Sister Cities

Idaho Falls Sister City Meeting Minutes Monday, April 23, 2018 Members in Attendance: Joan Fuhrman, Kevin Fuhrman, Val Haddon, Paul Hansen, Sheri Hansen, Clarke Kido, Cal Ozaki, Cindy Ozaki, Chelsea May Schneider, Jerry Sehlke, Lisa Sehlke, Bryce Shurtliff, Kristen Shurtliff, Jim Thorsen, Nancy Thorsen, Bill Toth, Carole Walters, Dave Walters, Brian Warchow, Julie Warchow. Guest: Dave Eaton Introductions: Members & Guest introduced themselves. Sister City Youth Report: Guest Dave Eaton reported on youth activities – Last summer (2017) Japanese youth visited Idaho Falls. Summer 2018 Idaho Falls delegation will visit Japan including 15 youth and 3 chaperones. Please support the following fund-raising activities: Thursday, April 26, Snow Eagle meals and raffle, May 19 Garage Sale (donations accepted by Kendra Peck or Dave Eaton), Town and Country Gardens gift cards (20% of purchase price goes to youth group). Youth group is busily recruiting new members as several seniors will age out of the program. Minutes: Approved as read. Treasurers Report: Balance as of 4/23/18 $5,776.22. Business:  Clarke Kido gave an update on the Friendship Garden. Cleanup activities are scheduled for April 25 – bring garden tools, wheel barrow, gloves. Judy will also coordinate a cleanup date with the youth group.  Clark also mentioned a request from Dino Lowery regarding a Japanese themed fund raiser for Breaking Boundaries in December. Dino is looking for Japanese décor that she might use to decorate the venue.  Carole Walters reviewed the gifts we received from the Japanese during the last delegation visit in Japan including a beautiful girl’s Kimono and accessories We discussed possible locations for displaying the items. Nancy suggested that there is room in the display case upstairs in the airport. Other suggestions included the library, the museum or one of the Junior High Schools (this might help with recruitment for the youth group).  Cindy Ozaki reported on formation of several committees. o Cal Ozaki, Chair of the Finance subcommittee reviewed a preliminary budget proposal for the upcoming Japanese exchange to Idaho Falls. Based upon past experience, it is anticipated that we will spend approximately $15,000 (see attached budget proposal). Any proposal will require additional in-kind donations as we have obtained in the past.  o Litton Power, Chair of the Social Media committee led a discussion regarding best way to get media coverage for sister city activities as well as ways to revitalize the group’s Facebook and web page.  2018 Exchange: the Japanese delegation will be in Idaho Falls October 5, 2018 to October 14, 2018. Fifteen delegates are expected. Planning ideas were discussed and included consideration of an overnight expedition, length of home stays and potential outings: Yellowstone, Humanitarian Center, football game at ISU, welcome and farewell parties. Nancy and Jim Thorsen offered to host the farewell brunch. The youth group will host a luncheon. Joan checked on the availability of Japanese decorative stamps and learned that there are plenty available if we want to present them as gifts to the delegation members. We agreed that she should go ahead and purchase enough for the visiting delegation. o Action: Please be considering if you are willing to host a delegate for a weekend or for the full week. o Action: Let Cindy know if you would like to participate on the Delegation Visit Planning committee.  Future meeting dates: With the exception of the May 2018 meeting, meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of the month. Due to the Memorial Day holiday in May, the meeting will be Tuesday, May 29, 2018 The next meeting is Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Lisa Sehlke Secretary, Idaho Falls Sister Cities Amended 5/29/2018