Burlington Mundialization Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Virtual

1.
Members Present:
 

Hassan Raza, Anne Koopman, Allan Dykstra, Brett Huttman, Aysha Rizwan, Chris VanDooren, Leanne Cecil, Joanna Sparrow, Alex Maveal, Rob Lyng, Marybeth Curtin, Christa Papavasiliou, Allison Tan

2.
Member Regrets:
 

Ryan Martin

3.
Others Present:
 

Councillor Nisan, Suzanne Gillies (Clerk)

4.
Declarations of Interest:
 

None.

5.
Approval of Minutes:
 

6.
Delegation(s):
 

None.

7.
Regular Items:
 

7.1
Chair update:
 

Hassan advised the committee of the following:

  • he is in discussions with committee members regarding the UN subcommittee chair role
  • Aldershot High School reached out to the Mund committee wanting to hear from the UN subcommittee and what role they have on the committee and in the community.  Hassan has committed to doing a presentation and anyone interested in joining him is welcome.  The presentation will happen in November.

7.2
Apeldoorn subcommittee update:
 

Anne advised the committee of the following:

  • contacted the Consul General and the Vice Consul General to welcome them to Canada, and looking forward to welcoming them in person when appropriate
  • Canada Netherlands Friendship day will be in May 2022, hoping to have a live event, the subcommittee is still discussing the location
  • A Canada Day event is under discussion with a committee in Apeldoorn and the Mayor of Apeldoorn, the Burlington subcommittee feels that Burlington representation should be at the event, Arnold is in discussion with Kristene Smith at Burlington Tourism to see if there is any support available from them
  • Allan has been brainstorming ideas to have the committee involved with celebrating the World Cup in Nov. 2022 in partnership with the Burlington Youth Soccer Club (BYSC), anyone interested in brainstorming ideas please reach out to Allan.  There are 2 windows of opportunity to work with BYSC, summer league or the fall indoor league.

7.3
Itabashi subcommittee update:
 

Rob advised the committee of the following:

  • the third and final Haiku Workshop will be held on November 11 with a Remembrance Day theme with Kimiko Horne facilitating again, the city will promote the workshop thought social media posts
  • Sakura Festival plans are underway, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) has been chosen as the new location, Rob has met with staff at BPAC and were extremely helpful with what can be done at this location, although the initial rental fee for BPAC will be more expensive than the Art Gallery, it will end up costing less as the rental fee at BPAC includes sound equipment and technicians.  The plan is to book the lobby area at BPAC for the afternoon which seats 200.
  • MOTION - approve spending up to $2,000 to book the Burlington Performing Arts Centre for the Sakura Festival on May 14, 2022.  APPROVED
  • the committee is continuing to look at presenting an art exchange between the Art Gallery of Burlington and the Art Gallery in Itabashi, this would be a professionally curated art exchange, could create provincial interest, a theme is still being discussed
  • a suggestion was made that when the committee hosts events that it investigates food trucks that are themed Japanese or Dutch, or both, to create a culinary themed experience
  • an update on the pen pal program was provided by Aysha - a list of MM Robinson students was sent to Itabashi, they will start at the end of November, so we are waiting for the first set of letters to arrive

7.4
United Nations subcommittee update:
 

Hasson advised the committee that a new chair is still needed for this subcommittee.  He will hold a meeting this month for the subcommittee, anyone interested in attending can let Hassan know and he will include you.  Councillor Nisan expressed interest in attending.

7.5
Website working group update:
 

Suzanne provided the following update regarding next steps for the website and social media:

  • the corporate website modernization project is underway with a goal to update and modernize the City's website burlington.ca, at this point I have only been asked to review material for accuracy and have been made aware that static information will remain on the Mund committees' webpages, however a new feature will be used for events, frequent updates, and communication needs
  • at this time communications have a policy to share all information through the city's social media account, further conversations can be had if the committee feels that its social media needs are not being met
  • Communications staff has asked that that the committee prioritize it's top 3 or 4 communications needs for the upcoming year and then they are happy to help develop communication plans for the top priorities identified 

7.6
Developing new partnerships working group update:
This item has attachments. 

1.20211103_Mund Discussion Future Opps.pdf

Brett provided the attached presentation and ideas to the committee regarding new partnerships and how to move forward.  The committee provided the following feedback:

  • the terms need to be clear on what we (the City of Burlington) are getting and what a new partner city would get - what is the focus of the relationship, make sure it is clearly defined
  • stability and a strong foundation for a partnership is needed to prevail during changes in governance

Next steps to be established in order to define a process for potential new partnerships, the working group will continue to fine tune details.  Anyone on the committee that is interested in helping please let Brett know.  

8.
Other Business:
 

8.1
Memorial for Shadi Salehian
 

Hassan will discuss the following options (and explore possible new options) with the UN subcommittee and bring that back to this committee for further discussion:

  • photo and write up on website
  • memorial tree or bench
  • award or bursary in her name

9.
Adjournment:
 

Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:53

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