minutes0606

Minutes: Suzanne Harris made a motion to accept the May membership meeting minutes as read. Mark Lijek seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mark Lijek thanked Suzanne Harris and Sharon Horak for conducting the audit of the 2004 and 2005 books.

The current checking account balances are as follows:

Checking Accounts:	ASCA:	$665.99
	People to People:	$2536.00
Savings Account:	Scholarship:	$1,078.73
	Official Travel Reserve:	$500.00
	Golf Tournament Reserve:	$6,430.00
	General Reserve:	$2,163.46
	Doyle Geer Memorial Fund:	0
	Cookbook:	$861.62
	Kumpanija Sponsorship Reserve:	$250.00
	Kumpanija Reserve:	$4,111.10
Total Assets			$18,569.90

Custodial Accounts:
	Rumania Trip Reserve	$12.493.00
	Vela Luka Exchange:	$1,630.04
	Kisakata Exchange:	$2,160.38

Significant events were:

$1010 paid for the design of the Kumpanija website.

$5980 received in golf tournament income.

$100 in cookbook sales.

Paid for airfare of the four students going to Vela Luka

Paid for health insurance for all nine students.

Received $500 donation from the Wilburs at Northern Lights Casino.

Mothers Day Tea netted a little over $200.

The Board voted to use $700 in the Doyle Geer Memorial Fund plus $300 from general funds to assist in sending Brian Geer to Kisakata as the official representative for the tenth anniversary of the signing of the documents establishing our relationship.

Duane explained that Kisakata had invited Mayor Maxwell and Duane as official representatives to attend the ceremony and unveiling of a monument commemorating the tenth anniversary of the signing of our official relationship. Unfortunately, neither the mayor nor Duane is able to attend. It was felt that it was very important to send a representative as official representatives and students of Nikaho’s sister city will be at the ceremony. As most members know, Kisakata, Nikaho, and a third town have now combined to form a new city. The city government is located in Kisakata, the name of the new city is Nikaho, and the former mayor of Kisakata is the newly elected mayor. Cora suggested asking Brian Geer to represent both the association and the city. When Duane contacted Brian, Brian was very touched and excited by the invitation. The Nikaho city hall officials said they are very honored that Doyle’s son will be coming and are even more ecstatic that Brian’s daughter will be old enough to participate in the next exchange group. Brian’s boss was very accommodating, and gave Brian time off so that he can travel to Nikaho with the group. He will be returning earlier as he cannot stay as long. The ceremony will be held August 3.

Vice President’s Report: Vice President John Lovric had nothing to report.

Assistant to the President Report:

Romania: Assistant to the President Don Lapworth said that there will be a language and cultural briefing on June 17 at the library. Sam Gebala will be heading this up. All of the money is in. Tour director Robert Geczi will graduate soon.

Golf Tournament: Don has been the major recruiter of sponsors.

Sidney Report:

Canadian Day: Chair David Rapella needs to know who is going to Sidney for July 1 Canadian Day so that he can set up home stays. A sign-up sheet was passed around. A schedule will be available by June 30. There will be a barbecue there.

Fourth of July: Homestays are needed for the visitors from Sidney who are coming for the fourth of July. There will be a barbecue.

Golf Tournament: There are five people coming from Sidney for the golf tournament. David asked for volunteers to homestay two of the visitors. Willy Evans offered to homestay them. The visitors will arrive June 23 and depart June 25.

Town Crier:

Competitions: Town Crier Judy Jewell reported that she went to two competitions last month. One was in Holland, Michigan, where they have a huge tulip festival. Judy finished the highest of the American criers. She also participated in a competition in Sidney, BC, where she tied for third place out of 28 criers.

Boat Race: On June 2 Judy will be giving a cry at the start of "Capidalgo" - a weekend get-together of members of Capital City Yacht Club (based in Sidney) and Fidalgo Yacht Club in Anacortes. The event is held annually, alternatively in Sidney and Anacortes, and this year marks the 25th anniversary.

MS Walk Across the US: Judy will be giving a cry at 9 p.m. on June 3 at the send off for Carlo Magno who will be crossing the US in a wheelchair for multiple sclerosis research and awareness for handicapped accessibility issues.

Kisakata Chair Report:

Student Exchange: Co-Chair Cora Amburn-Lijek said that there are just two classes left. The six adults, who will be traveling with the students, will be meeting the students at a meeting after the last class. The final fundraiser will be a carwash at Skagit State Bank on either July 15 pr 16 depending on the weather. An email notice will be sent out.

Scott Gorman: Cora reported that Scott’s health continues to be poor. She encouraged members to visit Scott.

Vela Luka Chair Report:

Student Exchange: Chair Nikki Lovric said that she and John will be meeting the Vela Luka students while they are in Vela Luka. The students will arrive here on June 22 and depart on July 9. There will be carwash on Sunday, June 25 from 1 p.m. at the Skagit State Bank to show the Vela Luka students a good ‘ol American fundraiser. The students will be at the July meeting.

Croatian Cooking Class: The demonstration and wine tasting cooking class by John Sarich will be at 3 p.m. this Saturday, June 3 at the Depot. The cost is $45 each. There will also be Croatian olive oil for sell by someone from Dalmatia.

Kumpanija: Two grants have been received. One is from the Washington State Arts Commission for $2,000. This is part of the National Endowment for the Arts. The second is a grant from the Arts Festival for $3,000. Duane said this is a huge awesome project for which we are still looking for grant opportunities. Don said that it received good press in the Croatian Press newsletter. He suggested quoting this in any grant applications. Nikki said that we have gotten great press lately. There will also be some grants funding from the Croatian side. We will need a total of about $40,000 to bring the sword dancers, singers, manager, and officials. Nikki said the performances would involve eight different ensembles from the northwest. Volunteers will be needed at some point to help with this project.

Lomonosov Chair Report:

Suzanne Harris announced that Yulia Wilson, who originally came to Anacortes as part of an ASCA student exchange about ten years ago, got married, and stayed, will be graduating from Skagit Valley College on Sunday and will be going onto Western Washington University. Suzanne said she is in awe of Julia. She is has worked very hard. Suzanne said she is very proud of Julia. Her house, which is a starter home, is for sale. Judy said her and Andy’s home is also for sale.

Contact: Suzanne has not had any contact from Lomonosov lately despite sending three letters. She is sad that there has been no contact.

Cookbooks: Willy reported that about 8 cookbooks per month are being sold and bringing in about $100. Cookbooks will also be sold at Shipwreck Days.

Shipwreck Days: Willy is looking for ethnic/international donations. All proceeds except the cookbooks will go to the general fund. Volunteers are needed in three-hour shifts. About four folding card tables will be needed. Donations can also be brought to Earthbound Books by July 14.

Membership: Diane said the membership dues are still trickling in. Only about three or four people have not renewed their memberships. Diane made copies of the membership roster available. There are about 84 memberships; with spouses, it’s about 139 people.

President’s Report:

Flags: Yulia repaired four of our flags as they had gotten frayed. Duane just gave her two more to repair. The first set of flags have lasted a year and a half, which is pretty good.

July 4th Parade: The Kiwanis are focusing on an international and children theme. They are looking for costumes for children and children to be in the parade.

Golf Tournament: Duane said we hope to have 128 golfers this year. Don Lapworth has done a great job recruiting sponsors. This is the first time that Duane has had people call wanting to participate. The committee is now focusing on signing up golfers. He asked members to give out tournament packets to friends. Duane has made presentations at several service clubs including the morning Kiwanis and noontime Rotary. Duane and Anne Martin McCool will be going to the Soroptomists on June 13 to talk about our programs and the golf tournament. Four hundred packets were sent out in the Chamber of Commerce newsletter. Posters have been put up around town, and the students have been putting up fliers at businesses as well. Mark said thanks to Cora, there are posters on each of the five ferries sailing out of Anacortes. The posters and brochures were copied at Bay Shore. They are really beautiful and were cheaper than printing. The first 1,000 cost about $180. If it had been printed, it would have cost about $600. An ad will appear in the Clam Digger for three weeks, and there will be an ad in the Anacortes American. A sign has been posted on the Similk Beach Golf Course billboard across from the course. There is no fee for posting the sign, which will be reusable. Duane made an appeal to members to sponsor a hole. A lot of members were hole sponsors last hear. The Golf Committee is meeting regularly, especially as we get closer to the tournament. Cora asked Joy Walter if she had been able to contact Rein Long’s mother about a donation. Joy thought someone else was following up on this. She will ask his grandmother, who is a friend of hers. The prizes are the same as last year. Lois has donated her own personal club set and a beautiful bag. Mark and Cora donated a golfing weekend for two at Semiamhoo including accommodations, golf, and goodies. There are some wonderful prizes.

Duane adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

The video “The Perfect Port” was shown.