2009-07 Minutes
Linkages Board Meeting
7 P.M. July 13, 2009
Rochester City Hall
Room 300A
Attendance: (board) Walter Boston, Paul Caccamise, Debra Fromm Faria, Bill Fulton, Joe Gersitz, Barbara LeSavoy, Jed Metzger, Tanya Schueler, Cork Young
(students) Erika Burgess, Regina Butler, Sara Catalano, Nicholas Coulter, Rachelle Piano, Krista Rozanski, Anne Santini, Marjorie Stout, Phillipa Wynter-Stuart
The meeting began with a presentation by the students of Jed Metzger and Debra Fromm Faria. All have recently returned from Novgorod, where they worked with their counterparts. Each student offered a presentation on some aspect of their studies. [this could be fleshed out]
A slightly more formal board meeting was called to order by President Paul Caccamise at 7:45.
The board agreed that the Metzger-Fromm-Faria trip had been very successful, that the presentation tonight had been very informative, and Linkages' sponsorship was money well spent.
Debra Fromm Faria, in addition to running the trip with Jed, and joining us tonight as a new board member, also wrote a grant proposal during the trip, and submitted it shortly after returning to Rochester. She proposed using $380k (?) to develop a program over three years, basically expanding on the recent trip, to study many aspects of international social work jointly with a group in Novgorod. Professors and students from both cities would study both here and in Novgorod.
We have recommended the Russian program leaders from this trip for Open World.
Walter recommended that we all read the book Natasha's Dance, by Orlando Figes. It is a cultural history of Russia.
Students who wish to sign up for the Linkages mailing list, either postal or electronic (there have not yet been any actual e-mailing), are welcome to simply sign up at the website. (lower left)
Tanya observed that the Orthodox Church does not have a significant role in supporting human services in Novgorod. It appears that the major role of the church in Russian society remains the support of spiritual well-being and development.
Paul will be moving the photos for the exhibits at Image City and the Link Gallery, but he will not be available when the Link exhibit closes Sept. 14. Cork can do it. He welcomes help.
The minutes were reviewed and approved.
Trip: Paul reported that 6 people have signed up. Four will take the tour, and two will travel independently. Councilwoman Carolee Conklin, Paul, and Dick Fitts will represent Rochester at the Novgorod celebration. Dick Fitts has offered to host a reception for any Novgorodians who have visited Rochester.
Anniversary Events: Paul had 32? photos printed, matted and framed for exhibition at Image City 7/9 - 8/15, and the Link Gallery 8/10 - 9/14. There will be an opening reception at Image City. Postcards were prepared to promote these events.
Tanya will take us to the Jordanville Monastery probably on 10/4. It might be a bus tour. We hope to learn about the monastery and hear the singing monks. We would experience a service, then a silent lunch with readings. A bus might cost $100 per hour. The travel time alone is 6 hours.
Paul would like to see a panel presentation on the history and significance of Velikiy Novgorod in the fall. We discussed some possible panelists - tonight's students, the teachers who are now in Novgorod, the September delegation, others?
Picnic: The annual picnic will be Thursday, August 20, Buckland Park, 1341 Westfall Road, in Brighton. (map) Cork and Tanya will organize it.
Communication: Howard Spindler is currently performing some fine piano work at Kilbourn Hall. The picnic, the Jordanville trip, and any fall program need to be promoted.
Open World: Elena Bobko of Syracuse is a certified interpreter from Syracuse, who may help with Open World.
The next meeting is 9/14 because of Labor Day. Paul will be in Russia.
The meeting was adjourned at about 8:15.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cork Young
