Loading...
Sister City 2011/03/28CITY OF A11AAE-MI 1l March 28, 2011 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Joseph Aihara, Sandy Day, James Dinwiddie, Russell LaHodny, John D. Nguyen, Brian O'Neal, Anna Piercy, Kyoko Smith, Virginia Zlaket COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Elaine Cali, Lisa Gin, Carrie Nocella, Swati Patcl, Carolyn Yellis STAFF PRESENT: Saany Larson -Cash, Community Services Lori Bartnikowski, City Manager's Office GUESTS PRESENT: Henri Soucy, Sue Soucy Agenda Posting_ A complete copy of the Anaheim Sister City Commission Agenda was posted at 3:00 on March 25, at Anaheim. City Hall. Public Input: Chairman Nguyen explained that members of the public are invited to address the Anaheim Sister City Commission and will be called upon under Agenda Item No. III Public Comment. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Anaheim Sister City Commission was called to order at 4:07 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Anaheim City Manager's Officc, City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., 7 "' Floor, Anaheim, California. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION Commissioner O'Neal offered a Motion, Seconded by Commissioner Leonard AND MOTION CARRIED (Vote: 9 -0, Absent: Cali, Gin, Nocella, Patel, Yellis) that the Anaheim Sister City does hereby approve the minutes from the February 28, 2011 Sister Commission meeting with the following changes: Commissioner Day expressed that she would like to include for the record, regarding the ASCC Meeting Minutes on February 28, 2011, Item XII (Commissioner Comments) that she had mentioned that her position remains that $500 per student fee, for the current Japanese student exchange program is Anaheim Sister City Commission March 28, 2011 Page 2 excessive and that she feels that it should revert to the $250 per student fee, as in previous years. III. PUBLIC COMMENT Chairman Nguyen introduced Michael Bruckner, the CMO Management Intern who is supporting Greg Garcia on the Sister City Commission. Chairman Nguyen thanked Michael for his tremendous help with the executive committee, also with the student exchange interview process of the students and his facilitation of the outreach and communication to Mito, Japan. Chairman Nguyen stated that Michael has been an arnazing assistant to the Commission. Additionally Chairman Nguyen introduced the two guests, Henri and Sue Soucy. Henri Soucy recently resigned from the Anaheim Sister City Commission. Sue Soucy was part of the previous Anaheim Sister City Association (ASCA), and was previously a part of the selection and judging committee for the student exchange program. Henri reported on the Assistant English Teachers (AET) program. This is a program in Mito where foreign teachers come to Japan to assist the Japanese teachers in teaching English. Mayor Kato from Mito, Japan came to Anaheim in 2006 and met with :Mayor Pringle and requested that a teacher from Anaheim participate in the AET program. Previously the teachers have been from the Christian University at Oklahoma. In 2008 when Henri was president of ASCA, the former Sister City organization in Anaheim, Mito had also requested a teacher from Anaheim. Last year, Lisa Hansen who was a high school graduate of Loara High School and a college graduate of Cal State Fullerton, went to Japan this past year as an AET. In January 2011, five California AET's were officially approved by the Mito City Educational Research Center. They are: Aaron Blaauw who lives in Chino and is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach, Kyrnberly Dobson who lives in Downey and is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach, Brett Fujioka who lives in La Canada and graduated from Occidental College and Kayu Shibata who lives in Irvine and graduated from University of California Los Angeles. One additional AET that was approved but recently made the decision to cancel was Christie Paik who lives in West Covina and is a graduate of University of Southern California. Additionally, Lisa Hansen, the AET from last year decided to return for a second year. The AEI's have a responsibility to teach for one year (the school year is April through March of each year). In addition to teaching, they will be helping out with disaster preparedness and a lot more. Henri gave a full report on the numerous processes that he dealt with in regards to his responsibility for assisting the AET's to be eligible to obtain the certificates Anaheim Sister City Commission March 28, 2011 Page 3 from the consulate. Additionally Henri gave a detailed explanation of the travel plans and itineraries of the AEI's. Henri has been asked by the Mito City International Association to be their liaison with the Anaheim Sister City Commission with regards to all aspects of the outbound and inbound student exchange Assistant English Teachers (AET) programs between Anaheim and Mito. Henri has Mito's full authority and they have requested him to attend all Anaheim Sister City Commission monthly meetings, report to the commission all aspects of the student exchange as their representative and also work with the Report Republic for Government Exchange subcommittee which has a responsibility for the student exchange. Mito has asked Henri to take on this responsibility and it is solely for the student exchange and AET programs. Henri stated that he will be a Program Director/Facilitator and will be utilizing his experience to help where ever he can. Commissioner Nguyen thanked Henri for stepping in and helping with the AET program. He also stated that the City will address the letter that was formally sent to them from Mito about their request for Henri to work with the Anaheim Sister City Commission. Chairman Nguyen stated that Greg Garcia will follow up and report back on the item. Chairman Nguyen thanked both Henri and Sue Soucy for being at the meeting and for the excellent update report. Commissioner Zlacket inquired about how it occurred that Henri became the liaison for Mito, and if Mito was aware that he recently resigned from the ASCC. Chairman Nguyen reiterated that Greg Garcia will formally address the letter sent to the City of Anaheim by Mito regarding Henri Soucy. IV, TREASURER'S REPORT Chairman Nguyen reported that Commissioner Patel was absent, and that the numbers are pending in order to reflect the student exchange ticket purchase and the pending refund with additional cancellation fees for the Mito trip that has been cancelled. Commissioner Zlacket initiated a discussion on possibly obtaining a credit card program on behalf of the Anaheim Sister City Commission for fundraisers and necessary purchases, and also to have the ability to accept credit card donations. Commissioner Day suggested that one idea would be to set up an account through the Anaheim Community Foundation (ACF) for donation purposes, or that possibly a non -profit program could be set up. Anaheim Sister City Commission March 28, 2011 Page 4 Chairman Nguyen stated that they would look into all of the ideas and report back. V. MITO STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM — UPDATE Commissioner Zlacket reported on the cancellation of the student exchange trip to Mito due to the recent earthquake and tsunami conditions. The students are still scheduled to be recognized at the City Council meeting on April 12, Danielle Vargas, the 2010 Ambassador representing Anaheim, was on the front page of the local section of the newspaper regarding the campaign effort to collect 1000 letters. Mayor Tait and the Council Members are very receptive to the idea and are supportive. The campaign effort is to collect 1000 letters from the citizens in the city of Anaheim and mail them to the Sister City, Mito, Michael Bruckner stated that on the City website there is information explaining where residents can submit letters of kindness, poems, or email directly to City Fall. Michael also presented a couple of exceptional representations that have already been submitted. Commissioner Aihara reported that all of his students (approximately 125) wrote letters that have been submitted. Commissioner Leonard inquired about the possibility of getting more press regarding the Sister City, Mito connection. Chairman Nguyen held a short discussion on raising awareness and getting our citizens to write letters and connect with Mito showing our compassion. Commissioner Zlacket mentioned that some of the students are making origami cranes and selling them to students for $ 1.00 and then sending the money to Japan. The students fundraising goal is to sell at least a thousand. This also encourages everyone to keep Japan in their thoughts and prayers. Other suggestions were to assist the students in creating work projects with the Chamber of Commerce and possibly with the Taste of Anaheim Event. Commissioner Dinwiddie reported that at Kennedy High School the teachers challenged the students that if they could raise $5000.00 in five minutes, the teachers would get Mohawk haircuts. The students eagerly met the challenge and even earned over $6000.00 in five minutes. Anaheim Sister City Commission March 28, 2011 Page S Commissioner Aihara reported that his school is also planning a fundraiser campaign. VI. JAPAN QUAKE RELIEF — 1000 LETTERS OF KINDNESS 1,000 Letters of Kindness Campaign to Mito, Japan -The City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Sister City Commission have invited everyone to show their support for our Sister City ---- Mito, Japan by participating in our 1,000 Letters of Kindness Campaign. The March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami has caused enormous hardship throughout Japan. In an effort to show our friends in Mito that we stand with them as they recover and rebuild their communities, we have been asked to write an open letter to a Mito resident expressing kind words and compassion. This gesture of support can be in the form of a letter, poem, picture, or even just a few short sentences. Submissions must be made to www.sistercitv6c),anaheini.net by May 27, 2011. For more information, participants may visit www.anaheim.net/SisterCit or call Michael Bruckner at extension 4610. Commissioner Piercy gave an explanation of the 1000 Cranes explaining that the tradition is to make a huge framed crane that is made out of 1000 origami cranes. The idea is that if you make 1000 cranes and make a wish; that wish will be granted. VII. AD HOC SUBCOMMITTE UPDATES Commissioner LaHodny gave an update on the Economic Development Ad Hoc Subcommittee. UPS has expressed an interest in getting involved and becoming a sponsor for some of the things in which the commission will be participating. This item is still in progress and it will be addressed further in the near future. Additionally, from the Chamber standpoint, there are business resources that are being pursued. Commissioner Day reported that she met with Mayor Tait to ensure that he was in agreement with the goals of the Sister City Commission and to get his feedback. After the earthquake occurred the focus has changed, so they briefly discussed the direction and processes that the commission is exploring. Commissioner Day talked with Mayor Tait about the 1000 Letter Campaign and he was very enthusiastic about it. He is aware and supportive of the commission's major fundraising efforts. Also covered in the meeting, was the international events that the commission would like him to participate in, and he was very agreeable to this idea also. Additionally, the Mayor has expressed an interest in being more personally involved with the ASCC website. Anaheim Sister City Corninission March 28, 2011 Page 6 Commissioner Day reiterated that due to the recent events in Japan, the work that the commission is doing, has become very high profile so it's an opportunity for the commission to have a real solid year of planning and expansion of the committee. Commissioner Day also mentioned that Commissioner Leonard noticed that there was an issue with the website on the section where the commission was seeking German partnerships, and it was not showing on the website. Commissioner Day reported that there is now an online process and that the information has been resubmitted. There are other cities that the commission is exploring, but the current focus is on cities in Germany. At this point a response has been received from Stuttgart, Germany, but there have been no other responses at this time. VIII. SISTER CITY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE — RECAP Chairman Nguyen reported on his attendance at the 55` Annual Sister City International Conference in Washington D.C. He reported that it was an excellent conference and he learned that it will be held in Washington D.C. every five years. Chairman Nguyen shared the agenda and the program from the conference. He also shared the Chicago Sister City Annual Report as an inspirational item and the Sister City Membership Directory as a reference for other Sister Cities information. Chairman Nguyen encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming Sister Cities Regional Conference that will be held from September 30, 2011 through October 1, 2011, at the ;Mission Inn, in Riverside, CA. The Riverside Sister City is hosting the conference, and most of the local Sister Cities in California are likely to be attending. There are a lot of workshops and networking opportunities. Also the different models of Sister Cities that exist, will be shared. Some exist as commissions, some are part of the Chamber of Commerce, some are part of the Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) and others exist as their own entities. It's all very interesting, and the greatest value is the networking. Chairman Nguyen stated that the Sister City International organization is very influential, and therefore he expressed the need to fonn strong relationships with representations of businesses, non profits, education, art and cultural programs, in order to strive to be a distinguished organization that facilitates and promotes a global exchange and world peace. 1X. FUNDRAISING AND SPONSORSHIPS Anaheim Sister City Commission March 28, 2011 Page 7 Commissioner Day stated that the mission is to generate funds and also to elevate the awareness of the potential of the Anaheim Sister City Commission. Up until now, it has been a terrific cultural program with one city and a semi -small relationship with another city. Now that the commission is getting ready to expand, the commission must prepare to properly approach very high profile sponsors that have a global presence. Commissioner Day presented the draft fundraising package showing the different levels of sponsorship from $100.00 for an individual, to $50,000.00 for a large global organization. There was a discussion about the suggestion of a global member sponsorship and what possible capacity that they might fill such as being an honorary commissioner or a member of the board of trustees and specifically the outline of the responsibilities, liability, title and what recognition they may receive. Commissioner Day reviewed all of the benefits listed on her draft and explained that at this point, the creation of ideas are still in the process. A brainstorming discussion ensued regarding all of the creative ideas, and a decision was made to continue to work on the numerous wonderful ideas. The committee is very excited at the prospect of the enormous potential that the City of Anaheim has and the committee will continue to refine the ideas. The commission will continue to evolve as the relationships become solidified. Commissioner Leonard suggested that a Value Statement or a Mission Statement stating the benefits should be created. Chairman Nguyen wrapped up the brainstorming discussion by saying that the commission needs to be a partnership organization that promotes our community assets. Chairman Nguyen also suggested that the commission should set a formal meeting with the VCB to renew the relationship. This is a new year and the commission's goal is to become a vibrant community entity. X. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chairman Nguyen announced that a representative from the Sister City International Board is expected to attend the next Anaheim Sister City Commission meeting. Additionally, Chairman Nguyen announced that Commissioner Nocella has resigned as commissioner, and a replacement is in the process. Anaheim Sister City Commission March 28, 2011 Page 8 XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:52 p.m., to May 23, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at the City of Anaheim, City Manager's Office.