July 14-16, 2017
For the 4th summer in a row, Sister Cities Newport News and CNU will welcome 25 students and 1 faculty member from China’s University of Electronic Science and Technology (UESTC) to attend a 2-week summer program at CNU. To enhance their U.S. experience, we are seeking community members to host a student over the weekend of July 14-16. Pick-up will be on Friday afternoon (between 1 and 5 pm) at CNU with a return to campus on Sunday (after 6 pm). Host families do not have to be Newport News residents. In fact, several past hosts have been from the surrounding counties of York, Poquoson, and James City as well as the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton and Williamsburg. Hosts are not expected to “entertain” the students; the goal of a “homestay” is to introduce those from a different culture to typical, American, daily life...if there is such a thing! Going to the grocery store, running errands, taking kids to events, attending a house of worship…hosts are encouraged to follow your normal routines. This is a great opportunity as the visit is short and there is no schedule to keep other than pick-up and drop off. Completion of a one-page "Host Application" is required. More information is available by calling SCNN's Executive Director, Kate Helwig at 757-926-1348 or email: info@sistercities-nn.com

Registration is now open for the 2017 Virginia Sister Cities- Counties Annual Meeting in Norfolk to be held Friday, March 31. Norfolk Sister City Association will host this year’s annual state wide meeting at Slover Library, 235 East Plume Street, Norfolk. Parking is around the corner at the Main Street Garage. The meeting will being promptly at 10:00 am and end at 2:00 pm. The fee is $35 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
This year’s main topic is the 2017 Sister Cities International Conference hosted by Virginia Beach Sister Cities (July 13-15). This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the impressive work of our organizations.  For those interested, hotel rooms are available at discounted rate of $109 at the Wyndham Garden Norfolk Downtown.  https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndham-garden/norfolk-virginia/wyndham-garden-norfolk-downtown/overview  You will need to identify yourself as an attendee of the State Wide Sister City Meeting
.
Online Registration:
http://www.norfolksistercities.org/events/state-wide-sister-cities-meeting/
Venue: Slover Library
Venue Phone: 757-664-7323
Venue Website: http://www.sloverlibrary.com/
Address: 235 East Plume Street
Norfolk, Virginia, 23510, United States
Meeting Hosts:  Norfolk Sister City Association
232 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 / Office 757-627-0530 / www.norfolksistercities.org
Questions: Jennifer Priest, Executive Director
staff@norfolksistercities.org / Mobile  757-692-5718

All skill levels invited; Call 757-508-7163 for more information.

YOUTH TRAVEL TO GERMANY!
Sister Cities is accepting applications for a Youth Exchange to our Sister City of Greifswald, Germany. Tentative travel dates are June 16 - July 1, 2017. Students in grades 9-12 may apply. Application deadline is October 31, 2016. Detailed information can be found at:
http://www.sistercities-nn.com/outgoing-delegations.html
An information session will be held October 13th at 5:00 pm at Menchville High - interested students and parents are encouraged to attend . Ideal candidates are are adventurous, flexible, responsible, kind, patient, intelligent and respectful. Delegates are expected to pay for their passport, airfare, a $150 travel fee and spending money. Greifswald provides housing with a host families, tours and most meals. Total cost is estimated at $2,150. Can't travel on this exchange? People-to-People exchanges are the heart of Sister Cities program and we welcome many international delegates to Newport News each year. There are opportunities to get involved by hosting, translating or volunteering at a school. Learn more about this by calling 757-926-1348 or send an email inquiry to info@sistercities-nn.com.
NOTE: SCNN gives travel preference to hosts when making selections for outgoing exchanges.

FALL FESTIVAL WEEKEND
October 1-2
Come out to Newport News Park this Saturday and Sunday and enjoy a special cultural event like no other. Sister Cities will be there from 10:00  to 5:00 daily; Look for us in space E-18 across from the Ranger Station and Restrooms.

Polynesian Exhibition - Just $5!
The Mariners' Museum and Park will open its Polynesian Voyagers Exhibition this Saturday, October 1, 2016.  Festivities begin at 11 am and include cultural dance groups, music, and world-renowned speakers for the symposium at 1:00 pm. The Museum has reduced its admission to $5 for the day as opposed to the normal $13.95 rate. Check this link for more about the Opening Day festivities: http://eepurl.com/cfVxc9

Sister Cities of Newport News, a non-profit, citizen diplomacy network, is seeking applicants for a 20-member exchange delegation to visit Newport News’ sister city of Neyagawa, Japan this November. Openings are available for up to ten adults and ten youth in grades 9-12 to travel to Japan from November 18-27. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 9.

The perfect candidates for the exchange process are adventurous, flexible, responsible, kind, patient, intelligent and respectful. Citizen Diplomats are also expected to pay for their passport, airfare, a $150 travel fee and spending money. The host city provides housing, tours and most meals. Currently, round-trip airfare for the visit is quoted at just under $1,400 making the entire exchange under $2,000.

People-to-People exchanges are the heart of the Sister Cities program. We welcome many incoming delegations each year to Newport News. So, if you are unable to travel abroad or prefer not to, opportunities do exist in Newport News to host an international delegate or participate in other Sister Cities volunteer activities. To find out more about this one of a kind opportunity, call 757-926-1348 or visit our website:

Engage America: Engaging Americans as Partners in U.S. Foreign Policy
Join Sister Cities for a plated breakfast, with reserved seating as we enjoy remarks from the U.S. State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Public Affairs – Karen Richardson. This event is FREE, but donations are gladly accepted. RSVP REQUIRED. All proceeds benefit Sister Cities of Newport News, Inc. a 501(c)3non-profit.

• When: Friday, July 22, 2016 from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM (EDT) - Add to Calendar
• Where: Christopher Newport University - David Student Union Ballroom 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA 23606 - View Map
• RSVP by July 19th to 757.926.1348 / info@sistercities-nn.com

Ms. Richardson previously worked at the White House as Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. In this role, she was responsible for developing and managing domestic outreach to NGOs, advocacy organizations, and constituency groups, in close coordination with the White House National Security Staff, to promote President Obama’s position on a broad range of foreign policy issues. In this capacity, Richardson was also an advisor to Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett on international issues, including managing Ms. Jarrett’s involvement in international gender policy development in her role as Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
Richardson began working for President Obama at his Senate Office in August 2005, serving as Deputy to the Policy Director. Shortly after Obama announced his presidential run, Richardson joined the Obama for America campaign as the State Policy Director for Iowa, a role she assumed in several states throughout the presidential primary. In July 2008 Richardson became the Policy Director at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and also joined the DNC as part of then-Senator Obama’s Congressional Liaison team. After the presidential general election, she joined the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team.
Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Los Angeles, California, Richardson has a BA from Howard University, a JD from Howard University School of Law, and a Masters in International Affairs from the London School of Economics.

Youth Travel Eligibility:

1. Must be in grades 9-12 as of Nov 2016 (homeschooled children welcome)
2. Must submit a completed “Youth Delegate Application*” download at www.sistercities-nn.com
   
3. Must submit a waiver giving authority to chaperones
4. Must agree to items 3-12 below

 
Adult Travel Eligibility:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age
2. Must submit a completed “Citizen Diplomat Interest Form” (Download at www.sistercities-nn.com
3. Must be available for travel November 18 to 27, 2016
4. Must provide at the time of application a copy of a current passport good for 6 months after the travel dates
5. Must be a member of Sister Cities of Newport News (youth membership $10 / adults $25)
6. Must agree to pay the cost of airfare within 48 hours of flight booking (estimate $1,600 roundtrip), plus some meals and personal spending money ($200).
7. Must pay a nonrefundable $150 administrative fee if selected to travel
8. Must be flexible and possess an adventurous spirit
9. Must agree to serve as a “ambassador” on behalf of the City of Newport News, the Sister Cities organization and our local community*
10. Must agree to adhere to the itinerary established by SCNN and the host city
11. Must agree to be home-stayed in Neyagawa by a host family
12. Must commit to participating and executing the mission of the Sister Cities organization by hosting a future delegate or volunteering on a committee

 
*The Neyagawa Committee reserves the right to select delegates for the exchange based on the applications received, the goals of the exchange and the mission of SCNN. Failure to exhibit the necessary decorum and respect could result in removal from the exchange and exclusion from future exchanges

QUESTIONS? Call SCNN  at 757.926.1348  or email: info@sistercities-nn.com