Sister City MINUTES 10.14.2024

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SISTER CITIES PROGRAM 
 
MINUTES 
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
Tuesday, October 14, 2024 
12:00pm – Trinity UMC 
 
I. Welcome  
a. Roll Call: 
i. Present: Victoria White,  Becky Simpson,  Austin Fesmire, Ersa Henry,  Steve 
Sherlin, Randy Dowling and Betty Ruleman 
1. Visitors: Anna Barrios(TWU) and Frank Clark (City of Athens) 
ii. Absent: Lindsey Ferguson 
II. Approval of Minutes 
a. Motion was made by Ersa Henry , seconded by Betty Ruleman, for the approval of minutes 
of the August 7, 2024 meeting. 
Motion carried 
III. New Business 
a. Japan Scholarship – Ersa Henry presented the TWU trip to Japan for students (18+) 
scheduled for May 16-25, 2025. If there are 5 or less students, only 1 chaperone will be 
needed, but if they receive the maximum number of 10, they will need 2 chaperones. They 
would like to offer 3 students from Athens $1,000 scholarships for the trip; TWU 
committee is in place to determine which students will qualify for the scholarship. They 
would also like support for one of the chaperones. 
Motion was made by Betty Ruleman, seconded by Becky Simpson, to support three (3) 
$1,000 scholarships for students and one (1) $3,500 chaperone, for a total donation of 
$6,500. 
 Motion carried 
b. Financial Commitment to Chinzei Gakuin 2025 TWU Program – Ana, Ersa and Betty all 
spoke about the 2025 scheduled visit of 24 students and their upcoming needs. They are 
requesting funding for 2 Sister Cities Resident Ambassadors (SCRA) and directorial staff in 
addition to the already approved $1200 yearly donation. The Board would like preference 
to go to Athens resident applicants if possible. 
Motion was made by Ersa Henry, seconded by Becky Simpson, to approve $2,140 for 
two(2) SCRA’s and $2,100 for directorial staff, in addition to the already approved $1,200 
annual donation to the program. 
 Motion Carried