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Home My WebLink About11/19/2015 SSC Minutes MOUNT PROSPECT SISTER CITIES COMMISSION st 1floor Village Hall Community Room Minutes: Nov. 19, 2015 Attendees: Evelyn Dorman, Skip Farley, Judy McGinnis, Gary and Paula Randant, Denise Rano, Colleen Saccotelli, Diana and Rafi Sahakian, Paul Seils, Mary Ann and John Sibrava, Marianthi Thanopoulos, Elizabeth Theiss, Bob and Pat Usnik, Barbara and Steve VanArsdale. Not attending :Lorrie Huber, MayorArlene A. Juracek, Rachel M. Toeppen, Irvana Wilks Guests :none Meeting called to order I.: Chair Bob Usnik called the meeting order at 6:01 pm. Approval of the minutes II.: Motion to approve the minutes of the Sept. 3, 2015 meeting was made by Steve VanArsdale and seconded by Gary Randant.Changes to the minutes included correcting the spellings of names with French accent marks: Bénédicte Kosciusko-Morizet; Mayor Grégoire de la Roncière. Citizens to be heard III.:none Mayor’s Comments IV.:none Chair’s comments V.: Bob Usnikwelcomed Denise Rano back to the Commissionafter her recent reappointment. Commissioners Judy McGinnis, Barb and Steve VanArsdale also were reappointed, along with the following Commissioners. Theywere approved unanimously per the Chair’s recommendation: Treasurer –Skip Farley (Moved by Paula Randant; seconded by John Sibrava) Vice-chair –Judy McGinnis (Moved by Paula Randant; seconded by Steven VanArsdale) Secretary –Pat Usnik (Moved by JohnSibrava; seconded by Paul Seils) In addition, Bob Usnik read Mayor Arlene A. Juracek’s proclamation for National French Week, slated for November 4-10, 2015. Regarding the recent visit to Sèvres, France, BobUsnik reported that the visit was very movingand educational. Paris was still on high alert due to the November 13 terrorist attacks. The new administration in Sèvres is placing a bigger emphasis on cultural events and the arts. The Sèvres delegation plans to return to Mount Prospect in 2017. The Mount Prospect Sister Cities Commission aims to dovetail these efforts with a focus on French cultural events for 2016. Mayor Arlene A. Juracek is interested in having a tie-in with Veteran’s Day celebrations by showing the film D-Day Normandy 1944,narratedby Tom Brokaw, but it will depend on licensing fees. DeniseRano suggested the possibility of Alliance Française de Chicago sharing the costs of the event. Marianthi Thanopoulospresented suggested time lines for Village publications in an effort to streamline procedures. She also advised that announcements reflect the name of the event to be announced, date, time, location and address. The following deadlines are: Feb. 4 (Spring); May 5 (Summer); July 20 (Fall) and Nov. 3 (Winter). Treasurer’s Report VI.: Skip Farleyreviewed the Treasurer’sReport which has a current balance of $16,123.07, down from $16,495 in July. Judy McGinnis questioned the receipts from the French Market and SkipFarleysaid he would check into it. Paul Seils moved to approve the report and also seconded the motion. Committee Reports VII. Marché Français results a.–Barbara VanArsdale and Judy McGinnisreported that the event was very profitableand the event would be continued next year. Customers to the Parisian-style flea market booth inquired whether theCommission had its own storeand sold merchandise at every Farmer’s Market. Shopping bags with the French Market logo were sold, but thereis now a surplus, which could be sold at a reduced price later.BarbaraVanArsdalesaid shewould like to revisit vendor feessince the Commission provided tables for free. Other cost savings were realized by not hiring aphotographeror live musicians this time. French Cooking Demoat Retro Bistro b.results –October 25 –Judy McGinnisreported that the event had a lower attendance than last year, but was not sure what contributed to it. Attendees were charged $40 for the event, $5 ofwhich went to the Commission for an estimated $100 profit overall.Baked Apple Tart, Rock Shrimp Wonton Ravioli along with champagne, bread, tapenade and saladwere servedat the luncheon. Retro Bistro ChefChris Barth led the cooking demonstration. Mayor Arlene A. Juracek spoke about the recent Mount Prospect Sister Cities visit to Sèvres. At one point, guestswere allowed to go into the kitchenfor one step of the demo. Wine Tasting results c.–November 12–Paula and Gary Randantsaid the new location –The Wildbird Shack onNorthwest Highway –attracted about 60 people who came for a presentation of French wines by Vincent Ehret, of Fine Vines, a local wine distributor. The two red and two white French wines featured were also on sale. Other vendors in attendance included Randall J Rosting Inc, and Nothing Bundt Cakes. The owners of ofTheWildbird Shack also gave a short presentation on their new store. Paula and GaryRandantsaid the event was more personal and engaging than previous events and they recommended continuing it at least once a year. Trivia Night d.–January 22–Denise Ranosaid the event still needed help with advertising and getting the word outat local schools.Teams will consist of 10 people per table. The event costs $10 for adults and $5 for age 17 and younger.A sign-up sheet was passed around for volunteers to set up and other duties. Student Exchange e.–Mary Ann Sibravareported that of the three students who were paired with a Sèvres family, only one has had a reciprocal exchange. Planning is underway to seek exchange partners on the high school level beginning in January, 2016. Communications f.–Rafi Sahakiansaid the dedicated Facebook page continues to be successful with 106 likes up from 60. There have been 3,000 views to the page so far and recent announcements of events such as the FrenchCooking Demo and Wine Tasting events. RafiSahakiansaid he anticipated launching a linkwith the Facebook page to the Mount Prospect Village website by the end of the first quarter, 2016. German Sister Cities Subcommittee Update g.–Skip Farleyreported there was no change from previous attempts at soliciting interest from Germany. Paula Randant said that according to her international contacts, the current Syrian refugee crisis may pose a higher priority for German authorities now. 2016 Events Schedule–. VIII.to be discussed at the next meeting Open Discussion IX.–A question was posed regarding whether the Facebook page would reflect what the Commission was saying regarding the recent Paris attacks. Adjournment X.–Gary Randant moved and Paula Randant seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 pm. The next meeting will be January 21, 2016. Meeting minutes submitted by Evelyn Dorman, Secretary