Message from the Chair
Hanna Eun is the North American SAP Insights and Data Practice Leader, Capgemini
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Dear Friends of ASCA:
Happy New Year! Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) will be celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. In 1993, the first sister city agreement was signed with Aachen, Germany. Since the start of our partnerships, the Arlington community has benefited from the collaboration and relationships with our Sister City governments and has created and carried out programs to share arts, culture and education from Aachen, Germany; Reims, France; San Miguel, El Salvador; Coyoacan, Mexico; and Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. In 2022, ASCA resumed educational exchanges and has offered programs in-person and virtually to the Arlington community.
We hope you will continue to support ASCA’s mission, connecting Arlington to the world through our five sister cities, promoting Arlington’s international profile and creating long lasting relationships. With your financial support, ASCA will continue to support programs, fostering productive exchanges in education, commerce, culture and the arts.
Please renew your membership today.
Thank you!
Hanna
The Only Constant in Life is Change
Heraclitus—Greek philosopher
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In this issue:
Message from the Chair
Sister City / Committee News
Executive Director Opening
Get Involved
Who We Are
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Follow ASCA on Social Media for the latest news! |
Upcoming Events:
February 2023
7-The Charlemagne Prize in Germany: Its History, Arlington Connection, and 2022 Award to Belarusian Activists
11- Reims Committee Gothic Cathedral event
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Ending soon! Support ASCA by February 20, 2023!!
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to ASCA. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know:
Same products, same prices, same service!
Designate Arlington Sister City Association as your charitable organization for the final moments of this program!
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Sister City / Committee News & Events |
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Aachen and Ivano-Frankivsk
Sister City Committees
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Credit: Fair use photo, Wikipedia
Please join us in a panel discussion on the Charlemagne Prize in Germany: Its History, Arlington Connection and 2022 Award to Belarusian Activists
Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 6:30-7:45 pm, Marymount University Ballston Center Auditorium, 1000 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia
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The International Charlemagne Prize is awarded annually in Aachen, Germany, to recognize exceptional work done for European unity. Since Arlington is a sister city of Aachen, Arlington representatives have been invited to attend the prize ceremonies.
A political officer from the German Embassy will discuss the purpose and history of the esteemed prize and Arlington County Board Vice-Chair, Libby Garvey, will discuss her experiences attending past prize ceremonies. Panelists also will talk about the three remarkable Belarusian democracy activists who won the 2022 prize (Maria Kalesnikava, Svietlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Veronica Tsepkalo).
The event is co-sponsored by the Aachen Committee and Ivano-Frankivsk Committee and will be open and free to the community. Please click here to register for the event.
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Aachen Sister City Committee |
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Mini-Reunion of 2016 Aachen High School Exchange Participants
In early November 2022, a group from the 2016 Arlington-Aachen High School Exchange Program, including both former Arlington and Aachen students, reunited via Zoom to catch up and reminisce. From college to work to studying abroad, so much has happened in the last six years!
ASCA would love to hear from other participants from our exchanges!
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Reims Sister City Committee |
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During December, the Reims Committee shared an evening with our Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee (City of Alexandria) counterpart members. The Committee enjoyed getting to know our neighbors and hope to have another such event in the future.
A program on gothic cathedrals will be held via Zoom on February 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. EST, with our counterparts in Reims. A French professor will discuss the history and architectural details of the Reims Cathedral and an author and guide will provide a perspective and historical outlook on the Washington Cathedral. Please click here to register.
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San Miguel Sister City Committee |
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Successful National Pupusas Day! |
The San Miguel Committee held an event at Abi Azteca Grill on November 13, 2022, to benefit Casa Mariflor.
ASCA Chair Hanna Eun, Board Member Jose Pineda, San Miguel Committee member Lily Caballero-Torres, and local hero Mariflor Ventura were on hand to welcome holiday gift donations!
The Committee is pleased to report that over 99 toys were collected! Thank you all for your generous support!!
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Executive Director Opening |
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Position Overview:
The Executive Director of ASCA is a part-time independent contractor position responsible for the overall
management and operations of the association, with a strong emphasis on fundraising and membership
growth. This position averages 20-25 hours per week, varying by season, with busier times in Spring and Fall. This is a remote work position, with in-person or virtual attendance required at events and meetings, typically held in Arlington. The Executive Director reports to the Chairman of the ASCA Board of Directors. Priority will be given to qualified Arlington residents.
Position Responsibilities:
Fundraising/Event Planning (25%): Create a fundraising plan to reduce dependency on county funding over a two-year period; plan outreach activities for the community via county fair, Clarendon Day, annual meeting, etc.; negotiate venue, catering and a/v selections within budget approved by Board; arrange on-site logistics for events in terms of set-up, registration, catering, photography, etc.; review vendor invoices and reconcile with contracted terms; set up logistics and agendas for board meetings; work with committees and board to formulate annual workplan and budget and submit to Arlington County for annual grant funding; and liaise planning between Arlington County board members traveling abroad on ASCA business, the ASCA volunteer accompanying them, and the sister city committee communicating with foreign government.
Membership Growth and Retention (25%): Expand membership within the Arlington residential and business communities; bill and track new memberships and renewing memberships; respond to telephone and email inquiries from members; identify and enhance member value proposition; and maintain member database and data integrity.
Marketing & Communications (25% contributing to fundraising & membership, 10% other): Contribute to member retention efforts and engagement via creative, timely communications; develop content, design and coordinate member communication to publicize events and fundraising via email, Constant Contact, social media, etc.; help city committees advertise to recruit host families and exchange students; and
monitor and update website and social media content.
General Administration (15%): Collect and process mail from ASCA PO Box; drive periodic updates as needed to association by-laws, policies, and procedural documents via ad-hoc board subcommittees;
monitor due dates for insurance premiums and other recurring business expenses, and obtain authorization for from members of the ASCA Executive Committee for payment by the Treasurer; deposit dues and fundraising checks and send a copy to ASCA Treasurer for recording; maintain inventory list of items in the ASCA storage unit; maintain and enforce uniformity of procedural requirements for city committees.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
Opportunities:
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Sister City Committee Members—Attend approximately 6 meetings, help organize events
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Board of Director Members—Attend bi-monthly meetings; assist with ASCA operations
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Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with Arlington County, Virginia. Established in 1993, ASCA supports and coordinates the activities of Arlington County’s five Sister Cities: Aachen, Germany; Coyoacán, Mexico (emeritus); Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine; Reims, France; and San Miguel, El Salvador (emeritus).
ASCA works to enhance and promote Arlington’s international profile and to foster productive exchanges through arts and cultural partnerships, business development, educational and professional exchanges, and government relationships. ASCA helps the people of Arlington form long-lasting partnerships and friendships with the people of its Sister Cities and beyond through its many activities and programs.
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We need your continued support.
Please consider joining or making a donation today!
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