Sister Cities International Global Membership Benefits May 23, 2015
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Overview • • • • • • • • • • • •
What is Sister Cities International? What is a Sister City Organization? How do partnerships begin? Who can be a part of the Sister City Program? What do Sister Cities do? Membership at a glance Why join Sister Cities? Global membership at a glance Connection to USA Community Resources and Programs Global Connections How is Sister Cities International governed? Connect Globally, Thrive locally
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What is Sister Cities International • Founded in 1956, Sister Cities International is the national association representing a network of citizen diplomacy organizations that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities.
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Our Mission “To promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation--one individual, one community at a time.�
Respect
Understanding
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Cooperation
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What is a Sister City Organization • A volunteer group of ordinary citizens who, with the support of local elected officials, nonprofits, private businesses, and other organizations, form long-term relationships with people and organizations in a community abroad Connect Globally, Thrive locally
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What is a Sister City Organization? • Each sister city organization is independent and pursues the activities and thematic areas that are important to them and their community including: – Arts & Culture – Youth & Education City City – Trade & Economic A B Development Activities – Municipal and Technical Exchanges
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How do partnerships begin? • They begin with personal connections – – – – – –
Mayoral relationships Diaspora communities Organizational partners Historical connections Shared industries Similar geography
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How do partnerships begin? • Cities can, and often do, create their own criteria or requirements for new sister cities • All sister cities are formalized by an agreement between the two mayors or highest elected/appointed officials
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Who can be part of a sister city program? • ANYONE! – City officials, students and professors, – local businesses, NGOs, religious groups, – artists and musicians, local institutions and everyday citizens
• The most successful and stable programs have volunteers from across all sectors of a community Connect Globally, Thrive locally
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What do sister cities do? • Cultural Exchanges – – – – –
Arts Music Traditions Customs Performances
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What do sister cities do? • Youth and Education Programs – Study abroad – Virtual exchanges – University Partnerships – Leadership building
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What do sister cities do? • Community Development – Municipal and technical exchanges, best practices, policy exchanges, staff development
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What do sister cities do? • Business and Trade – Trade delegations, business incubation, import/export assistance
Analyze the challenges and opportunities in the international action of local governments in Latin America. Connect Globally, Thrive locally
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Global Membership at a Glance • 550 U.S. cities, counties, and states represented • Over 2,100 partnerships with communities abroad • Partnerships in 145 countries on six continents
Sister City Relationships by Region
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Why Join Sister Cities International? • • • •
Resources that Matter Connect to the World Telling Your Story Programs and Services
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Why Join: Make a difference in the lives of others • Health
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Why Join: Make a difference in the lives of others • Health • Education • Training
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Why Join: Make a difference in the lives of others • Health • Education • Culture
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Why Join: Make a difference in the lives of others • • • •
Health Education Culture Business Locally
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Global Membership • Resources to assist global member cities • Experienced Staff • Connection to the largest network of citizen diplomats
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Connection to USA Communities • Sister Cities Network • Connection to the Diplomatic Corps • Member Profiles • Annual Membership Directory
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Resources and Programs • • • • •
Visa Consultations Projects and Programs Grants Database Access Toolkits and Templates on Best Processes Young Artists and Authors Showcase Commemorative Certificates etc.
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Global Connections to the World • Sister Cities Networking – At Sister Cities International, we believe in peer-to-peer learning.
• Want to host a youth exchange? • Lead a business delegation? – We can connect you with other experienced members for an exchange of ideas to help you find solutions.
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Switchboard connection to the world • Sister Cities Connect with the Diplomatic Corps Sister Cities International works closely with the U.S. Department of State and its diplomats as well foreign embassies in the U.S.
• Annual Membership Directory
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Switchboard connection to the world For example - Denver Sister Cities International
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Telling Your Story • Share Your Story
2015 Trade Mission Sparks Global Business Initiative
– We publicize your stories through website articles, social media, and press outreach.
• Member Profiles – Show off your sister city program with a customizable member profile as well as profiles for all of your sister city partnerships.
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Telling Your Story • Event and Delegation Promotion – We help spread the word about events and delegations through targeted emails, social media, press outreach, and our events calendar.
• Crisis Communications and Media Relations – We can guide you on how to effectively represent your program in times of crisis or controversy.
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How is Sister Cities International Governed? • Sister Cities International is a 501(c)3 nonprofit • Membership elects 24 member Board of Directors • Each board member serves a three-year term • For more information visit: – sistercities.org/governingdocuments Connect Globally, Thrive locally
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We invite you to join as a Global Member
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For more information on Sister Cities • Contact us – at info@sistercities.org
• Or visit us online – at sistercities.org
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