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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
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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.
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.
**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 to youth@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 at hosting.state.gov. We also encourage you to share this announcement in your community! For more information, email youthprograms@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!
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