The River Peoples’ Cultural Exchange Meeting 2-6-09

Submitted by Karen Harpole

The River Peoples’ Cultural Exchange will be held May 15, 2009 from 3 PM to 8 PM at Lyle Park Place.

MISSION STATEMENT---THE RIVER PEOPLES’ CULTURAL EXCHANGE WILL SHARE TRADITIONS, EDUCATE, BUILD FRIENDSHIPS AND PROMOTE GOODWILL.

Jill Arens from the Columbia River Gorge Commission was on hand to give us more information on the Chinese delegation that will be attending the event. Mercy Corp. is an International Assistance organization based in Portland. The delegation from China is a group of up and coming leaders, under 40 years of age and from small cities (under 5 million). They are here to study resource protection vs. economic development, environment vs. industrialization. There will be 20 delegates with 5 interpretors.
We discussed putting together gift packages with local items such as posters of the event and Twin Bridges magnets. Videographer Michael Friend will be on hand to record the event.

FINANCE

Bank Account--The Lyle Community Council has agreed to let us piggy-back (for one year) onto their non-profit bank account for this event. Barb Sexton and Lorie Hull will be responsible for this event account.

Donations--$500-Chief Wilbur
$500-Mercy Corp.
$100-Lyle Community Council
How will we acknowledge donations?

FOOD

Chief Wilbur and Chief Johnny expressed their concern that the food be shared with the people as dictated by their traditions and not charged for. We agreed that we may prepare enough for 800-1,000 people. We will enlist the help of vendors to provide drinks and additional foods.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

FOOD--includes food permits and food handlers’ certificates--Simon, Wilbur, Sherri, Karen

VENDORS--Simon, Karen

FINANCE--budget, insurance, donations, and sponsorships--Simon, Oren, Barb, Lorie
PROGRAM--Invocation, ColorGuard, and M.C.--Chiefs, Lorie, Jill

VIDEO--Jill, Lorie

ENTERTAINMENT--Chiefs

HISTORY/EDUCATION DISPLAYS--Chiefs, Barb

CLEAN-UP--before and after the event--Portia

****ADVERTISEMENT--t-shirts/posters, PSAs, newspapers

****SITE/SAFETY--parking, traffic control, porta-potties, PA system, dance floor, tent



NEXT MEETING--TUESDAY, FEB. 24TH AT 10:00 AM LYLE METHODIST CHURCH


We will need a map of the site.

Attendees: Karen Harpole, Don Starkin, Barbara Sexton, Oren Johnson, Linda Williams, Johnny Jackson, Jill Arens, Lorie Hull, Rollean, Portia Masterson, Wilbur Slockish Jr, Simon Sampson, Ray Colfax