HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/20/2007 SCC minutes
MOUNT PROSPECT SISTER CITIES COMMISSION
Minutes
September 20, 2007
Members present:
Janice Farley
Skip Farley
Lorrie Huber
Mike Karsen
Cindy Kiel
Dorothy Kucera
Denise Rano
Paul Seils
John Sibrava
Mary Ann Sibrava
Felicien Sirois
Judy Thorne
Rachel Toeppen
Irvana Wilks
Members Absent:
John Korn
Maura Reschke
Gary Randant
Staff Liaison:
Absent
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairperson Dorothy Kucera.
Dorothy welcomed Lorrie Huber and Denise Rano as official members of the commission.
Introductions were made between them and those who had not met them at the last meeting.
Minutes
The minutes were approved on a motion from Skip Farley, seconded by Felicien Sirois.
Financial Report
Judy questioned the amount for the gift jackets and will verify with Maura if that figure includes
those ordered for commission members.
OLD BUSINESS
Reports
· Downtown Block party
Felicien reported that the Sister Cities presentation went very well and that many
interesting and interested people stopped by. Cindy Kiel and Dorothy Kucera also helped
out. The posters were used laid flat on the table because of the wind, and about 10 pins
were given to those who were very interested. Dorothy suggested that the commission
should participate every year.
· Brochure
Judy Thorne and Rachel Toeppen gave suggestions to Maura EI Metennani for revising the
brochure. Some changes did not show up on the proof copy so Judy will check with Maura EI
Metennani. Mary Ann Sibrava made the additional comment that "Bastille Day event"
should be changed to "French Festival."
· Wheelchairs for Peace
Rachel Toeppen reported that she had talked to Margarita Malkina, Wheelchairs for Peace
Coordinator at Sister Cities International, who informed her that wheelchairs can be
donated individually for $75 (with an equal amount matched by SCl) plus shipping for a
total of $87.50 per chair. There was much discussion concerning the scope of this project,
how to raise funds, and the amount of time and effort to pursue this goal. Dorothy
confirmed that Wheelchairs for Peace is a major humanitarian outreach program of Sister
Cities and that most chapters are involved.
· Wine Tasting at VinlOO
Judy Thorne reported that Maura Reschke had talked to the owner today to get details
about sponsoring a wine tasting now that the store has opened. The owner's first plan is to
have the commission purchase the bottles of wine (approximately 6-8 at $20 each) and
appetizers, and charge the 30-45 pre-registered attendees an amount ( $20-25) to cover costs
and any profit expected. The owner would then give the commission 5% of sales at the
event. The other plan offered is to sponsor an event that is already planned for November
15 when the new beaujolais wines are presented allover the world, and the commission
would receive a percentage of the sales. After discussion about cost of publicity and the
purpose of the event, the members seemed to favor the second plan. Dorothy asked that
Maura Reschke follow up with details concerning what type of publicity is expected by the
owner and go ahead with the project. The mailing list from the potluck can be used.
Official Visit to S~vres - Mayor Wilks presented the newly revised schedule for the visit. She said
that a piece of Hopi pottery has been chosen as the gift to Sevres which will be taken by Janice
Farley along with a book and biographical information about the artist. The jackets have already
been shipped to the mayor's home. The mayor will also take lapel pins of the seal of Mount
Prospect, the new pens, and MP mouse pads as gifts to the council members and others. Mary Ann
showed gifts which will be presented by the MPPL to the library in Sevres; framed art prints of the
library and the book, Lost Mount Prospect, by Gavin Kleespies of the MP Historical Society. It was
also decided that Mary Ann will take the "Bonjour Sevres" poster of hand prints created at the
French Festival to the school we will be visiting. Irvana will buy a gift of Chicago Symphony
Orchestra CDs for Christopher Beckett, the piano professor who is our host for dinner on his barge.
Rachel reported that she is taking nine new challenge quilts with the theme of trees and forests
plus a few others from the Sew-Bee-It quilt group to display in the quilt exhibition organized by the
Sevres Patchwork group. Cindy Kiel is also taking a quilt that she made. Dorothy suggested that
the commission place a wreath at the American cemetery in Normandy. Irvana will email Mayor
Kosciusko-Morizet about arrangements for that.
NEW BUSINESS
2008 Sister Cities Activities
· Library Lectures
Felicien Sirois is working on plans for quarterly lectures using speakers from academia and,
perhaps, Alliance Francais and the French Consul. Besides topics of French art,
music, etc., Denise Rano offered that this year is the 250th anniversary of Lafayette's birth
and that Le Titi de Paris restaurant is very cooperative. Mary Ann Sibrava reminded
everyone that the library programming staff schedule~ events well ahead of time.
· Potluck Dinner
Judy Thome volunteered to co-chair a potluck again, but Rachel Toeppen has given up her
co-chairmanship for a lesser role. Judy would like to have it during the week that the
French students are here so that they can headline the program for the evening. Dorothy
will determine when that week is from Scott Russell A new co-chair is needed.
Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Thome, Secretary pro tem
i\'1ount Prospc<..1.
~
Chair:
Dorothy Kucera
Vice Chair:
Judy Thome
Members:
Skip Farley
Janice Farley
Lorrie Huber
Mike Karsen
Cindy Kiel
John Kom
Gary Randant
Denise Rano
Mama Reschke
Paul Seils
John Sibrava
Mary Ann Sibrava
Felicien Sirois
Rachel Toeppen
Irvana Wilks
Mount Prospect Sister Cities Commission
50 South Emerson Street
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
847.392.6000
2008 Meeting Schedule (Tentative)
January 17,2008
March 20, 2008
May 15, 2008
July 17, 2008
September 18, 2008
November 20, 2008
Sister Cities Commission Meetings are typically held quarterly,
on the third Thursday of the month at
5:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Community Center.
www.mountprospect.oY!!/sistercities
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