The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by President, Duane Clark.  He welcomed members and guests: students present were:  Hanna Reilly, Richie Sentinella and Thomas Krebs.  Absent students were: Anna Harrison and Madison Campbell.  Other welcomed visitors included: John and Anne Lastar (members who have been RV traveling), Jessica Koeberle, Judy Cole, (from Cap Sante), Alice Clark (Duane’s mother) and Toni Petch (Duane’s sister).  Alice Clark has prepared all of the mail-outs for the up-coming Doyle Geer Golf Tournament.
Don introduced Jessica Koeberle who will accompany the students to Lomonosov, Russia as the chaperone.  Jessica is a retired teacher.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: Don moved that the minutes of the March 5, 2009 General Membership Meeting be accepted as distributed.  Seconded by Elaine Oliphant.  Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Mark Lijek made the March, 2009 report, as follows:
Checking Account Balances:  $7,241.17
Savings Account Balances:
General Reserve:  $2,994.38  
Operating Reserve:  $23,281.26
Dedicated Reserves: $10,431.84
Official Travel Reserve:  $1,000.00
Cookbook Reserve:  $440.50 
Sidney Committee Reserve:  $116.34
Student Travel Fund:  $7,500.00
Vela Luka Reserve: $1375.50
Total Assets:  $43,948.65

Custodial Funds:
Kisakata Student Exchange:  $1516.00

Significant Items:
The Kisakata Exchange students have begun fund raising.  The money they raise on their own is not part of association assets so it is tracked separately as custodial funds.
The association made a donation of $100 to the memorial fund established in honor of Terry Bowen, husband of one of our Kisakata chaperons.
We received $170 in dues income, along with $37.50 in cookbook sales income and a net of $82 from sales of the fig jam.
We spent $150 on the purchase of a driver which became part of an auction package for the Anacortes Youth Sports Coalition Auction.  The package also included four entries in the Doyle Geer Golf Tournament.
We received $1500 in sponsorship income for the golf tournament.

 ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT:
Don Lapworth (substituting for chairperson, Susanne Harris, who is out of town) introduced each of the students traveling to Lomonosov, Russia who were present:  Each student, in turn, introduced his/her family members who were present.  Each of the students has $5.00 tickets for their “CAR WASH” fund-raiser, on April 11th at Select Styling Salon, 2101 Commercial Avenue.
Don indicated that Zoya (in Lomonosov) said that she has homestays for the 5 students and the chaperone.  (Zoya is an English teacher in Lomonosov).

KISAKATA:  Cora Lijek, chairperson, announced that the Sports Coalition Auction raised about $68,000.00.  ASCA provided a package of a driver and 4 entries to the ASCA Golf Tournament, cost - $150.00 plus the cost of  4 entries (green fees and food) and raised $525.00 at the Auction.  Cora reviewed the activities of the Kisakata students and parents in the Sports Coalition Auction as well as the Doyle Geer Golf Tournament.  Their dedicated work on these, and other fund raisers, provides funds to help defray the cost of their trip to Kisakata.  This year the students/parents have signed up 40 businesses for their “tulip painting” on the windows of the businesses.  They hope to raise some $1200.00 with this activity.

Cora reminded the group of the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival in Seattle, April 18 and 19.

SIDNEY, B.C.: David Rapella, chairperson, presented the ferry schedule for April – June, 2009.  He reviewed the experience of homestaying Mayor Larry Cross and Kenny Podmore, Councilor and Sidney Town Crier.  Both the Mayor of Sidney and the Town Crier are VERY supportive of our “Sister City” relationship.  David reminded the members of the wonderful opportunity we have each year, to go to Sidney and march in, or observe, their CANADA DAY, July 1st  parade.  It is a lot of fun and certainly a very good way to support our relationship.   The Sidney folks come to Anacortes to march in, and/or observe our 4th of July parade.

VELA LUKA: Nikki Lovric, chairperson, announced that three students will arrive on June 27th & depart July 13th.  Ivana, Kristina & Vinko.  Vinko is the drummer in the youth Kumpanji group. Members are encouraged to call Nikki regarding activities that would interest these students.  Call 360.922.0551. Included in their activities will be a trip to Sidney and Vancouver, BC for the Canada Day parade.
Nikki announced that the Vela Luka committee is working on bringing Klapa Kumpanji to Anacortes in October 2010.  The Vela Luka committee is working on the schedule for this group.  “In the works” are trips to California and  Canada. 

DOYLE GEER GOLF TOURNAMENT:  Duane reported that the first mailer to prospective participants (sponsors) will go out soon, followed by a mailer to seek sponsors (participants).  (We thanked Duane’s mom, Alice Clark, for her work in getting the mailers ready).

Duane thanked Kris Lytton for her “artistry” and “care” in taking almost 400 pictures while on the ferry, March 29th.  She also prepared DVD’s of the production...

 OTHER ASCA INFORMATION: The three students present, who are bound for Lomonosov, Russia, were asked to come forward for a “get acquainted” interview.  Each student spoke about what he/she is looking forward to doing/learning on the trip.
Duane reminded the members that Wally Funk (who was present) was most instrumental in the acquiring of Lomonosov, Russia as our “Sister City”.

Don Lapworth then reviewed the 15 day tentative schedule of the students trip (July 17 – August 5, 2009):
Free day after arrival
Summer Palace Tour in Peterhof
Local High School Tour
Marinsky Theater Ballet ($100 each for tickets)
Kalinka Meeting
A visit to the Mayor’s office
Kronstat Navy Base visit
Tour of St. Petersburg – 1 day plus Niva River Boat Tour
Park in Lomonosov
A visit to the School Sports Camp
Some ‘joint projects” with Lomonosov students
Artist’s workshop with Svetlana and Nicolay Karlykhanov ($20.00 each for supplies)
Don further described the student preparation for the trip, including 4 or 5 sessions with Yulia Wilson to learn “greetings/farewells, etc.” in the Russian language.

PROGRAM:  Duane presented a Power Point presentation of various shots of Lomonosov, Peterhof and St. Petersburg, Russia, followed by pictures of the March 29th ferry trip to Sidney, BC.
He reminded the group that despite the Transportation Committees of both the House and Senate including the Anacortes-Sidney ferry runs in their budgets….WE ARENOT THERE YET.  He reminded us that this ferry run started in 1922 and has been up for “drops” every so often.  The goal is to get the Anacortes-Sidney Ferry run LOCKED until the year 2030. (Bullet-proof).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Please attend the GOSPEL INVITATIONAL CONCERT presented by the An-O-Chords and including local church and High School choirs, gospel quartets, and musicians of all flavors for an UPBEAT AND UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE.  (suggested donation -$5.00) All
Net proceeds directly benefit AHS VOCAL MUSIC PROGRAMS.

FRANK LAYTON expressed his experiences in Sidney as “VERY POSITIVE” to retain the ferry run.  (Frank has business in Sidney as well as other locations.)

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua
ASCA Secretary