Society Mobile-La Habana

September 14, 1998

Members present: Sharon Yahnke, Gene Lambert, Joe Thomas, Robert Schaefer, Jay Higginbotham, Jerry Pogue, Ruth Cunningham, and David Underhill.

1. Call to order 7:00 p.m. by Robert M. Schaefer

2. Raphael Noriega, First Secretary for the Cuban Interests Section, visited for three days in August 1998. Met with the Society Mobile La Habana, and visited the Mobile Archives and Chamber of Commerce. Made honorary citizen of Mobile by Michael Dow, mayor. Attended reception at National Trade Club.

3. Pastors for Peace stopped in Mobile (July 121-13) on their way to Cuba. Appreciation was given to Society member Sharon Yahnke for coordinating the dinner and arranging accommodation for the Pastors.

4. R. Schaefer thanked Lee Gibson and Sue Hawkins for their efforts regarding finishing the 501(c)(3) paperwork.

5. Members agreed that dues need to be collected more efficiently.

6. Jay Higginbotham will go to United Nations, September 25, 1998, to meet with various Cuban

representatives and to discuss sister cities programs with representatives from San Francisco, New York City, Atlanta, etc.

7. The Society is planning a trip to Cuba, November 14-18. Mayor Dow, two city council members, and 15 or so other Mobilians are planning to go. It was noted that Gene Lambert contributed much time and effort in arranging the trip.

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.