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• 11 March, 2005
• Call to order @ 7:35 by Glen Lee, President.
• 26 in attendance.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

•  T-Shirts: Madeline suggested we make Seattle Gdynia Sister City Association shirts. Debra came with some design suggestions, and will work on pricing. Additionally, she will work on pricing for shirts for the Film Festival, using the artwork from the Festival posters.

 

• Bazaar : 19 March. Great chance to promote the Film Festival and the Sister City Reception.
• Staffing volunteer sheet was passed around

 

• Picnic: Carol has been working on finding a location and date for SGSCA picnic. After conferring with group, she will try to book something for 7 August (SeaFair Weekend).

 

• Expo of Kashubian Typical Art: In May, during the Trade Delegation trip, Gail will work with Glen on finding contacts in Gdynia to see what they have to offer, and what can be brought to Seattle .

 

• Upcoming Trips:
• Trade Delegation (21 – 24 May)
• 25 th Solidarity Anniversary (28 – 31 August)

•  Martha and Paul to give more details as date approaches

•  Start in Poland to commemorate Solidarity

•  Finish in Dresden and into Berlin to commemorate fall of Berlin Wall.

•  Victor Ash, the US Ambassador to Poland , will be in Seattle in July for several official events. Glen is appealing to Polish community to see if there is a reception or meeting that we can arrange with him.

•  Gdynia Film Festival (12 - 17 September)

 

•  Business Exchange : The Trade Development Alliance presented a letter to request a marketing trip to Gdynia following their trip to Ireland – May 21 through 24. Thus far, Glen has recruited 9 or 10 people total to join in the exchange, including: SGSCA members, Nick Dinsmore, Gene Godden, one Boeing employee, and 2-3 others from Glen's office. Guest list will be solidified by next week.

•  Chamber of Commerce will create a website in Polish to promote this event. They requested a member of SGSCA proof-read and edit any materials; Ryseik volunteered to help.

 

•  Salmon Sculpture: Statue is currently on display at City Hall in Seattle ; hoping to move it to the front entrance off Fifth Avenue . City of Gdynia has requested statue arrive sometime this month. Depending on whether or not the move to the Fifth Avenue entrance is successful, a flight will be booked accordingly.

 

• Art School Exchange: Available for students ages 14 – 25 chance to bring Gdynia student to Seattle to study at an art school. Due to unavailability of slots and tuition issues, Glen will send an apology letter, stating that we were not able to secure spots for this exchange.

 

• Sister City Reception: Held on 27 April at City Hall at 5:30pm . Four Sister Cities are being honored. Each is asked to bring entertainment and a representative from sister-country. Glen was able to secure the Consul General, who will come and talk to the delegation for a few moments at the reception, along with Dave Ross as the emcee/keynote speaker. Entertainment will be provided by the Polish Choir.
• Tickets will be available for members at the next meeting: 8 April. Additionally, tickets will be available at our booth at the Polish Bazaar.
• For the auction, a tapestry has been donated (approx 5' x 5' in size). Additionally, Mike has a kerosene lamp and Solidarity memorabilia; Margaret has offered to put together a Polish pottery basket. Cindy will contact Andy Benjamin, the head of the auction, to find out how many items we can donate.
• Monies collected from auction go toward the general Sister City fund, which will eventually benefit SGSCA.

 

• Polish Film Festival: Runs 23 April – 1 May at the Seattle Art Museum .
• Krys has booked 12 movies, with another three more on the horizon; responses are coming in quickly. Additionally, 4 people (actors & directors) have agreed to come for the Festival. We are splitting their travel costs with Los Angeles .
• Financials: due to amount of celebrities coming in, the price will increase. We need to focus on PR in order to draw more people to the theatre to counter costs.
• Publicity: Seattle Public Library has agreed to show one of the films at a free screening on 11 April. On average, about 350 guests attend such screenings, so this is a great chance for exposure.
• Promotions: Seattle PI, Margaret Larson, and Carol Forte all compiled a media list for press releases. Additionally, on 2 April, there is a free seminar on how to speak to corporations and groups regarding fundraising and media. We will send an announcement of this meeting via email to all members later in March.
• Catering: Madeline spoke to caterers, who suggested we begin to organize approx 3 wks prior to the event so that a more accurate head count is known.
• Programs: Gail and Cindy will help with editing and proofing.
• Venue Management: We need volunteers for taking tickets and other such logistical issues. At the next meeting (8 April) we will divide up the tasks and staff.
• Donations: With Andy's help creating the envelopes, Glen will mail out letters requesting donations by the end of the week. We have doubled our list of potential donors from last year.
• Art: Seattle Art Museum has agreed to allow an exhibit in correlation to the Film Festival. Any artwork we choose to display will be shown all week long. Krzysztof Poraj-Kuczewski will assemble an exhibit for us.

 

• Treasurer's Report: Payment reminder for anyone who has yet to pay dues for this year.
• $4054.88 general fund
• - $32.11 orphanage fund
• - $64.48 Film Festival fund

There is an additional $1,000 or so in donations that have yet to be factored in.

 

• Secretary's Report: Motion to accept the minutes as reviewed. Seconded. Passed.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

• Elevator Fund Raising Committee: The Polish Home is looking to install an elevator to help elderly and disabled patrons. Ryseik is looking for volunteers.

 

Meeting Adjourned: 8:35 pm

 

Next Meeting: 13 May, 2005