Town of Cary, North Carolina
SISTER CITIES COMMISSION
Minutes of May 16, 2002 Meeting.
Present: Tom McCuiston, Nadette Welterin-Hugg, Jinnie Davis, Steve Morrison, Sharon Hannigan and Samuel Fudzie, Janice Stolzenberg
The meeting was called to order at 7.35 pm.
Previous Minutes: The minutes of the April meeting were read. Sharon moved for the minutes to be accepted. The minutes were accepted by the members voice vote.
Treasurer’s Report: The balance in the bank account of the Sister Cities Association was reported to be $2,418.23
Markham: Tom reported that the trip to Markham, led by the Cary Chamber of Commerce with a Sister Cities Commission as a co-sponsor, was a very successful trip. Forty-one (41) individuals made the trip to Markham. Barry Mitsch and Tom McCuiston, chairperson and treasurer, respectively, of the Sister Cities Commission were among those who made the trip to Markham.
Tom further informed the members that the Town of Markham has may similarities with the Town of Cary in terms of types of IT businesses and facilities. Among the facilities he noted are a skate boarding facility, performing arts and golf courses. The group toured some businesses.
A proclamation to the effect of Cary becoming the Sister City of Markham was made during the trip.
Tom passed out a copy of the article that was in the May 9, 2002 issue of The Cary News headlined: "Cary, Canadian city share ideas." Nadette however noted that the article in The Cary News made little mention or reference to the Sister Cities Commission.
Le Touquet: Nadette informed the members that the culinary students from Le Touquet had arrived for their intern program under the sponsorship of SAS and Wake Tech. The students’ program will take them up to May 28, 2002. Nadette further said that the students have had a very busy and tight schedule individually and as a group since their arrival, hence it has not been possible to arrange any social group activity for them.
Nadette brought up the discussion on the request by two students, Julie and Adrien from Le Touquet, who have indicated an interest to come to Cary during the summer. Host family arrangements for the students are in progress. Nadette has sent mailings to the various high schools in the Town asking if they will be interested in organizing educational-related activities for the students.
Nadette’s mailings to the educators also asked the educators if they will be interested in planning similar visits for students of the various schools to visit Le Touquet.
Sister Cities Association: Members again discussed the positives of hosting cultural, social and educational events and activities such as a "French Event or Day" that will focus on recruiting membership for the Association. It was suggested that activities such as the French event include Dance, Games, Food, Refreshment and possibly fireworks.
It was reported that the Ireland event did not yield any membership application to the Sister Cities Association.
The members suggested more publicity for the Association has to be planned and effected. Articles in The Cary News are one of the channels through which information and news on the Association can be publicized. Tom to check on possible Press Releases in The Cary News. Janice to check on getting out information on the Association through TV Channel 14.
Sharon commented that the Association needs access to the Sister Cities Association website. The website has to be modified to make it possible for those interested in joining the Association to download the application form to apply to become members. Nadette to check with Ken to find out how we can get into the website to effect the necessary changes.
Steve Morrison to further update the data-base by preparing a report as to how many names are in the data-base, how many are active, and emails addresses, if possible, for the names in the data base.
Ireland: Tom informed the members of a meeting Barry, Sharon and he had with the travel agent to discuss the costs of the proposed trip to Meath, Ireland. The travel agent is currently working on the airfare, costs of pick-up from the airport, staying in Meath for three days, and cost of other planned organized or group activities. The travel agent requires a commitment of 22 passengers to be able to work out the group rate. It was reported that 18 individuals signed up during the Spring Daze indicating their interest to make the trip to Ireland.
Other Businesses:
The meeting was adjourned at 8.40 pm.
Next Meeting: The Commission’s next meeting is June 20, 2002 at 7.30 pm
By: Samuel Fudzie
Secretary to the Commission.