Friendship Blossoms with a Ukrainian City

A delegation from Ivano- Frank ivsk v i s i t ed Arlington in April, cementing ties.Page 2

Ar l ingtonians Attend Joan of Arc Fetival

ASCA members travelled to Reims - Arlington’s sister city in France - to enjoy a unique festival.Page 3 Reflections from the

outgoing Board Chair

Sandra MacDonald shares memories and thoughts from her three years as ASCA Board Chair.Page 4

A Taste of Arlington for Exchange Students

Aachen exchange students enjoyed a sampling of cultural and political treats on their recent visit.Page 5

New Officers Elected at Annual Meeting

The news from our annual meeting is excellent - including some new leadership!Page 9

From the Chair:

As I assume the chairmanship duties of the Ar l ing ton Sis te r Ci ty Association, I am increasingly

a p p r e c i a t i v e o f t h e j o b m y predecessor, Sandy MacDonald, has done. I have been reading some of the intra-board communications that were sent during the spring and summer of 2006, and our association was definitely in need of help at the time. Then Sandy became Chair, and that help arrived. Our organization is better, our finances are healthier, and the number of people involved in our activities has grown. I can only hope that, with the assistance of all of you, the progress we have made will continue into the future. A number of activities are planned for this summer: We will be sending two

groups of students, both high school and elementary, to Aachen; these will represent the continuation of our longest-running exchange programs. We will send elementary student artwork to Coyoacan; this will be the first major step towards revitalizing this long-dormant relationship. Cindy Zavala, who, as Miss Sister City Arlington, represented us in the court of the Queen of Carnaval in San Miguel last November, will represent us once again, this time in the Jeanne d’Arc (Joann of Arc) Festival in Reims.

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Fall Newsletter September 2009

New ASCA Chair Karl Newkirk

Friendship Blossoms with a Ukrainian City

By Ed Lytwak

An eight-person delegation of p rominen t c i t i z ens f rom the Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk recently visited the United States to sign a friendship agreement with Arlington County, Virginia. Under the auspices of the Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA), the friendship agreement represents an important milestone on the way to a permanent sister city relationship between the two cities, one in the foothills of the Carpathians of Western Ukraine and the other across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

At an April 22 ceremony, County Board Chair Barbara Favola signed the friendship agreement on behalf of

Arlington County, while Andriy Romanchuk, Deputy of the Ivano-F r a n k i v s k R e g i o n a l C o u n c i l represented Ivano-Frankivsk.

Signing for the Arlington Sister City Association was president Sandra MacDonald whi le Volodymyr Shvadchak signed for Tsynamonovyy Khrushch the partner NGO in Ivano-Frankivsk. Among those at the well-attended signing ceremony were all five of Arlington County’s elected board members, the Ukrainian delegation and a large turnout of Arlingtonians including numerous members of the Arlington Sister City Association board.

The Embassy of Ukraine was represented by Marina Zlobina and Sister Cities International Program M a n a g e r f o r S u s t a i n a b l e Development Adam Kaplan offered r e m a r k s o n h o w s i s t e r c i t y

relationships are helping to build a global citizen diplomacy network.

Following the signing of the friendship agreement, there was a tree planting ceremony that not only marked the friendship of the two ci t ies but also was a f i t t ing celebration of Earth Day. The tree, a sugar maple, was sponsored by American Forests a tree planting organization in Washington, DC. In the fall, the tree turns a bright orange– a vibrant symbol that both Ukrainian citizen democracy and friendship between the two cities has taken root.

Arlington County board member, Walter Tejada, whose support of the friendship agreement was crucial, spoke about the central role that citizens from both communities play in building strong and lasting relationships.

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Arlington County Board Chair Barbara Favola and Andriy Romanchuk, Deputy of the Ivano-Fankivsk Regional Council sign the friendship agreement in Arlington, April 22nd, 2009

A group of children from Jamestown Elementary School in Arlington sang songs in languages of each of the sister city countries including "Liubymo Zemliu Svojiu" by c o m p o s e r B o h d a n a F i l t s . Arlingtonians, under the leadership of Chrystia Sonevytsky (co-chair of the Ar l ington Sis te r Ci ty Ivano-Frankivsk committee), have been working towards developing a Sister City relationship for some four years. Last June, an ASCA organized tour was warmly received on a v i s i t t o I v a n o -Frankivsk resulting in this reciprocal visit. During their four day stay, the Ukrainians got a c q u a i n t e d w i t h Arlington and what makes the county such a special place.

Depending on their interests, the delegation had the opportunity to f i n d o u t a b o u t Arlington’s economic d e v e l o p m e n t a n d t o u r i s m , o r i t s e d u c a t i o n a l a n d information technology f a c i l i t i e s . O t h e r members of the delegation saw first hand Arlington’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility with its cutting edge waste to energy and recycling programs, its commitment to green spaces and the work being done at a Habitat for Humanity site.

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Arlingtonians Attend Joan of Arc Festival

By Michael Ely

On June 4 an Arlington delegation departed for an annual visit to Reims, our sister city in northeastern France. Invited by her counterpart, Mayor Adeline Hazan, County Board Chair Barbara Favola led the group to a series of events hosted by Reims for its sister cities, some of which –

Aachen, Germany, Canterbury, U.K., and Saltzburg, Austria among others - could not attend because of elections on June 6 for the European Parliament. The occasion was the annual Joan of Arc Festival that commemorates the victory for France in the Hundred Years War between France and England. Joan, a peasant girl in her teens, rallied the French forces and induced Charles, the heir to the throne, to be crowned as Charles VII, King of France, in the

cathedral of the royal city of Reims. Joan was subsequently captured by the English, tried for heresy and b u r n e d a t t h e s t a k e , b u t a reinvigorated French state drove the English back and Joan is revered as a saint and savior.

On Saturday the medieval themes associated with Joan were evoked with a lunch in a tent near the cathedral with traditional food and drink served by maidens in medieval dress accompanied by period

m u s i c i a n s a n d performers. We were warmly welcomed by the municipal sponsors and afterward could explore the 12th century cathedral and the surrounding medieval theme shops and artisans’ studios. Barbara Favola and the ASCA representatives took the opportunity to visit the studio of the Marq Simon stained glass establishment, active in Reims for centuries.

That evening Mayor H a z a n h o s t e d t h e delegations at an elegant

dinner in Villa Demoiselle, a fine reconstructed Art Nouveau residence, wi th g ree t ings and speeches welcoming the sister city exchanges and emphasizing the mutual benefits of understanding and cooperation. Sunday morning Barbara Favola and the ASCA

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Mayor's Reception at City Hall: Mayor Adeline Hazan greetsBarbara Favola, Douglas White, Diana Paez-Cook and

a British representative from Canterbury

delegation were formally welcomed by the Mayor in a ceremony for sister city guests at the City Hall. Also included were Arnauld Desplanques, Chairman of the Reims-Arlington Sister City Committee and members of his group. The Mayor’s reception was fol lowed by a memorial ceremony at the statue of Joan of Arc on the cathedral square. Veterans’ groups displayed banners, a military band played martial music and two knights in armor staged a mock combat. A footman carried a symbolic crown into the cathedral.

A solemn High Mass followed in the Cathedral, celebrated by several bishops with beautiful music by a youth choir. After the service a public reception with simple food and drink took place in a nearby hall. The formal ceremonies complete, visiting sister city delegations were honored by an informal farewell luncheon at the 13th century Residence of the Counts of Champagne, and invited to explore the extensive parades and exhibits that closed the Joan of Arc festivities.

Reims has roots that run back more than two millennia, providing ample contrast with Arlington’s relative newness. The coming together of the two very different cities has been a revelation for both. ASCA is pleased and proud of its successful five-year-old sister city relationship with Reims, and grateful to County Chair Favola for her support and effective people-to-people diplomacy. The Arlington Sister City Association is confident that our relationship with Reims and the benefits it brings will continue to broaden and deepen as we work together.

Reflections from the Outgoing Board Chair

By Sandra MacDonald

Stepping down from my three-year position as chairman of the ASCA board of directors feels something like stepping off a train that is picking up speed as it moves from early beginnings towards highly active and effective volunteer action. Over the past 16 years, the ASCA has grown into an organization that is contributing positively, productively and frequently to the education of people of all ages in Arlington while strengthening Arlington's friendships and connections to communities overseas.

One thing that surprised me, as I began to understand the role of ASCA in our community, is that our international work to increase understanding of the language and cultures of our overseas partners also results in an enriched appreciation of the diversity of cultures in our own community.

T h e A S C A b r i n g s t o g e t h e r A r l i n g t o n i a n s o f d i v e r s e backgrounds, ages, and ethnicities, helping to create new friendships and understanding both here and abroad. And, what I have enjoyed most during the years I have spent supporting ASCA activities is meeting so many interesting, kind, and committed people and the friendships that have grown out of our volunteer work together. Special memories: drinking champagne on four occasions over the course of one day in Reims, beginning with champagne and cookies at 11 am at a local school; riding in a horse-drawn carriage with Arlington County board member Walter Tejada during the 50th anniversary of the Carnival parade in San Miguel; distributing school supplies to rural children in El Salvador and feeling wonderful but also inadequate because there is so much need and so much we could give; biking with Aacheners and Arlingtonians in Bordeaux for a week, but spending more time dining than peddling; watching the stirring movie, The Orange Revolution, about the emergence of democracy in Ukraine with an audience of those who lived before it and through it and those who simply want expansion worldwide of the personal freedoms we enjoy here in the United States.

It has been a privilege and a learning exper ience to have provided leadership to this remarkable organization over the past three years. Looking back I will always be grateful to have had this opportunity. Thank you to the wonderful board and volunteers of ASCA for making this some of the best years of my life.

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Outgoing ASCA Board Chair Sandra MacDonald

”A Taste of Arlington” for Aachen Exchange Students

By Jennifer Wright and the Aachen Committee Volunteers

We recently provided “A Taste of Arlington” – not the event with yummy food sampling, but a cultural event for 23 high school students from Aachen and their chaperones. Included in their “Taste of Arlington” was living with Arlington host families and seeing a bit of what our County and the surroundings have to offer. The Aachen students were e x c i t e d t o b e i n “ O b a m a ’s n e i g h b o r h o o d . ” E v e n i f w e Arlingtonians don’t quite see it that way, from the German perspective, they were that close to American history in the making. The students enjoyed the touring of various Washington, DC landmarks and museums but it was the small, cultural differences that seemed to

make the largest impact.

Did you ever stop to think tha t ou r bus s y s t e m i s c o n f u s i n g ? That our cross-w a l k c o u n t -down clocks are h u m o r o u s ? T h a t i t i s u n u s u a l f o r strangers to be in t e re s t ed in where you are from and if you are having a good time? But not to care about your answer when asked, “Hi. How are you?” From the perspective of a German Gymnasium student, our large, public Arlington high schools may seem, chaotic, democratic, casual, diverse, loud, and lacking in

discipline. But, at the same time they seem rich with students f r o m m a n y c u l t u r e s , a v a r i e t y o f c o u r s e o f f e r i n g s , a th le t ics and extracurricular activities.

After spending three weeks in Arlington one G e r m a n g i r l wants to find a softball league in Aachen, or

start one. One young man wants to pursue a career in international relations. Another wants to return to the U.S. on a cycling excursion.

The Arlington – Aachen high school exchange offers just a taste of Arlington, New York City, and the grea ter D.C. region, but the friendships forged, and memories made, will last a lifetime. We wish to thank all the host families that welcomed our German friends into their homes and the many who helped the committee in various ways to make the exchange a success.

We hope that you will continue to help us foster our friendships with our counterparts in Aachen. We invite anyone from ASCA to join us in planning next year’s exchange.

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Students from Reims, France, and Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington enjoy a pizza party celebrating the annual exchange

Exchange organizers from Reims, France, and Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlinton

About the ASCA

Established in 1993, the Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) is a non-profit organization affiliated with Arlington County, Virginia. ASCA works to enhance and promote the region`s international profile, and also to foster productive exchanges in education, commerce, culture and the arts. Our programs are sanctioned by Sister Cit ies Internat ional of Washington, D.C.

The ASCA supports and coordinates four Sister Cities programs, and p rov ides gu idance fo r t hose interested in establishing new Sister Cities programs. Establishing a relationship with a sister city does not happen overnight.

In fact, it takes many years of planning, and many visits, to establish a formal sister city agreement.

To date the Arlington Sister City Association has a relationship with four cities. The first sister city relationship was established with Aachen, Germany, followed shortly thereafter with Coyoacan, Mexico. In 2003, Arlington became sister cities with Reims, France after several years of student exchanges and cultural programs. The most recent is San Miguel, El Salvador and this April a friendship agreement was s igned with Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine.

ASCA programming fuctions in four areas:

Educational and Professional Exchanges

A S C A p r o v i d e s e d u c a t i o n a l opportunities about other cultures, people and places for Arlingtonians

of all ages. Programs include internationally-themed cultural events, K-12 and post-secondary s t u d e n t e x c h a n g e p r o g a m s , professional exchange opportunities, lectures and presentations.

Arts and Culture Partnerships

The ASCA works with partner arts and cultural organizations to create and expand performing and visual artist exchanges, shared exhibitions, cultural linkages, and partnerships.

E c o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t Opportunities

Business and corporate involvement i s f u n d a m e n t a l t o A S C A ` s programming. ASCA promotes and facilitates open dialogue between Arlington business professionals and their counterparts in our Sister Cities through organizations such as Arlington Economic Development and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

Global Tourism and Visitation

ASCA collaborates with our Sister Cities and community organizations t o i n c r e a s e j o i n t t o u r i s m opportunities, exploring the idea that we live in a global environment. ASCA invites residents of our Sister Cities to come and enjoy everything our community has to offer.

If you are interested in getting involved, why not become a member?

For more information on becoming a member, visit the ASCA website:www.ArlingtonSisterCity.org

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Members of the ASCA Board meet with Mayor Linden of Aachen, Germany, in City Hall - July 2006

From the Chair: continued from front cover

This cross-fertilization between city programs is a trend which I hope will continue. Three Arlington County ESL teachers will spend several weeks in San Miguel, teaching English to students and sharing teaching strategies and techniques with their Salvadoran colleagues. A young men’s soccer team will play several matches in El Salvador, strengthening the bonds of friendly rivalry that were established last summer. And in August, we will once again have a booth at the Arlington County Fair. I hope that our members and supporters will stop by to say “Hello,” and bring their friends and neighbors along to learn about our association.

We also expect several international visitors: Alcalde (Mayor) Salgado from San Miguel will pay us an official visit in late summer, when he will complete the signing of the Arlington-San Miguel Sister City Agreement. Oberbuergermeister (Lord Mayor) Linden of Aachen will visit Arlington on an informal trip. I remember the speech he gave five years ago, in Reims, France, on the occasion of the signing of the A r l i n g t o n - R e i m s S i s t e r C i t y Agreement (Aachen and Reims also have a sister city relationship with each other). He, a representative of a country which within the lifetimes of some of us was at war with both France and the US, spoke movingly of the need for reconciliation and b r o t h e r h o o d a c r o s s n a t i o n a l boundaries.

After serving for many years at the head of the Aachen government, he has decided not to run for re-election; he will be missed. I hope many of his friends here in Arlington will be able to pay him our farewells.

Stay tuned; stay safe; think globally; act locally!

Karl

Student Exchange Program Needs Volunteers

The County has approved a middle school exchange between the College (middle school) Schuman in Reims and all six of Arlington's middle schools. This is a very exciting expansion of one of the ASCA’s most popular programs.

The first visit will be in early 2010, with up to 28 students from Reims coming to stay with Arlington middle school families. Arlington students will visit Reims in the 2010-2011 school year. Volunteers are being sought to organize and run this program. Please contact Arlington-Reims Sister City Committee President Charles Daris at cldaris@gmail.com, or telephone 703 536-3408.

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Members of soccer teams from Arlington and San Miguel before competing in the first ever soccer match between the two cities, in Arlington - September 2007

Please Note:

The Arlington Sister Cities Community

Picnic scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, 2009 has been

postponed (and tentatively rescheduled to Spring 2010) due to a scheduling conflict

Friendship Blossoms with a Ukrainian City continued from page 3

In addition, the group visited the US Ukraine Foundation, the Library of Congress, toured Washington D.C. and Arlington Cemetery as well as nearby attractions such as Mount Vernon. Throughout the visit, the Embassy of Ukraine provided generous support. A farewell dinner was graciously hosted by ASCA President Sandra MacDonald at her home and enabled Arlington’s new Ukrainian friends to mingle with and get better acquainted with ASCA board members and other guests from the community.

Ivano-Frankivsk has a population of 230,000 people, very similar to Arlington’s 205,000. Beside size, both cities are economically vibrant, p r o g r e s s i v e a n d i n c l u s i v e communities that foster a high quality o f l i f e t h rough the i r s t rong commitment to the arts and culture, education, civic engagement and maintaining a healthy citizenry through participation in outdoor activities. Also like Arlington, Ivano-Frankivsk is a noted cultural center and the friendship agreement opens the way for exciting exchanges – Ivano-Frankivsk is a center for folk culture and performances by its many m u s i c a l e n s e m b l e s o f f e r s opportunities for learning more about Ukraine’s rich cultural traditions.

Established in 1993, the Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Arlington County, Virginia. ASCA works to enhance and promote the region`s international profile and,

also, to foster productive exchanges in education, commerce, culture and the arts. ASCA programs are

s a n c t i o n e d b y S i s t e r C i t i e s International of Washington, D.C. Locally, the ASCA supports and

coordinates four local Sister Cities programs and provides guidance for those interested in establishing new Sister Cities programs. Current sister

city partnerships include: Aachen, Germany; Coyoacan, Mexico; Reims, France; and San Miguel, El Salvador.

For additional information or to find out how you can help build the Arlington Ivano-Frankivsk sister city

r e l a t i o n s h i p , p l e a s e v i s i t www.arlingtonsistercity.org

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ASCA members meeting with the mayor of Ivano Frankivsk and community representatives in June 2008

Members of the ASCA trip to Ukraine with our hosts in Ivano Frankivsk

ASCA Annual Reception and Membership Meeting

By Sandra MacDonald

The May 18th ASCA annual reception and membership meeting was well-attended by 60+ members and guests with the auditorium of the Central Library serving as an ideal spot for presentations on ASCA act iv i t ies fo l lowed by socia l reception.

The crowd was welcomed by the H o n o r a b l e B a r b a r a F a v o l a , Chairman, Arlington County Board, who noted the importance of citizen groups like the ASCA in promoting Arlington's image as a global community. After minutes of the 2008 meeting were reviewed and a p p r o v e d , K a r l Va n N e w k i r k presented the treasurer's report and each committee president provided u p d a t e s o n t h e i r a c t i v i t i e s . Highlights of the sister ci ty committee reports included:

* New middle school student exchange program in the planning stages by the Reims committee

* Friendship agreement just signed with Ivano-Frankivsk

* Partnership agreement with San Miguel to be signed on June 30 during the visit of Mayor Will Salgado

* Largest group of US high schools in several years is planning to travel to Aachen this summer.

* Anticipated visit by Aachen Mayor Linden in July.

* The Coyoacan committee has launched a new series of program activities with an exchange of children's art this summer.

Twelve volunteers were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to ASCA over the past year. These included:

Diana Paez-Cook for three years of excellent management of the ASCA

International Internship Program

Claremont Principal Cintia Johnson for her energy and support in the 2009 children’s art exchange with Coyoacan Libia Labardini for her support and encouragement of the Arlington-Coyoacan relationship

Jennifer Wright for her dedication and energy orchestrating the highly

successful 2009 Aachen high school exchange

Cindy Zavala for her amazing productivity and representational skills as Miss Sister City, Arlington-San Miguel 2008-2009

Mauricio Correas for organizing and implementing the well-received 2008 San Miguel youth soccer exchange

M a r i t z a S a d o w s k y f o r t h e wonderful entertainment provided at

the 2008 ASCA Holiday Party and for working with the children from Jamestown in preparing a musical program for the May 2009 Ivano-Frankivsk tree planting ceremony

Michael Henry for generating the new series of ASCA website photo albums that depict our activities so well

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ASCA members picnic during the association’s 2006 bike trip through Bordeaux, France

Sister Regina Joseph for her strong support creating and implementing the new high school exchange between Bishop O’Connell and Jeanne XXIII in Reims, France

Joan McCarty for her dedication and support to organizing and sustaining the new high school exchange between Bishop O’Connell and Jeanne XXIII in Reims, France

Margarita Cruz for her many years o f s e r v i c e t o t h e A r l i n g t o n community and the Arlington-Reims relationship by supporting the annual high school exchange program with Reims

Elizabeth Schoellart for her many years of service to the Arlington community and the Arlington-Reims relationship by supporting the annual

high school exchange program with Reims

The program concluded with board elections and selection of new officers for 2009/2010.

Board members reelected for new terms were Harry Amos, Wade Gregory, John Melnick, Jose Pineda and Karl VanNewkirk. Newly elected board members were Heitham Ghariani and Amalio Escobar.

Mr. Ghariani has been working with the Arlington Sister City Association board of directors to strengthen the membership development capacity of the ASCA. Mr. Escobar attended primary school in Coyoacan and is assisting that committee in its efforts to strengthen Arlington's relationship with this early ASCA partner.

The new ASCA officers for 2009-2010 include:

Chairman - Karl VanNewkirk

Vice Chairman - Michael Ely

Treasurer - John Kun

Secretary - Liz Veatch

President, San Miguel - Oscar Amaya

President, Coyoacan - Jessica Cogen

President, Reims - Chuck Daris

President, Aachen - Carl Lankowski

President, Ivano-Frankivsk - Chrystia

Sonevytsky

Please check our website for upcoming opportunities to meet our o f f i c e r s a n d m e m b e r s : www.arlingtonsistercity.org.

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Aachen students, leaders, and local students pose in front of a blossoming cherry tree at Arlington National Cemetery, April 2009

ARLINGTON SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FORM

Please support the Arlington Sister City Association by sending us a check with your membership dues. We are asking for a contribution of $25 for individuals and $40 for families. This annual collection of dues is the way we maintain the support for important programs. As a member of the ASCA, you will be invited to participate in our programs and to attend receptions, cultural activities, membership meetings, and to receive our newsletter.

(FY10 annual memberships run from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010)

Name: _______________________________

Address: ________________________________

City: _______________ State: _____ Zip:________

Home Phone: ___________ Work phone: ____________

Email: _________________________

Enclosed are my/our FY 2010 membership dues for $__________

Enclosed is a contribution to the Ruth White Scholarship Fund: $ _________(This fund provides scholarships for deserving Arlington students in need of financial support to participate in ASCA exchange programs.)

Enclosed is an unrestricted contribution in the amount of ___$50 __$75 ___$100 _____other

Total enclosed: $ ________

*Membership dues and contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

My (our) primary areas of interest are: (Please check those that apply)

_____ Arts & Culture Events _____ Business relations _____ Membership development

_____ Hosting Visitors _____ Student Exchanges _____ Community Relations

_____ Publicity and outreach _____ Fundraising _____ Coyoacán, Mexico _____ Reims, France_____ San Miguel, El Salvador _____ Aachen, Germany _____ Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine

Please return to: Arlington Sister City Association c/o Chris Williams

Cultural Affairs Division3700 S. Four Mile Run Dr.

Arlington, VA 22206

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BECOME AN ASCA MEMBER!The Arlington Sister City Association (ASCA) is a gateway to an international network of cultural, educational, and business opportunities. If you are interested in working to support peaceful, constructive dialogue and exchange between Arlington and its Sister Cities, please consider membership!

Individuał/Family. Join Arlington County residents and support the Arlington Sister City Association with your membership contribution of $25 for individuals and $40 for families. As a member of the ASCA, you are among the first to be notified of upcoming community events and programs which may interest you, your family, and your friends and neighbors. You will be invited to participate in our programs and to attend receptions, cultural activities, membership meetings, and will receive our newsletter.

Corporate Sponsorship. Join Arlington County businesses, private citizens and local government in sponsoring ASCA programs. Your tax-deductible contribution ($500 for gold sponsors and $250 for silver sponsors) will support important ASCA programs such as student exchanges, community educational events, and internship programs. Your business name and/or logo will be printed on all ASCA publications, including our newsletter, brochure, website, and event announcements. In addition, your business will be invited to display promotional material and sign-up sheets for people seeking further information at our membership meetings and other public events.

Group Membership (10 or more). Diplomatic missions, non-profits, international corporations and other entities whose staff, clients, and/or volunteers may be interested in attending ASCA events or participating in our exchange programs are encouraged to join as a Group Member. For a Group membership fee of $250, up to ten employees, staff, and volunteers associated with your organization or business may be added to our membership list. The tax-deductible contribution of $250 will support important ASCA programs such as student exchanges, community educational events, and internship programs, and you will be invited to display promotional material and sign-up sheets for people seeking further information at our membership meetings and other public events. 

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Arlington Sister City Associationc/o Arlington Cultural Affairs3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive

Arlington, VA 22206