Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International
Message from the President & Annual Report
To Members and Friends,
On behalf of Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International, I want to thank all of you for your tremendous support for the wonderful programs and initiatives hosted by the 2010-2011 GFLSCI Board of Directors.
As you know, the support of our members helps sustain the GFLSCI programs through annual membership and by contributing to the events either by sponsorship or participating in the events.
This year, we had the opportunity to meet with many leaders from our sister cities abroad and many of local civic and business leaders from our community as they came together to celebrate many anniversaries. We look forward to more celebrations in 2012.
Many of the board of directors traveled to their respective cities to show their appreciation and to continue to build the strong sister city relationships.
I encourage you to take time to review the Annual Board of Directors Report below as you consider renewing your membership and we hope you will your contribution as a member helps us accomplish these meaningful projects. We need your support and sponsorship to continue these many projects and events and we welcome your participation on all of our committees.
Best wishes,
Marianne L.Winfield
President
2010-2011 ANNUAL REPORT
July, 2010:
*2010 Sister Cities Annual Conference Albuquerque, New Mexico- GFLSCI receives two Lou Wozar Awards
*Nominating committee and election committee collaborated on election procedure and election policies
*Elections of new board members
*Ocean Rescue Event
*Youth Ambassador Student Exchange Program visit to Kaohsiung County, Taiwan
August, 2010:
*Youth Ambassador Student Exchange Program visit from Taiwan
*Donation of puzzles to the Cap Haitien, Haiti & Haifa, Israel committees
September, 2010:
*Celebrated 30 Year Anniversary with Gold Coast, Australia- VIP Reception at Atlantis Hotel
*Showcase and Launch Event of the Virtual Gallery collaboration with Gold Coast, Australia at Art Serve
Meetings:
Nova University
FAU
Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art
October, 2010:
*Police Exchange Program with Rimini Italy
*25th anniversary with Rimini Italy - Mayor Seiler and Rimini Police Department at City Hall
*25th Celebration Reception at the residence Italy Country Chair, Papi Simonetti
*Columbus Day Celebration at Port Everglades- Italy Consul General, Marco Rocca (partner event)
*Announcement of 50th Anniversary with Medellin, Colombia at the Fort Lauderdale/ Colombia Business Luncheon at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts with Colombia Consul General Angela Suarez
November, 2010:
*Celebrated 15 Year Anniversary with La Romana Dominican Republic - Mayor Seiler and Mayor Adames with Delegation from La Romana at City Hall
*Announced GFLSCI recommendations for Duisburg, Germany as a Sister City to board
*Introduced Sister Cities Representatives from Duisburg, Germany
*Turkish Festival Celebration - GFLSCI booth (partner event)
*USS Jason Dunham Commissioning - Port Everglades (partner event)
December, 2010:
*Begin Plans for Colombia 50th Anniversary at Broward Center for Performing Arts
*Visit to Medellin to prepare for 50th Anniversary with Medellin and Fort Lauderdale - Colombia Country Chair, Claudia Diez
January, 2011:
*Presentation to City Commission recommending Duisburg, Germany as a Sister City
*Present Official Letter from Mayor Chu, Koahsiung City to Mayor Seiler inviting Mayor Seiler to visit Kaohsiung City for the Chinese New Year in February
*Meeting with Broward Center for the Performing Arts with Argentina Country Chair, Gabriel Zahora to collaborate on many programs with Argentinean Cultural Community - Tango Event
*Food for the Poor Invitation for Taiwan Consul General Mou (partner event)
*Begin plans for International Pavilion at the City's Centennial Anniversary Celebration
February, 2011:
*Canadian Musical Festival in Boca Raton invited by The Canadian Consulate in Miami (partner event)
*Tango Dance Event at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (partner event)
*Russell Weaver, Co-Chair for Kaohsiung County/City, traveled to Taiwan to celebrate Chinese New Year and meet Mayor Chu
March, 2011:
*Turkish Center Event with World Renowned Pianist, Gulsin Onay (partner event)
*Sister Cities International Conference in Virginia - Board Members: Tony Marcelli, Danny Warren, Danielle Warren, Augustin Odule to accept 2010 Lou Wozar Award for Sustainability Project for the Women's Community Garden Program in Haiti
*St. Patrick's Day Parade -GFLSCI marching with sister cities flags
*Participation at the Sub-Tropical Conference with Gold Coast Australia visit Fort Lauderdale FAU Reception (partner event)
*Duisburg Germany Official Signing Ceremony between Mayor Sauerland and Mayor Seiler - German Conusl General Kendeffy at Hilton Hotel
* 100th Year Anniversary for the City of Fort Lauderdale -GFLSCI hosted International Pavilion - attendance by Taiwan Consul General Mou, Mayor Adames from La Romana Dominican Republic and Germany Vice Consul in Miami
*Gabriel Zahora, Chair Mar Del Plata Argentina visit to Sister City, Mar del Plata, Argentina
Meetings:
*Fort Lauderdale Alliance, FAU, GABC
April, 2011:
*Wrap-up meeting of International Pavillon
*Fundraising Event for Japanese Earthquake Victims at Cinema Paradiso
*Presentation of certificate from Fort Lauderdale's City Commission for Sister Cities International's Lou Wozar Award to the Environmental & Humanitarian committees
*Celebrating 100 Years of Republic of China with Taiwan Consulate in Palm Beach (partner event)
*Meeting between Mayor Seiler and Cap Haitien, Haiti Mayor St-Croix
*Notte Veneziana Gala Celebrated 150 years of unification of Italy
*Celebration of 150th Anniversary of Italy in Miami invited by Italy Consul General Rocca (partner event)
*Inquiry for French Sister City - France Consul General de Maisonneuve
*World Trade Center Announcement Luncheon (partner event)
*Sister Cities Forum hosted by Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness and Fort Lauderdale Alliance (partner event)
May, 2011:
*GFLSCI Board Retreat - Opening remarks by Mayor Seiler
*Established new Sister City Counterparts in Venice, Italy
*FAU Students to visit Venice, Italy (partner program)
*Fleet Week Celebrations (partner event)
*OWIT and GFLSCI Collaboration on Port Everglades Tour (partner event)
*63rd Independence Day of the State of Israel invitation from Israel Consul General Bavly (partner event)
June, 2011:
*Italian Film Festival Fundraiser for Rimini Police Exchange at Cinema Pardiso
*Presentation of Fort Lauderdale Fire and Police donation to Cap Hatien, Haiti at City Commission Meeting
*Republic of China 100th year Celebration Taiwan event in Coral Springs invited by Taiwan Consul General Mou
*Celebration of French National Day - Invited by France Consul General de Maisonneuve (partner event)
*Celebration 150th Anniversary Coral Gables invited by Consul General Marco Rocca (partner event)
*X Factor taping event in Miami (partner event)
*Screening of film "Help" in Hollywood (partner event)
July, 2011:
*50th Anniversary with Medellin, Colombia - Medellin Mayor Salazar and delegation from Medellin with Colombia Consul General Jaramillo, city & government officials and many other key community leaders
*Meeting with Quebec City delegate for new affiliation inquiry - organized by Canadian Consulate
*Macedonia Sister City inquiry by Honorary Consul General Dana Klein
*Ocean Rescue Exchange Event
*Honey Project students trip to Agogo, Ghana organized by Nathan Burrell, Ghana Country Chair with Danny Warren, Environmental Chair
*Haiti Consul General Latortue very interested in Fort Lauderdale Fire and Police donations to Cap Haitien, Haiti
*Presentation to Relators Assoicaiton of Fort Lauderdale about GFLSCI - many interested in joining and possible corporate memberships.
August, 2011:
*Conference Call between Port Everglades and Buenos Aires, Argentina
*Sister Cities State conference in Coco, Florida
*Taiwan event with visiting youth ambassadors invited by Taiwan Consul General Mou (partner event)
*Colombian National Day Celebration invited by Consul General Jaramillo (partner event)
*Dr. Ivonne Schmid visit to Duisburg, Germany to prepare for 2012 Student Exchange Program and prepare for Duisburg's counterparts visit to Fort Lauderdale in November
*Consul General Kendeffy very pleased to know action already in place with Duisburg and Fort Lauderdale and looks forward to more information of plans in November
*Visit to Medellin Colombia by Paul Bangel, City of Fort Lauderdale
*Visit from Gold Coast, Australia delegation to Fort Lauderdale in September
*Plans developing for Fort Lauderdale Police Department to visit Rimini & Venice, Italy
*Plans in process for Italian events in December and for 2012
Sister Cities Members receive exclusive special invitations to some of these VIP events. Please keep posted for many more activities and events to come!
For more information on membership, please click here or call 954-828-4536
Thank you for your continued support! |
