SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL INC

SISTER CITIES' ANNUAL CONFERENCE: THIS ELEMENT OF ANNUAL PROGRAMMING PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS AS A FORUM TO MEET AND LEARN FROM SESSIONS AS WELL AS ONE ANOTHER. MEMBERS GAIN ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE OUTSIDE OF THE NETWORK THAT CAN ASSIST WITH THEIR CITY-TO-CITY PARTNERSHIPS. THIS MEETING HOSTS MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT BEST PRACTICES IN SISTER CITY ADMINISTRATION, TOOLS FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING, AND CAPACITY BUILDING SKILLS IN AREAS SUCH AS FUNDRAISING, VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT, PROTOCOL TRAINING, AND COMMUNICATIONS, AMONG OTHERS. SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL STAFF ACTIVELY WORKS WITH ATTENDEES TO ENSURE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM THE D.C. OFFICE AND TO ASSIST WITH MEMBER INQUIRIES. PORTIONS OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND OTHER PROGRAMMING ARE ACCESSIBLE VIRTUALLY.MEMBERSHIP: AS A MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION, SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONALCONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN THE SISTER CITIES NETWORK THROUGH STRATEGICINSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, GRANTS, PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORT FOR ITSMEMBERS. SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES ANDRESOURCES TO HELP MEMBERS FIND PARTNERS AS WELL AS TO EXPAND ANDIMPROVE ACTIVITIES. SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL MOTIVATES AND ASSISTSPRIVATE CITIZENS, MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS, AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO CONDUCTLONG-TERM, MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL SISTER CITY, COUNTY, OR STATERELATIONSHIPS. WITH A MISSION "TO PROMOTE PEACE THROUGH MUTUAL RESPECT,UNDERSTANDING, AND COOPERATION - ONE INDIVIDUAL, ONE COMMUNITY AT ATIME," SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL'S MEMBER PROGRAMS FOCUS ON FOUR MAINAREAS OF EXCHANGE: ARTS AND CULTURE, YOUTH AND EDUCATION, BUSINESS ANDTRADE, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL EXCHANGE TO CONNECTCITIZENS AROUND THE GLOBE.CORE GRANT: THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AKA COREPROGRAM, FUNDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, ALLOWS SISTER CITIESINTERNATIONAL TO ADMINISTER SERVICES AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO A NETWORKOF OVER 400 COMMUNITIES IN THE U.S. THROUGH OUR D.C. OFFICE. THISFUNDING PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR MEMBERSHIP SERVICES, ANNUALCONFERENCES, YOUTH FOCUSED ACTIVITIES, EXPANSION OF SERVICES ON THE ORGANIZATIONAL WEBSITE, AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT TO HELP WITH PERSONNEL.