Sister Cities Commission

Morgantown Sister Cities Commission Regular Meeting via Zoom Thursday, June 29, 2023 - 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172214897?pwd=M01XampkZFdPNThmb2JwWUpnU S9qdz09 Meeting ID: 851 7221 4897 and Passcode: 618511 One tap mobile +13017158592,,85172214897#,,,,*618511# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,85172214897#,,,,*618511# US (Chicago) MINUTES JUNE 29, 2023 – Morgantown Sister Cities Commission (MSCC) CALL TO ORDER: Meeting 5:08 PM. No Minutes May 25 (lack of quorum). ATTENDEES: Liz Finklea, Helene Friedberg, Lola Contreras, George Lies, Lyndie Jones NEW BUSINESS 1. Welcome Commissioner Lyndasia (Lyndie) Jones (Ofc. of Student Success, WVU College of Applied Human Sciences). She was approved by City Council and took her oath of office in June. We did intros with new commissioner as she observed her first meeting. We chatted generally about WVU’s transformation that may impact international work in community, considering cuts in job positions due to WVU’s $45 million budget deficit in current year. 2. Sister Cities International Leadership and Annual Membership Meeting: Durham, North Carolina from July 26 - 28, 2023. Registration $140. We agreed on sending a commissioner and explored idea. Lyndie is interested in attending the meeting in Durham, and would need to check with her work if she 1  can get the time off. The option is Mayor’s designee to attend SCI conference. However, a recalculation of expenses (about $1,250) indicated that it may be better to add $1,350 to next fiscal year budget (2023-2024) for a commissioner to attend the July 2024 SCI conference. 3. Discussed Sister Cities Newsletter and Brochure (Liz). We talked of various articles and content of recent activities and decided to produce a newsletter by September. 15. Plan for two newsletters a year, one in fall and one in spring. All copy for the fall newsletter is to be received by 9/15. 4. Balance in FY 2022-23 Budget of $700 to $850 (George estimated). We made suggestions as to purchasing promo materials, such as tote bags (with new city logo), covering newsletter printing costs, and planning the Han Dynasty exhibit. According to the city finance office, the budget balance (to be checked soon) may be ‘carried over’ from the previous fiscal year. 5. Finances—City ‘reimbursements’ made for Cinco de Mayo volunteers’ expenses (using the allocation form). All commissioners said they received reimbursement for personal expenses. Total around $950 for gymnasium site rental, sound engineer, decorations, posters, small snacks, more. Food donations were made by city businesses interested in city’s international activities. George acknowledged payment to Hilton Garden Inn of Ukraine Veterans Welcome Lunch, March 24 and the city’s annual dues ($610, Feb., City Finance) to Sister Cities Intl. GUANAJUATO, MEXICO: 1. Lola mentioned that September is Hispanic month and wondered if WVU was doing anything. Need to check with Global Affairs and Student Engagement if there are any plans. We debriefed Cinco de Mayo Sat., May 6, Wesley Church. 2. Guanajuato U. Request for WVU ESL Certification by Faculty member. Lola also indicated she can ask an ESL person who ‘might’ be interested in leading ‘certification’ of ESL teachers in Guanajuato U. It was mentioned that WVU job cut backs may not allow an IEP faculty to handle this work in July. XUZHOU, CHINA 3. Xuzhou requests city to host Han Dynasty sculpture relief art exhibit (October). We see several places that might be interested in hosting an exhibit: the MAC, Eureka (Wiles Hill community center). Liz will check with MAC for exhibit space. Lola will check with Eureka Cafe. George will share exhibit items and dimensions provided by contact Ellen of Xuzhou Foreign Affairs Office. 2 4. George reported on a Zoom conference between WV Coal Assn and Xuzhou Foreign Affairs, and China Embassy. The meeting discussed business exchanges and hosting a coal conference in the fall; the mayor was informed of plan. There are not any new details such as a date, according to George. The idea is to do a business conference in WV—for WV and Xuzhou businesses to showcase their products. Expected to be in WV or nearby, the proposed event will focus on 1. equipment, 2. electronics, 3. manufacturing items, 4. coal production. George sent a new email requesting details from Xuzhou. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Liz and Lola are preparing Thank You letters to send to half a dozen businesses that supported Cinco de Mayo by providing packaged foodstuffs. The city clerk’s office (which provided many pins, key chains, and Intl pens) was busy due to city business. A question: should thank you include a certificate of support. 2. The Commission is awaiting appointment of a new City Council Rep., after the departure of City Council Rep. Ixya Vega. This is a (voting) representative who reports to City Council on MSCC’s activities, business, and announcements. 3. We discussed In-Person Meetings, and George suggested 2-4 in-person meetings a year—at least one in-person every six months or quarterly—if we find space in a city building. We will continue to offer zoom meetings to do important work since technology keeps MSCC thriving when volunteer commissioners have personal family business and travel commitments. 4. We may adjust 2023-24 regular meeting dates and confirm dates once the new City Council representative is named. There are not any MSCC activities through June 30 and we will plan 2023-2024 Activity Plan. We wanted to recognize the City Clerk’s assistance (Heather Carl) on recent events and thank her for support during events hosted by MSCC. Adjournment. Meeting ended 6:09PM. NEXT MEETING – Thursday 5 PM, July 27, 2023. —- 3