ship-Wreck Days for pricing/organizing.
Suzanne has sent a letter of inquiry to Marina, president of the Lomonosov Sister City, regarding future student exchange and/or adult trip.
Maria announced that the International Folk Dancers will perform on the Elway Ferry May 20th.
DUANE: The golf tournament will be held on June 24th. The next meeting of the committee is April 11th at which time postcards will be available to send to golfers. He has requested that John Lastar, Webmaster, prepare a separate Golf Tournament Webpage.
PROGRAM: David presented pictures of his recent trip to Mexico City where he joined other Rotarians in presenting wheelchairs for the Wheelchair Foundation. The Wheelchair Foundation (Ken Behring, Founder and Chairman of the Board) matches each $75.00 donation to provide a wheelchair somewhere in the world. To date, over 400,000 wheelchairs have been delivered to people of need, In 143 countries, including the USA, in response to the injuries by “Katrina”. Contact David Rapella for more information.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Fuqua, Secretary