At it’s February 1st meeting, the board choose 6 members to serve on the board and elected their 2012 officers.  Reappointed to three year terms were;

Greg Tilque, Pam Williams, Kimberly Large & Larry Morrison.
Les Presmyk was elected to fill a new position on the board and serve a three year term.

Dave Daniels was elected to serve the remainder of a vacated term that expires in 2014.

The board also selected the officers for 2012.  They are:

President – Greg Tilque

Vice President – Gayle Disch

Treasurer – Donna Backhaus

Secretary -  Janet Sanders

Congratulations to the new board members and officers!

Chinese New Year  – 2012 is the Year of the Dragon

In Chinese tradition, each year is dedicated to a specific animal. The Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Ram are the twelve animals that are part of this tradition. In 2012, the Dragon is welcomed back after the 2011 year of the Rabbit. Each of these animals are thought to bestow their characteristics to the people born in their year.  January 23rd was the start of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dragon. 

As is the Gilbert tradition, our Chinese New Year Celebration was held at Shangri-la.  The food was fabulous and members Tony Kao and Pu Chen provided an interesting history of the Year of the Dragon stating the 2012 is considered a special Year of the Dragon since every 60 years they celebrate the Year of the Golden Dragon.  This year has special significance in the Chinese culture and is since it is considered a very lucky year many marriages and births will take place.

Holiday Social Fun For All!

The Annual Gilbert Sister Cities Holiday Social proved to be a night filled with food, fun, frivolity and friendship.  The four student delegates (pictured below) were introduced to those in attendance and we were honored to have Mayor Lewis, Vice Mayor Daniels and Councilman Cook in attendance as well.  Many board members(pictured below) were also in attendance to join in the festivities.

2012 Student Delegates - Kelen, Selena, Malea, Sara

2011 Holiday Social-Board members Donna, Robyn, Deane, Kimberly, Pam, Greg

 Sister City Exhibit Opens At Gilbert Historical Museum!

The Gilbert Sister Cities’ program reached a new level of community awareness on September 30 when a new exhibit dedicated to the organization was opened in a special ceremony.  Gilbert Sister Cities’ Honorary Chairman, Vice Mayor Jenn Daniels, welcomed sister city members as well as Councilman Eddie Cook, members of the Historical Society and others to celebrate this momentous occasion.  She recounted the 16 year history of the organization and President Greg Tilque discussed the many reasons that the members of the organization are so dedicated to the sister city mission of bringing the world closer and why he and co-founders Beccy & Andy Hlawek decided to form the organization in 1995.  Special thanks to the Gilbert Historical Museum Board and their Executive Director Kayla Kolar for allowing the exhibit to have such an honored space in the museum.  Please stop by the museum to see the exhibit.  Check out their website for more details about the museum and their hours of operation – http://gilbertmuseum.org/

GSC exhibit in the Gilbert Historical

President Greg Tilque address audience

Leshan officials visit Gilbert!

Four members of Leshan’s Municipal Government visited Gilbert in early August.  It was a quick visit but they were kept very busy during their short time in Gilbert.  They started their trip with a visit to ON Semiconductor in Phoenix since some of their operations are located in Leshan.  Tours in Gilbert consisted of the Santan Vista Water Treatment Plant, the Gilbert Police Department, Playa del Ray Elementary, ColnaTec (Gilbert-based high tech company) and a tour of the town.  The visit at ColnaTec was very well received and may prove to open up some economic development opportunities for both communities.  They also made a stop at Kohl’s to do a little shopping!

The officials participating in the visit were:

1. Mr. Chen Kun, director of Leshan Foreign & Overseas Chinese Affairs & HK and Macao Affairs office;
2. Mr. Li Zhiming, vice Secretary General of Leshan Municipal Government; director of Leshan Investment Promotion Bureau;
3. Mr. Deng Guiyin, vice director of Leshan Economy & Information Committee;
4. Ms. Chen Yingli (Maggie), section chief of Leshan Foreign & Overseas Chinese affairs & HK and Macao Affairs Office, interpreter

Leshan delegation at Shangri-la with Mayor Lewis

Gilbert Sister Cities member Tony Kao was gracious enough to host the delegation and guests at his restaurant, Shangri-la, for dinner.  Guests included Mayor John Lewis, and Council members Victor Petersen and Eddie Cook. 

Leshan delegation visits Gilbert company, ColnaTec

Leshan delegation at Playa del Ray Elementary School

Leshan delegation visits Santan Vista Water Treatment Plant

2011 All American BBQ

Student delegates at 2011 All American BBQ

Students and members alike enjoyed the 2011 All American BBQ held at the home of Dave and Deane Daniels.  Council member Victor Petersen and his family were in attendance and those in attendance had the chance to meet the 2011 delegates and their counterparts from Leshan and Newtownabbey (delegate Johnny Guzman and his counterpart were not available as they were in northern Arizona).  Thanks to all who participated!