Happy Holidays





Tel Mond Dancers Impress Sarasota Community

Shalom from NOOA Dancers & Betty Schoenbaum at the Ringling Museum Entrance - Photo by Eric Hilton

The NOOA Dancers from Sarasota’s Sister City Tel Mond, Israel were brought to our community under the Sister City Program that was founded by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to promote Citizen Diplomacy, understanding and friendship through educational cultural and business exchanges. They were led on a bus tour of Sarasota by Bill Wallace who wore the Sarasota/Dunfermline kilt and explained the Scottish roots of Sarasota while getting an overview of our city today.

     The NOOA troupe danced and participated in discussions with students at Booker High School, Sarasota Military Academy, Riverview High School as well as Sarasota’s Sailor Circus. The group also visited a Sarasota Ballet workshop and got a preview of the original production of Sarasota’s Nutcracker starring Mable and John Ringling.

     The delegation attended the Kabbalat Shabbat service led by USY at Temple Beth Sholom. They shared Shabbat Dinner as well as the singing and dancing sponsored by the Temple Beth Sholom Men’s Club with the USY and Kadima youth members and their families members of Sister Cities and Host families.

     The group danced at the 12th Annual Holocaust Luncheon sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee as well as the spectacular closing show which was co-sponsored by the Federation and Sarasota Sister Cities Association. Local actress and director Carolyn Michel emceed, produced and coordinated the mixture of traditional folk, ballet jazz and interpretative dance numbers with backdrops of video and song. Alice Cotman and her committee were beaming with pride as the troupe took their last bow holding Israeli flags as well as an American flag after receiving Honorary Citizenship Certificates from Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell.

     The group toured Mote Marine and the John and Mable Ringling Museum with docents Toby Kline and Susan Johnson where they had lunch with Betty Schoenbaum before going to the Chabbad Hanukah festival.
(left to right) Linda Rosenbluth, Avi Eliyahu (Tel Mond Cultural Center Director), Alice Cotman, Betty Schoenbaum, and Dr. Robert Rosenbluth (photo by Kim Sheintal)

     The Host Families made the delegation feel the warmth of a family welcome and provided them all with unique Sarasota experiences. Richard Hershorin and Ed Cotman were nominated by the group for the Tel Mond’s Best Chef award.


NOOA group with Sarasota committee members tour Sarasota (photo by Eric Hilton)


Sam Silverberg meets NOOA dancers after their performance (photo by Kim Sheintal)Tel Mond Dancers Impress Sarasota Community


Sister Cities International News



Improved Web Profiles for Members & Member Satisfaction Survey

www.sister-cities.org

Attention members! Sister Cities International recently updated its website to allow members to post more information about their local sister city organizations! In addition to listing your sister cities:
  • Members can enter up to 350 words about their organization, letting visitors know about the type of work they are doing with their international partners
  • Primary contact information for your organization will now be shown automatically, allowing interested individuals and organizations to contact you directly
  • A “Cities Seeking Cities” section allows members to publicly indicate when they are searching for new partners, including preferred geographic areas, types of activities, and information about your city’s industries or other relevant qualities
Please be sure to update this information in your city’s profile so that visitors can learn more about your organization and the work you do. For step-by-step instructions on updating your city’s profile and our website instructions, click here. If you have any questions please contact Paul Rothman, Membership Coordinator, atprothman@sister-cities.org. 

Additionally, it is time for our Annual Membership Satisfaction Survey -- please be sure to click here and share with us your thoughts and opinions on the membership benefits and services of Sister Cities International.  Your feedback will assist us in further tailoring the benefits for our members.
Proposed Bylaw Changes from the Membership
Each year, Sister Cities International's Governance Committee receives and reviews suggested changes to our bylaws and board policies submitted by our members.  These proposed changes are then voted on by the membership during the 2013 Elections.

Members of Sister Cities International may now submit proposed changes to the Governance Committee for review.  Bill Boerum, chairman of the Governance Committee, requests any proposals for changes to the Sister Cities International bylaws, procedures, or board policies be submitted by Monday, January 21, 2013 to President & CEO Mary D. Kane at (mkane@sister-cities.org), or in a letter postmarked by January 21, 2013 to our main office (915 15th Street NW - 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20005).

To view all current organizational documents, please click here.
 

Now Accepting Applications for Open Positions on the Board of Directors
Sister Cities International welcomes all qualified applicants to run for open positions on the Board of Directors.  Elections to the Board of Directors are held each year during the Annual Conference.  If you plan to run for a position at the 2013 Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX July 11 – 13, 2013, please carefully review all information on the elections process to ensure your eligibility.
Eleven (11) Board positions will be open during the Annual Business Meeting at the Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas on July 12, 2013. This includes:
  • 9 Board of Director positions (three-year terms, 2013-2016)
  • 1 Young Professional Representative to the Board of Directors (two-year term, 2013-2015, must be between 19-35 years of age)
  • 1 Youth Representative to the Board of Directors (two-year term, 2013-2015, must be 18 years of age or under)
It is the policy of Sister Cities International Board of Directors that each candidate applying for the above positions, including current directors who are running for the board and wish to have their names placed on the ballot, complete the following form and electronically submit the form and all supplemental information to the Sister Cities International office by 5:00pm ET on May 15, 2013 to mkane@sister-cities.org.  Materials received after this date will not be considered.
Please take note of all word count requests throughout the application. If an applicant exceeds the desired word count, Sister Cities International will edit your application to meet the requirements.

Please email completed applications to Mary Kane, President & CEO, at mkane@sister-cities.org. 
 
Application Packet must include: 
  • 2013 Board Application (click to download)
  • Electronic Photograph or Headshot (300 dpi or higher)
  • Official letter from a representative of a dues paying Sister Cities International member organization or an elected official, endorsing candidacy
For more information on the 2013 Elections process, please CLICK HERE.

Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala
January 17, 2013

www.sistercitiesinaugural.org

Friday is the LAST DAY for you to reserve a hotel room at the Embassy Suites-Washington, DC at the discounted rate of only $183/night.  Reserve your room today before prices jump in the weeks before this event!  CLICK HERE TO RESERVE A ROOM TODAY!

We are proud to welcome General Colin Powell to the Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala Honorary Host Committee. The Thursday, January 17, 2013 Inaugural Gala will celebrate the inauguration of the President of the United States, our honorary chairperson. General Powell will be joined by Senator Robert Casey (D-PA), Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), William Keating (D-MA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Sue Myrick (R-NC) on the Honorary Host Committee.
Join us for this exclusive event showcasing the important role of everyday citizen diplomats in our national efforts to promote peace and prosperity around the world. Come celebrate the powerful impact of relationships formed across borders by individual citizens! 

Reserve your tickets today at www.SisterCitiesInaugural.org or call                   !

The Gala will be held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce International Hall of Flags, located at 1615 H Street Northwest, Washington, DC, a block from the the White House.
Webinar Announcement: Linking US-Japan sister city programs with local JET alumni
JET Alumni Association Webinar
Linking US-Japan sister city programs with local JET alumni
December 12, 2012 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST
As part of the Leading Asia program, Sister Cities International is actively looking for new ways to strengthen US-Japan sister city partnerships. One of the easiest and most effective ways to broaden and diversify local sister city programs locally is to link with other individuals and organizations devoted to greater understanding of Japanese history, culture, society and US-Japan relations. The JET Alumni Association of the USA is an association of American alumni of the Japanese Exchange and Teaching programme (JET). JET is a Japanese government initiative that brings college graduates—mostly native speakers of English—to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and Sports Education Advisors (SEAs) in Japanese kindergartens, elementary, junior high and high schools, or as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) in local governments and boards of education.

JET Alumni are located in communities across the country and their passion for and experience in Japan is yet another source of new local membership, expertise and engagement for your sister city program. In addition, you will be providing exciting new opportunities for JET alumni to stay involved in Japan-related activities and US-Japan relations at the local level. Join Paul Rothman, Sister Cities International’s Membership Coordinator and Jessyca Livingston of the JETAA USA Advisory Board for a discussion on how to get in contact with local JET Alumni and the benefits of engaging them in your activity. 

Register today by CLICKING HERE.


Awards Dinner March 3, 2012





Sister Cities Webinar




Webinar
Announcement

JET Alumni Association Webinar
Linking US-Japan sister city programs with local JET alumni

December 12, 2012 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST
As part of the Leading Asia program, Sister Cities International is actively looking for new ways to strengthen US-Japan sister city partnerships. One of the easiest and most effective ways to broaden and diversify local sister city programs locally is to link with other individuals and organizations devoted to greater understanding of Japanese history, culture, society and US-Japan relations.

The JET Alumni Association of the USA is an association of American alumni of the Japanese Exchange and Teaching programme (JET). JET is a Japanese government initiative that brings college graduates—mostly native speakers of English—to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and Sports Education Advisors (SEAs) in Japanese kindergartens, elementary, junior high and high schools, or as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) in local governments and boards of education. JET Alumni are located in communities across the country and their passion for and experience in Japan is yet another source of new local membership, expertise and engagement for your sister city program. In addition, you will be providing exciting new opportunities for JET alumni to stay involved in Japan-related activities and US-Japan relations at the local level.

Join Paul Rothman, Sister Cities International’s Membership Coordinator, and Jessyca Livingston of the JETAA USA Advisory Board for a discussion on how to get in contact with local JET Alumni and the benefits of engaging them in your activity. 

Cultural Exchange from Tel Mond

Mayor Suzanne Atwell welcomed 20 student dancers to Sarasota yesterday who  are visiting from Tel Mond, Israel as part of a cultural exchange with the Sarasota Sister Cities Association.  The young women, ages 16 and 17, are part of a dance school at  the Tel Mond Cultural Center.  Prior to meeting Mayor Atwell in the Commission Chambers the dancers toured City Hall. 


 During their visit  through December 10,  the group will perform at Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish Federation.  They also will  explore many of Sarasota’s popular attractions including  John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, Sailor Circus, Mote Marine, and the Sarasota Ballet. 

 Tel Mond officially became Sarasota’s Sister City in 1999 with the signing of a mutual agreement.  Over the years, many delegations have visited from Tel Mond.

 Sarasota has a total of eight Sister Cities:  Tel Mond, Israel; Dunfermline, Scotland; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Merida, Mexico; Perpignan, France; Treviso, Italy; Vladimir, Russia; Xiamen, China.
  
The goal of Sister Cities is to strengthen shared interests around the globe and lessen the possibility of world conflicts.  For more information on the Sarasota Sister Cities Association visit www.SarasotaSisterCities.org     




Cultural Exchange from Tel Mond 

Jan Thornburg City PIO provided the above coverage of the students arrival.


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