Oakland Schools Global Trade Mission Success

Each year IVC Detroit provides sponsorship to assist Faris Alami and his coordination of the Global Trade Mission for Oakland Schools. Faris reports that this year’s March 2012 involvement was at an all time high and included 167 registered students. He is always happy that IVC Detroiters offer their expertise. Again this year Board Members Rona Lum & Molly Swart along with Program Coordinator Imke Baumann generously assisted Faris with his prize winning global trade mission.

For more information please visit the Global Trade Mission website or Facebook page.

Film Festival Meet and Greet

The Film Festival Meet & Greet held on Monday, March 19th was a unique and well received IVC Detroit event. IVC Detroit welcomed a capacity crowd along with press and official photographers. It was enjoyed by a diverse audience that included: Judge Craig Strong, Millie Hall, Consul of Switzerland Walter Wegmueller from Comerica and his wife Doreen, along with the Honorary Consul of the Dominican Republic Dr. Freddy Sosa & Josie Sosa, Board Member Connie Hogan, Ihab & Reem Zaki, Nader Hamadeh, etc, etc. Besides DTE Energy’s sponsorship secured by Fouad Ashkar the State Department provided a small stipend for the event. On Monday morning Christos Moisides hosted a roundtable discussion at Greektown Fishbones for the film delegation including filmmakers Sue Marx & Brenda Rosenberg. Later Christos arranged for the group to visit Raleigh Studios. Tuesday the film professionals attended sessions led by Robert Young III, representatives from the Detroit Film Critic Society, and Detroit Future Media Youth Programs. The visitor from Saudi Arabia thought Detroit far surpassed his expectations!

NCIV National Meeting 2012

The 2012 NCIV National Meeting took place February 15-18, 2012, in Washington, DC. The annual NCIV National Meeting has long served as an opportunity to exchange ideas, develop knowledge, and cultivate skills in support of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other exchanges. The IVC Detroit chapter was well represented by a contingent of 5 members comprised of staff and board members.

 
Interesting highlights of the conference included:

• Pre-meeting Capacity Building Workshop with Gail Perry designed to provide attendees with tips and guidance on crafting an effective message about citizen diplomacy
• NCIV Luncheon with the Ambassadors featuring the opportunity for America’s citizen diplomats to network with Washington’s official diplomatic community. In addition, the Keynote Speaker for the Luncheon was Senator John McCain
• NCIV Breakfast on the Hill attended by staffers from Senator Stabenow’s and Senator Levin’s office. In addition, IVC Detroit’s Program Coordinator Imke Baumann, was able to secure Congressman Hansen Clarke as one of only four Congressional Speakers at the Breakfast

The conference attendance was close to 600 and the informative sessions included topics on fund-raising ideas and diverse sources of funding, collaboration with governmental leaders both locally and nationally, regional reports of U.S. Department activities etc. In addition, IVC Detroit staff and Board members attended Receptions at the State Department and various foreign embassies.

For more information, please visit the NCIV website: http://www.nciv.org/National-Meeting/national-meeting.html

IVC Detroit Russian Cultural Dinner at the Royal Eagle

Twinkling lights, minarets gleaming in the moonlight and elegant Christmas décor greeted IVC Detroit members & guests as they strolled along the gated walkway of the Royal Eagle Restaurant on the grounds of St Sabbas Orthodox Monastery. Welcoming attendees at the door were staff donning embroidered gowns and vintage crescent headdresses. This intriguing setting was the scenery of IVC’s SOLD OUT yuletide dinner on Tuesday evening December 6^th celebrating Russia. On display at the Royal Eagle are antique silver samovars along with portraits of the Romanovs. Many IVC guests including Japan’s Consul General Matsuda and his wife Baoko, Crain’s Mary Kramer with attorney William Volz and  Patrick Kerzic & Stephanie Germack  Kerzic were delighted to discover this unique venue unknown to them  prior to  IVC Detroit‘s cultural dinner.  Margaret Dobrowitsky and her guests along with Wyatt Sweeney‘s guests were duly impressed with the ambience & Russian cuisine featuring  caviar, Russian breads, Ukrainian borscht, stroganoff and delicious apple strudel. Bev & Tony Fritz encouraged their guests Gloria & Ed Freeland to tour the Monastery after dinner guided by the charismatic Abbott who gave a history and explanation of the icons housed in the vault of the Monastery.  Py & Jim Wolfe celebrated an early Christmas attending the event along with Judy Kebl, Russian interpreter Irina Jesionowski, Sheryl Kammer (IVC‘s “official photographer” for the event), Bobbie Chapman and Martha Neumann, DTE’s Karen Mitchell, Dianne Healy-Clauss & Carey Chappel, and  Joan & Dan Haddad. Many thanks to Board Members: Fern Espino, Connie Hogan, Lady Susan Willis-Reickert, Rona Lum, Sophia Ellis, Fouad Ashkar, Barb Browne, & Gary Marcicano for supporting IVC’s yuletide cultural dinner.

NCIV Midwest Regional Conference

Each year the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) holds two Regional Meetings to provide an informal environment where participants may explore networking and training opportunities. These meetings focus on strengthening programming capabilities, developing management skills, and growing organizations. NCIV hosted its 2011 Midwestern Regional Meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota on August 24-26, attracting representatives of Councils for International Visitors, National Program Agencies and the Office of International Visitors, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. IVC Detroit representatives Imke Baumann and Connie Hogan attended the meeting. 

Highlights of the conference included:

• Concurrent and plenary sessions that provided excellent knowledge of U.S. public diplomacy and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, understanding of current U.S. foreign policy and its impact on local communities, and how to strengthen the programming skills of NCIV members, their public sector partners, and other leaders in the field of international exchanges.
• Opening reception at Mount Rushmore with a presentation by the Hon. George McGovern.
• Dinner hospitality in the homes of volunteers in Rapid City.
• Excellent opportunities to network with colleagues.
• Optional trips to Historic Deadwood and the Black Hills.

Photos of the NCIV Midwest Regional Conference

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