VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Jacksonville Sister Cities Association has many projects underway, and we encourage you to volunteer to help with any activity which interests you! Please review the opportunities below and reach out to the contact listed for each project. It's a fun way to get involved in international affairs.
SCI 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Sister Cities International (SCI) – the parent organization of JSCA – will hold its 2012 Annual Conference from July 11-13, 2012 at the Hyatt Riverfront in downtown Jacksonville. More than 500 Sister City members from chapters around the world will participate in meetings and networking. JSCA needs 100 volunteers to assist at the event, doing everything from staffing a help desk to providing directions at the hotel, to picking up VIPs at the airport and serving as translators. CONTACT: Doug Coleman at colemanjacksonville@gmail.com or phone (904) 607-3429.450th ANNIVERSARY FRENCH CELEBRATION
On May 1, 2012, Jacksonville will commemorate the 450th anniversary of French Hugeonot Captain Jean Ribault's arrival in Northeast Florida and the beginning of French history in Florida. The JSCA Nantes (France) Sister Cities Committee will assist the City of Jacksonville with the celebration. CONTACT: Ginny Walthour at (904) 630-2518 or email Walthour@coj.netWORLD OF NATIONS CELEBRATION
Each year, JSCA has a booth at the Jacksonville's annual World of Nations celebration at Metro Park. We need JSCA members to staff the booth and share information about our organization with people of all ages who attend this family event from May 4-6, 2012. CONTACT: Luz Font at jaxluz@gmail.com.SAN JUAN-JACKSONVILLE SAILING REGATTA
The JSCA San Juan (Puerto Rico) Committee is planning a major sailing regatta between Jacksonville and San Juan in 2013. The "Sister Cities Challenge" will reverse Ponce de Leon's historic journey of 1514, sailing from the mouth of the St. Johns River to San Juan. The vessels will then make the return trip to Jacksonville, accompanied by Tall Ships. The committee is looking for volunteers to assist with planning, facilities, publicity, sponsorships and related elements. CONTACT: Manuel Llueberas at lluberas@bellsouth.net or phone (904) 998-8124.STUDENT EXCHANGE GROUND TRANSPORTATION
High school students from our Sister Cities regularly visit Jacksonville to stay with local families, attend school and experience life as an American teenager. We often need drivers to take these students to events, so if you have a car or SUV and would like to meet other JSCA members and students from overseas, this is a great volunteer opportunity to help these young people get around. Dates and needs vary. CONTACT: Alice Hill at hilla@duvalschools.org or phone 904-247-5905, ext. 1603.ASIA NIGHT CELEBRATION
JSCA is looking to plan a celebration of Asian culture in Jacksonville in 2012. Dates and details are still being discussed but it is likely an evening event with music, food and entertainment. Volunteers are welcome to help plan the event. CONTACT: Sheng Zhang at shengzhang09@gmail.com.SEPTEMBER 11 PEACE CONCERT
To celebrate the hope for world peace, each year on September 11 JSCA partners with UNF to host a free "Peace Concert" at the St. Johns Cathedral in downtown Jacksonville. Adult and student choirs perform with a reception to follow, with several hundred people attending each year. JSCA needs volunteers to help plan the reception and serve as ushers at the event. CONTACT: Robert Peek at Robert.peek@jaxport.com or phone (904) 357-3047.COMMITTEE EVENTS
Throughout the year, the programming committees for each of Jacksonville's eight Sister Cities plan a number of events focused on the business, cultural or educational offerings of their respective cities. If you have an interest in one city in particular, please reach out to these contacts to learn more:Bahia Blanca (Argentina): Alice Hill (alicehill@hotmail.com) or Luz Font (jaxluz@gmail.com)
Curitiba (Brazil) : Alan Vinson (amvinson@bellsouth.net)
Changwon City (South Korea): Shung Kim (shungkim@aol.com)
Murmansk (Russia): Muriel Whelchel (dwelc3526@gmail.com)
Nantes (France): Joanne Davis (davisj4@duvalschools.org) or Francis Boyer (fmboyer@yahoo.com)
Ningbo, Shaoxing, Suzhou, Yingkou (China): Sheng Zhang (shengzhang09@gmail.com)
Nelson Mandela Bay (South Africa): Ron Johnson (ronald.johnson@sba.gov)
San Juan (Puerto Rico): Ellia Pico (eepico54@att.net)
