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E-Newsletter
01.23.2013 | |||||
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IN THIS ISSUE
Celebrating the Presidential Inauguration USMSCA 50th Anniversary Convention Engage the Next Generation: Project Earth-Sister Cities International Challenge 2013 Young Artists and Authors Showcase Call for "99 Under 33" Nominations  Jan 26, 2013 Tempe Sister Cities Passport to the World II Jan 27, 2013 Corvallis Sister City Association Ethiopian Culture Dinner and Auction Jan 27, 2013 Norfolk ister Cities Association 36th Annual International Luncheon    |  Thank you to everyone who joined us on January 17 for the Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala at the International Hall of Flags, U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC. Your overwhelming support and enthusiasm ensured that the Gala was a success! 300 guests including congressmen, ambassadors, diplomats, mayors, and citizen diplomats from across the United States and the world also joined us at the Gala as we celebrated the tradition of Presidential support for our organization. Congressman Mike Honda, one of the guests, later wrote about the Gala in a Facebook post, "...The energy in the room and spirit of the event showcased the commitment, passion and strong principles of this network in its efforts to achieve peace and prosperity for all. Re-connecting with these folks on the eve of the Inauguration weekend reminded me just how strong people to people connections are in building goodwill and global understanding...." Sister Cities International would also like to thank our sponsors MGM Resorts International, Amazon Web Services LLC, Mary Ellen and Mike E. Fox Sr., Mike Hyatt and others for their commitment and support for the Gala. Pictures from the Gala will be posted on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/  
The United States Mexico Sister Cities Association (USMSCA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! USMSCA will be celebrating this milestone with a 50th Anniversary Convention to be held in Laredo Texas, February 21-23, 2013.
The convention is set to offer many exciting and memorable events for delegates as well as their families. To view the agenda and to register, please visit www.usmsca.org. 
“The Project Earth – Sister Cities International Challenge” is underway through Spring 2013! The Challenge engages the next generation of citizen diplomats through environmental and renewable energy projects. Utilizing the Project Earth online resources and sharing platform and the Sister Cities International network of students, teachers, and schools, this challenge allows young people to work with fellow students in their sister cities to implement sustainable projects focused on mutual environmental problems.
Winning team will be awarded $1,500! Second and third place winners receive $500 each! Eligibility:
To view sample projects visit the Project Earth website at www.projectearth.net. Quest  The 2013 Young Artists and Authors Showcase theme is "The Power of Exchange." Sister city relationships foster partnerships within the community and between international cities, counties, and states. Whether in person, online, or through the mail, exchanges of people and ideas facilitate community development and educational opportunities. Entries should illustrate the long-term impact that exchanges have had on an individual or community. The deadline for sending in entries is May 1, 2013. For details, visit: http://www.sister- Click on the links below to download the entry forms: Young Artists Form Young Authors Form
Our media partners at Diplomatic Courier along with the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy have announced that nominations for the “Top 99 Foreign Policy Leaders Under 33 Years of Age” are now open.
Now in its third year, “Top 99 Under 33” is a special project that captures the extraordinary impact that 99 diverse Millennials under the age of 33 are making on international affairs. The list and individual profiles of the "Top 99 Under 33" offer insight into the creativity, determination, and passion of the young people who are already tackling the world's critical challenges. Click here to see the 2012 "Top 99 Under 33" list. To nominate a person who has made a clear impact on foreign policy and is recognized as a rising leader, click here. Nominees will be considered for one of these seven categories: influencer, innovator, convener, risk-taker, practitioner, shaper, and catalyst. To nominate yourself or another person, submit the completed form no later than February 28, 2013 by 11:59 p.m. EST. | ||||
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| © Sister Cities International. 2011-2012. All Rights reserved. | |||||
Sister Cities International
Florida Sister Cities State Conference May 2-4, 2013
Save the Date Notice
The Florida Sister Cities State Conference will be held May 2-4, 2013 at the popular Helmsley Sandcastle Resort on Lido Key in Sarasota. The conference will be hosted by the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota as part of their 50th Anniversary commemoration of their Culture Coast Sister Cities program.
Dynamic keynote speakers at the Conference will include Mary Kane, President and CEO of Sister Cities International and David Houle, Resident Futurist of Ringling College of Art and Design who is in demand by Presidents and CEOs of Corporations throughout the US. The conference will begin with a pool side reception beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 2nd. A full program of topics of prime interest to Sister City members and community leaders will be held on Friday and Saturday morning.
Of special interest will be an Authors display where Florida Sister City members who are authors can display and offer their books for sale during the conference.
This will be the third time the Florida Sister Cities State Conference has been held at the Helmsley Sandcastle on the sugar-like white sand beaches of Lido Key. The resort décor has been updated with a new tropical look, has two heated swimming pools, two restaurants, pool Tiki bar, indoor lounge with live entertainment, free Wi-Fi throughout the resort, covered free parking, complimentary irons and ironing boards, safes for your valuables, and a complete line of water recreation vehicles (kayaks, aqua-cycles, and sailboats).
The Helmsley Sandcastle is just minutes away from world famous St. Armand’s Circle shops and restaurants, and the many attractions of Sarasota. Conference registration will begin in late January. However, early birds who may want to ensure group rate accommodations at the Helmsley Sandcastle can register now. Hotel registration information is attached.
For additional information contact:
Alice Phillips, Convention Chair phillips-alice@at.net 941-484-6391
or Tom Halbert, President
Sister Cities Association of Sarasota halbertjt@gmail.com 941-485-8596
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Florida Sister Cities State Conference 2013
Room Reservations
Note: The Room Reservation deadline is Tuesday, April 6, 2013 or until our room block is full.
Use the hotel's direct reservation phone numbers. Just mention the Florida Sister Cities State Conference as the group code. Reservations can be made Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Group reservation rate is valid for 1-4 persons per room and for 3-days before the conference to 3-days after the conference for those who may to take advantage of Sarasota’s cultural venues, beaches and attractions.
Reservation Phone: (800) 311-8999 or (941) 388-2121
Group Code: Florida Sister Cities State Conference
Group Rate: $99/night + tax.
Note: No daily resort fee will be charged for this conference.
Check In is at 3 p.m.
Check Out is at 11 a.m.
Hotel Address:
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort
1540 Ben Franklin Drive
Sarasota, FL 34236
Note: Use street address or front desk phone number (941-388-2181) to set GPS destination
Web Site: www.helmsleysandcastle.com
January 15 Meet and Greet - Ocean Blues Grill
The next Meet & Greet is scheduled for the third Tuesday in January (Jan 15, 2013) at Ocean Blues Grill on Hillview Street from 5-7 pm.
See you there.
Ocean Blues Grill
(941) 366-3010
Sister Cities International E-Newsletter
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E-Newsletter
01.09.2013 | |||||
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Happy New Year to all our members! Wish you a year filled with peace and prosperity!
IN THIS ISSUE Next Week: Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala 2013 Membership Renewal Invoice Engage the Next Generation: Project Earth-Sister Cities International Challenge 2013 Young Artists and Authors Showcase Proposed Bylaw Changes from the Membership Jan 12, 2013 Culver City Sister City 50th Anniversary Celebration Jan 14, 2013 Santa Cruz Sister Cities Committee Meeting Jan 17, 2013 Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala How is your sister city organization celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 21, 2013? Make sure to tell us all about it at www.sister-cities.org/submit- Attention members! To ensure that your membership dues payments are received on time, please update our new address in your system: 915 15th Street, NW 4th Floor Washington, DC 20005 |  The exclusive Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala is next week! On January 17, come celebrate the inauguration of our Honorary Chairman, the President of the United States at the beautiful International Hall of Flags at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce situated a block from the White House. Doors will open for the Gala at 7:30 pm and there will be live music, with a special performance by the United States Marine Band; open bar; and heavy hors d'oeuvres! General Colin L. Powell; Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Robert Casey (D-PA), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Daniel Inouye (D-HI) (In Memoriam); Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Lois Capps (D-CA), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Susan Davis (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Michael Honda (D-CA), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), William Keating (D-MA), Steven LaTourette (R-OH), Zoe Loftgren (D-CA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Aaran Schock (R-IL), John Shimkus (R-IL), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL) are on the Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala Honorary Host Committee. So join us for this exclusive event showcasing the important role of everyday citizen diplomats in promoting peace and prosperity around the world! Reserve your tickets today at www.SisterCitiesInaugural. Attention Young Professionals! If you are 25 years or under, get your Inaugural Gala tickets at a discounted rate of only $125/ticket!
In November 2012, Sister Cities International emailed invoices for members whose membership runs from January 1 - December 31, 2013. If you are a primary or billing contact for your sister city organization and have not received an invoice via email, please contact Adam Kaplan, Membership Director, at akaplan@sister-cities.org.
Please note, Sister Cities International will not be sending paper invoices to members this year. Please be sure to renew so you can continue to be a part of one of the largest networks of citizen diplomats in the world and continue to receive benefits from Sister Cities International such as our toolkits and templates, webinars, an individualized profile on our website, access to grants and programs, as well as support from staff and your fellow sister cities members!
“The Project Earth – Sister Cities International Challenge” is underway through Spring 2013! The Challenge engages the next generation of citizen diplomats through environmental and renewable energy projects. Utilizing the Project Earth online resources and sharing platform and the Sister Cities International network of students, teachers, and schools, this challenge allows young people to work with fellow students in their sister cities to implement sustainable projects focused on mutual environmental problems.
Eligibility:
To view sample projects visit the Project Earth website at www.projectearth.net.
Open to all Sister Cities International youth members!
The 2013 Young Artists and Authors Showcase theme is "The Power of Exchange." Sister city relationships foster partnerships within the community and between international cities, counties, and states. Whether in person, online, or through the mail, exchanges of people and ideas facilitate community development and educational opportunities. Entries should illustrate the long-term impact that exchanges have had on an individual or community. The deadline for sending in entries is May 1, 2013. For details, visit: http://www.sister- Click on the links below to download the entry forms: Young Artists Form Young Authors Form 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 byMonday, 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. | ||||
Monthly Luncheon - February
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| A bridge on the Sile river in Treviso. |
The February luncheon will focus on Treviso and is now planned for Feb 1, 2013 at the Sara Bay Country Club. Details will follow on this event.
Our March event will be the One World Gala on Sunday, March 3.
Reminder - There is no monthly luncheon in January.
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