Minutes -10/24/06 Treviso/Sarasota Sister City Meeting

Attendance:
1. Mirco Chiodi – Treviso Director
2. Patti Dembs – Secretary / Organizational Committee
3. Magdalena J. Picardi – Secretary / Organizational Committee
4. Tom Halbert – Vice President SSCA, PR & Communications
5. Suzanne Dameron - Business / Environmental Committee
6. Beatrice Jones – Business / Environmental Committee
7. Mike Nelson – Events / Initiatives & PR Committee
8. Lisa Brecher – Events / Initiatives & PR Committee
9. Anamaria Tosolini – Education Committee
10. Giuseppe Tosolini – Education Committee
11. Miriam Gebhardt – Education Committee
12. Carol Arroyo – Cultural Committee
13. Richard Storm
14. Rene' Pastor

· Mirco will resend Blog to everyone, since some had difficulties opening the one that was sent previously. The Blog will be for anyone that wishes to be updated on that’s been happening at our weekly meetings.
· Last call to join Sarasota Sister City Membership before the new directory comes out. $25
· We should have a confirmation from the Italian delegation by our meeting next week. We will then be able to really solidify plans and events for them, such as viewing Mote Marine Laboratories and Selby Botanical Gardens.
· Discussed splitting into our collective committee groups to initiate plans, events and scheduling. Should committees want to meet separately in addition to our Tuesday meeting, there is a room in City Hall just for Sarasota Sister City Groups.
· Rene’ will contact Ringling for delegation tour permission (possible date Monday, February 19th).
· Suggestion from Suzanne for an event for delegation - if they bring local produce, take them to Judy Gallagher local cooking radio show and maybe assist in preparation of a traditional dish.
· Mike nelson will contact Mercedes and BMW for possible loaner cars for delegation during their stay with us.
· We need more ethnic support -contacts with other Italian societies should be invited to join our meetings and refer them to our Blog.
· Giuseppe will contact brother-in-law, Beppo Ramansini, to become a Sarasota Sister City legal contact in Treviso, Italy.

Follow-Up Next Meeting:
· Delegation arrival details
· Mike Nelson – BMW & Mercedes loaner cars

Long-Term Projects:
· Sister Cities Discount Card for local Sarasota shops, restaurants, and activity centers – the same privileges would go to our Sister Cities.
· Sister Cities Convention at Robarts Arena – Multiple booths for each of the countries to show food, clothing, jewelry, etc.
· Local Treviso clothing and jewelry fashion show in Sarasota
· Set up tour of Treviso for both tourist and business trips-local places to stay, eat, shop, etc.

Short Term Projects:
· Meeting Information Flyer for ESCA
· Guest speaker for Riverview High School
· Treviso delegation coming for signing