Town of Cary
SISTER CITIES COMMISSION
Minutes of January 16, 2003 Meeting

Present: Jinnie Davis, Sharon Hannigan, Steve Morrison, Sarah Sheffield, Darrell Stover (Town of Cary).

Guests: Doug Bozza, Ian Henshaw, Mike Ostrom

Handouts: Agenda and draft goals (Steve), Ireland trip brochure and Irish Ceili flyer (Sharon)

In Barry Mitsch’s absence, incoming chair Steve Morrison called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. and asked Jinnie Davis to take the minutes in Samuel Fudzie’s absence.

The minutes of December 19, 2002, have not been circulated yet and could not be approved.

Steve welcomed our guests, Doug Bozza and Mike Ostrom from the Cary Band Boosters. Mike described their plans: about 150 to 160 (including 120 band members) will go to Ireland in spring 2004. The CBB board approved Mike and Doug’s travel to Ireland this May, as an organizing and fact-finding trip. They will also make plans for an alternate trip in 2004, if this one falls through. They are seeking information on hotels, facilities, etc., in County Meath. The CBB would also like to apply for a grant from the Sister Cities Commission (SCC) or the Town of Cary and want more information about the process.

Sarah explained that the SCC has no funds to dispense but advised the CBB to start checking now with the Town of Cary on the possibility of funds for the next fiscal year (deadline is February 5 to get appropriations in the 2004 budget). She was unsure whether the $10,000 grant for the CBB’s previous trip to Le Touquet was a direct appropriation by the Town Council. Darrell will check on the most expeditious way to make the request.

Sharon has been in touch with the CBB about arrangements in Ireland and suggested their use of the Irish Tourist Board for more assistance. Mike expressed the CBB’s thanks for the commission’s help in the past; he asked whether there was anything the CBB could do in return (e.g., offer a performance by the band in Meath, if an appropriate facility exists).

New members do not officially join the commission until February, but Steve welcomed Ian Henshaw, who spoke about his background and interest in interacting with people of different cultures.

Steve reviewed his draft of the SCC’s goals for this year (cf. Barry’s draft goals distributed at the December meeting), which also cover the remaining items on the agenda.

Sharon expressed concern that her contact persons in Meath are leaving their positions and hopes that their successors will give priority to our efforts. She is also checking on other groups (e.g., Irish dance groups) through which to make additional connections (e.g., pen pals) with Meath. She will check with Tom Nugent to see if he has more personal contacts. Sarah offered to work with a contact with any arts group in Meath.

So far, no one has paid a deposit on the May trip to Ireland. We need 20 (or 18 at the least) reservations by February 15. Sharon still needs a co-liaison for Ireland.

Things seem to be going well.

Steve suggested that holding some kind of function for Cary residents who are from Taiwan might be one way to revive interest in Hsinchu as a sister city. Barry is following up with John Wei, former commissioner and original contact with Hsinchu.

This led to another discussion on the issue of town funding and whether we should try to reinstate the $250 that Scotty had gotten for us in the town budget. Darrell reiterated that there is no difficulty in obtaining funding from the town when the SCC has defined a specific function. When we are ready to proceed with an event, he can help draw up the requisitions.

Steve praised Nadette for her hard work in organizing summer exchanges for students. Sharon mentioned to our guests that this might be a good opportunity for Cary High students who are studying French and would like to go to Le Touquet. Mike encouraged the SCC to ask the CBB whenever we need host families for exchange students.

Sharon mentioned the possibility of having a table in Moore Square during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 15; she will look into it. Sarah suggested contacting Linda Maloof at Barnes and Noble for membership benefits (similar to what Borders offered Jinnie).

This year, Spring Daze will be held on April 26 (rain date April 27) in Bond Park. Steve asked Jinnie to serve as the contact person with La Farm; Sarah offered to help. Our application is due by March 14.

Steve asked each member to come back with ideas for items to give out at Spring Daze. Sharon suggested creating a calendar of events for the SCA. She also pointed out that the Sister Cities banner (now in Barry’s possession) needs updating. Darrell will check on how we can go about getting two more city names added to it and on possible cost. As for the vertical banner that we are presenting to Markham, Sarah still has not heard back yet on her grant application.

Although further discussion on Lazy Daze will take place later, Ian raised the possibility of inviting representatives from our sister cities to attend, which would require more immediate action. Steve agreed that it could be similar to the way Le Touquet offered an area with booths for its four sister cities at the film festival. Le Touquet arranged for the presentation ceremony and a luncheon and paid for Steve’s lodgings, but the rest of the time he was free to spend with their Cary liaison. We might arrange a reception with the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council. Darrell will check on the council meeting schedule, in relation to Lazy Daze weekend. For this type of event, we would need a civic booth rather than a concessions booth.

Steve asked Ian to draft a letter that would go out to our sister cities, including suggestions for items they might bring (videos, handouts, etc.). We expect to need six months’ lead time for this event.

Commission members considered whether our purpose is to get exposure or to make money. We agreed that, at Lazy Daze, selling La Farm products overshadowed our efforts to publicize Sister Cities activities. Without something like the bread, however, we lack a good way to attract traffic to the booth. We decided to proceed with La Farm arrangements at Spring Daze, putting into place the lessons learned from our first experience, and see if we can make some money this time.

The lack of prominence in the location of the Sister Cities concessions booth at Lazy Daze was again raised as a problem, and SCC members asked whether we could get any kind of special consideration as a town commission. Darrell will check with Joy Cox on the proposed layout of the fair in Bond Park and on the possibility of a combined civic/concessions booth.

Darrell announced the several activities planned in commemoration of Martin Luther King (including an art exhibit in the gallery where the SCC meeting was being held). The diversity of visual, musical, and literary events reflect Dr. King’s multifaceted legacy. In addition, Green Hope High School is putting on a production of Our Town.

Steve asked commission members to evaluate continually whether we are doing the right things, and whether to continue with our current activities or to pursue new ones. The idea of eliminating the commission once the association is solidly established had been mentioned before. It appears, however, that the official backing of the town will still be a useful one (e.g., in the ease of getting a proclamation, of asking city officials to participate). The commission could still have the role of formulating programs, while the association could implement and build upon them.

Ian observed that the Sister Cities’ Web page is rather bleak. He suggested posting a copy of the Le Touquet proclamation and a video extract of its presentation to the Town Council. Steve explained that the town controls the SCC page, while the commission maintains the SCA page. The latter, however, is limited in space and in lack of technical assistance. Ian (who admitted his technical expertise) will e-mail Darrell his ideas about the proclamation, and Steve will send Ian information on the association’s page. Ian suggested purchasing Web space; Steve and Sharon will look into possible sponsors elsewhere.

Sarah moved to adjourn the meeting, and Sharon seconded it. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.