Led by Bob Jameson, 2017 Campaign Chair and President of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau, the 2017 Members Circle is a thriving network of individuals, organizations, corporations and community leaders committed to expanding global relationships for peace and prosperity at home and abroad. Lead donors to this year’s campaign will be recognized at the Mayor’s International Dinner at the Omni Hotel on June 1.
Due to the generosity of corporate and individual donors, Sister Cities is starting the year with $180,925 in Members Circle commitments and is on its way to meeting a $400,000 goal. This early support comes from Sundance Square, as the Platinum member; the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rae & Michael Hyatt, and Texas Health Resources as Premier members; Bennett Benner Partners, and Linebarger Goggan Blair & Simpson, LLP as Global members; Alcon, Cook Children’s, The Law Office of Greg Jackson, Mary Palko and Tarrant County College as Presidential members; as well as 100% of the Sister Cities’ board of directors and many others.
After a very successful 2016, Fort Worth Sister Cities continues to promote Fort Worth globally and enrich the local community through international education, exchange and commerce. “We had a warm welcome from the community last year and loved sharing our story with a record number of people,” said Johnny Campbell, Board Chairman. “Our business is people-to-people relationships. We do it well and want to do even more to benefit Fort Worth.”
Funding and in-kind support from the City of Fort Worth (4% of Sister Cities’ total budget) plays a key role in Sister Cities’ mission, but most work is made possible through public support like that received through the Members Circle.
To support Fort Worth Sister Cities and join the 2017 Members Circle, contact Katie Wharry at 817-632-7101 or katie@fwsistercities.org.
2017-01-19 12:00
Global Connections Thrive in Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas – Fort Worth Sister Cities International Kicks Off 2017 Members Circle Campaign
Led by Bob Jameson, 2017 Campaign Chair and President of the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau, the 2017 Members Circle is a thriving network of individuals, organizations, corporations and community leaders committed to expanding global relationships for peace and prosperity at home and abroad. Lead donors to this year’s campaign will be recognized at the Mayor’s International Dinner at the Omni Hotel on June 1.
Due to the generosity of corporate and individual donors, Sister Cities is starting the year with $180,925 in Members Circle commitments and is on its way to meeting a $400,000 goal. This early support comes from Sundance Square, as the Platinum member; the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rae & Michael Hyatt, and Texas Health Resources as Premier members; Bennett Benner Partners, and Linebarger Goggan Blair & Simpson, LLP as Global members; Alcon, Cook Children’s, The Law Office of Greg Jackson, Mary Palko and Tarrant County College as Presidential members; as well as 100% of the Sister Cities’ board of directors and many others.
After a very successful 2016, Fort Worth Sister Cities continues to promote Fort Worth globally and enrich the local community through international education, exchange and commerce. “We had a warm welcome from the community last year and loved sharing our story with a record number of people,” said Johnny Campbell, Board Chairman. “Our business is people-to-people relationships. We do it well and want to do even more to benefit Fort Worth.”
Funding and in-kind support from the City of Fort Worth (4% of Sister Cities’ total budget) plays a key role in Sister Cities’ mission, but most work is made possible through public support like that received through the Members Circle.
To support Fort Worth Sister Cities and join the 2017 Members Circle, contact Katie Wharry at 817-632-7101 or katie@fwsistercities.org.
Fort Worth City Manager David Cooke and Fort Worth Sister Cities International Chair Johnny Campbell of Sundance Square will lead a delegation of eighteen Fort Worth Ambassadors to Trier, Germany November 30 – December 8 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the partnership as sister cities. The mission’s purpose is to build economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties between Fort Worth and Germany.
“Fort Worth is eager to recommit to this important relationship with Germany and looks forward to many more beneficial exchanges between our two cities. Our commitment to growing our educational, business, and cultural connections must remain a long-term priority for sustainability of our relationship with Trier,” said Johnny Campbell.
While there the delegation will visit local sites of interest including the famed Christkindl markets, as well as a local refugee clinic. The exchange will also include visits to Heidelberg, Cologne, and the neighboring country of Luxembourg.
Trier was signed as Fort Worth’s second sister city. Signed in 1987, this partnership has resulted in many programs including: high school and university exchanges; partnerships with artists to participate in the Main Street Arts Festival; municipal exchanges with the Fort Worth Fire Department; internships in the Fort Worth Sister Cities’ office, as well as local law firms; cultural exchanges featuring regional cuisine and customs; and hunting expeditions into the mountains of Germany and across the plains of Texas.
Nearly 100 Fort Worth students recently completed a vigorous selection process and have been selected to represent the City of Fort Worth as Ambassadors to several of Fort Worth’s international partners.
This year’s Ambassadors represent the Fort Worth ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Everman ISD, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, Keller ISD, and several private schools. Scholarship assistance of over $100,000 is awarded annually ensuring a diverse group of students and teachers who will represent Fort Worth.
The Fort Worth community is invited to a presentation sponsored by Fort Worth Sister Cities International and Tarrant County College on Indonesia Today, November 10, 6:00 p.m. at Tarrant County College, Trinity River East Campus. The event is open to the public.
Twelve delegation leaders from area schools and organizations were recently selected to lead youth exchanges to six of Fort Worth’s sister cities next year. Nearly 125 local students will be interviewed for approximately 80 available slots to travel as Youth Ambassadors.
If you saw crazy costumes over the weekend in downtown Fort Worth, they were teams in the 3rd Annual Amazingly Global Race chaired by Carolann Morris, Inwood Bank, benefitting Fort Worth Sister Cities International.
“It’s so good to see how creative people can be in order to support our international efforts. Forming international relationships, fostering new business connections, and promoting tourism and cultural understanding are vital to seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges in this global era,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.
“The Race is held annually to fund the international youth education programs of Sister Cities that give students leadership and communications skills preparing them for a global society,” said Mae Ferguson, President/CEO of Fort Worth Sister Cities International.
The 2016 Ambassador Middle Schools include McLean Middle, Leonard Middle, and Fort Worth Country Day School. These schools are hosting 36 students and teachers from Nagaoka, Japan October 15–23 for this annual international youth exchange program.
The goal of the Ambassador Middle School program is to prepare Fort Worth students giving them the leadership skills needed to succeed in today’s connected world. At the same time, educators are given creative teaching tools and exposure to international cultures and educational systems of other countries.
“Sister Cities works closely with the Fort Worth ISD and local private schools to give Fort Worth students the best opportunity possible to be successful in a global society,” said Johnny Campbell, Chairman of the board. 
The Japanese students will attend classes, participate in cultural activities and live with Fort Worth families from the participating schools while in Fort Worth gaining an even better understanding of Fort Worth and the U.S.A.
Newly elected officers at Fort Worth Sister Cities International’s 31st Annual Meeting, are Board Chair, Johnny Campbell, Sundance Square; Chair-elect, Veronica Chavez Law, Brackett & Ellis, LLP; Secretary, Lu Pham, Dowell Pham Harrison LLP; and Treasurer, Walter Stucker, UBS Financial Services. Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price serves as Honorary Chair.
Kids Who Care was awarded the Eisenhower Award for Organizational Involvement presented by Mark Nurdin, Bank of Texas and last year’s recipient, and Julie Johncox was awarded the prestigious Bob Bolen Award for Outstanding Board Leadership presented by last year’s recipient Ann Rice.
“The annual meeting is a time to review accomplishments and recognize those responsible for our successes,” said Michael Bennett, Bennett Benner Partners, outgoing Chairman of the Board. A few of the year’s accomplishments were highlighted by President and CEO Mae Ferguson who said, “This year we sent delegations to Japan, China, Cuba, and Mexico. We coordinated youth exchanges to seven cities for over 100 students and welcomed 165 students and educators to Fort Worth creating a $14 million economic impact on the city of Fort Worth.”
Fort Worth Sister Cities International is conducting its first community class on why protocol is necessary in today’s world for both business and leisure travel. The class will take place Sept. 29, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at BBVA Compass 3rd floor conference room located at One Museum Way: 3100 W. 7th Street Suite 310, Fort Worth, TX. A nominal fee of $35 includes lecture, class materials, certificate of Citizen Diplomacy, and light snack. For tickets visit the Sister Cities website at fwsistercities.org/event/protocol-101.
Led by Susan Turner, Senior Protocol Officer at Lockheed Martin, Protocol 101 will give attendees traveling for business or pleasure the tools they need to be good citizen diplomats representing Fort Worth, Texas and the U.S.A. In a humorous, rapid fire presentation, Turner will discuss ways to capitalize on your experience.
“Today, business decisions come down to more than dollars and cents, tax incentives, and the bottom line. How people feel about the community, its leadership, its civic spirit, and its culture matter just as much, if not more,” says Mae Ferguson, President/CEO and Protocol Officer of Fort Worth Sister Cities International. Ferguson also says, “Leisure travelers can receive more meaningful experiences with training to either gain new perspectives or by learning to invest in the people of the places they visit.”