Sarasota Sister Cities Presentation April 7

The Sarasota Sister Cities Organization will present its annual report to the Sarasota City Council at 6 pm on Monday April 7, 2014.  This is an excellent time to learn about the activities of the organization. It is also a good time to learn about local government and to show the City how much interest there is in the efforts of Sarasota Sister Cities in improving relationships with other cities.

Vice President Dave Harralson will make the presentation. President Beth Ruyle Hullinger will be meeting with our Sister City Tel Mond, Israel.

Thank you for your review.

-- 

Beth Ruyle Hullinger, President

Sarasota Sister Cities 

Carrie Weaver, Director of Events

Dear Friends and Members of the SCAS,

My name is Carrie Weaver and I’m so very excited to be writing to you in my new role as Director of Events. After being a part of our community for the last 30-plus years, it’s an honor and a pleasure to step into this position. I have a lifetime of experience in hospitality, event planning and business operations as well as a degree in International Business.

I look forward to using my experience to further SCAS’ goal to be Citizen Diplomats. Recently, I have been spending time getting to know our organization’s members. I was able to attend the One World Gala where I met many of you. What an extraordinary event!

Today, I’m writing with an update on our events we’ve planned in the upcoming months.

Mar 29	Thistle Ball
April 10	Meet and Greet at Geckos****
April	No Luncheon
May 9	Luncheon / Annual Meeting
May 20	Meet & Greet at Tequila Cantina
July 27-Aug 2	Dunfermline Sarasota Golf Tournament

**** Please note that the April Meet & Greet, is a change in our usual monthly time slot to THURSDAY, April 10, 2014.    

If you have suggestions about possible events for SCAS to host, or venues to utilize or any concerns what-so-ever, please feel free to call upon me.

I look forward to meeting with you at the next Meet & Greet!

Carrie Weaver

Director of Events, SCAS

carrie.weaver@live.com

direct: 01(941)580-8184

Like US on Facebook facebook.com/SarasotaSisterCities

and get updates and invites on your news feed!

 

Meet and Greet Thursday April 10

You are invited to bring a new friend and join old friends.

Sister Cities Meet & Greet 

Thursday, April 10, 2014 - 5 to 7 pm

@ Gecko's Grill & Pub 

1900 Hillview Street in Southside Village

Join in fellowship with SCAS members and Celebrate our community’s love of sports and camaraderie! 

Locally owned and operated, Gecko’s central tenet of business shares SCAS’ values of citizen diplomacy by building friendships. They achieve this by serving fresh, locally sourced, made-to-order food in a fun and comfortable environment with great prices and greater customer service. 

SCAS members and guests will enjoy these featured specials:

• Gecko's Ultimate Happy Hour runs all day, every day-7 days a week featuring 2-4-1 well cocktails, margaritas, martinis, frozen drinks, house wines.

• Enjoy Gecko’s everyday low price on draft beers and CRAFT BEER weekly selections celebrating the Best of American Beer Savor the Flavors! 

• "Premium Wine Night"(at all Gecko's locations) Every Thursday from 4:00 - 10:00 p.m. $3 a glass or $12.00 a bottle Featuring new wines from around the world every week!

Courtesy RSVP will allow Gecko's to ensure they have sufficient bar staff.

Last minute walk-ins are always welcome!

Please reply to:

Carrie Weaver

Director of Events

Sister Cities Association of Sarasota

Carrie.weaver@live.com

Direct: 01(941) 580-8184

Sister Cities Association of Sarasota

1565 1st

Street, Sarasota, Florida 34207

sarasotasistercities.org

Sister Cities Association of Sarasota

Citizen Diplomats—Carving a Path toward Peace since 1963

geckosgrill.com

Gecko's brings its famous casual dining style to the Southside Village neighborhood. It's lucky No. 5 on Hillview Street - a natural fit for Gecko's popular neighborhood grill and sports connection theme. Enjoy great service, great spirits & a delectable menu - with the same affordable prices at this premier central Sarasota location that are offered at every Gecko's location. Gecko's on Hillview is unique with hints of retro Sarasota and old Florida - high open ceilings, brick walls, marble bar and tables, rattan tropical furniture, elaborate ceiling fans and rich chocolate hues make patrons feel like they have stepped back in time. 

No worries though there is no shortage of high definition flat screen TVs to highlight every sporting event. This Gecko's warm southern charm will make you feel right at home. Relax with friends or family for lunch or dinner, watch your favorite sports' team or dine late night from a full diverse menu. There is plenty of street parking and a dedicated parking lot just for Gecko's customers.

Luncheon / Annual Meeting Friday May 9. 2014

Join us at the beautiful Sara Bay Country Club for our Luncheon / Annual Meeting.

1130 am - Friday May 9, 2014

Sara Bay Country Club

7011 Willow St

Sarasota, FL 34243

(941) 355-6544  

sarabaycc.org

The program will be the Annual Meeting of Sarasota Sister Cities. Officers will be elected.

The menu is blackened steak salad or vegetarian salad. The dessert is brownie a la mode. 
Sara Bay Country Club can provide bar drinks for those who choose at our Sister Cities luncheons.  At this luncheon those wanting a wine or other bar drink at the luncheon may give there orders and make cash payment to the waitstaff. 

RSVPs, meal selection and $25 payment for the Sister Cities luncheon are required by May 6 to meet requirements of the Sara Bay Country Club. 

Payment can be made electronically at:  

sarasotasistercities.org/pmts.htm 

Or by Check to Sarasota Sister Cities Association: 

RSVP, Meal Selection and Check Payment to:

Sarasota Sister Cities Association

C/O Janet Hill
19422 Rizzuto St

Venice, FL 34293
941-460-6658
rarahill@comcast.net 

Click for Directions

                                               

Member Interest Survey

Members of Sister Cities Association of Sarasota who would like to get more involved can volunteer to help. Tell us what areas you would like to work on and email it back to us at sarasotasistercities@gmail.com.

Which Kind of Activities Interest You?

___Arts and Culture       

___Business/Economic Development

___Education and Youth

___Fund Raising

___Membership Development

___Protocol for Visitations

___Special Events

___Sports

___Website, Blog, Newsletter, Social Marketing

Would You Enjoy Working with a Sister City?

___Dunfermline, Scotland

___Hamilton (Ontario), Canada

___Merida, Mexico

___Perpignan, France

___Tel Mond, Israel

___Treviso, Italy

___Vladimir, Russia

___Xiamen, China

Thistle Ball Saturday March 29, 6:00 PM - Please Sign Up Now

A glorious Scottish evening with Fine Dining, the colorful Pageantry of Tartans, with a focus on Sister Cities' Sarasota Tartan, Bagpipe Music, Scottish Classical Ballet and a Musical Journey around our Sister Cities.

Held at the beautiful University Park Country Club on Saturday March 29, 6:00 PM, $56 per person.

Hopefully SSCA board members and members will come to this beautiful Scottish (Dunfermline) event I am organizing as SSCA DF City Director.


Kind regards,


Pauline Mitchell

941-485-5199

pjmitchellusa@yahoo.com

Click For a Printable Invitation

More Info about our Scottish Sister City at:

dunfermlinesarasota.blogspot.com

Sister Cities International E-Newsletter

Email not displaying properly? Click here to view it in a new window. Click here to share this with a friend.   E-Newsletter 03.12.2014 IN THIS ISSUE   U.S.-China Sister Cities Conference: Registration Ends Friday, March 14 Accepting Applications to Open Positions on the Board of Directors 2014-2015 High School Home Stay Exchange Program Host an International Exchange Student! Entry Fee Waived! 2014 Young Artists and Authors Showcase Nominate YOUR Program for the Annual Awards 2014 Annual Conference: Register NOW to get the early-bird rate! March 22, 2014 Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Association: Navruz Celebration March 29-May 03, 2014 Washington D.C. Sister Cities: East/West April 04, 2014 Southern California Sister Cities: 2014 Annual Conference    Online Registration Ends Friday, March 14! The U.S.-China Sister Cities Conference is fast approaching! Join business leaders, government officials, and citizen diplomats from the U.S. and China at the Conference in Washington, DC,March 26, 2014. REGISTRATION ENDS FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 11:59pm EDT. VISIT WWW.SISTER-CITIES.ORG/USCHINA TO REGISTER TODAY! The Conference is an exciting opportunity for YOUR U.S.-China sister city program to learn more about strengthening exchanges and growing business opportunities through informative sessions from industry leaders.   The Conference will also feature a Reception at the Embassy of People's Republic of China and a screening of the documentaryFinding Samuel Lowe: From Harlem to China.   TO VIEW THE ENTIRE LINE-UP OF SPEAKERS AND SESSIONS,AND TO REGISTER, VISIT: www.sister-cities.org/USChina **discounted registration rates available for young professionals (18-35 years) and students If you have yet to book accommodations for the Conference, The Key Bridge Marriott is still offering a special rate of $209/night for our Conference attendees! Please be sure to mention "Sister Cities International Overflow" when booking your room. Contact the reservations department at 1 (800) 321-2211 or (703) 524-6400, or book onlineHERE. Please note, you must book byFriday, March 14th 5:00 pm EDT to receive this rate.   Accepting Applications for Open Positions on the Board of Directors Sister Cities International’s Board of Directors is elected by its voting members—local sister city organizations. The election includes both electronic voting from June 2-August 1, 2014 as well as in-person voting at the Annual Business Meeting on August 1, held during Sister Cities International’s Annual Conference in San Jose, California,July 31-August 2, 2014.Seven (7) at-large Board positions as well as one (1) Youth Representative will be filled by election during the Annual Business Meeting this year. The at-large Board positions are three-year terms (2014-2017) The Youth Representative position is a two-year term (2014-2016)(Applicants for Youth Representative must be under 21 years of age) Sister Cities International welcomes all qualified applicants to run for open positions on the Board of Directors. If you plan to run for a position please carefully review all information on the elections process, including the FAQ, to ensure your eligibility. For detailed information on the open positions, application requirements, application form, and FAQ, please visit:www.sister-cities.org/2014Elections. Please note, Sister Cities International will also be sending electronic ballots for the 2014 elections to the primary contact's email. Please ensure that the primary contact information is updated on your city's profile. Use our interactive map to find your city's profile. To update the information on your city’s profile, please contact Aveen Karim, Membership Coordinator, at akarim@sister-cities.org.   High School Home Stay Exchange Program   The High School Home Stay exchange program is an opportunity for sister cities to host students for a year or semester of high school in the United States. The international cities choose the high school students, who must be between the ages of 15 and 18 1/2 on the first day of school. Once the student is in the United States, the U.S. sister city will provide oversight for the student and include the student in sister city activities. To participate, please complete the all three applications forms below and email them toyouth@sister-cities.org. The deadline for submitting an application is May 1, 2014. For details on the High School Home Stay Program, click here. Form 1 Form 2 Form 3   Host an International Exchange Student! Host a U.S. Department of State-sponsored international student. Don't miss out on an this great opportunity for your family and school! Sign up now for a local representative to contact you to learn more hosting.state.gov The U.S. Department of State invites you to make a difference by hosting an international high school exchange student in your home starting this fall. Approximately 2,000 Department of State-sponsored exchange students from over 50 countries, all of whom have undergone a competitive, merit-based selection process, will spend the 2014-15 academic year in communities across the United States. These exchange students live with American families, attend American high schools, and participate in American culture, leadership activities, and community service. Exchange students can help bring the world into your home and community. The State Department is currently seeking host families from all over the United States. Learn more or submit an interest form athosting.state.gov. We also encourage you to share this announcement in your community! For more information, emailyouthprograms@state.gov.   2014 Young Artists and Authors Showcase ENTRY FEE WAIVED!   Open to all Sister Cities International youth members!Sister cities youth are encouraged to submit artwork, essays, and poems inspired by what this years theme: "Connect globally. Thrive locally." means to them! Sister city relationships foster partnerships within the community and between international cities, counties, and states in order to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time. In 2012 Sister Cities International launched its new tag line: Connect globally. Thrive locally.Through 2D media, essays or poetry,  youth can illustrate how global connectivity allows an individual or community to thrive locally. How has this connectivity impacted youth for the better? The deadline for sending in entries is May 1, 2014. For details, visit: www.sister-cities.org/YAAS. Please note, starting this year, there will be no application fee to enter this competition. Click on the links below to download the guidelines and entry forms: 2014 Young Artists Showcase Form 2014 Young Authors Showcase Form Nominate YOUR Program for the Annual Awards!   The Annual Awards Program highlights your sister city program's achievements and brings international recognition to your community's contributions to the citizen diplomacy movement. Sister Cities International established the Annual Awards Program in 1962 to recognize exceptional sister city programs. Current dues-paying members of Sister Cities International with at least one formally recognized sister city partnership can apply for the Awards.  Sister city programs can now apply for the 2014 Annual Awards for achievements made in 2013 in the following categories. Please note, there is no application fee to nominate your program for the Awards. Best Overall Innovation (Arts & Culture, Economic Development, Energy/Sustainable Development, Youth) Volunteer of the Year Youth Leadership Visit www.sister-cities.org/AnnualAwardsto nominate your program today! Deadline for applications is April 18, 2014.  Winners will honored at the 58th Sister Cities International Annual Conference in San Jose, CA, July 31-August 2, 2014. 2014 Annual Conference Register Now for the Early Bird Rate! Watch Dionne Warwick's special message about the 2014 Annual Conference! EARLY BIRD RATE ENDS MARCH 31! Registration is now open for the Sister Cities International 58th Annual Conference, July 31-August 2, 2014, in San Jose, California! Visit www.SisterCitiesConference.org to register today!   The Conference will bring together elected and municipal officials, engaged citizens, diplomats, and business leaders in the exciting capital of Silicon Valley to discuss, “The Power of Digital Diplomacy”. Attend specialized regional tracks on Asia-Pacific and Latin America Meet members of the U.S. Department of State and the Foreign Diplomatic Corps and hear their perspectives Choose from sessions on topics such as:                    Integrating new technology into programming                    Fundraising effectively                    Programming for economic development                    Media relations and protocol                    And many more Network and share experiences with members of sister city organizations from around the country Want to engage the next generation of citizen diplomats? Invite high school students to attend the concurrent 2014 Youth Leadership Summit on international diplomacyEnjoy a reception hosted by the Mayor of San Jose Followed by a special performance by Dionne Warwick! REGISTER BEFORE MARCH 31, 2014 TO GET THE EARLY BIRD RATE! Visit www.SisterCitiesConference.org to register today!         © Sister Cities International. 2013-2014. 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