Sister Cities

Idaho Falls Sister City Meeting Minutes Monday, July 2, 2018 Members in Attendance: Brad Crammer, Joan Fuhrman, Kevin Fuhrman, Val Haddon, Paul Hansen, Sheri Hansen, Nan Hong, Clarke Kido, Cal Ozaki, Cindy Ozaki, Jerry Sehlke, Lisa Sehlke, Bryce Shurtliff, Kirsten Shurtliff, Lynda Ulschmid, Carole Walters, Dave Walters, Edward Zaladonis, and Cheryl Zaladonis. Guests: Roy and Sherry Scott Introductions: Members & Guest introduced themselves. Minutes: Approved Minutes from the May 29, 2018 meeting. Treasurers Report: Balance as of 7/2/18 $5,727.09. Adopted. Business:  Clarke Kido and Edward Zaladonis discussed a potential safety concern at the Friendship garden regarding safety rails and handicap access. The city is evaluating the need for the safety rails and Edward has an initial design for handicap accessible ramp. All Members are invited to participate in Friendship garden cleanup activities. If youth groups would like to participate, their sponsor can contact Master Gardner, Judy Sidell to volunteer. Cindy mentioned that Sister City International is looking for an Idaho representative to join the group. It is a non-sponsored position, the conference is in Denver in August, 2018. Please contact Cindy if you are interested in participating.  Committee Reports: Fund Raising – Nancy Thorsen is working on this. If you have contacts or suggestions for sponsors or folks who may be willing to support the program, please let Nancy know.  Social Media: Next meeting is Tuesday at 6:00 at the Celt. Litton sent out an email to all members. 2018 Exchange:  the Japanese delegation will be in Idaho Falls October 5, 2018 to October 14, 2018. Fifteen delegates are expected. Cindy sent out a sign-up sheet for members to indicate their ability/willingness to host delegates during the visit. We anticipate at least 3-night home stay weekend to start the visit, and some delegates may wish to home stay the full length of the visit.   Action: Please follow-up with Cindy to indicate your participation as host.  Cindy has developed a questionnaire for delegates to learn more about each of them in advance of their arrival  Cindy has reached agreement with the Tokai Muri Sister City organization to limit the formal gift exchange to the following:  Sister City to Sister City  City to City We will also provide a welcome gift bag for each of the delegates and individual gifts will be exchanged during the brunch tentatively scheduled for Saturday October 13, 2018. We will ask Nancy Thorsen to bring the gift items she offered to the next meeting so those who have not seen them may do so.  Cindy reviewed the draft schedule (strawman) based upon the proposed budget and led a discussion regarding potential activities for the visit. Activities may need to scale back or may be added depending on fundraising (we need to raise $3,000 to $4,000).  We discussed the following activities: o Chris talked to a member of the ISU Boosters who believes that he may be able to provide complementary tickets to the football game for visiting delegates and discounted tickets for Idaho Falls Sister City Members. – It was suggested that we include football swag in the welcome bags, and that perhaps we could meet with the Pocatello Sister City group for a tailgate party. o Brad Cramer is coordinating City Day with the Mayor and Council Members and listed several possibilities he is pursuing. In addition, several other ideas were suggested: Tour of Thunder Ridge High School (they may display some of the SC gifts from past exchanges), Tour of historical homes, Disc golf, Morning Star retirement home, etc.). Clark will check with Judy to determine if the traditional tree planting in the Friendship garden is possible this late in the season. The Heritage Center is only open on City Day (Tues) or Thursday from 10:00 to 3:00 if we want to fit it in. o REDI will help with the Community Reception o A new venue for the brunch and gift exchange is needed as the Thorsens will be out of town. o Clark Kido will coordinate departure breakfast and sack lunch o Additional ideas and activities that need research and potentially coordination:  Tour of the Malting plant  Cooking class/home economics class   Craft store  Shopping time  Family Research Library tour (Kristen will enquire)  Corn Maze The next meeting is Monday, July 23, 2018, at 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers. Lisa Sehlke Secretary, Idaho Falls Sister Cities