Town of Cary, North Carolina

SISTER CITIES COMMISSION

Minutes of August 16, 2001 Meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 6.30 p.m.

Previous Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting were read. Barry moved for the minutes to the accepted. Tom Nugent seconded and the minutes were accepted.

Treasurer's Report: In the absence of the Treasurer, Tom McCuiston, Barry informed members that the current bank balance should be the same as was reported during the previous meeting. The Cary Chamber of Commerce is still expected to refund the amount of USD500.00 to the Commission.

French Students: Nadette thanked the members of the Commission for their respective help and assistance in hosting the students from Le Touquet. She further informed the members that all of the students have arrived home safely despite some flight scheduling difficulties.

Members unanimously commended Nadette for the great job in coordinating the many activities for the student that visited from Le Touquet. Janice presented Nadette with a bouquet of flowers to show the Commission's recognition and appreciation for the excellent planning and the coordination work she did.

Members did a post-mortem evaluation of some of the positives and negatives encountered during their visit to Cary. Members discussed and agreed on the need to have a relationship or communication between the respective host families and students long before the students arrive in the Town.

It was further suggested that a forum need to be established for the host families to share their views and expectations as host families.

Further discussions led to the idea of establishing a formal structure that will make available a pool of activities that can be placed at the disposal of future visiting students. The YMCA, Cary Parks, and computer internships at SAS were mentioned as some of the organizations that can provide their facilities and/or activities as a basis for the formal structure. It was suggested that once this formal structure is in place, it can be made available to the respective Sister Cities, informing them of what the town has to offer with (time periods or schedules) indicated. This will help the prospective students plan when to visit with the Town.

Tom Nugent suggested that the Town set up a liaison with teachers of the French language in various Cary Schools and their respective French clubs. The purpose would be to establish a pool of students who are learning the French language or taking French classes so that those students can interact with the French students during future visits.

Nadette suggested that the Commission should look beyond the students and plan for other age groups to visit with the Town of Cary.

Committees: Barry asked that the following members constitute the following committees aimed at promoting their respective activities:

Ireland: Tom Nugent and Sharon Hannigan.

Le Touquet – France: Nadette Welterlin-Hugg, Ildiko Trombitas and Janice Stolzenberg

Markham: Barry informed that the focus of Town of Cary establishing relationship with Markham is one of Economic Alliance to be aimed at business development and less of cultural sharing. He informed the members that the City of Markham has a population of 200,000 people and continues to grow. Barry reiterated the Cary Chamber of Commerce's plans to have a preliminary or exploratory visit of 2 - 3 members to visit Markham during the Fall of 2001 and an Inner-City visit of interested Cary citizens during the Spring of 2002.

Le Touquet: Nadette expressed to the commission that at the present time there seems to be no liaison person from Le Touguet with whom she could develop a direct line of communication. Barry said that he will draft a letter signed by him and the Mayor of Cary to the Mayor of Le Touquet asking for a contact person or a liaison.

Sister Cities Association of Cary: Janice stressed that efforts must be made to encourage Cary citizens to sign up to be members of the Association. Such activities as a social or kick off event, wine tasting etc were mentioned as some of the activities that can be planned and hosted by the Commission and the Association to get the citizens of Cary to know of the Association and to be encouraged to sign up and participate as members of the association.

Sarah was asked to head a membership drive committee.

County of Meath: Tom Nugent and Sharon Hannigan were asked to check into the possibility of the Commission's planning a 2002 St Patrick's Day visit to Meath.

Barry informed the members that the Cary band is planning a 2004 trip to the County of Meath.

Other Businesse:

Commission Membership: Barry informed members that two members have left the commission. Barry will write to the Town Council for two new members to be appointed as replacements to Kara Clark and Chris Gallagher.

The meeting adjourned at 7.40 p.m. The Commission's next meeting will be September 20, 2001.

By; Samuel Fudzie

Secretary - Sister Cities Commission.