INFO @ SARASOTA SISTER CITIES (5) March 7, 2016

All the recent news that’s fit to print at Sarasota Sister Cities…………..
 
**important**ANNUAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT**important**


11:30am
April 5, 2016
Sarasota Yacht Club
(register & pay at sarasotasistercities.org/payments)


This meeting elects the officers for the coming year and recaps the current year.  Hope to see you there!
 
IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTIONS……
I have been called and emailed, asking where the next two speakers bureau talks will take place.  Although more complete announcements are out, here’s the info you asked for:
 
March 16 (Wednesday)
     OUR SISTER CITY PERPIGNAN
     Emile Langlois, Barbara Frey, Eva Frank & Gloria Grenier
     Meeting Room at the Herald-Tribune Building, 1741 Main St., Sarasota
 
April 20 (Wednesday)
     POLYNESIAN CULTURES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
     Ray Young, Ph.D.
     Sarasota Audubon Center, The Celery Fields
     (Presentation and Wine & Cheese Event at the same location)
 
THE ONE WORLD AWARD LUNCHEON last Sunday at Michaels
     Pauline Mitchell outdid herself once again with this spectacular luncheon.  The Board of Directors was impressively bagpiped into the hall.  The military tribute and the tables of uniformed servicemen were wonderful.  It was enjoyable to hear from Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis, recipients of the One World Award for their individual talents and the Circus Arts Conservatory.
     The surprise of the luncheon was Gary Reinstrom and the Musicians, and the Riverview H S Highland Dancers.  The enthusiastic Scottish singing and dancing concluded with the Scottish sword dance.  Just great fun!
 
NEW CITY DIRECTOR FOR PERIGNAN, FRANCE.
     Marie des Nieges Grossas (Sorbonne Ph.D.) was approved at the February Board meeting. Welcome Aboard, Marie!
 
VISITING DIGNITARY FROM DUNFERMLINE, SCOTLAND.
     Roz Graham, the Committee Chair for Sister Cities there, visited our February Board meeting, and is working with Pauline Mitchell(our City Director for Dunfermline),  is planning join activities between the two cities.  She also joined us for our One World Award luncheon at Michaels on East last Sunday.
 
NEW MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
     For the last six months, your SCAS Board has been working on a new Membership Development Program.  We brainstormed and created many ideas for specific thing we could do.  We then narrowed the list to three areas:  attracting members, improving our retention of members, and enhancing our monthly luncheon meetings.  At the moment, each Board member is in the process of choosing and implementing two of these ideas.
     We are working slowly and deliberately, looking to make small but significant improvements.  When we have incorporated the first set of ideas, we will move to a second set, and so on.  We are working to make your experience as a Sister City member a good one! If you have questions, contact Dave Harralson at dharralson7@gmail.com or 941-870-5516.
 
PLAQUES FOR OUR SISTER CITIES IN BAYFRONT PARK.
     GREAT NEWS!  The concrete pedestals for the plaques for each of our Sister Cities have been repositioned and the plaques are being refinished.  The City of Sarasota has been really helpful in this effort.  A new plaque for is being made and installed for Vladimir, Russia.  Also signs are being placed at each end of the tree walk indicating that these plaques commemorate the signings with each of our Sister Cities and indicating our mission.  This job is virtually done.  Excellent job, Ray Young and his committee (Gloria Grenier & Bill Wallace) with some additional help by Kenney DeCamp.
 
 
Dat’s all for now, Folks!  Comments or questions to Dave Harralson, 941-870-5516 or dharralson7@gmail.com