The meeting was called to order by President Duane Clark at 7:02 pm.  He welcomed visitors and students who traveled to Lomonosov, Russia:  Tom Krebs and his parents, Richie Sentinilla and his parents, Annah Harrison and Maddison Campbell.

ANNCOUNCEMENTS:  Jo thanked Willy Evans for her proofreading of the minutes before they go to the membership.  Don Lapworth announced that Joyce may be coming home from Fidalgo Skilled Care facility in a couple of days.  Jo also announced that the model of the Citadel of Aleppo, Syria is still in the library (under the stairs.) Duane distributed the flu shot schedule for Island Hospital.

Don Lapworth moved to accept the minutes of the September 4th membership meeting as distributed.  Seconded by Suzanne Harris.  Motion carried.

Duane presented the Board’s decision to replace the deteriorating ASCA sign at the flag pavilion on Highway 20.  The sign will be constructed of more durable materials and changed to the ASCA logo instead of copying the old sign.

He reviewed the various programs that ASCA has developed and explained the idea of a new ASCA fund - “A Grant Program”.  This program would provide opportunity for any Anacortes resident to apply to ASCA for assistance in bringing an international cultural, educational and beneficial group or person to Anacortes and/or surrounding area.  We are expanding our horizons by providing support for talent from other countries to come to Anacortes. A proposal is being drafted and will be provided at a later date.

TREASURER:  Mark Lijek’s September, 2009 report was given by Cora Lijek:
Checking Account Balances:  $9,581.20
Savings Account Balances:
         General Reserve:  $3,134.60  
         Operating Reserve:  $29,581.26
         Dedicated Reserves: $19,103.68
                     Golf Tournament Reserve:  $12,944.64
                     Official Travel Reserve:  $1,000.00
                     Cookbook Reserve:  $703.00 
                     Sidney Committee Reserve:  $116.34
                     Student Travel Fund:  $4,000.00
                     Vela Luka Reserve: $318.52
                     Lomonosov Reserve:  $21.18
Total Assets:  $57,503.94

Custodial Funds: $3,896.80

         Kisakata Student Exchange:  $3,896.80

VICE PRESIDENT - no report

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT:  Don Lapworth shared his letter from Robert Geczi of Comarnic, Romania who was in Anacortes a few years ago.  He expressed his wish to return to Anacortes. (The “contact” person is Angela Nasulea.)

KISAKATA:  Duane distributed “Thank you” pictures of the students going to Kisakata Town, Japan next year and that worked SO HARD on the 2009 Golf Tournament.  He presented the importance of the Golf Tournament to ASCA’s over-all program.

Cora reported that the 2 Kisakata visitors, Kyoko Honma and Kazueko Kato, have returned home.  She reviewed the activities that they experienced while in Anacortes, such as:  Welcome Pot Luck Dinner, boat tour on Duane’s boat, The Night Market, Seattle visit (the Mariners were in Toronto so they did not get to see Ichiro play) hike on Guemes Island with Rudy Gahler, and other events.
          She announced that the students who are traveling to Kisakata will begin their classes in Japanese language and culture next Sunday.
          Kazueko is a writer for a website and was collecting information of “volunteer activities” in America.  She indicated that the website on which the information will be posted is: http://puratto.com/.
 
Joe and Setsuko Amburn and Mark and Cora Lijek leave tomorrow for Japan.

LOMONOSOV:  Suzanne Harris, chairperson, shared information from Jessica Koeberle, chaperone for the students who traveled to Lomonosov, Russia and presented a gift from her to Duane.  She also shared a large bulletin from Russia.  (Note: Ms. Koeberle had previously visited Russia in 1997).  She homstayed with our friend, Zoya, - Zoya's brother, Andrew (a computer administrator for the government in St. Petersburg) and her mother, Natasha (a vice principal who spoke no English).  Zoya taught English at their school and was the interpreter for the guests.
The following are excerpts from Ms. Koeberle’s letter:
 
TECHNOLOGY:  There was next to none in families 12 years ago. Today eEveryone has cell phones and it is typical to have a computer and TV in homes.  I checked my e-mail every day and Andrew brought up our Coupeville home on the screen to my surprise!  TV was watched a lot (very limited choices in 1997) and music, fashion, soccer games and the news was popular.

CARS:  Before there were only large black cars carrying government people.   Now you see many different brands and all colors, large and small.  There was no place to park in St. Petersburg – so many cars.  There was a new law that the cars had to stop for pedestrians when in a crosswalk.  The speed limit was 40 miles per hour in town!  You could tell that drivers did not want to stop for you!  The pot-holes in the roads were a horror – our homestays agreed.  One pot-hole was 1 foot deep.

GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIALS:  It seems that before they used to use their power against what the people wanted.  The people seemed to have a positive feeling about Putin and his promise to get back into the presidency.

PEOPLE:  Smoking in Russia – young and old.  Vodka is still the drink of choice.  Western make-up and clothes are popular, advertised a lot…very colorful.  “Be Free” was a huge sign in the all where the locals shopped.  A cab with “lips” painted on the side was the word “SMILE” next to it would NEVER HAVE BEEN SEEN 12 YEARS AGO.  People were seemingly happy in public places but never acknowledged a greeting when passing by on the sidewalk or on the Metro.  I found that the Russians are tough people who honor history and have an attitude to make things better.

CHURCH:  A Russian Orthodox service was held and all were standing for 2+ hours.  Women wore scarves and you were surrounded by icons.

Ms. Koeberle closed her report with: “I feel that living in Lomonosov with my homestay and seeing Russian through their eyes added a dimension to my life I will never forget.  In deep appreciation for all the work that went into planning our trip.”

SIDNEY:  no report
VELA LUKA:  no report

PROGRAM: Tom Krebs, Richie Sentinilla, Annah Harrison and Maddison Campbell shared their experiences on their trip to Lomonosov, Russia.

The meeting was adjourned by President, Duane Clark.

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Fuqua
ASCA Secretary