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U.S./Mexico Sister Cities Association, Inc. National Board of Directors Minutes Cesar Chavez Community Center, Riverside, California Sunday, March 8, 2009. President Connie called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Roll Call: Executive Board Present: Connie Goertz, Robert Perez, Frances Madrigal, and Don Goertz. Directors present: Rebecca Amezcua, George Barks, Esther Caldwell, Amparito Doolittle, Ralph Mundia, Juan Nuńez and Alice Vazquez. Excused: Jeff Failing, Ana Flores, Gil Garcia, Georgiana McLeod, Chuck Medicus, Delia Nevarez, and Al Contreras Out of State Excused: Michael Curd, Gustavo Guevara Aida Lerma, and Steve Perez Non-excused: Director Hank August, Directors at Large: Carlos Tejada and Gilberto Venegas. Directors at-large present Annie Mundia; and Dolores Covarrubias, Excused Ernesto Villegas, Guests Present: Richard Caldwell, Richard Madrigal, Greg Pettis, Joe Vazquez, President Salvador Portugal and representatives from the Club de Oriundos: “Hijos Ausentes de Zacapu, Michoacan, Mexico”. Pledge of Allegiance: Bob led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes: Esther moved, seconded by Don that the minutes of January 22nd be approved as presented, that the minutes of January 24th at 10:10 a.m. be approved as presented and that the minutes of January 24th at 4:40 p.m. be approved as presented. All were approved unanimously. Treasurer’s Report: It was moved by Frances, seconded by Amparito that the Treasurer’s Report be filed for audit. President’s Welcome: Connie welcomed everyone and expressed gratitude to the Riverside Club for the refreshments. Salvador Portugal, President of Hijos Ausentes de Zacápu, introduced his committee South El Monte Sister City requested the airfare to the SCI Conference in Belfast, Ireland for one of their members. After discussion the request was denied and the item put on the agenda for the next meeting. Youth Activities & Involvement: Don moved, seconded by Ralph that we sponsor a youth with a parent for airfare costs and conference fees to all USMSCA conferences. Greg felt that insurance liability should be looked into and the motion was withdrawn. Old Business: Connie recommended Greg Pettis as a Director-at-Large and Jeff Failing as a Director. So moved by Esther, seconded by Bob. Unanimous. New Business: In revising the brochure, it was suggested that bright colors be used that reflect the U.S./ Mexico relationship. Bob will research having it done as a project by a University student and recommended getting ads to reduce the cost. Connie noted that we have contracted with Netscorp for our website: USMSCA.org or .com. Gustavo is the webmaster, with Gilberto as backup. He is redesigning the site:
Committee Assignments: a. Bylaws/Standing Rules: Esther will review the by-laws for the hosting city for the next conference. b. Conference: The Board felt Riverside would be a good place for a conference. Suggestions for future conferences and the retreat were Cathedral City, Riverside, San Diego and San Antonio For the March 6 Workshop and March 7 Meeting, 2010, Esther suggested Huntington Beach and Annie suggested Cathedral City which they will research and give the information to Bob c. City reports: a. Santa Barbara will have a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on May 2 and 3, a Strawberry Festival in June and a visitation with Puerto Vallarta in July per Alice. b. Paramount had a visitation from the new Mayor, their visit to Tepic will be in November and they are raising funds to add a room to their clinic which has a doctor there on Wednesdays, and will later add a sewing section per Esther and Dolores. c. Redondo Beach-the high school students will go to Ensenada and Cerritos, 2 fire trucks will be sent down per George. Amparito noted that Hermosa Beach will receive students, have a bike ride fundraiser and the 6th Tri-Beach Cinco de Mayo fiesta will be on May 2nd. d. Downey will have a Barbeque on August 16th and a Street Fair in May per Ralph. e. El Monte and Zamora will have an on-line student exchange. There is need for a school bus per Rebecca. f. Baldwin Park has a relationship with Tototlan, Jalisco and also has a friendship with Taxco, Guerrero (not a formal relationship). They will be repairing an ambulance for them per Juan. g. The San Diego/Leon relationship should improve with the election of a new mayor (the son of Richard Sheffield) and they need ambulances per Don. h. Azusa will have a Day at the Races at Santa Anita on April 18th and a fireworks stand in July per Frances. i. El Cajon/Comandu,B.C.are in contact per Connie. j. Monterey Park will celebrate Mardi Gras and Cinco de Mayo per Bob. k. Cathedral City will hold their Rotary El Burrito celebration in September per Greg. l. Riverside/Zacapu will have a soccer game per Salvador. d. Budget: George moved, seconded by Frances that the budget be amended to include the cost of cards, etc. Motion passed. Esther suggested that continuing essay winner students be able to compete for a further $1000 scholarship. The Finance Committee will meet regarding school and city awards for the May 17th meeting. Passed unanimously. e. Grants: Cap re no extra ???? f. Government Relations: Bob along with Hank is working on having the State of California recognize Sister City with a proclamation in May. Ralph says Downey has received a contract from their Sister City enumerating their rules. He was advised not to sign it, it should be government to government. g. Nominations: The letter authorizing a voting delegate needs to be received earlier per Alice. h. Sister Cities seeking sister cities: See the website. i. Website: Directors should review their blurbs and revise if necessary, new ones should send information and a picture. j. USM/SCI partnership: Laredo will be sending 17 youth to the SCI Conference in Belfast, Ireland in June. k. Ways and Means: The 14th annual Barbeque will be a Luau on June 7th at American Legion Park in South Gate from 11 – 5 p.m, There will be a live band, a dance group, door prizes, a money hat and horseshoes. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for kids. Board members are to purchase 2 tickets and contribute a bottle or $12 for the booze basket. Ralph asked for help on Saturday at 9 a.m. to move tables and servers and cleanup help on Sunday. Proceeds will go toward scholarships. .Future Board Meeting Dates: May 17th – Monterey Park September 20 - Mundia’s home December 13 - Hermosa Beach Other dates: April 22-26 - Saltillo Mexico Conference, May 2 – Beach Cities Cinco de Mayo event, June 3 -7 Chihuahua Centennial, and August 5-9 - US/MSC International Conference at Austin Texas. Information will be sent to Green Bay to ask them to consider a summer conference instead of January. Other: Ernesto mentioned a free tax seminar for non-profits on Wednesday, March 18 at the El Monte Community Center (BOE.CA.Gov/suTax/Non). Meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Frances Madrigal, Secretary |