The Newsletter of Sister Cities of Durham, NC, Inc.
July 2005 Vol. 6 #1
In this issue:
- From the Desk of the President
- SCD Retreat
- SCD course with DILIR
- SCD and Durham Central Park
- News from the Committees
- From the Desk of the State Coordinator
Photo from First Lady’s Visit
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Her Excellency Mrs. Anna Mkapa, the First Lady of Tanzania speaking at a fundraising event at the Durham Civic Center/ Marriott Hotel on March 30th.
From the Desk of the President
If working with the members of Sister Cities energizes me, I can only imagine how the readers of this newsletter must feel. Members of our four Sister Cities are hard at work strengthening partnerships between the United States and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, promoting cultural understanding and stimulating economic development.
The Durham, England Committee is working hard on a project that will bring teachers here to learn how we “mainstream” special students, and is also planning an exchange program that will involve museums and gardens in and around England with those of the United States. Stay tuned for the announcement of exciting tours.
The Arusha, Tanzania Committee, in collaboration with the African Resource Center, hosted the First Lady of Tanzania, Mrs. Anna Mkapa in March of this year. The agenda was exciting and inclusive of Duke, the Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina State University, Durham Academy and meetings with the Mayor and other municipal leaders. A special fundraising breakfast at the Durham Marriott raised over $4,000 for the Kibaha Orphanage in Tanzania.
The Kostroma, Russia Committee held a successful yard sale which reached out across the community and raised more than $1,800 for r the exchange of students and other educational and cultural projects.
The Toyama, Japan Committee has raised over half of the funds needed to break ground for a Tea Pavilion at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Other fundraisers will be held to raise the remaining funds for this exciting project. This structure will house functions at the Gardens as well as educational sessions for kids and adults alike in an effort to teach the Japanese culture.
If you haven’t yet visited Central Park in Downtown Durham, please do so soon. Notice the markers leading the way to the trees that represent our four Sister Cities. Also note the new signpost, which gives the mileage to the cities. Please read the section on Durham Central Park to find out who made all of this possible.
We will soon celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sister Cities International, which has the mission of developing municipal partnerships between US cities and similar jurisdictions in other nations; providing opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships; creating an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened; stimulating environments through which communities will creatively learn, work, and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects while collaborating with organizations in the United Sates and other countries which share similar goals for the future.
We are grateful for the support and involvement of the Durham County Commissioners, Mayor Bell and the Durham City Council, the Office of Economic and Employment Development and other city departments, the business sector, and Downtown Durham, Inc., who all work with us to make our program possible.
We continue to carry out the worthwhile mission of promoting peace and collaboration and are grateful to each and every one of you for your steadfast support of our endeavors.
Sarah Woodard
President
Sister Cities of Durham - Board Retreat
The Sister Cities Board Retreat was held on Saturday, January 29, 2005 at the John Hope Franklin Center.
We began the meeting with a discussion of our Mission Statement followed by an introduction of Cora Cole-McFadden, Mayor Pro-tem. Within minutes, her warmth and enthusiasm for Durham as well as for Sister Cities spread throughout the room.
Trisha Gensig from the Office of Economic and Employment Development was unable to attend our retreat. She did, however, send greetings to the group.
Dot Borden enlightened us with a recount of the history of Sister Cities. Board members introduced themselves and historical perspectives were shared.
Nancy Hamilton, Treasurer, presented the 2005-2006 budget to us and followed with an update of Fundraising efforts being employed by the Toyoma Committee to raise money for the Tea Pavilion to be built in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
Mike Woodard led us in a discussion of Effective Boardsmanship followed by discussion of the Mission and Vision for the Future of Sister Cities.
The Retreat was a successful collaboration of thoughts, ideas, hopes, and dreams for the future of our beloved organization.
Sarah Woodard
SISTER CITIES AND DURHAM CENTRAL PARK
New Signs (Literally!) of Progress in the Sister Cities Grove
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Bill Kalkoff and Larry Tilley
A new directional sign and four stone tree markers were installed on May 18th in the Sister Cities grove at Durham Central Park. The new sign, reminiscent of the one on the old M.A.S.H. television program, shows the distance and direction to each of Durham’s four Sister Cities: Toyama, Japan; Durham, England; Kostroma, Russia; and Arusha, Tanzania. The photo at the top of this article shows Bill Kalkhof, President of Downtown Durham, Inc., and Larry Tilley, Vice-President of Durham Central Park, Inc, standing next to the new sign following the dedication ceremony. The photo at the end of the article shows some of the Directors of Sister Cities of Durham who attended the ceremony.
The Sister Cities trees are a living symbol of our relationship with the residents of these other cities, and the sign and stone markers will give park visitors a clear indication of the importance of these trees. We’re planning other landscaping efforts in the grove in the near future, so keep an eye on the park for further developments. Our special thanks go to: Fisher Graphic Arts for fabricating the signs and markers; Dan Jewell, the park’s volunteer landscape architect, for assisting with sign placement and installation; Downtown Durham, Inc., for covering the cost of these enhancements; Dot Borden and other Sister Cities representatives, who helped to design the sign and markers; Chris Boyer, City arborist, who selected the appropriate trees for the grove; Darrell Critendon, Beth Timson, and other Parks and Recreation staff members who continually facilitate all of the projects at the park; Alison Fiori, the City’s downtown events coordinator, who arranged for the sign dedication ceremony; and DCP board member ,Denny Clark, who provided the funds to move the trees to the park from the old Woolworth’s lot - and also the water to help keep them alive!
Photo of SCD Directors
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Submitted by Leigh Scott - Durham Central Park
NEWS FROM THE COMMITTEES
From the Arusha Committee
This committee went through a very busy period this spring - planning and carrying out many of the activities associated with the visit of the First Lady of Tanzania (Anna Mkapa); continuing to work with the many students from Tanzania who are here to study; participating in the Annual Conference of SCI for cities with African sister cities, and planning for a visit to Arusha by committee and Board member Aisha Abdul-Ali.
- Planning for the visit of Her Excellency Mrs. Anna Mkapa began in fall 2004 after officials of the African Resource Center in Raleigh, asked for the cooperation of Durham city officials and from Sister Cities of Durham in arranging a visit. The Arusha Committee took on the responsibility for organizing several of the major events on the schedule, including a fundraising breakfast at the Durham Marriott and an open house reception at the home of Dot Borden. The committee also helped with transportation for the delegation, which consisted of eight members. The visit required a great deal of cooperation between the organizers and local educational, civic and religious organizations and proved very valuable in bringing the work of Sister Cities of Durham to the attention of the public (there was extensive media coverage on TV and in the local newspapers). A brief summary of the schedule follows, with details available from members of the committee.
Mrs. Mkapa arrived in Durham on March 28th and spent March 29th resting and attending briefings on the schedule. March 30th began at 8:00 a.m. with a Fundraising breakfast benefitting the Kibaya Orphanage, which was held at the Durham Civic Center/Durham Marriott. This event was attended by many civic and religious leaders, in addition to SCD Board members and members of the Arusha committee. A press conference was held following the breakfast. The remainder of the morning was spent on a tour of Downtown Durham and a visit to Durham Academy Lower School. This was followed by a speech on the topic of “Women in Politics: Perspectives on a Changing East Africa” at North Carolina Central University’s School of Education Auditorium. A reception with the Chancellor of NCCU, faculty, staff and students followed. Another busy day followed on March 31st when Mrs, Mkapa visited the Research Triangle Institute for a tour of the facilities and presentations on current agency projects in Tanzania. A luncheon followed with institute staff and invited guests. Mrs. Mkapa then participated in The Peter H. Martorella Collequium at North Carolina State University’s College of Education. This event was also followed by a reception, which gave the visitors an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff members. The morning of April 1st was spent at Duke University’s Searle Center which hosted a symposium illustrating the many cooperative projects being carried out by the Duke Medical Center staff in Tanzania. It was emphasized that most of these were cooperative projects, using doctors and staff from both countries. This was following by a luncheon hosted by the President of Duke University which was attended by many of the physicians involved in these projects and by students from Tanzania at Duke. The afternoon’s events included a visit to the Blooming Garden Inn for afternoon tea and an evening dinner. The next day began with a visit to The Central Children’s Home in Oxford, where the visitors met with the staff and children. This was followed by shopping and sightseeing with the day ending with a dinner at The Hollow Rock Tennis Club, which was hosted by The African Resource Center. Sunday, April 3rd began with a reception at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Durham, followed by attendance at the morning service. This busy day ended with an Open House at the home of Arusha Committee member Dot Borden which was attended by many of the people the visitors had met during the past week. Many speeches were made and gifts exchanged as thanks were given to all who had contributed to the success of the visit. It was announced at Sunday’s reception that more than $4,000 had already been raised for the Kibaha Orphanage and contributions will continue to be accepted. Everyone present was very impressed with the work done by the Arusha Committee on this visit.
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Salah Mohamed (African Resource Center) and Marge Freeman (Arusha Committee) enjoy their talk with Mrs. Mkapa at the April 3rd Open House
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Sister Cities of Durham President Sarah Woodard and Dot Borden (Arusha Committee) exchange presents with Mrs. Mkapa at the Sunday reception
- Student News:
In past Newsletters we have highlighted some of the wonderful young people who have come to Durham from Arusha to further their education. Here is an update on what they are doing now:
Asha Guta, who finished her Associate Degree at Durham Technical Institute this past spring, is now working for an accounting firm in Raleigh, while she saves money to pay for the last two years of a B.A. degree.
Aman Guta will begin his studies at A.T. & T. University in Greensboro this fall. He needs to complete one and one-half years of study to obtain a B.S. degree in computer science and electronics.
Isaya Mollel is attending school this summer and working at night. He hopes to complete his degree as a respiratory technician next spring and will then return to Arusha.
Ismail Mwilima is working this summer so that he can attemd Southwestern Seminary in Texas this fall to obtain a masters degree.
All of these young people work very hard and are a credit to their communities.
- Committee member Aisha Abdul-Ali left at the beginning of July for a visit to Tanzania which will include time in Arusha.
- Committee chair Antoine Ntirugelegwa attended a conference for cities that have a Sister Cities agreement with a city in Africa. The conference was held in St. Louis from May 24-27, and attracted more than 50 delegates (including some from Africa). The Mayor and city agencies arranged many functions for the group. It was very useful for him to meet with the State Department officials who were in attendance and to exchange program ideas with other delegates.
Submitted by Dot Borden, for the Arusha Committee
From the Durham Committee -
This committee has discussed several potential exchanges, including a 2006 tour of museums and gardens in Northern England, centered on Durham. A committee that includes representatives of Sister Cities has been formed to develop this project. Other members represent museums and gardens in this area. Great progress has been made in planning for the visit of two teachers from Durham, England who will observe “mainstreaming” of special needs students in the public schools. Details of the plan follow:
Proposal for Teacher Exchange 2005/06
The Durham Committee of Sister Cities of Durham has proposed a project which would involve select teachers from Hillandale Elementary School here in Durham and primary teachers in Durham UK. The focus of the project will be to look at best practices in integrating special needs children into the regular classroom.
I. Goals of the project
A. To provide an opportunity for Durham teachers to broaden their experience in working with special needs children by sharing ideas and techniques with teachers from Durham, England.
B. To enable teachers to shape and formulate their own thoughts as they share ideas with teachers from another culture.
C. To look at best practices in staff development for regular classroom teachers of special needs children
D. To have the opportunity to look at another culture, to share cultural differences and similarities, and to observe how those affect teaching practices
E. To further the goals of Sister Cities by promoting international understanding through people-to-people contacts
II. Time Frame
A. Visit by UK teachers is recommended for late October or early November, preferably the first week in November, 2005.
B. Return visit by Hillandale teachers is suggested for late Spring or early June, 2006.
C. We propose the teachers stay at least one week in each city.
III. Participants
A. Durham, NC: 4 teachers in grades 1-5 at Hillandale Elementary School
B. Durham, UK: selected primary teachers
IV. Cost, financial needs
A. Durham, NC: Brian Stobie, director for international exchanges in Durham, UK will arrange for the airfare for his teachers; once the teachers arrive here, we will arrange for them to stay in private homes and take care of meals and transportation.
B. Durham, UK: Sister Cities will work with the Hillandale Administration and PTSA to provide funds for the local teachers for their airfare (approx. $700); in the UK, they will expect the same reciprocal arrangements (lodging, meals and transportation)
V. Personnel
A. Durham, NC: Sandy Bates, Hillandale principal; selected teachers; DPS Exceptional Children and Staff Development personnel; Scott Hill, Sister Cities Board member; host families
B. Durham, UK: Brian Stobie; select primary teachers; other school personnel; host families
We propose that Brian Stobie send selected teachers to Durham, NC during the first week of November, for a period of at least one week. They would be able to observe in selected classrooms and work one-on-one with the Hillandale teachers and their students and parents. We would also like to arrange meetings and seminars with the Durham Public Schools Exceptional Children and Staff Development administrators, and with local university and private school teachers and personnel.
The return visit by the NC teachers to Durham, England has been suggested for late spring or early June, making this project a true exchange.
Suggested Personnel
At Hillandale Elementary School:
Sandy Bates, Principal
Gloria Bailey, Ass’t. Principal
Petrina Paradzinski, 1st grade
Terry Ayers, 1st grade
Judy Ammons, 1st grade
Kay Ringer, 2nd grade
Lori Marriott, 3rd grade
Ellen Spearman, 3rd grade
Charlene McClements, 5th grade
Talita Crews, DPS Exceptional Children’s Services
Nancy Dominique, Principal’s Program
Ada Setzer, DPS Staff Development Administrator
Scott Hill, Sister Cities of Durham
Suggested Field Trips:
Duke Homestead Bennett Place
Duke Gardens and Chapel NC Museum of Life and Science
Morehead Planetarium NC Art, Science and History Museums and
State Capital in Raleigh
Submitted by Scott Hall, Chairman, Durham Committee
From the Kostroma Committee -
This committee has worked on several educational projects; organized the visit of youth from Kostroma (planned for this summer), and held another successful yard sale to help finance its projects.
- Committee member Anne Berkley organized a new course at Duke University’s Institute for Learning in Retirement that focused on opportunities for working with international programs. The course, which was held in Spring 2005, included sessions focusing on the organization and history of Sister Cities of Durham and the work of its city committees. The course was well-attended and helped to “spread the word” on SCD’s programs and opportunities for volunteer work. Committee member Ann Evangelisto is also hoping to work with Andrei Lebedev of Kostroma to offer a course on Russian literature as part of this program.
- Committee member Billy Griffith has worked with fellow members of Watts Street Baptist church to organize the visit of youth from Kostroma. The students will work on projects while they are in Durham.
- The committee organized a very successful yard sale which was held at Watts Street Baptist Church on May 14th. Over $1,800 was raised to support the committee’s projects.
From the Toyama Committee -
This committee continues to work on raising funds for the SCD Pavilion project in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens and committee members have been involved in several outreach programs with the Durham Public Schools and with local teachers. Work also continues on planning for outgoing delegations of city hall officials and physicians. No incoming delegation of Middle School delegates will come this fall because of the changes in school districts that have resulted from Toyama’s merger with several smaller towns. As a result of this merger Toyama’s population has increased to 420,000.
- The Pavilion Fundraising Committee held a reception on December 5th, 2005 at the home of Jim Force and Chris Boyer. The architect for the project - Derek Jones - was present together with several potential donors and committee members. One result of this event was the creation of a web page for the project (which is now linked to the SCD web page and the web page of the Sarah P. Duke Gardens). Another fundraising effort was a mailing in April and May to larger companies in the Greater Durham area. In addition to the mailings, follow-up calls were made by committee members. Several donations were received as a result of this effort. Additional fundraisers are planned for late summer and fall.
- Toyama Committee member Nancy Hamilton was involved in two educational programs since our last report. She worked with other parents and teachers at her son’s school - Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Elementary School - to organize a Japanese Festival in January 2005 that was the culmination of a month-long study of Japanese culture for Kindergarten and First Grade students, part of the school’s Wings to the World program.
Activities on Festival Day included: a traditional Japanese dance (Bon Odori) performed by 20 of the students; a performance by the Triangle Taiko drummers; a demonstration of Japanese archery (kyudo) by school art teacher Dan DeProspero, who studied kyudo in Japan for 15 years; tasting Japanese food and learning Japanese arts and crafts. The Bon Odori dance was inspired by a videotape of Japanese dancing sent to Nancy by our friends in Toyama many years ago.
For the festival, the children wore their own “happi” coats which they had created from T-shirts and colorful stamps. Thanks to loans from the members of the Toyama Committee of SCD, all teachers and teaching assistants were equally festive, wearing authentic “happi” coats from Toyama. Teacher Cynthia Schwane was pleased with the wonderful show of support from the community for this event.
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Students at Club Blvd. Humanities Magnet School perform a Japanese dance.
From left: Corinne Greenblatt, Thomas Little, Mathew Hamilton and Ben Gavin
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Teachers wear happi coats from Toyama at Club Blvd.’ Japanese Festival
Nancy Hamilton was also involved in another outreach program in which 35 elementary and middle school teachers attended a workshop on the Japanese Tea Ceremony (Cha-no-yu) which was held on June 27th at the John Hope Franklin Center at Duke University. The workshop included a talk on the history of the ceremony by Tony Moyer, Director of the NC Japan Center and a demonstration of the ceremony by members of the Triangle Cha-no-yu Club of which Nancy is a member. Each teacher received a tea whisk and powdered green tea so that they could make tea for their students to taste. This workshop was organized by Cindy Carlson, of Duke University’s Asian/Pacific Studies Institute (which provided a grant to cover the cost of this program and the Festival at The Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School).
Submitted by Mavis Mayer, Co-chairman, Toyama Committee
PRELIMINARY NOTICE - ANNUAL MEETING SCD
Sister Cities of Durham will hold its Annual Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 20th at Durham City Hall. The program will include presentations by local officials and SCD members and will feature music and food from our sister cities overseas.
NEW WEB SITE FOR SISTER CITIES OF DURHAM
Our web site is still under construction, but you can check at:
http://www.sistercities-durham.org/index.html to find out more about
our programs and funding needs.
FROM THE DESK OF STATE COORDINATOR KEN RICHARDS
Sister Cities of Durham continues to provide a shining example of what can be accomplished through the framework of Sister Cities International. Your many and varied programs illustrate your ties with cities overseas (which span the globe). The old saying was that “the sun never sets on the British Empire;” and one could say the same about your connections in so many countries and continents. The difference is that your links represent cooperative ventures that convey information and friendship between friends.
I am pleased that you will send a representative to the Conference of the Carolinas that will be held in Asheville from July 5th - July 8th, this meeting will be held in conjunction with the International Conference organized by Asheville and its sister cities. SCI officials, government representatives, and delegates from France, Greece, and Russia plan to attend.
I look forward to attending one of your events so that I can learn first-hand about your many programs.
SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL
Sister Cities of Durham is affiliated with Sister Cities International (SCI), the premier organization for citizen diplomacy . . people working to make a difference. Sister Cities International will hold its annual conference from July 27th - July 31st in Spokane, Washington.
Sister Cities of Durham, NC, Inc.
SCD seeks to promote peace, understanding and goodwill among all people by maintaining long-term affiliations with communities in other countries to develop mutually beneficial activities, programs, and ideas.
For Information
On Arusha -
Antoine Ntirugelegwa (419-1026) or Dot Borden (489-9543)
On Durham, England -
Scott Hill (489-1451)
On Kostroma -
Monica Hunter (490-1200)
On Toyama -
Mavis Mayer (489-1870) or Michael Throop (493-2299)
Sister Cities of Durham - Officers
President: Sarah Woodard
Vice-President: Richard Hill
Treasurer: Nancy Hamilton
Secretary: Mavis Mayer
Newsletter Editor: Mavis Mayer
Webmaster: Randy Byers (webmaster@sistercities-durham.org)
NOT A MEMBER YET?
Dues are:
_____$10 student membership
_____$20 individual membership
_____$35 family membership
_____$100 business membership
Send check to: Sister Cities of Durham, NC, Inc.
P.O. Box 767
Durham, NC 27702
Name:______________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________
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Telephone:____________________________________________
E-mail:______________________________________________
Circle Committee Interest:
______Arusha______Durham______Kostroma______Toyama
Sister Cities of Durham,NC,Inc.
P.O. Box 767
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Durham, North Carolina
Permit Number 11Durham, Carolina 27702