ANACORTES SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
November 1, 2007

SECRETARY :  Jo announced the need for “nimble fingers” to help in producing “Tiny Town” for the Anacortes Fire Department to use in training sessions.  Anyone interested in this miniature project, please call her at 293-6923.

CORRESPONDENCE:  Duane read a message from Judy Jewell and Andy Hansen, as follows:

You can reach Andy and Judy at their Anacortes telephone number…even though they are in Southern California.  Joy Walter talked with them today and their electricity was ON!

Duane shared his thoughts about the October 23rd death of our dear member, Jack Papritz.  He also shared an e-mail from Doug Everhart who said, “Jack was more than just one of the progenitors of the Anacortes Sister Cities Association, his constant enthusiasm and belief in the vision of the group was a key to its survival.  His excitement was contagious and during the very early days, always a bright spot in our meetings.  He truly had a world vision, and our Sister Cities organization, along with the Arts and Crafts Festival and Fisherman’s World College, was part of that vision.  His life has shown how one person’s dream can effect so many.”  It is hoped that all of our members read Jack’s obituary in the Anacortes American, but in case you missed it, you can go to: http://www.goskagit.com/index.php/news/article/anacortes_mourns_loss_of_jack_papritz/

Duane announced that Wally Funk has made another donation to honor two people:  Sue Harbaugh and Jo Fuqua.  His first donation was to honor Don and Joyce Lapworth and Cliff and Suzanne Harris.
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TREASURER: Mark Lijek presented:
Treasurer's Report
October, 2007
Checking Account Balances:  $11,713.09
Savings Account Balances:
General Reserves:  $2,430.30
Dedicated Reserves: $18,827.51
Official Travel Reserve:  $1,000.00
Golf Tournament Reserves:  $8,814.15
Cookbook Reserve:  $2,397.02          
Sidney Committee Reserve:  $116.34
Student Travel Fund:  $6,500.00
Total Assets:  $32,970.09
Custodial Accounts:
Kisakata Exchange Reserve:  $9,257.50
Significant Items:
We received reimbursement from the City of $1,304.72 under the tourism promotion contract for Town Crier expenses.  We also received approval of our 2008 proposal in the amount of $3,300.  This is the same as our funding level in 2007.
I reimbursed Theda Morton $129.20 for expenses in connection with printing and distribution of meeting notices.
Cookbook sales netted $50.00.
Sales of Kumpanija merchandise over the summer brought in $145.00.
The audit of our 2006 financial records was completed in June but was not presented to the board until this month.  The audit report will be incorporated into the Treasurer's report for this month and therefore will be available as part of the minutes for any interested members to read.
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ANACORTES SISTER CITIES 2006 AUDIT REPORT
6-25-07
Performed by Sharon Horak, Cliff Harris, Tom Evans and Rick Davidson

In the course of the audit, we did the following:

• Reviewed year end financial statements
• Compared categories on the year end statement with individual accounts
• Verified checks paid out to invoices
• Reviewed deposits to bank statements
• Reviewed Major categories
• Kumpanija
• Romania
• Cookbook sales
• Golf tournament

Findings:

• Majority of expenses and receivables are well documented
• There are now two separate accounts for the Treasurer to maintain
• Some instances where member did not supply receipts for reimbursement, just notes of purchases
• $30.00 discrepancy in one fund – not significant

Recommendations:
Receipts should always be turned in for reimbursement
Savings account on balance sheet should be itemized by reserve fund
We should look into trip cancellation/change coverage insurance

As always, Mark should be congratulated for doing a difficult job well.
Respectully submitted,
Sharon Horak, Cliff Harris, Tom Evans and Rick Davidson.
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VICE PRESIDENT:  John Lovric announced that the Croatiafest was successful.  There was no ASCA booth this year, however there was a Kumpanija booth.  The success of the booth will be reported at a later date.  It was great to see Martin Kolega, former resident of Anacortes, at CroatiaFest. He now lives in California but was at CroatiaFest as a musician with a featured dance band from L.A.
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT:  Don Lapworth requested members to sign up to man the booth to sell ASCA cookbooks at the Cap Sante Court Retirement Community Holiday Bazaar.  Please call Don if you can volunteer l hour on Nov. 9 or 10th between 10 am and 4 pm. 
Don also reminded officers that they should wear their badges!
He “updated” us on the activities of two of the Lomonosov, Russia folks – one who spent a year in Anacortes, Yulia Solopova married Ross Wilson and is now expecting their first child….the other, Marina Kolbaskena.  Maria Papritz reported correction to the minutes on Nov. 6th.  Should read that Anya Shanaeva, the High school student who was here and whose father Slava did an Internship at the Museum in 1993, is now married to a German man.  Marina Akhromova is now a Grandma to her daughters little son.
SIDNEY:  David Rapella, Chairperson,  passed three sign-up sheets:

• Those coming to the ASCA Holiday Dinner on December 6th at 5:30 p.m. – at the Senior Center.  David will prepare the turkey/stuffing, potatoes, gravy. The guests are asked to bring veggies, salad, dessert or rolls.  Please call 293-6923 to make your reservations and specify your dish, if you were unable to attend this meeting and make your reservation. 
• The second sign up sheet was for those members interested in going to Sidney, BC to participate in their parade on Nov. 24…parade at 5 pm.  Plans include “homestay” in Sidney, the night of Nov 24th and return to Anacortes on Nov. 25th.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GOING PLEASE CALL 293-6923, or, e-mail: fuqua4@comcast.net SO THAT ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR YOUR ‘HOMSTAY’ACCOMODATIONS IN SIDNEY.
• The third sign-up sheet is your OPPORTUNITY to HOMESTAY and enjoy the company of members from our Sidney Sister City when they come to share OUR Holiday Dinner on Dec. 6th…some of them will want to stay for the Christmas Tree lighting on Dec. 7th and the ANACORTES CHRISTMAS PARADE on Dec. 8th (traditionally at 11 am.)  If you can share your home and
• family with someone, please call 293-6923, or email: fuqua4@comcast.net, as soon as possible.  The Sidney “folks” are awaiting the above information.

Duane announced that the couple that won the AYSC Auction item (a trip to Sidney, BC valued at $1200.00) will be leaving for Sidney soon.
KISAKATA  TOWN:  Cora Lijek, Chairperson, received a DVD from Kyoto, but has not been able to view it, to date.  It is assumed that it depicts the Japanese students visit to Anacortes, summer, 2007. 
Cora is continuing to work on an adult trip to Kisakata Town for 2008.  She will provide more information at a later date.  
Cora and David Rapella are developing a “VISITOR’S ACTIVITIES” list to assist members as they entertain/teach visitors.  The list will be sent out for members to look over and add places/activities.  Please send all suggestions to:  coralijk@yahoo.com .
VELA LUKA: Nikki Lovric, Chairperson, is in contact with Lena Marinovic of our Vela Luka sister city regarding a student exchange.  The ASCA Board, at their Oct. 2007 meeting, voted to make funds available to help the Vela Luka students for their trips to Anacortes. 
MEMBERSHIP:  Diane Davidson, Chairperson, announced that the Membership Renewal for 2008 “kick-off” begins at the Holiday Dinner on December 6th.  “BRING YOUR CHECKBOOK”!  It is important to complete our membership roster as early in January as possible so that plans can be developed for activities, etc.
PROGRAM:  Duane introduced Dr. Bob Apter (Island Hospital ER physician) and Brenda Burr who presented a VERY informative program sharing the recent trip of the medical team that went to Hanoi, North Vietnam to correct foot problems of some children.  They not only presented great pictures, but provided a great deal of information about the experience.  David Rapella (Sidney ASCA Chairperson) was the clown and entertained the children as they waited for medical attention.  Brenda Burr then showed a DVD of a project being developed by Dr. Will and Diane Boegel.  She encouraged all, who can, to support this very worthy cause.  Go to www.opalhouse.org for more information.  The following information was secured from that website:       
Donations will be used for the purchase of 59 acres and three houses. The funds to make this purchase need to be raised before Christmas of 2007. Opal House is incorporated in the state of Washington and has IRS not for profit EIN # 02-0804908, all contributions are tax deductible. In addition to the purchase of the property, plans are for a guest casita for groups of 8 - 10 visitors ($19,000), remodeling of a bedroom and former servants quarters in the guest house ($8,000), and a Medical Clinic ($45,000).  Donations can be made by check to: Opal House,8428 NE 144th Place,Bothell, WA 98011,USA and can be made by credit card.

If you are unable to view the Opal House website and want more information, a DVD is available from Duane.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Jo Fuqua, Secretary, ASCA

CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES…submitted by Maria Papritz on Nov. 6, 2007:
Anya Shanaeva, the High school student who was here and whose father Slava did an Internship at the Museum in 1993, is now married to a German man.  Marina Akhromova is now a Grandma  to her daughters little son.
Thanks.