Please click HERE to read the article.

Congratulations, SGSCA and the Gdynia Business Week project team for receiving the 2009 “Innovation: Youth & Education” honor.

Sister Cities International’s award ceremony will be held on July 31st in Albuquerque, NM.

Congrats to all who volunteered and worked on this project!

Additional photos from the reception can be viewed here on Gail Ann Photography’s website.

Additionally, photos taken by Gail Ann Photography during our special meeting on April 11, 2010 can be viewed here.

The relationship between Seattle and Gdynia extends beyond business, academic and cultural exchanges. It extends into the hearts and spirits of both cities’ citizens; we share a bond, a vision, a friendship and a kinship. As Gdynia and Poland grieve, so does Seattle.

Members of SGSCA, and any interested non-members, are encouraged to meet at the Polish Home tomorrow (Sunday) at 1pm for an informal gathering as the Polish Home’s kitchen opens. As Jerzy Buzek, former Prime Minister of Poland and current President of European Parliament, stated so eloquently earlier: let us be together.

“It is difficult to comprehend the tragedy. It was difficult to imagine that a few dozen people, many of whom were elected by us, the Poles, in every part of our homeland, to be our representatives, would die within a few seconds while on duty, on duty for each of us.

It was a special and unusual trip. It was about the memory of the events 70 years ago. Now we have another great memorial and we will remember that memorial – also on Russian soil near Smolensk, near Katyn – on the date 10 April. This is a terrible coincidence, and let us be together, let us talk to each other” –Jerzy Buzek

Additional information about the bazaar can be found on the Polish Home’s website.

The event will be held at Metropolitan Market’s West Seattle location (2320 42nd Avenue SW) and will start at 11am. Your very own Seattle-Gdynia Sister City president will be a guest judge, so please come out to support Metropolitan Market, SGSCA and buy a few treats.

The meeting will be held on February 12, at 7:30pm, at the Polish Home. We will have the pleasure of hearing from Fulbright Scholar Przemek Chojnowski, who will speak on “Andrzej Wajda’s Argument with History.” This discussion will address the Polish film director’s vision of post-war Polish society and culture in the context of its influence by and release from Soviet domination.

We hope you can attend!

January 08, 2010
• Call to order @ 7:35 by Debra
• 22 in attendance

Elections
President: Nominee, Debra Markert
• Accepted, seconded, approved unanimously
Executive Vice President: Nominee, Tom Clark
• Accepted, seconded, approved unanimously
Programs Vice President: Nominee, Janice Jaworski
• Accepted, seconded, approved unanimously
Treasurer: Nominees Paul Griffin and Harriet Wodzin
• Paul declined, Harriet accepted
• Seconded, approved unanimously

CURRENT BUSINESS

Gdynia Business Week: Based on the success of the Washington Business Week’s (WBW) student exchange, SGSCA has created a similar program in Gdynia.
• Letter from Mayor Szczurek arrived, inviting another year of SGSCA cooperation. Dates are slated for August 15-21, 2010.
• Janice continues to work with Boeing and the American Chamber of Commerce on procuring support
• Goal to have 10 Seattle students participate in the program.

Washington Business Week: This is an annual event; students from Gdynia attend Washington Business Week’s summer courses.
• Goal to have 2 Gdynia students participate in each program
• Western Washington University program runs from June 20-26.
• Central Washington University program runs from July 18-24.
• Homestays will need to be provided

Film Festival: SGSCA produces the annual Seattle Polish Film Festival. The festival is in its 18th running this year, new autumn dates to be determined.
• Date of festival moved from spring to autumn
• Next festival committee meeting is January 24th at 2pm at the Polish Home

Solidarnosc Planning: August marks the 30th anniversary of Solidarnosc. SGSCA is exploring potential event possibilities.
• Invitation to come to Seattle and attend a reception at the Polish Home has been extended to officials participating in Vancouver’s Solidarity Trade Union convention.
• Mike is exploring the possibility of a Seattle delegation attending the wreath-laying ceremony in Gdansk.

NEW BUSINESS

Gdynia Area in Seattle: Members discussed direction and goals for 2010. One area of focus is to work toward bringing Gdynia to Seattle, and will research the process for naming a park or area in Seattle after Gdynia.
• Glen to research protocol for parks
• Mike to research protocol for port

Notes and Announcements
• Thank you to Ron Golubiec for his hard work as SGSCA’s treasurer for the past 17 years.
• Invitation to attend the Catholic Seamen’s Club luncheon on February 21st. Suggested donation of $15 for a chicken marsala plate; if you’re interested, please contact Mike.
• Reminder to pay your annual dues. The cost is $15 for an individual, $25 for a family, and $10 for students.

Meeting Adjourned: Next Meeting is February 12th, 2010 at 7:30pm