Community Connections Delegation from Ukraine

On August 4th IVC Detroit will welcome 10 Management & Theatre Professionals from Ukraine for a 3 week Community Connections Program. Executive Director Julie Oldani, Project Director Judy Kebl, and Program Assistant Imke Baumann have planned a detailed 3 week program introducing the delegates to metro Detroit’s excellent cultural institution management leaders to learn best practices and to share information about their cultural organizations in Odesa. Honorary Consul of Ukraine Bohdan Fedorak will welcome the participants and host them at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren. He’ll share the rich history of the Ukrainian community in metro Detroit. (There are more than 200,000 metro Detroiters who have ties to Ukraine.)  The program’s Russian interpreter is Irina Jesionowski. She’ll have the assistance of Leisa Fedorak (Bohdan & Donna Fedorak’s granddaughter) who speaks fluent Ukrainian.

IVC Detroit is most grateful to homestay hosts: Sue & Bill Ahlstrom, Sue & Roger Mumbrue, Judy Kebl, Coco & Bob Siewert, Mary Healey & Tom Stoughton
who will open their hearts and homes to share American customs and culture during the 3 week program.

In Lansing the delegates will meet with Jill Murphy-Chief of Protocol/MEDC to learn about the State of Michigan’s- Pure Michigan program along with the work of the Michigan Council of the Arts. IVC Board Member Barb Browne has arranged a visit to the Michigan Hall of Justice along with a meeting at the Michigan Museum. Later they’ll travel to the Frederick Meijer Gardens to see the Chihuli Exhibit.

In metro Detroit the Ukrainian delegation will have a myriad of meetings including exchanges at the Michigan Opera Theatre( with General Director David DiChiera) the Henry Ford (with President Patricia Mooradian), Mosaic Youth Theatre (with Founder & CEO Rich Sperling, the Edsel & Henry Ford House (with CEO Kathleen Mullins), the Henry Ford Estate- Fairlane (with Curator Susan McCabe,  DIA, Motown Museum, AANM, the Charles Wright Museum of African American History (with President Juanita Moore), the DSO, and with Michael O’Callaghan- VP/Metro Detroit Visitors & Convention Bureau. Professor Jerry Lindman-Director of the Center for Non Profit Management at LTU has planned an extensive day introducing them to several management leaders of cultural institutions to discuss issues such as funding, membership, volunteers, exhibits and other topics relevant to ensuring viability in struggling economies.

*There are opportunities for our members & friends to meet the Ukrainian delegates at social/cultural exchange events on:

August 5th
August 15th

* Please call the IVC Detroit office (248) 375-7300 to make arrangements.

 

IVC Detroit Annual Membership Meeting

IVC Detroit Annual Meeting June 30, 2010         Franklin Hills Country Club  

hosted by IVC Detroit Board Member:  Matthew Kasle

Matthew Kasle, Annual Meeting Host arranged another outstanding venue for IVC Detroit’s Annual Meeting. For attendees, the highlight was meeting Matthew’s baby daughter Emery Jane Kasle only 14 weeks old. Mother Jill Kasle was thrilled with all the “oohs and aahs”  but then whisked the baby away as the official part of the meeting began. Guests enjoyed networking over cocktails prior to IVC Detroit 1st Vice President Connie Hogan gaveling the meeting to order. Connie directed the designated Agenda filling in for President Fern Espino who is presently on assignment in the UK. It was an honor to welcome guests from Korea who accompanied generous longtime IVC Member Sook Ja Oh. The focus of the Agenda was IVC Detroit’s on-going Strategic Planning process. Gala Co-Chair Susan Willis-Reickert reported on IVC’s recent Gala aboard the Infinity Yacht honoring David DiChiera General Director of the MOT.
Awards & recognitions for 2009/2010 were presented to Board Members attending the Meeting including:
Faris Alami, Mary Lussier, Rona Lum, Jonathan Swift, Sophia Ellis, Brian Balasia, Susan Willis-Reickert

2009/10 IVC Awards were presented to:
Eleanor “Coco” Siewert for volunteerism
Py & Jim Wolfe for hosting
Connie Hogan for Board Leadership

A gift for Emery Jane Kasle was presented to Matthew Kasle in appreciation for hosting the meeting.