Minutes_Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission 8 24 15 Sister City Relationships Advisory Commission
Goal Setting Session
DATE: Monday, August 24, 2015
TIME: 4:00 PM
PLACE: Five Flags Center — Majestic Room, 405 Main St. Dubuque, Iowa
Minutes
Present: Commissioners Robert Felderman, Jeffrey Jochum, Rick Landis, Phyllis Lee,
Patrick McNamara, Louise Thum, Richard Van Iten, Annalee Ward; Council
representatives Joyce Connors and Kevin Lynch
Excused: Commissioners Sheila Castenada, Betty Phillips, Bryan Zygmont
Staff Present: Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser, City Clerk Kevin Firnstahl
1) By the end of the session we will:
• Decision on future structure of commission
• Mission statement — final to Council for approval 9/8.
2) 2014-15 Achievements
Achievement #1 - Delegation Visits
Accomplishments / Outcomes
• Over the 1 Y2 year there has been a delegation visit from/to Dornbirn , There
have been two delegation visits from China comprised of 8-10 people
respectively and one delegation visit to China
• Each trip is a 2-3 day visit that includes tours and is focused on PERSIA model
(Political, Economic, Religious, Social, Intellectual and Arts)
• Over 200+ Dubuque representatives interacted with visitors as part of each
delegation visitation
• MOU [proclamation re-signing] with Dornbirn was completed
• Library Exhibit for both Dornbirn & Handan visits
• Handan China has a specific Economic & Educational interest and GDDC has
partnered
How does this fulfill our mission?
It is the foundation to all of our work
Should this continue?
Yes
Next Steps:
• Need to figure out a long-term solution on how to pay for it
• Need to seek Clarification on Sister City role when we coordinate the visit or
when another organization is the lead for the visit
o Who should/could we cooperate with?
o What is our role/their expectation?
o How are updates shared with the Commission?
o When to pull in Convention and Visitors Bureau? Conversation with CVB?
Lead Commissioner(s):
Whole commission is interested in this discussion and the leads for the each of the
cities are as follows:
China — D. Landis
Russia — Jeff
Dornbirn — Bob, Louise, Dik Van Iten
Achievement #2 — Photo Exhibit (Handan, China)
Accomplishments / Outcomes
15 cities / locations in Iowa (including libraries, colleges)
Humanities Iowa grant helped fund the project
A photo inventory of the exhibit was completed
Project created goodwill, awareness and enjoyment
We have a couple of testimonials/positive feedback on the exhibit
Successful coordination of project including grant writing and execution
Presentation request(s) are still coming in
Created awareness of Dubuque and our cultural exchange
How does this fulfill our mission?
It addresses the first two lines of the working mission statement: The goal of
the Sister City Commission is to facilitate and encourage the participation of a
cross-section of citizens to experience and explore other cultures
Should this project continue?
Yes
Next Steps:
• Contact Dubuque Main Street to exhibit at 2015 Fall into Art
• Develop survey instrument to seek solicitation for future display opportunities
• Develop survey using Survey Monkey to get feedback from locations that
displayed exhibit to try and get attendance figures and other data
• Build a network from existing locations who participated to use for future
opportunities
Lead Commissioner(s):
Dick Landis; Assisted by Bob Felderman, Louise Thum, Dik Van Iten
Achievement #3 E/Pen-Pal Exchange
Accomplishments / Outcomes
• Two exchanges are currently active
• Dornbirn — This is the 3rd year of a letter writing exchange with Dornbirn, Austria
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• China — This is the 3rd year of a letter writing exchange with Handan China
• Number of Students involved:
o Dornbirn exchange: 30 from Dornbirn and 28 from Dubuque, 5th grade
students average age is 9-10 years old
o China exchange: 50 from Handan, 50 from Dubuque, 7th grade students
and average age is 12 years old
• Two public schools in Dubuque
• Three-four letters are sent each year as part of these exchanges
• Teachers have incorporated program into lesson plans across curriculum
• Informal Faculty sharing among Dubuque Teachers
• Impact is that 50 students, the teachers and the families in each country now
know where Dubuque is and vice versa
• Dornbirn City Manager [former] visited Dubuque's school during delegation tip
• Telegraph Herald article
• Teachers resource exchange
How does this fulfill our mission?
• Facilitated cultural exchange
• Partnership with education
• Promoted personal friendship
• Grow student knowledge
• Specifically addresses the last line of the working mission statement inspire
lifelong friendships that support prosperity and peace through person-to-person
dialogue and to provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to CONNECT
GLOBALLY while THRIVING LOCALLY."
Should this project continue?
Yes
Next Steps:
• Considering doing a press release in German, Chinese, English, Russian and
sending to our partners
• Commissioner write an article on successes and impact
• Begin a conversation with Dubuque Community Schools and Holy Family
Schools on program and ways to expand
• Funding for postage — budget request
Lead Commissioner(s):
Louise Thum, Jeff Jochum, Dick Landis
3) What does our future look like? What is the structure of Sister City
Commission
• What joint partnerships exist?
• How are they funded?
o Government, grants, sponsors, in-kind
o Special Events that bring in revenue
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• What is their mission, goals, activities?
• Role with other partners
• Staffing vs. volunteer
• How do they engage citizens
• How long has it existed?
• How was it established?
o Ordinance, other
• What there a transition?
• How was it managed?
• Office space/location
• Role with Sister Cities International
• Legal issues
• Board make up
Initial assessment — November 2015
Bob Felderman, Dik Van Iten, Kevin Firnstahl
In 5 years our Commission is known for:
Delegation visits
Growing friendships and knowledge of/with other cultures
Introducing Dubuque citizens to the world
Sense of international citizenship
Business
Fostering global awareness
Cultural festival
Financially viable
In 5 years our partners are:
Chamber of Commerce
Greater Dubuque Development Corp.
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Service organizations
Universities/colleges
K-12 Schools
Non-profit [organizations]
Private enterprise
Ordinance [amendment] and presentation to 9/21 City Council
• Dick Landis to present with other commissioners in attendance
• Include [in presentation]
o Commissioners' photo
o Accomplishments
o Conversation of future
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Working Mission Statement
The goal of the Sister City Commission is to facilitate and encourage the participation of
a cross-section of citizens to experience and explore other cultures enabling the support
of a wide range of activities including; tourism, international trade, economic
development and support exchanges in the fields of culture, education, health care,
environment, technology and social services as they affect us all in an increasingly
global environment and to act as a coordinating body, community agency or counsel
among those organizations, groups and individuals desiring to inspire lifelong
friendships that support prosperity and peace through person-to-person dialogue and to
provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to CONNECT GLOBALLY while
THRIVING LOCALLY.
Suggested by Bob Felderman
Promote peace with mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation with cultural,
education and economic endeavors
Purpose (revised) for Ordinance amendment
The purpose of the commission is to facilitate and maintain educational, economic and
cultural exchanges with the city's officially recognized international sister cities; to
explore potential relationships with cities where a sister city relationship may be
mutually beneficial; and to engage partnerships with the business community, cultural
entities, and education institutions that will enhance sister city relationships.
Reminder of Next Meeting: September 16, 2015
Adjournment: 5:40 p.m.
Submitted by Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk
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