Sister City Application

Purpose

The City of Elk Grove became a member of Sister Cities International (SCI) in 2009. SCI is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network seeking stronger economic and cultural ties at the municipal level between US and international communities. The City of Elk Grove is open to establishing sister city relationships that promote understanding and foster relationships among individuals, communities, and cities of the world through cultural, economic, educational and humanitarian activities in conjunction with local sponsoring affiliation organizations.

The City of Elk Grove has established a reasoned and systematic approach to establishing sister city partnerships between Elk Grove and cities in other parts of the world. The City has developed criteria and procedures for selecting and affiliating with a prospective sister city.

City of Elk Grove Sister Cities

Criteria

Elk Grove can develop a sister city relationship with another city for reasons including, but not limited to historical, governmental, educational or humanitarian purposes. The ideal sister city relationship is based upon two cities having similarities on which activities and exchanges can be built. The key criteria for selection include:

Citizens in both cities demonstrating an interest in affiliating
Governments in both cities demonstrating an interest in affiliating
A sponsor affiliation organization, or advocate group, interested in supporting the relationship between the two cities
The ability of the citizens of both cities to communicate with each other
The ability of citizens of both cities to travel to the other respective city
Capability for activities between the two cities to be developed in numerous areas such as cultural, educational, medical, governmental, economic, and humanitarian
Evidence that the relationship would be sustainable over time.

Sister City Application Process

Step 1: Application is Received

New applications are reviewed by city staff to ensure a complete package; staff will coordinate with the applicant until the package is complete;
Staff will then route the proposal to other departments to prepare an internal analysis report to accompany the proposal during the Committee/Council review
Staff will coordinate with members of the Sister Cities subcommittee to schedule a review meeting

Step 2: Application Reviewed by Sister City Multicultural Subcommittee

If approved, the proposal moves to review by the full membership of the Multicultural Committee
If denied by the subcommittee, staff will provide notification explaining the criteria for denial to the applicant
Denial may be appealed to the full membership of the Multicultural Committee at their regular monthly meeting

Step 3: Final Review by Full Multicultural Committee

If approved, the application advances to the City Council for a presentation at one of their monthly meetings
If denied, the application process and review ceases

Step 4: Recommendation presented to City Council

MC Committee Members, City Staff, and representatives of the applicant would present their recommendation to City Council for deliberation/action
If the application is approved, the applicant and the City will begin the work necessary to develop the Sister City agreement
If denied by the City Council, the application and review process ceases

Process for Establishing a New Sister City Relationship

Parties interested in starting a sister city relationship must provide a written proposal that addresses the questions below. Submission of a proposal does not guarantee that Elk Grove will enter into a sister city relationship. The following definitions are used for the purpose of this program:

Sponsoring Affiliation Organization:

An Elk Grove organization that will manage the sister city relationship. The organization must be based in Elk Grove, and either designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501c3 non-profit and registered with the California Secretary of State or have a fiscal agent that meets the same requirement.

Initiator:

The initiator makes a presentation to the City's Multicultural Committee showing there is sufficient volunteers willing to take responsibility for establishing a relationship (i.e. a list of individuals, local organizations, and institutions that support the partnership) and affirms, before the Committee and the City Council, a willingness to fundraise for the maintenance of the partnership, and provides evidence that the proposed City is also willing to maintain a relationship.

Sister City:

A city that has a formal relationship with Elk Grove recognized by a Sister City Agreement.

Sister City Agreement:

A memorandum of understanding between Elk Grove and another city outlining the terms of the sister city relationship.

Sponsor Affiliation Agreement:

A memorandum of understanding between the City and a sponsoring affiliation organization outlining the requirements for managing the sister city relationship.

Application

Tell us about the Proposed Sister City

Name of Proposed Sister City and Location

Name and Title of Highest Elected Official

Tell us about the Sponsoring Organization

The sponsoring affiliation organization must demonstrate sufficient Elk Grove resident volunteer involvement willing to take on full responsibility for establishing a firm long-term relationship. Volunteer support should reflect a commitment from a minimum of three Elk Grove residents, preferably from more than one household.

Name of primary Initiator of Sponsoring Affiliation Organization

Phone Number

Email Address

Address

Does the sponsoring affiliation organization have a name?

Is it a non-profit organization?

How many members are in this organization?

Does the sponsoring affiliation organization have any experience with Sister City Programs?

List residents and/or businesses that are committed to participating in this Sister City relationship

Name

Resident/Business #1

Phone Number

Email

Name

Resident/Business #2

Phone Number

Email

Name

Resident/Business #3

Phone Number

Email

What is the goal of the sponsoring affiliation organization in establishing a sister city relationship?

What outcomes do you hope to see as a result of a sister city relationship?

In general, what benefits and or challenges do you anticipate or expect in developing this sister city relationship?

Are there local residents who speak the language and culture of the proposed city/country that would be available for translating and interpreting?

How would your organization involve volunteers and encourage community participation in the sister city relationship?

About the Proposed Sister City

Explain the proposed city’s governing structure

Is there an established contact person within the governmental structure or an established liaison group to work with the sister cities programs? If yes, please provide contact information (name and email address). Include the background and how the relationship developed.

Does the proposed sister city have another relationship with a U.S. City? If yes, where is the sister city located?

Does the foreign community have sister cities in other countries and are they successful?

What is the population, geographic location (i.e. mountains, desert, lake, port, etc.) and demographics of the community?

Share the community’s cultural and civic expertise: (i.e. art programs, sports teams, hospitals, media, festivals, community events, etc.)

Provide information on the community’s education system: (i.e. graduation rate for high school and college students, universities, technical, or training institutions)

Tell us about the community’s economics and tourism. What are its primary industries and products? Is it a destination for visitors?

What, if any, humanitarian issues exist within the city?

What benefits does the community expect to receive from a sister city relationship with Elk Grove?

Include a letter of interest from the highest ranking official from the proposed city with your application.