Sister City MINUTES 03.19.2024

Unverified text extraction. Check the original page for numbers, names, and layout.

 
 
 
 
 
SISTER CITIES PROGRAM 
 
MINUTES 
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
 
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 
12:00pm – Trinity UMC 
 
I. Welcome  
a. Roll Call: 
i. Present: Victoria White, Austin Fesmire, Deb Wallace, Ersa Henry, and Betty Ruleman 
ii. Absent: Lindsey Ferguson, Becky Simpson and Steve Sherlin 
II. Approval of Minutes 
a. Motion was made by Betty Ruleman, seconded by Ersa Henry, for the approval of minutes of 
the January 29 and February 26, 2024 meetings. 
Motion carried 
III. New Business 
a. Waiver – The City attorney has submitted a draft for the new waiver to Deb Wallace.  Board 
agreed to have the TWU waiver sent to the attorney to review and incorporate into the draft. 
b. CG Visit (Ana Barrios)  – Ana Barrios supplied the Board with program and budget handouts.  
They are planning on less excursions this year to reduce costs.  Looking at fundraising options to 
help students with airfare expenses.  They are still needing SCRA’s to sign up and may extend  
deadline an additional 15 days. 
c. AAPI at ACIS and Tribe Night at MCHS – Asian American Pacific Islander month with Denso 
at Athens City Intermediate School will be held on April 29 th and this is a great way to 
get the word out about our Board and start interest early in the exchange program.  
Tribe Night at McMinn County High School is career night for seniors but all grades will 
be there and this will be a great opportunity to spread  the word about the exchange 
program. 
d. 
Emperor’s Birthday – Victoria White attended the celebration in Nashville hosted by the 
Japanese Consulate and said it was a neat celebration with the Governor as the keynote 
speaker. 
e. Extra Discussion –  Ways to get the word out about Sister City –  Ersa Henry questioned 
having a booth at Moofest and maybe contacting the JOI coordinator for ideas.  Deb 
Wallace suggested talking to the schools, starting with 8
th graders, as to what to aspire 
to when they get older. 
i. Motion was made by Ersa Henry, seconded by Victoria White, to submit an 
application to be a vendor at Moofest and funds of $25 be used for the 
application. 
Motion Carried