GLOBAL TIES U.S. HIGHLIGHTS
2018 NATIONAL MEETING
Over 1,000 attendees converged on the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC from February 7-10 for our signature annual event. Relive the experience and get a sneak peek of what to expect at 2019 National Meeting.
NEW LEADERS & STAFF
This year, we saw several changes to our staff and board. In April, we welcomed Katherine Brown, Ph.D. as our new President and CEO. She was followed by Michelle Utter, Program Associate for Office Operations, and Ukeme Falade, Director of Finance and Operations. In addition, we welcomed three members to our Board of Directors: Anna Aleman, Martin Baier, and Patricia Harrison, Ph.D.
OUR EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
The Police Professionalization Exchange Program (PPEP) entered its second year of training and capacity-building for Mexican law enforcement agents, reaching over 1,000 participants. In addition to in-person exchange and training opportunities in the U.S. and Mexico, the PPEP en linea courses were enhanced through Virtual Exchange Weeks to further support knowledge and relationship building between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officers. PPEP will continue into 2020.
FY 2017 BENCHMARK REPORT
Released in November, the Benchmark Reports for FY 2017 assess the organizational growth and development of our Community-Based Members who implement the International Visitor Leadership Program. At a broad level, FY 2017 accomplishments include:
- Turning $8.6 million in federal funds to $80.7 million
- Engaging 38,419 volunteers in 630,000 hours of service
- Hosting 11,204 participants for home hospitality dinners
- Spending 79,798 hours in professional meetings
The report is available for Global Ties U.S. members to view and download.
NATIONAL PROGRAMMERS WORKSHOP
On November 8, we hosted the annual National Programmers Workshop at the Marriott Georgetown Hotel for our National Program Agencies based in Washington, DC. Over 200 representatives from IVLP-implementing National Program Agencies and the U.S. Department of State gathered to share best practices on exchange programming and discuss the future of the IVLP.
DIPLOMACY BEGINS HERE
Another year is in the books for the Diplomacy Begins Here Regional Summits and Learning Labs. In partnership with the U.S. Department of State and our Community-Based Members, the three Summits and Learning Labs hosted in Cleveland, OH; Charlotte, NC; and Miami, FL helped build and deepen the connection between diplomatic and local American communities. Read more
THE REAL AMBASSADORS
In case you missed it: We were in The Economist this summer! The publication featured an article highlighting two representatives of our Community-Based Members and the work of our Network in hosting approximately 5,000 international visitors each year. Read the original article
NETWORK DC
This year, we hosted eight representatives of our Community-Based Members for the weeklong Network DC exchange program, which introduces leaders and newcomers to the Global Ties Network to counterparts in Washington, DC, and is an opportunity to present their city and state as ideal destinations for IVLP participants:
- Heidi Whitman, Program Officer, Global Ties Arkansas
- Kelsey Maher, Manager of International Programs and Events, Northern California World Trade Center-Sacramento
- Laura Duncan, Visitor Program Manager, World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana
- Rebecca Bextel, Executive Director, Global Ties Wyoming
- Anna Emery, International Visitor Program Manager, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth
- Janet Kenney, Chairwoman, Springfield Commission on International Visitors
- Carole Schroeder, Executive Director, Idaho Council for International Visitors
- Emily Xouris, Program Associate & IVLP Coordinator, Global Ties KC
TRIBUTE
This year, we said farewell to several members of the Global Ties Network:
RETIREMENT
IN MEMORIAM
- Maura O’Donnell-McCarthy (1957-2018), Cleveland Council on World Affairs
- Bill Yarnall (1940-2018), Global Ties ABQ
- Dolores Mather (1930-2018), Lincoln Council for International Visitors