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Summer 2003 In this issuePresident's Letter BDSC Membership Report Cyber Café Gift Report Financial Report BDSC to Launch Internet Discussion Board with Tajikistan |
BDSC President's LetterDear members and friends, On Nov. 9 we had our annual meeting. It is at this meeting that the membership elects new board members. We are excited about our new board members and the events and work that will take place this coming year. New members are: Steve Brett, Sylvia Chaney, Corine Hauser, Dick Herring, Don Mock (formerly City Council liaison to our group), Barb Perin, Joe Stepanek, Allen Sparkman, and John Wyatt. Continuing members are Miriam Allen, myself, Jackie Frischknecht, George Peknik, Benji Reed, Vern Seieroe, Sophia and Peter Stoller, and Ron West. Mary Barnett continues as an ex-officio member. Our year has been extremely productive in all areas. We have entertained visitors from Tajikistan, reached an over half way point in raising funds for the Cyber Café, successfully shipped 59 Pentium computers and other needed items to Dushanbe, rededicated the Teahouse on its fifth anniversary, greeted the first ambassador from Tajikistan to the United States here in Boulder, and we have more than doubled our membership. This list is far from complete. We are on the threshold of being able to accomplish significant projects which will grow the communication and technology opportunities for Dushanbe. At the Annual Meeting, Courtney Barnett with ABT Associates, Inc. in Washington, DC presented an overview of the work she and her company are doing in Central Asia. ABT is a private think tank/social science research firm. She pointed out the importance of the opening of the doors of communication, and the receptiveness to these opportunities from those living in that part of the world. While I will be remaining on the board, a new president will be elected at our next meeting. Stay tuned . . . you do not want to miss what will be happening this coming year. If you want to become a part of our work, contact us. From all of us, our best wishes for the coming holidays and a productive new year ahead. Jancy Campbell, president BDSC Membership ReportMembership Numbers Supplies and Printing Former BDSC Board Member Sally Martin and Mike Knovik are working on an idea to do a CU/BDSC fundraising project in conjunction with the Gold Rush Campaign at a football game. The Gold Rush is an effort to get more people to wear gold to CU sporting events. Lots depends on licensing and University approval and timing. If it works, it could be good. If it is a go, details will follow. BDSC Friends of the Teahouse Membership
Breakfasts Gala Party at Stadium Club Set for April 17 BDSC Fashion Tea Party Cyber Café Gift ReportThings are in motion! Several recent donations and pledges have been received, also another gift of stock. We have collected about $350,000 in cash and in-kind donations, putting up more than half way to our destination! Three areas of focus seem necessary to successfully complete the Cyber Café for Dushanbe project:
The implementation phase will have several major sub-phases requiring specific expertise and leadership, as defined in the Business Plan and reflected in the budget. These include architectural design and development, construction, computer and Internet technology, education resource library, restaurant/service, and Boulder artwork. The transportation/setup will support these areas as needed. The project has moved to the implementation phase with near-term objectives defined around the architecture and construction. Vern Seieroe, Mary Axe and David Barrett are hoping to go to Dushanbe soon to meet with the mayor and hope to develop a sense of partnership and formalize timelines. A more complete report will be sent out in the Winter, 2004 newsletter. Keep your fingers crossed! Financial ReportFrom: Benji Reed, treasurer Dear membership and board, Over the past year, the Boulder-Dushanbe Sister Cities continued its tradition of dedicated activity and growth, furthering the mission of Sister Cities and helping build bridges between Boulder and Dushanbe. Like the board, the treasury has undergone much positive change. We have created a formal Finance Committee to help shepherd our processes. We put great time and effort into transforming the accounting and treasury activities to make them more in line with professional accounting standards. And we can now better handle the large funds associated with the Cyber Café project, as well as hire employees and contractors to carry out important activities. Overall it has been a very busy and productive year. As we look to the year ahead, the BDSC Treasury and Finance Committee will be a critical part in successfully building the Cyber Café. After five years of service as treasurer, I will be changing roles to help the organization in other ways. Our new treasurer will continue the commitment to BDSC goals, and further improve our processes and practices. Major activities:
Financial Reports: As part of our accounting overhaul, we now produce standard reports using professional financial tracking software. As always, BDSC's greatest assets are its people, and we thank all contributors and volunteers sincerely. Respectfully submitted, BDSC to Launch Internet Discussion Board with TajikistanThe Boulder Dushanbe Sister Cities Friends Discussion Board is an Internet forum that connects citizens of the two Sister Cities. It is a part of a much larger project, the gift of a Cyber-café from the people of Boulder to the people of Dushanbe, who gave Boulder the spectacular Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, which opened in May, 1998. The goals of Sister Cities International, Boulder-Dushanbe Sister Cities (BDSC), the Cyber Café and the Friends Discussion Board are one and the same: to facilitate cross-cultural friendship, mutual understanding and learning. The Friends Discussion Board is meant to benefit people in both Sister Cities. Benefits for Americans "Our country simply cannot afford to remain ignorant of the rest of the world. The stakes are simply too high," said former Education Secretary Richard Riley, honorary co-chairman of the Strategic Task Force on Education Abroad. Sept. 11 was a warning that America's ignorance of the world is now a national liability, said the report, compiled for the Association of International Educators, a private organization that promotes international education and exchange. (CNN, Nov. 19, 2003) And it should be fun and educational as well. Benefits for Tajiks Through BDSC, Boulder has committed to helping its isolated and resource-poor Sister City connect electronically to the outside world. BDSC sends computers there; it is delivering a state-of-the-art Cyber Café that will be more learning center than restaurant; and, with the Friends Discussion Board, it has opened up the lines for communication, exchange of ideas, mutual understanding, learning from each other, and friendship. The Plan Here is an outline of our plans:
If you are interested in participating in discussions with people in Tajikistan, e-mail George Peknik . |
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