Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Sister City?
A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A partnership is officially recognized when the highest elected appointed official from both communities signs off on the sister cities agreement. A city can have any number of sister cities, and sister city organizations include representatives from nonprofits, municipal governments, the private sector, and civic organizations.
How can I get involved?
How can I create a new Sister City?
Sister Cities International recognizes a sister city relationship when mayors or highest elected officials from the two communities sign an agreement to become sister cities, although many cities have their own requirements. You should first contact your local sister city organization and talk to them about their process. Usually a group will first contact the mayor/city government to see if they are open to the possibility of a new relationship.
what impact do sister cities have?
Sister Cities promote peace worldwide on multiple levels—from providing students with their first opportunity to travel abroad and experience another culture, to creating valuable professional experiences and building connections between organizations. Sister Cities strengthen local and global communities, promote world peace, and bring tangible economic and social benefits to participating cities.
How can I find out what my sister cities are?
How do sister city relationships develop?
Sister city relationships develop from a number of sources, including but not limited to: preexisting mayoral relationships, trade relationships, historical connections, ancestral/demographic connections, expatriate communities, shared geographic/sector challenges, faith-based groups, and personal experiences ranging from study/work abroad to marriages.
Who runs sister city organizations and how are they structured?
How can I get involved with my local sister city organization?
I am from a city abroad. How can I form a sister city relationship with a city in the United States?
If you are a municipal employee/elected official, or are working directly with elected officials in your community, then please email us at membership@sistercities.org to let us know you are looking for a partner. Sister Cities International can promote your community to cities around the United States and connect you if there is interest in forming a relationship.
How do I set up a sister city organization for my city?
Do you provide funding for projects?
Can non-U.S. cities join Sister Cities International?
I don’t see one of our sister cities located on Sister Cities International’s directory or website. Why?
What is the difference between a “Sister City” and a “Friendship City”?
I am an individual located in X country/city, am I automatically a part of a Sister City organization?
No. If you have not contacted your local sister city organization before, you are not automatically part of their network. If you have attended any events through their local programming, you might be in their network. However, all sister city organizations have their own membership procedures. There might be fees and other conditions for being part of their network. Therefore, please contact your local organization to learn more about your current status.
Is there a sister city organization near me and how do I find my Sister City program information?
I didn't know I had to be a part of a sister city program to submit my artwork. Can I still submit without their approval?
No, all submissions must be coordinated with your local sister city program.
I am interested in hosting a competition within my local sister city program, how do I do this?
Is my school teacher my sister city contact?
Usually, your Sister City contact is different from your teacher. Almost all Sister City organizations designate one person to be the point of contact for the Showcase. However, if your teacher is directly involved with your local Sister City program, they can be your Sister City contact. Please clarify this with your local program before submitting your application form.
Can I provide my school email address when I am filing out the submission form?
No. Please do not provide a school-affiliated email address (.edu, k12.net, etc). Most school email addresses have a security function that prohibits us from contacting you. Our main contact method will be email. Therefore it is essential that you provide an email address you check regularly. Lastly, please do not forget to check your spam folder as our emails will be considered “external” and might not show in your inbox.
Do I need to send my artwork to the SCI National Office in Washington, DC?
No, all applications will be taken virtually. Winners will be asked to provide a physical copy of their artwork and will be contacted with further information in early summer 2025.
What do you mean by five submissions per category, per sister city?
Denver Sister Cities International wants to submit applications for YAAS 2025. They can submit the below amount of entries per category.
Denver, CO can submit a maximum 60 total entries:
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Classic Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Digital Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Photography Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Essay Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Poetry Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Original Music Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Classic Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Digital Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Photography Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Essay Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Poetry Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Original Music Showcase
Their sister city Brest, France can submit a maximum of 60 total entries:
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Classic Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Digital Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Photography Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Essay Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Poetry Showcase
- 5 entries in the 12-14 Original Music Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Classic Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Digital Art Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Photography Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Essay Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Poetry Showcase
- 5 entries in the 15-18 Original Music Showcase
So on and so forth for each of Denver, CO sister city programs.
I am an individual located in X Country/city, am I automatically part of a Sister City Organization?
No. If you have not contacted your local sister city organization before, you are not automatically part of their network. If you have attended any events through their local programming, you may be in their network. However, all sister city organizations have their own membership procedures. There might be fees and other conditions for being part of their network. Please contact your local organization to learn more about your current status.
How can I find my Sister City organization?
If you have any questions about your affiliation with a dues-paying member of Sister Cities International, please contact SCI Membership Manager, Ashleigh Manuel (amanuel@sistercities.org).
Can I provide my school email address when I am filling out the submission form?
No. Please do not provide a school-affiliated email address (.edu, k12.net, etc). Most school email addresses have a security function that prohibits us from contacting you. Our main contact method will be email. Therefore, it is essential that you provide an email address that you check regularly. Lastly, please do not forget to check your spam folder as our emails will be considered “external” and might not show in your inbox.
What is included in the summit fee?
The total summit fee includes lodging, cultural activities, food, and transportation while the student is in Washington, DC. The only cost not included is travel costs to and from Washington, DC.
How many students from each sister city program can apply?
There is not a limit on the number of students from a sister city program that can apply. We do not have a set number from each sister city program that will be accepted. Selection is based solely off of the overall applicant pool.
Is financial assistance available?
Sister Cities International does not currently provide financial assistance. Keep up with the SCI website for any potential funding opportunities. Local sister city organizations may have resources available.
How and when will applicants be notified of their acceptance?
Notification of acceptance will be sent out after the completion of the applicant selection process. If accepted, students will have two weeks to confirm or deny their participation. Participation will be confirmed by SCI receiving the full registration fee. If they do not confirm their spot within the two weeks, their acceptance will be revoked. Students will be notified of their application status by March 31, 2025.
Can I get a refund if I am unable to attend the summit after making the registration payment?
The summit fee is non-refundable once the payment has been processed. However, exceptions may be considered in cases of unforeseen circumstances, and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Can specific dietary requirements or medical needs be accommodated during the summit?
Yes. Participants with specific dietary requirements or medical needs should inform summit organizers upon acceptance. Accommodations will be made to the best extent possible.
Can parents or guardians accompany participants to the summit?
The Youth Leadership Summit is designed for students only. Parents or guardians are not expected to accompany participants during the program. Chaperones will be supervising students during their time in Washington, DC. Once the student is selected for the summit, parents and/or guardians will have time to virtually meet the chaperones.
When is the election?
After candidates have been certified by the Elections Committee of the Board of Directors, the candidates will be presented to Sister Cities International voters via electronic communications as well as postings on our website. Voting will be open for approximately six weeks prior to the Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas.
How will people vote?
Voters will be sent an electronic ballot on Friday, June 6, 2025, and must submit their electronic ballot by Tuesday, July 22, 2025, before midnight Central Time. Election winners will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Who are the voters?
Directors are elected by SCI’s member communities, with one or more representatives from each community serving as the voter(s)/delegate(s). Electronic ballots are sent to the voting delegate, or the primary contact SCI has on record, which is often either the President & CEO, Board Chair, or city liaison for a member community.
Is voting weighted?
Yes. Votes are weighted as either two, three, or four votes depending on the size of the community.
What information will be presented to voters?
Candidates’ answers to the narrative questions – bio, why you are running, skills and assets – will be provided to members. There will also be a virtual candidate forum conducted by the SCI State Representatives that will be posted on the Sister Cities International website.
When is the Annual Conference/Business Meeting?
The Annual Business Meeting will be on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas.
I cannot attend the Annual Business Meeting but would still like to run. Can I?
When will the results be announced?
Voting results will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Is there a Board orientation?
A Board orientation occurs on the day the new board members are elected.
Why are there term limits?
SCI’s Board of Directors has term limits to strive for a diverse board with a deliberate scheduled turnover of members in order to bring new ideas and keep the organization growing.
How many Directors serve on Sister Cities International’s Board?
There are up to twenty-seven (27) members of the Board of Directors, including the Chair, Immediate Past Chair (Chair Emeritus), twenty-one (21) At-Large Members, one Young Professional Representative, one State Representative, and two (2) members appointed by the Chair with the approval of the rest of the Board. The twenty-one (21) At-Large Directors serve three-year terms, with the other five serving two-year terms.
How is the Board structured?
The Executive Committee is composed of the Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and three (3) At-Large members. In addition to the Executive Committee, there are committees for Audit, Board Development, Finance, Fund Development, Governance, Human Resources, Membership, and Strategy & Programs. Committees include Directors, State Representatives, Honorary Board Members, or others appointed by the Board Chair. Ad hoc committees or task forces may also be created at the Chair’s discretion.
How are the Officers selected?
All officers (Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and the three (3) At-Large Executive Committee members) are elected each year, except for the Vice Chair, who is elected every other year and who assumes the position of Board Chair upon the expiration of the Chair’s term. Officers are elected by the Board during the first Board meeting of the newly elected board members (which is the second board meeting during the summer leadership meetings), following the election and appointment of new Directors.
What are the responsibilities of each Director?
Each Director agrees to attend in person or virtually four (4) Board meetings every year: two meetings at the Summer Leadership Meetings (plus the Annual Business Meeting usually held mid-July to early-August], one Fall Leadership Meeting, (usually in October with the location determined by the Board], and one at the Spring Leadership Meeting (usually in March in Washington, DC.] All dates and locations are subject to change. In addition, each Director must serve on at least one committee, which typically meets once per month via conference call, and which may include additional tasks depending on the committee. The Officers’ responsibilities can be found in Sister Cities International’s Bylaws.
What is the financial commitment?
Board members agree to make a minimum dues contribution of $2,500 at the beginning of each year served on the Board of Directors. Board member contributions are expected by September 1 of each year. Special payment options may be arranged with prior approval by the Board Chair. In addition, each Director is expected to bear the cost of travel, hotel, and incidental expenses for the four (4) annual Board meetings.
What are other commitments to be aware of?
Each Director must sign Sister Cities International’s Disclosure Statement, Conflict of Interest policy, and Code of Ethics upon assumption of Board duties.