2022-01-24 Sister City Commission MinutesEdmonds Sister City Commission
Meeting Date: January 24, 2022
Pos. 1 Rae Podrebarac
Pos. 4 OPEN
Pos. 7 lyoko Okano
Pos. 10 Karyn Heinekin
Student Representative:
Pos. 2 Katy Renz
Pos. 5 Gillian Lim
Pos. 8 Michele Fellows
Pos. 11 OPEN
Commissioners Absent: Laura Braithwaite Otto (excused)
Pos. 3 Greg Lange
Pos. 6 Laura Braithwaite Otto
Pos. 9 Gabe Longoria
Pos. 12 OPEN
Commissioners In Attendance: Greg Lange, Michele Fellows, Anne Nadreau, lyoko Okano, Rae
Podrebarac, Katy Renz, Gillian lim, Gabe Longoria
Staff Liaison: Carolyn LaFave
Call to Order: 6:05 by Michelle
Guests: None
Welcome: New Commissioner Anne Nadreau
Administration:
1. Approve/Amend Agenda: Rae moved; Karyn seconded with no changes. Approved
2. Approve/Amend Minutes: Karyn moved; Katy seconded. Approved
3. Financials: No Change
New Business:
1. Assistance Language Teacher position (ALT)
o Japan -system change, need a Japanese speaking adult for their ALT, there have also
been calendar issues
o Japan will hire from their domestic agent
o Edmonds Sister City will respect their decision
o Japan is starting English education in elementary school
Continuing Business:
1. Virtual meet -up with Hekinan
o Proposed date -weekend of April 23 and 24
o Carolyn will check with Hekinan with dates
o A small group of commissioners will come with a plan for this event (Michele, Katy, Rae
and Karyn)
o Ideas brainstormed from commissioners
o Have more specific discussions
o How is each country handling Covid?
o Who will be our audience for this virtual meet -up?
o Games?
o How can we promote this event?
o Should we suggest a classroom exchange of letters?
o Possible break-out rooms with an interpreter
2. Retreat
o We will have our retreat on February 28 from 6-7:30 pm
o Co -presidents will work on the agenda
o At retreat, need to discuss the decision about an Adult delegation 2023, or a student
exchange (check w/Japan)
Announcements:
1. Discussion about what our exchanges are like. Ages 14-18, any schools -private or public, 13 days
in each city, two chaperones
Next Meeting: March 28, 2022
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 6:56 pm