我孫子市国際交流協会

Date: June 17(Sunday), 2007 2:00pm-4:00pm
Venue: Kotobuki Shimin Center/Chamber of Commerce

Miss Lisa Ward, Australian English teacher at AIRA, called the meeting to order in Japanese and English. Mr. T. Okubo, President, gave an opening address asking for further efforts to be taken for enrolling more membership for the organization's development. Then a message of Mr. J. Hoshino, Mayor, was read by Mr. T. Watanabe, Vice Mayor, addressing that he sincerely wished the members to be helpful for foreign citizen so that they could lead comfortable lives.
Mr. H. Innami, Chairman of the city congress, made a congratulatory address representing the advisors.
The meeting then proceeded to the deliberations on the reports of the FY 2006 business achievement and account settlement, and change of directors and auditor. Then explanations on FY2007 business schedule and annual budget plan were given by the head of the respective division. All agenda were unanimously agreed.
An announcement was made on the change of the Honorary President, from the former Mayor Mr. Hirohiko Fukushima to Mr. Junichiro Hoshino, and the change of advisor.
A report on the membership as of March 31, 2007 was made as follows:
Total 726, of which male 299 and female 427: Abiko city resident 609, others 117: group 24, of which within Abiko city 22, others 2.
The executive members remain unchanged for FY2007, which was also reported.
A closing address was made by Ms. Chang Wen Ming, who was born in Taiwan. She is now acting as an interpreter at school.
After expressing on necessity of frankness in exchanging among people, she added an episode that one Chinese student who had transferred to one of junior high schools in the city surprised at the school meal, saying "How Japanese students are happy to have such a delicious meal everyday !"
Now the 16th General Meeting was finished with success.
As a post-meeting event, a mini concert of mandolin ensemble was held.
The quintet "Ensemble Ciel" was composed of all women with a formation of 2 mandolins, 1 mandola, and 2 guitars.
Hit music of popular films, well-known numbers by the Carpenters and other tunes were lively played. The sole strings sound without speakers filled the hall with mellow atmosphere and the audience were enchanted by the pleasant live performance.
At the end of each playing, the players received warm applause.
Following the concert, the attendants enjoyed chatting over a cup of tea and light meals.

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