Charlottesville Sister Cities Commission Meeting Minutes
Zoom Meeting February 16, 2021
Present: Amanda Folsom, Michael Grinnell, Daman Irby, Kate Kogge, Dave Norris, Elizabeth
Smiley, Adrienne Ward
Absent: Stella Mattioli, Nana Ghartey, Neely Minton, Joan Clarke
Non‐members present: Maxicelia Robinson (Deputy Clerk of Council), Lachen Parks
(Communications Director)


Meeting opened at 4:34 pm. Kate and Daman Irby presiding. A quorum was deemed present.
I. Approval of January minutes
  Motion to approve: Michael Grinnell Seconded: Daman Irby
       Motion to approve minutes as written passed with no abstentions.


II. 2020‐21 Grants Cycle / Program – update by Amanda Folsom
      Reviewed the amount determined for this year’s cycle, $16K;
      the proposed award total is ca. $11K
      also consideration of funding in different categories other than grants (travel
       scholarships, event sponsorships);


Discussion of individual proposals:
Peace and Creative Connection through Art
      Increased budget $1850? (extra $ to cover art supplies, shipping on Sister City side)
      Daman brings up potential that increased budget still not adequate, esp given that city is
       not yet determined;
      Suggested city Huehue?

           o Motion to increase grant amount to $1850: Amanda Folsom
           o Seconded: Adrienne Ward (Carried: 7‐0)

           o Motion for the grant applicant to determine which sister city they will partner
             with for the project: Elizabeth Smiley
           o Seconded: Dave Norris (Carried: 7‐0)
International High School Exchange
      Rec: fund thru travel scholarships program, not Grants Program
      However, pandemic conditions make student travel in 2021 highly unlikely; grant
       applicant wishes to postpone to next year’s cycle (withdraw application for future
       consideration)
      Students are overwhelmed w virtual learning, experiences so does not wish to shift in
       that direction
      Elizabeth Smiley open to working w applicant to know more about the opportunity, esp
       for less‐advantaged students; notes that Besancon has many exchange programs
       already, so structures are in place; but she would want to know more about how this
       proposal relates to others in place, to guard against duplication; Neely should also be
       consulted re risk management; she can talk w Rebecca
      Conversations are ongoing on virtual exchange/connections arrangements between
       CVille and Besancon (and other cities);
      Extra time also allows us to get clearer on whether there is a line item in CSCC for travel
       scholarships and for how much; Michael asked if we want to allow that for each
       separate city; to be discussed
Face to Face Portraits, Bridge PAI/Speak!
      Rec $3950, full funding; all 4 cities
      Will require grantees to work w our Sister City Reps to establish connections;
           o Motion to approve: Amanda Folsom
           o Seconded: Elizabeth Smiley (Carried: 7‐0)


Sister City Conversations
      Rec no funding, but talk further about potential budget allowance for language
       learning/training, possibly in tandem w upcoming trips to Sister Cities
           o Motion to not approve: Amanda Folsom
           o Seconded: Dave Norris (Carried: 7‐0)


Huehue Internet Solutions
      Rec $3500; full funding minus costs of equipment deemed unnecessary
          o Motion to approve funding of up to $3500, with 3D printer removed from
              budget: Amanda Folsom
          o Seconded: Adrienne Ward (Carried: 7‐0)


Pen & Paper/Make Sisters Write
      Rec $2500
      Answers from applicant addressed questions about usage of funds
           o Motion to approve: Amanda Folsom
           o Seconded: Elizabeth Smiley (Carried: 7‐0)


Reading Ghanaian Voices at the Virginia Festival of the Books
      Rec $1000 support, but not as grant rather event sponsorship
          o Motion to not approve grant funding: Amanda Folsom
          o Seconded: Dave Norris (Carried: 7‐0)

           o Motion to approve Event Sponsorship of $1000: Dave Norris
           o Seconded: Adrienne Ward (Carried: 7‐0)

      Michael Grinnell notes leaves total budget balance of $25K ca.
      Amanda Folsom notes that Pleven‐oriented event sponsorship not used last year, as
       VBook Fest cancelled in 2020


DiversItaly Lecture Series
      Rec no funding, as focus on Italian Sister City (Poggio a Caiano) is missing
          o Motion to not approve grant funding: Amanda Folsom
          o Seconded: Davis Norris (Carried: 7‐0)


Michael Grinnell asked about VA Festival of Cultures;
      Kogge noted it’s happening in May 2021
      Grinnell will put in line item for $500, the usual contribution for this event
           o Motion to approve a sponsorship of $500 to the VA Festival of Cultures: Dave
              Norris
           o Seconded: Michael Grinnell (Carried: 7‐0)


Next steps on Grants Program:
      Amanda will be in touch with the Grants Committee and follow‐up with grant applicants
       regarding funding decisions.


Meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm.


Next CSCC meeting is on Tuesday March 16 @ 4:30 pm via Zoom.