Newsletter ***** NOVEMBER / DECEMBER, 2015 ISSUE *****

As our membership renewal campaign is in full swing, a number of members have asked me why we no longer have a Newsletter—and have expressed a desire for one.  Nationwide, newsletters have dwindled in the Internet age. Postage and paper are expensive.  We do have a blog, a web site, a Facebook Page, a Pinterest site, and so on where you can go to see our latest activities, pictures, by-laws, and so on.  And these sites are doing an excellent job.  But maybe you members would like more regular communication to be pushed directly to you????

 What follows IS NOT a newsletter, but it is modeled on the local info@srqmagazine.com and info@biz941.com idea.  Short snippets of what is going on in the Sarasota Sister City world sent to you as things happen.

 At this point, this is not an official organ of Sarasota Sister Cities.  It is strictly what strikes Dave Harralson, your Membership VP, as being newsworthy. At this point info@sarasotasistercities is strictly unofficial—and may or may not last.  We’re just trying out something new.

***** NOVEMBER / DECEMBER, 2015  ISSUE *****


NEW MEMBERSHIPS AND RENEWALS

 Your Membership Vice President is calling or emailing each of you to tell you we have received your check or PayPal statement.  But remember……..it takes a while for your check to get from City Hall to our new office in the Federal Building.  Then the treasurer has to pick up your checks / PayPal, log them, forward them to me, and ONLY THEN can I let you know they have been received.  Thanks for your patience.
THE PASSING OF RON GOSSETT

 Board member Ron Gossett suddenly became ill this last summer and passed away on October 9 after a short illness.  Ron organized the Playwriting Festival we sponsor with Florida Studio Theatre and was a board member of Sister Cities International.  He will be greatly missed—and we send our warm regards to his wife, Shirley.
OUR LECTURE SERIES/SPEAKERS BUREAU 

 We began this Sister City lecture series last Fall, and it has been a bit hit so far.  Talks on everything from Sarasota history, the creation of perfumes, to the relationship of the Sarasota Jewish community to Israel (and particularly our sister city, Tel Mond). 

They will begin again in the New Year, and each is followed by a Meet & Greet, a social hour where we can discuss the talk over wine and munchies.  You will receive specific details about locations before each event.  Hope to see you there!


 Feb. 8 – Flub-dub and Farfetchedness:  China Behind the
Travel Posters

 Mar. 16 – France:  A Tale of Two Cities—Paris and Perpignan

 Apr. 20 – Polynesian Cultures of the South Pacific

A NEW SISTER CITY FROM SWITZERLAND?

 New sister cities are not suggested—and immediately accepted.  Getting a new sister city is a courtship process.  After both Sarasota and a candidate city visit back and forth, determine likenesses that would insure a successful twinning, a city then becomes a “Friendship City.” Sarasota and our potential sister city are engaged, but not yet married. 

 We explore possible educational, tourist, cultural, and economic development exchanges and activities.  Is there enough interest in Sarasota to support a prospective new sister city?  Is the foreign city strongly interested in contributing to the success of this twining.  Only then, after this long process, is a city recommended for twinning with us.
I tell you all this to let you know that we have made a new friend.  Under the careful tutelage of Primo and Ruth Bader and the Swiss-American Club,  Rapperswil-Jona has been proposed as a new friendship city from Switzerland.
Welcome Nelly Camardo, Provisional City Director for Rapperswil-Jona and Charlotte Hull, Assistant City Director.
SISTER CITY PLAQUES IN BAYFRONT PARK ARE CRUMBLING?!?!

 On Island Park, a part of Bayfront Park, A tree has been planted by the city each time we twinned with new Sister City.  Each tree has a plaque in front of it telling which Sister City it was planted for and the date. 

 A recent letter from the city suggested that the plaques before each tree were in bad shape.  To that end, Ray Young (chair), Gloria Grenier, Dave Harralson, and Bill Wallace visited Island Park to examine the condition of the plaques.
We found that as the trees have grown, their roots are pushing the plaques (on a concrete base) out of the ground, and most of them are now askew.  Our committee has suggested that the City reseat the plaques.  We have offered to replace the one plaque that is missing.  Some on the committee even suggested that a small sign be mounted at each end of the walk indicating that this is the Sarasota Sister Cities Walk of Trees.  Stay tuned for what happens……………..
A NEW SISTER CITY OFFICE

 Office space has grown increasingly tight at City Hall, but the city manager (with the strong encouragement of Kenney DeCamp) has found us a new office in the old, beautiful Federal Building at the corner of Ringling Blvd. and Orange.

We now have a much larger office with storage space. We moved in late October. Thanks for your effort Kenney.
WHEN I COLLECT A LITTLE MORE NEWS, YOU’LL HEAR FROM ME AGAIN!   THAT IS—IF YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM ME AGAIN!

 David Harralson
VP Membership






The "One World" Award Luncheon March 6, 2016


TRIP TO SCOTLAND AUGUST 1 – 12, 2016

ITINERARY FOR SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION OF SARASOTA 

OFFICIAL DELEGATION GROUP TRIP TO SCOTLAND

AUGUST 1 – 12, 2016

“Roamin’ in the gloamin’ on the bonnie banks o’Clyde,
Roamin’ in the gloamin’ wae my Lassie by my side.
When the sun has gone to rest,
That’s the time we love the best,
O, it’s lovely roamin’ in the gloamin’!”

COME ALONG! Join us to go Roamin’ in the gloamin’ on the bonnie banks o’Clyde!
Our memorable destinations are:

     * Scotland’s ancient capital and our SISTER CITY, the Royal Burgh of DUNFERMLINE,

     * an inspiring journey visiting THE BEST OF SCOTLAND,

     * including a spectacular night at THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO.

Estimated price for the 12-day trip (not including airfare): US $3,100.—per person.

Price includes: 
  • 10 nights accommodation in 3*** and 4**** star hotels
  • Daily full breakfast
  • Welcome High Tea at Dunfermline’s historic Art Centre 
  • Dinner at Dunfermline Golf Club
  • Farewell Lunch at iconic Scone Palace, the crowning place of Kings
  • 4 Dinners 
  • Tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

All listed excursions and activities, as per itinerary***

Transportation, Driver/Tour guide services, Local guide services

Detailed Itinerary on the following pages with listings of included excursions and activities.

Please note all local departure dates & times are adhered to.

*Cash bar for any and all alcoholic beverages

No Lunches included other than Farewell Lunch

**Driver/Tour guide and Local guide gratuities are not included

***All activities and/or excursions not marked in this itinerary are subject to extra charge

For information please contact: Pauline Mitchell, City Director – Dunfermline, who together with husband John Mitchell who is a native Scot from Paisley, has enjoyed extensive travel for 40 years through this gorgeous country. 

 Email: pjmitchellusa@yahoo.com, Telephone: (941) 485 5199.



"History of the Israel Connection to Sarasota" Wednesday Nov 18 at 4:00 pm







Sarasota Sister Cities Association

Third Fall Presentation



"History of the Israel Connection to Sarasota"

Kim Sheintal

Sarasota Sister Cites Association & Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee

What cities in Israel have a special bond with Sarasota? How similar are Sarasota and Israel?

What presence does Israel have in Sarasota? What presence does Sarasota have in Israel?


4:00 pm
Wednesday

November 18, 2015

Jewish Federation of Sarasota (Zell Room)

580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota

A suggested donation of $5.00 to SCAS would be appreciated.

The monthly Sister City Meet & Greet will follow at 5:00 pm at:
Papa Nick's 

4940 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota


Israel and Sarasota Quiz

1.
Which is located in the subtropical climate zone?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

2.
Which has at least one street named Olive?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

3.
Which has the percentage of residents over the age of 65 increasing at a very rapid rate?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

4.
Which boasts tourism as a major source of income?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

5.
Which has beautiful beaches?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

6.
Which is home to a vibrant cultural life filled with renowned artists, musicians, dancers, and actors?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

7.
Which has palm trees?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

8.
Which grows oranges in great numbers?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

9.
Which has a flag with horizontal stripes with a symbol in the middle?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither

10.
Which has a restaurant with burekas and shakshuka on the menu?
□Israel        □Sarasota        □Israel and Sarasota        □Neither


Answers
1.
Which is located in the subtropical climate zone? Sarasota and Israel are located in the subtropical climate zone. Sarasota’s average year-round temperature is 72 degrees. Israel’s average year-round temperature is 71 degrees. (The subtropics are climate zones located roughly between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn and the 38th parallel in each hemisphere.)

2.
Which has at least one street named Olive? The Most Popular Street Name in Israel - "HaZayit" (Olive). In Israel olive is a symbol of peace. There is an Olive Avenue in Sarasota and an Olive Street in Englewood.  

3.
Which has the percentage of residents over the age of 65 increasing at a very rapid rate? The number of people over 65 in Israel is expected to double in the next two decades. The percentage of Sarasota County’s residents over 65 years of age is increasing rapidly too.

4.
Which boasts tourism as a major source of income? Tourism in Israel is one of Israel's major sources of income with a record 3.54 million estimated tourist arrivals last year. 4.8 million tourists arrived in Sarasota for a vacation last year making tourism one of Sarasota’s major sources of income.

5.
Which has beautiful beaches? Israel Beaches have crystal clear blue and turquoise waters combined with natural undisturbed coastlines. Unique about Israel is that Israel has four distinctly different bodies of water: The Mediterranean, Red Sea, Dead Sea, and Sea of Galille. There are 137 beaches in Israel. Siesta Key was voted the #1 best beach in the US and the 14th best beach in the world in 2015 by Trip Advisor’s Traveler Choice Award.

6.
Which is home to a vibrant cultural life filled with renowned artists, musicians, dancers, and actors? Israeli is home to a thriving and vibrant cultural life filled with renowned artists, musicians, dancers, and actors. So is Sarasota. Live performances take place regularly throughout Sarasota and Israel.

7.
Which has palm trees? The state tree for Florida is the sabal palm. So it is no wonder, you see so many palm trees in Sarasota. The most popular palm tree in Israel is the date palm.

8.
Which grows oranges in great numbers? The orange is the official state fruit of Florida. In Sarasota Yellow Pages, there are eight orange groves in Sarasota and many shops selling and shipping oranges. Israel is one of the world's leading fresh orange producers and exporters.

9.
Which has a flag with horizontal stripes with a symbol in the middle? Both flags have horizontal stripes and a symbol in the middle, but the Sarasota flag has more stripes. Each color on the Sarasota flag represents a characteristic of Sarasota and many of these characteristics seem to describe Israel as well as Sarasota such as green represents palm trees, white represents beaches, orange represents citrus fruit blossoms, the dark blue represents paradise, the light blue represents sky and water, gold represents sun life, burgundy represents fragrant flowers.  

10.
Which has a restaurant with burekas and shakshuka on the menu? Burekas are stuffed pastries and are often said to be Israel’s favorite snack. Shakshuka, known as Israel’s breakfast of champions, is a dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions. Sarasota’s Fresh Start on Orange Avenue is owned by someone who was born in Israel and serves burekas and shashuka. There are many restaurants in Israel serving burekas and shakshuka.

Executive Committee of the Board - Duties

Executive Committee of the Board
President
  • Serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
  • Serves as an Officer of the Corporation in accordance with State of Florida incorporation requirements.
  • Elected by the Board of Directors and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for the general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and over its other officers.
  • Signatory of all official documents and communications of the Association.
  • Responsible for submitting a report to the Corporation of the business transacted during the past year at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the membership, together with a report of the general financial condition of the Corporation.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Entitled in an emergency to authorize expenditures not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) on any single item without approval of the Board of Directors.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Presiding at all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;
    2. If unable to preside due to absence or disability, ensuring that these duties are performed by a vice President, the Secretary, or the Treasurer.
    3. Preparation and submission of annual Corporate report required by the State of Florida (Department of State) and City of Sarasota.
    4. Provides leadership to the Board of Directors, who sets policy and to whom the Chief Executive is accountable.
    5. Encourages Board's role in strategic planning
    6. Appoints the chairpersons of committees, in consultation with other Board members.
    7. Serves ex officio as a member of committees and attends their meetings when invited.
Secretary
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Serves as an Officer of the Corporation in accordance with State of Florida incorporation requirements.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, as an Officer, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Is responsible for maintaining the corporate records and papers of the Corporation.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Attending and keeping the minutes of all Board and Executive Committee meetings;
    2. Distributing minutes to Board members and Executive Committee on a timely basis;
    3. Devising and maintaining an indexing method to record all Resolutions of the Board for easy reference and retrieval;
    4. In an anticipated absence, appointing another member of the Executive to record and submit minutes.
    5. Is sufficiently familiar with legal documents (articles, by-laws, IRS letters, local and state government letters, etc.) to note applicability during meetings.
Treasurer
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Serves as an Officer of the Corporation in accordance with State of Florida incorporation requirements.
  • Under Article VI, Section 1 of the By-laws, as an Officer, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Custodian of the funds of the Corporation.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Establish money handling procedures to be follow by all board members.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Keeping regular books and accounts in accordance with GAAP, together with vouchers, receipts, records and other papers normally incident to this office, and making these records available to the Board or their authorized representatives at reasonable times;
    2. Ensuring that checks in an amount exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) are signed by two officers of the Board;
    3. Providing timely reports on the financial status of the Corporation to the Board of Directors;
    4. With input from the Board, developing an annual Budget for the Corporation, and monitoring its status throughout the fiscal year.
    5. Prepare documentation necessary for submission of annual Federal Income Tax forms, plus fulfilling State of Florida Corporate, Sales Tax Exemption and Charity reporting requirements.
Vice President – Business & Economic Development
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Strengthening people-to-people relations between sister cities, through involvement of Cultural Coast businesses and those in our sister cities.
    2. Keeping informed about the business climate of the community with special emphasis on identifying partnership opportunities for individual sister cities and for SCAS;
    3. Identifying and developing opportunities to make business leaders aware of the possibilities for value-added relationships with SCAS and its member sister cities.
Vice President - Cities & Candidate Cities
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Serves as an Officer of the Corporation in accordance with State of Florida incorporation requirements.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, as an Officer, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for acting as liaison between the City Directors (CDs) and the Executive Committee.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Coordinating activities among CDs;
    2. Helping CDs to identify resources with and outside of the organization;
    3. Acting in an advisory capacity in the development and management of CD’s individual city committees.
  • Oversees the process of evaluating prospective candidate cities to ensure that Board-approved criteria for selection are adhered to.
  • Assists prospective sister cites to appreciate the obligations of both candidate and full-status sister cities.
  • Makes recommendations to the Executive committee and the Board with regard to the admissibility of applicant sister cities.
Vice President - Communications
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for developing and implementing SCAS’s communications pla n.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Sets up and maintains the Sarasota Sister Cities email system, Sister City Blog, Facebook page,  Twitter account, LinkedIn account, Google+, and Pinterest pages.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
  1. Ensuring that SCAS’s message to the community is clear, consistent, and effectively communicated;
  2. Seeking opportunities for public exposure of SCAS and its projects in print, electronic and social media;
  3. Planning the design and content of a SCAS marketing and communication package.
  4. Acts in an advisory and oversight capacity for the SCAS Newsletter Blog, its design, writing, and production.
  5. Acts in an advisory and oversight capacity for the SCAS Web site, its development, content, and maintenance.
  6. Acts in an advisory and oversight capacity for special events, ensuring that clear objectives have been identified, and that an effective communications plan is in place.
  7. Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  8. Assists in the planning and promotion of members’ luncheons.
Vice President - Culture
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for developing and nurturing contacts with leaders in the cultural sector: museums, galleries, schools of art, theatre, film, the Arts Council, and others as appropriate.
  • Responsible for planning and implementing SCAS Board-approved projects and special initiatives in the areas of culture; and for developing and nurturing relationships between cultural institutions and SCAS, in order to identify and promote partnership opportunities.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Holding regular meetings with leaders in the various areas of the cultural sector to identify opportunities for collaboration with one or more of our sister cities;
    2. Analyzing and recommending collaborative projects for consideration, including the budgetary implications of such projects;
    3. Facilitating and evaluating approved projects;
    4. Acts in an advisory and oversight capacity for the City Directors and event chairs, being resource for those who plan individual cultural projects.
Vice President - Education


  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for planning and implementing SCAS Board-approved projects and special initiatives in the area of education;
  • Develops and nurtures relationships between educational institutions and SCAS, in order to identify and promote partnership opportunities.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Overseeing and planning SCAS educational projects to ensure that:
      1. Project objectives have been clearly defined;
      2. A sound budget has been developed and sources of financing identified;
  1. Assisting the VP for Communications in creating event  marketing and communications plans;
    1. Overseeing the implementation of projects, and monitoring their progress.
  • Acts in an advisory capacity to the Community Youth Department appointed member to the SCAS Executive Board, filling the Youth Ambassador position.
  • Acts as a resource for City Directors who plan individual educational projects.
Vice President – Fund Raising
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for developing an active program to obtain donations and grants to assist organization in meeting established goals and unfunded initiatives of the organization.
  • Acts as a resource and advisor for identify possible sources for donation or grant support for City Directors who plan unfunded events and have established defendable budget requirements.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
Vice President – Membership
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for maintaining current SCAS membership database, alliance member database, including electronic and non-electronic contact with membership records.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Responsible for developing and implementing SCAS’s membership outreach planning.
  • Responsible for reviewing written Alliance membership nominations for completeness; evaluating whether the nomination meets SCAS criteria; and referring the nomination to the Executive Committee with a rationale for recommending acceptance or rejection of the nomination.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
  1. Create welcome letter and a new member handbook to be provided electronically or by mail to new members. Solicit interests of new members as a follow-up to welcome and handbook distribution.
  2. Notify board members, including city directors, of names and interests of all new members.
  3. Acts in an advisory capacity for special events, ensuring membership outreach initiatives have been identified.
Vice President - Sports
  • Member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; reports to the Board.
  • Under Article VI of the By-laws, is elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting and holds office year to year.
  • Responsible for planning and implementing SCAS Board-approved projects and special initiatives in area of sports events and exchanges.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Identifying opportunities for individual and team sport projects in Sarasota aimed at involving our sister cities; (e.g., tournaments; camps, etc.)
    2. Identifying opportunities for individual and team sport exchanges between Sarasota and our sister cities;
    3. Ensuring that proposals put forward by CDs are well-thought out as to logistics, budget, timeframes and resources, etc.
4.   Serving as a resource for City Directors regarding opportunities for sports exchanges.


Committees of the board
City Director
  • Reports to the Vice President, Cities & Candidate Cities.
  • Member of the Board of Directors.
  • Elected by the Membership for a two-year term of office; reelection shall be for a term of one year.
  • Responsible for managing and enhancing the relationship between SCAS and the individual sister city.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Portfolio of other responsibilities includes:
    1. Maintaining verbal, electronic, and written communications with the individual sister city;
    2. Chairing a sister city committee representative of local volunteers and volunteer associations;
    3. Identifying opportunities for collaboration between SCAS and the sister city, and/or among a group of sister cities;
    4. Facilitating periodic exchanges between the sister city and Sarasota;
    5. Bringing forward recommendations for projects suggested by the sister city;
    6. Developing and submitting to the Board an annual budget;
    7. Specifying budgetary implications for proposed projects before they are undertaken;
    8. Building awareness on the part of the Board and general membership about the special characteristic of the individual sister city through web presence, presentations, articles for publication, and use of our social media sites.
    9. Evaluating the individual sister city relationship on an annual basis.
Youth Ambassador
  • Reports to the Vice President - Education
  • Appointed annually to be a member of the Executive Board by the Alliance member Sarasota County Youth Development organization.
  • Responsible for representing the views and interest of youth on the Board of Directors.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about youth interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Portfolio of  responsibilities includes:
    1. Becoming knowledgeable about how not-for-profit Boards function;
    2. Bringing forward opportunities for SCAS involvement in youth initiatives;
    3. Carrying through on projects assigned by the Board, with the view to increasing awareness and expertise in aspects of not-for-profit management.
    4. Being project manager for use of SCAS Facebook & Twitter outreach to youth in the Cultural Coast and our sister cities, in coordination with the VPs for Communications. Education and Membership.
K – 12 Education Committee Chair
  • Reports to the Vice President - Education
  • Member of the Board of Directors.
  • Elected by the Membership for a two-year term of office; reelection shall be for a term of one year.
  • Responsible for developing and nurturing contacts with leaders in the public elementary and secondary education sector, and with select private schools.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Holding regular meetings with leaders at the various levels of the K – 12educational sector to identify opportunities for collaboration with one or more of our sister cities;
    2. Analyzing and recommending collaborative projects for consideration, including the budgetary implications of such projects;
    3. Facilitating and evaluating approved projects;
    4. Acting as an educational sector resource person to the city directors.
Higher-Education Committee Chair
  • Reports to the Vice President – Education.
  • Member of the Board of Directors.
  • Elected by the Membership for a two-year term of office; reelection shall be for a term of one year.
  • Responsible for developing and nurturing contacts with leaders in the university and college sector.
  • Ensure money handling procedures established by SCAS Treasurer is followed, including notification of President and Treasurer of all membership transactions.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
  1. Holding regular meetings with leaders of the local colleges and universities to identify opportunities for collaboration with one or more of our sister cities;
  2. Analyzing and recommending collaborative projects for consideration, including the budgetary implications of such projects;
  3. Facilitating and evaluating approved projects;
  4. Acting as a higher education sector resource person to the city directors. Writing and producing promotional materials, with the assistance of VP - Communications;
  5. Developing and implementing member recognition events;
  6. Notifying appropriate Vice-Presidents and City Directors of new general and Alliance members’ expressed interests.
Vice City Directors & Special Contributors
(Non-voting members of the Board)
Vice City Director
  • Nominated by the City Director and approved by the President.
  • Non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
  • Reports to the City Director.
  • Responsible for assisting in the management of the relationship between SCAS and the individual sister city.
  • Responsible for submission of articles about specific city interests and events for publication on SCAS web and social media sites, general media distribution and the SCAS newsletter.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Helping to maintain verbal, electronic, and written communications with the individual sister city;
    2. Assisting in chairing the sister city committee of local volunteers and volunteer associations;
    3. Helping to identify opportunities for collaboration between SCAS and the sister city;
    4. Assisting in facilitating periodic exchanges between the sister city and Sarasota;
    5. Helping to promote the sister city through presentations, articles in the newsletter, and other forms of communication, etc.
    6. Assisting in the management of specific projects as assigned by the City Director.
Protocol Advisor
  • Reports to, and is appointed by, the President.
  • Non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
  • Responsible for ensuring that Board Members and others associated with SCAS are aware of the protocol requirements for international and national delegations.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
  1. Familiarity with the Florida League of Cities International Relations Protocol book and other recognized protocol guidelines;
  2. Researching the specific protocol requirements for foreign delegations and for SCAS foreign visitations;
  3. Briefing city directors and other members of SCAS Board on the proper protocol for the city or country in question for visitations and foreign delegations;
  4. Developing a list of appropriate official gifts for foreign dignitaries;
  5. Recommending appropriate gifts that reflect the seniority of the recipient vis á vis his or her subordinates;
  6. Developing and maintaining a Gift Log, to avoid duplications and inappropriate gifts (i.e., gifts already given to a subordinate, etc.).  
Grant Writer
  • Appointed by the Vice President – Fund Raising.
  • Reports to the VP for Fund Raising.
  • Non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
  • Responsible for identifying traditional and crowd giving funding opportunities for SCAS projects, writing proposals to obtain funds, and providing follow-up with funders.
  • Portfolio of  responsibilities includes:
    1. Assisting  city directors in selection of well-thought-out cases for support;
    2. Identifying appropriate funding sources for specific projects;
    3. Maintaining the SCAS file of documents required for grant submissions required by Guide Star, Florida Department of Agriculture (CH Forms) and Community Foundations.
    4. Ensuring that required documentation is submitted with grant proposals, including project budgets;
    5. Ensuring that all fiduciary, reporting, and recognition requirements are adhered to;
    6. Maintaining contact with relevant funding sources and promoting SCAS interests, per direction of the VP for Fund Raising.  
Director of Events
  • Appointed by, and reports to, the VP, Public Relations and Communications.
  • Non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
  • Responsible for coordinating monthly members’ luncheons and other members’ special events.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:
    1. Booking the venue where the luncheon/event will take place;
    2. Determining the menu, in consultation with the originator;
    3. Collecting money for and recording reservations;
    4. Creating name tags and place cards, as appropriate for each event;
    5. Coordinating volunteers to greet guests and staff reservation tables.
Newsletter Editor - Now the Blog  sarasotasistercities.com
   A copy of the blog is periodically made and sent to the members who do not use the internet.
  • Appointed by, and reports to, the VP for Communications. (currently is the VP of communications
  • Non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
  • Responsible for editing and production of the SCAS Newsletter Blog.
  • Portfolio of responsibilities includes:

  1. Collecting content from Board members and other sources
  2. Obtaining approval from SCAS President or VP for Communication
  3. Overseeing the newsletter production and distribution process.


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