Sister Cities Commission

Morgantown Sister Cities Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting** – Morgantown High School Thursday, AUGUST 24, 2023. Also on Zoom log-In Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172214897?pwd=M01XampkZFdPNThmb2JwWUpn US9qdz09 Meeting ID: 851 7221 4897 and Passcode: 618511 CALL TO ORDER 5:21 PM. Commissioners: George Lies, Liz Finklea, Lola Contreras, Sarah Barnes, and City Rep. Joe Abu-Ghannam. Excused: Helene Friedberg, Lyndie Jones. Approved Meeting Minutes July 27, 2023. No Announcements and updates. NEW BUSINESS 1. We discussed planning and working on hosting Han Dynasty sculpture relief art exhibit Oct.-Nov., 2023 and extended exhibit to 2024. This is request of Xuzhou partner. We came up with tentative schedule (see below) for our proposed exhibit activities: Han Dynasty (fall, winter) exhibit, promotional materials and assignments . This discussion took most of the meeting time. 2. Lola discussed visitor coming in October for a program fitting Hispanic Month at MHS. We approved living expenses for 2 days using governmnet’s per diem rates for Mogantown (not hotel or travel). Estimate is $!80.00. 3. We brought up invitation from Xuzhou for our city to send a representative for 5th annual Sister Cities conference in November (see addendum 2) and that the Mayor asked for details on activities and estimated costs. SEE ATTACHED PDF AND ADDENDUM FOR THAT INFO. While there was favorable sentiment on sending representatives, the commission debated the expenses and discussed who pays for travel, meals, hotel. 4. We mentioned International Street Festival date being moved to mid-April of 2024, and chatted about a second Cinco de Mayor next May 4, 2024. 5. We reviewed budget for 2023-24 fiscal year. Annual dues ($610); registration and travel to Sister Cities annual July 2024 conference (date TBA), about $1500, and other expenses for hosting guests, promotion and operational expenses. Balance in FY 2022-23 Budget, range of $600 to $700 (estimate). We generally discussed 2023-2024 Activity Plan & Budget, and tentative activities. 6. We went through Operations Items: a) meeting dates, 2023-24 and In- Person Meetings, every 3 months; b) types of promo-materials, e.g. tote bags, small flashlights, MSCC stamped materials, c) Newsletter, Brochure pending. 7. We have no update on proposed WV Coal Assn. event mentioned in a zoom meeting with Jiangsu State, Xuzhou Foreign Affairs, and China Embassy. Adjournment was 6:27PM. NEXT MEETING – Thursday 5 PM, September 28, 2023. On Zoom **REFER TO 3 ADDENDUM TO GO WITH THE MEETING AGENDA. MORGANTOWN SISTER CITIES – 3 ADDENDUM FOR SEPT. 28 ADDENDUM #1 – MSCC HAN DYNASTY EXHIBIT PLANNING & TENTATIVE SCHEDULE We expect shipment by first week in October 1-8. We have confirmed exhibit dates from October 13 thru November 7 at 3 locations. We want to exhibit in 2024 too. See details below. Asked Xuzhou if our city can hold the exhibit to show work for 2 Months in 2024: January and February!? We will need to place exhibit in storage at city offices. We can exhibit relief sculptures at a community Center January and February 2024. Here is an update of tentative schedule and proposed locations: 1. We have confirmed dates for mid October beginning October 13, at downtown at the Monongalia Arts Center (2nd Floor gallery). The exhibit will be for 3 Weeks. 2. There will be MAC Arts reception coinciding with the Arts Walk on Friday October 13 evening. We expect up to 40-50 people at least. 3. Sister Cities will host promotional table in downtown to promote Han Dynasty exhibits. We expect up to a hundred people to receive info about exhibit on Arts Walk night. This night is hosted by Main Street Morgantown. 4. Morgantown High School is confirmed for library display for 2-3 weeks for high school students. This will display smaller sculpture reliefs for at least two weeks. This is about October 14-30. 5. We will promote Han Dynasty exhibit and promote exhibit at downtown Art Bar. We need to confirm dates October for 2 -3 weeks. This links with art bar’s painting program on Wednesday nights. 6. Finally (if we can hold the exhibit longer) we will confirm first 2 Months of 2024 for exhibit in January and February to coincide with China New Year Of Dragon. This is at a community center Eureka run by BOPARC, agency of the city. We will host 2nd reception around February 9 (or Feb 16). Eureka has gallery for art exhibits and a cafe. SHIPMENT TO BE DELIVERED TO: Attention: City Clerk Christine Ward City address 389 Spruce Street Room 10 Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone: 304-284-7439. Fax: 304-284-7525 Email the City Clerk's Office. Link: City Clerk Page CORRESPONDENCE WITH XUZHOU - ON PROPOSED EXHIBIT: SENT TO ELLEN AND VIVIAN IN XUCHOU FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICE— We’re thinking of hosting an Art opening (light refreshments) and promote the event— with help of Mayor Jenny Selin and city communications director. We are trying to find 2-3 exhibit space at several locations. Then we will know the dates. Questions AND Xuzhou Responses: 1. Will a Xuzhou representative(s) visit Morgantown during exhibit? NO BUDGET 2. Will China Embassy in Wash DC send representatives? LIKELY NOT 3. Please, can you send a photo for media with one Mask (not two) for promotion? YES Below is a report to Mayor and the Sister Cities Commission presented July 27 to MSCC Commissioners. I’m sending this PDF (refer to other document) of the Art Exhibit proposed by Xuzhou Sister City. We discussed this event which is tentatively planned for October-November 2023 but we need venues. We’ve informed Mayor Selin about the planned exhibit and she offered a couple ideas on exhibit space—and someone may have to follow-up with the Mayor. Sister Cities commissioners afd looking into space for Exhibit at Eureka, community Center, Wiles Hill, and at the Mon Arts Center. A business called Art Bar. Maybe we could exhibit at high school and a local business which portrays Art work on walls. ALL ABOVE MSCC ASSIGNMENTS ACCOMPLISHED BY LIZ, JOE, GEORGE Aims: 1. We need a venue or more than one site. 2. The plan is to do exhibit for 3 weeks and/or ‘rotate’ exhibit at various locations. 3. Exhibit time period: October (maybe early November)—for 3 weeks at a time. 4. Xuzhou agreed to cover costs of shipping to/from Morgantown. We need details and arrival dates. 3. We may consider a stipend for labor and for the exhibit space to support community venues too. — NOT ATTACHED HERE IS AVAILABLE PDF WITH photos and details on the number of pieces, and their size. This is the info that came in from our contact in the Xuzhou Foreign Affairs Office. Her contact information is in PDF. Best, George Lies Morgantown Sister Cities ADDENDUM #2 – INVITATION TO CITY TO ATTEND NOV. 2-4 CONFERENCE August 16th, 2023 - Invitation To further strengthen practical cooperation between China and the U.S. at sub-national level, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) November 2nd to 4th ,2023. Conference will invite guests from sub-national governments, friendship organizations, corporations, media of the two countries. Ideas and thoughts will be shared on the following three topics: Economy and Employment, Education and Youth, Climate Change and Environment Protection. After the conference, guests from the U.S. are welcome to join the city tours in Suzhou and the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. We sincerely welcome your organization to join the 5th China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference in Suzhou and the related events. Please confirm your participation and guest list before September 2,,2023. Look forward to meeting you in Suzhou. SEE ADDDENDUM 4 in PDF ATTACHMENT FOR CONFERENCE AGENDA NOV. 3-4, 2023. SCROLL TO END OF PDF. —-