Recognizing the Achievements of 2007
 |
For more than 40 years, Sister Cities International has recognized the accomplishments of outstanding community and individual sister city programs who promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. Award winning programs are selected by a distinguished panel of 5 judges chosen from diverse backgrounds in international affairs and knowledge of citizen diplomacy.
Awards are based on achievements made in 2007. Awards will be presented during the Sister Cities International 2008 Annual Conference in Kansas City, Missouri on Friday, July 18, 2008.
NOTE: THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED FOR 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
Eligibility
All applicants must be an exemplary model of a sister city program and meet the following criteria:
- Be a current dues-paying member of Sister Cities International
- Have at least one formally recognized sister city partnership
- Have signature approval of the overall sister city program chair.
- Submit entries for programs only conducted in the year 2007.
- Please note: If a community has won in the Innovation Awards, Disability Advocacy, or Volunteer of the Year categories in 2007, they are not eligible to apply for the same category in 2008.
All applications must include these three items to be eligible:
- Enter on-line entry form submitted by the chair of the overall program endorsing the entry.
Note: Entry Form will be available online in a few weeks.
- Mail a CD to the Sister Cities International offices formatted for compatibility with a PC which should include:
- Supporting Materials, including photographs in digital format, newspaper articles and press releases. (Note information must be submitted on a CD only not a DVD or other form)
- Supporting Materials, including photographs in digital format, newspaper articles and press releases. (Note information must be submitted on a CD only not a DVD or other form)
- $50 application fee (There must be an application fee for EACH category entered.)
Evaluating Your Entry
A panel of judges with experience in international affairs and sister city programs will review all entries and select award recipients. Judges must be able to clearly understand the goals and accomplishments of your local program. Tell your story as though you are presenting your entry to a person unfamiliar with your sister city program. The panel of judges will convene to review all eligible entries and make final decisions. Judges reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the eligibility criteria. All participants will be notified of the results in writing. Each winning community will be awarded a one-year complimentary Global Membership of a sister city of their choosing.
Deadline
All entries must be postmarked by April 15, 2008. Applications postmarked after April 15 will not be accepted. No Exceptions! Tel: 202-347-8630 ext 8636, email: Jdoumas@sister-cities.org Forward all entries to:
Sister Cities International
ATTN: Annual Awards Program
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
Award Categories
Best Overall Program Awards
The Best Overall Program Awards recognize sister city programs demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in advancing the goals and mission of the sister cities movement. This award recognizes the overall program, including all of your sister city partnerships and affiliations. Awards are presented to six communities and are segmented by population size:
- Less than 25,000
- 25,000 to 50,000
- 50,000 to 100,000
- 100,000 to 300,000
- 300,000 to 500,000
- Greater than 500,000
- A statement of the overall program goal for 2007.
- A description of how the program achieved its goals in 2007.
- A brief description of the sister city organization and how it is structured (i.e., board, staff, committees, finances, fundraising, relationship with city hall).
- A description of how specific programs and activities were chosen and implemented.
- A description of the benefits derived from the sister city program.
Innovation Awards
The Innovation Awards recognize outstanding sister cities programs in four areas. Up to three awards are presented for each program area recognizing the accomplishments of communities with populations under 100,000, 100,000 - 500,000 and over 500,000.
- Arts & Culture
- Projects that relate to art exchanges, sport exchanges, performances or other cultural exchanges.
- Projects that relate to art exchanges, sport exchanges, performances or other cultural exchanges.
- Humanitarian Assistance
- Projects that relate to disaster recovery, aid, or other humanitarian assistance.
- Projects that relate to disaster recovery, aid, or other humanitarian assistance.
- Sustainable Development
- Projects that relate to economic development, environment, healthcare, municipal cooperation, public safety, or technology/communication.
- Projects that relate to economic development, environment, healthcare, municipal cooperation, public safety, or technology/communication.
- Youth & Education
- Projects that relate to youth and/or education.
- Projects that relate to youth and/or education.
For Innovation Awards, the entry CD must include the following items, in addition to complying with the standard regulations:
- A description of the objectives and why the project was chosen.
- A description of the specific activities undertaken for the project.
- An outline of the funding and the fundraising events completed for the project.
- An outline of community groups and organizations involved with this project (i.e. how did they partner with your program and how were their services utilized in carrying out the project?)
- A description of the benefits derived from the project.
- A summary of any plans to continue the project.
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year Award honors one exemplary volunteer for contribution to the sister city movement. It recognizes the leadership and talent that benefits local sister city programs and the larger sister city network. A CD must include the following in addition to complying with the standard regulations:
- A summary about the history of the nominee's involvement in the local sister city program and the community.
- A description of why the nominee should be recognized as the Volunteer of the Year.
Disability Advocacy Award
The award recognizes one innovative sister city project that provides people with disabilities the opportunity to participate inclusively. The entry CD must include the following items, in addition to complying with the standard regulations:
- A description of the objectives and why the project was chosen.
- A description of the specific activities undertaken for the project.
- An outline of the funding and fundraising events completed for the project.
- An outline of community programs and organizations involved with this project (e.g. how did they partner with your program and how were their services utilized in carrying out the project?)
- A description of the benefits derived from the project.
- A summary of any plans to continue the project.