Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Attendees: Barbara Chinworth, Jerry Gary, Sally Gary, Michael Charton, E. Metz Wright, Karen Loquvam, Fred Dotton, and guest speaker, Irina Panyushkina
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M. by Chair Barbara Chinworth.
The meeting was opened with introduction of members and guests. Welcome to Karen Loquvam, who works with Dan Davidson on Teach for Friendship program.
Agenda for today’s meeting was given to all those in attendance. Under public meeting law, a copy of the agenda must be posted 7 days in advance of meetings. In the future, public notice will be posted at 5701 E. Glenn, #78, Tucson, AZ 85712.
Our program was a wonderful powerpoint presentation by Irina Panyushkina, Professor at the University of Arizona, International Tree Ring Lab. Irina has been working on a dig in a northern section of Kazakhstan. Part of her research has been a Chronology of the Bronze and Iron Ages in Eurasia especially among Nomadic tribes. In Southeastern Kazakhstan the project absolute calendar is dating the Iron Age and Bronze Age archaelogical study. Trees have increments and they can tell us dating. They have different trees than we do in Arizona but the same techniques can be used to study them. She searches for trees related to climates and has developed a network of tree rings in Eurasia. We need accurate dates established to trace the migration development.
We thank Irina for taking time to talk to us and hope she will come again. She did say that a research colleague of hers is coming to Tucson in November. We hope TASCC can meet and talk with her.
The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed. Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. Passed on a voice vote.
The Treasurer’s Report was submitted by Jerry Gary. Motion was made and seconded to approve the Treasurer’s report as submitted. Passed on a voice vote.
- Previous Business
Open World, Rule of Law project is well underway. Jerry said there will be five judiciary persons from Kazakhstan arriving Sat. April 19 and will be here all week through April 26. Nancy Stanley from the U of A has done these programs in the past and is helping Jerry put together their itinerary for the week. There will be an Orientation meeting at Barbara’s house Thursday to acquaint the host families with the week’s activities. Jerry will post the week’s itinerary for TASCC members as well.
The Teach for Friendship program will be sending Dan Davidson and Karen Loquvam July 10. They will be in Almaty and want some Kazahk contacts before they travel. Barbara contacted our friend Kadisha in Almaty and she is happy to meet with them. She is excited about the TFF program. They hope to set up yearly programs in Kazakhstan.
Sally Gary, Chair of Nominating Committee presented a proposed slate of officers to TASCC. Motion was made and seconded to approve the slate of officers as presented. Passed on voice vote. The election will be held at next meeting.
At this point there was discussion about the lack of interest in TASCC. Attendance is down at meetings and some of us are experiencing “burn-out”. Michael Charton asked Barbara if she would rather not run again for Chair. Michael said he would step up and run for “Chair” if necessary. It was agreed that he could be nominated from the floor at the voting meeting next month.
Jerry had volunteered to put together an electronic brochure for LaVonne Gaddy, Neighborhood Associations, but admitted he had not had the time. He will get it done as soon as possible.
On March 22 TASCC had the program for Seniors at Udall Park Center. Jerry, Barbara and Sally attended but we had zero attendance.
The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus is gearing up for its trip to Almaty to join with the Isker Boys Choir for two performances. After that, they travel to Prague. Have fun, boys.
Jerry announced that he called the Kazakhstan Ambassador’s aide and informed him that at this time TASCC can not host the Ambassador’s visit. They could never come up with any firm date and there is just not time to do it. Barbara said she may pay him a visit while she is vacationing there this summer.
Barbara e-mailed Tatyana regarding Dan Davidson’s offer to help with web site. She is very receptive to that. Tatyana said she has renewed the web hosting and has upgraded software and hardware to be able to continue the website. Tatyana told Barbara the website received over 9,000 hits in April.
The SCI Conference is coming up May 16-17 in Prescott. If anyone is interested in attending, let Barbara or Jerry know. Barbara plans to go just for one day and Jerry and Sally will attend both days.
- New Business
Barbara is working on getting all National Anthems together representing countries of the Tucson Sisters Cities organizations.
One of the Bolashak students, Aizulu, who just received her Masters in Public Health from the U of A, has expressed interest in a project with TASCC. Jerry, Barbara and Sally met with her recently here in Tucson and it looks like we can make this work. She is working with the Zuckerman Public Health Dept. at the U of A and they plan to especially work with children on the project.
Jerry is working on getting the 2009-2010 budget for the City of Tucson. Taking the four major areas from the Brainstorming session, Barbara sent a suggested budget to him.
There was a question whether we know if the Bolashak program is continuing. Many of our current students will be graduating soon; however, we have no news of any new students arriving under the Bolashak program.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Submitted by: ______________________________
Secretary, Sally Gary
