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Our First Year

ANNUAL REPORT2017

Founded April 2016

La Cañada Flintridge City Officials sign

first Sister City Agreement

May 2017

1st Students to Washington D.C.

and Virginia Beach for International

Youth Conference

1st Delegation visit from Villanueva

de la Cañada July 2017

Visit:LCFsistercities.org

Over the past 61 years, the Sister Cities International network has united tens

of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in over 2,300 cities in 150 countries on six conti-nents. Sister Cities International Southern California Chap-ter connects over 170 cities in 50 countries with 40 cities in Southern California.

International Space Academy

to Launch in September 2018

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Our mission is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation

– one individual, one community at a

time. The La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities Association is an active volunteer organization that works to connect the La Cañada Flintridge community with friends around the world by fostering reciprocal cultural understanding.

• Striving for excellence in all we do.

• Respecting the partnership with the City of La Cañada Flintridge and our Sister Cities.

• Being innovative and inspirational.

• Promoting community involvement with passion, commitment and enthusiasm.

• Encouraging intellectual curiosity by thinking “what is possible” in our quest to continually grow.

• Operating with honesty and integrity.

• Fostering understanding among citizens of La Cañada Flintridge and other cultures of the world.

• Bringing people together.

• Having fun!

State Senator Anthony Portantino and Mayor Luis Partida Brunete of Villanueva de la Cañada reviewing

Sister City Agreements.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGETrue to our community’s reputation, the La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities Association started out with high goals. We wanted to create an inclusive, innovative and exciting program . . . and we wanted it fast.

I think we surprised even ourselves.

This is our first Annual Report. Please take a moment to read about all the individuals and organizations who shared our vision. You volunteered, donated, and partnered with us to create a program that will make a difference.

As you will see, our budget doubled from 2016 to 2017, and our membership more than quadrupled. But we are about more than just the numbers. We are about building meaningful, lasting relationships, within La Cañada Flintridge and abroad, which will enrich our community.

This would not have been possible without the faith and generosity of our donors and the remarkable commitment and vision of our volunteers. Thank you to the Sister Cities Leadership Team, whose vision is inspiring. We take this journey together, and the future for Sister Cities is brighter than ever.

Warmly,

Vicki

The La Canada Flintridge Sister Cities Association will:

• Be respected as a vital community organization.

• Create an environment that promotes an international perspective, and an appreciation and celebration of the richness of diversity of cultures.

• Provide educational opportunities for communities to learn creatively.

• Collaborate with other organizations.

• Combine a compelling vision of excellence with financial vitality and independence.

• Serve as an inspiration and model for other Sister City organizations around the world.

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2016–2017 Achievements

• Hosted delegations from Spain, Germany and France.

• Created a video about La Cañada Flintridge, posted on the Sister Cities website that has been viewed around the world.

• Sent 11 high school students, representing each of our community’s four high schools, to Sister Cities International Youth Leadership Summits.

• Sent two high school students to live with families in Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain.

Spanish and German exchange students join La Cañada Flintridge

students making pottery at Community Center of La Cañada.

LCF Sister Cities Students Stefan Markarian, Amr Eissa, David Kim, Soraya Cordero, Fatima Shirazi. International Youth Leadership Summit 2017.

Señora Marian Price, LCHS Spanish Teacher (center), joins Villanueva de la Cañada Sister Cities Association Vice-President Randa Sayega (left) and a friend on the streets of Villanueva de la Cañada. Summer 2017.

2018 Goals

• Develop software platform for Space Academy Program to be launched internationally by 2018 year end.

• Begin path toward partnering with another international city as a “Friendship City”.

“Going to the Youth Leadership Summit allowed

me to meet a diverse group of people. I learned that even though we live

thousands of miles away, we can still connect and build

relationships.” – David Kim

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Catherine ConditThis past summer, I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll remember forever. My family hosted a girl from La Cañada’s new sister city, Villanueva de La Cañada, Spain, and then I went to Spain and lived with her family. Before I was selected to travel to Spain, I could never have imagined I would do something as adventurous as living with another family in a different country, yet I am so grateful that I took that leap of faith.

As I waited in anticipation at LAX to pick up Eva, my Spanish sister, I worried about the possibility that we would not get along for the upcoming five weeks we were to spend together. What if we had nothing in common? What if she didn’t like it here? Fortunately, all my fears were forgotten when we met each other and we immediately clicked. Showing Eva around Los Angeles was so much fun because it gave my new friend a glimpse into my life and I loved seeing her excitement at every new thing we did.

The best part of this experience was going to Spain. I was incredibly excited to meet Eva’s friends and family and to explore Villanueva de La Cañada. On my first evening there, I met the mayor, which was slightly intimidating; I met Eva’s very welcoming friends and went to the first day of “Fiesta” — a five-day annual summer festival. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed, but I loved it.

Of course it was fun exploring the cities, but I think my favorite part was the conversations I had with Eva’s family and friends. I found myself engaging in interesting and meaningful discussions, ranging from our different political systems to what we like to do on the weekends. Going into this experience, I imagined all the fun I would have running around Madrid, and although that did happen, the wonderful conversations I had turned out to be my most memorable experiences. Learning about a different culture was very valuable and it expanded my world perspective. Now, I can confidently say, I have a lifelong friend on the other side of the world. I hope to study in Madrid during college, and I can’t wait to see Eva again.

I am extremely grateful to all the people who made all of this possible. I want to thank the donors who generously gave tickets to all the places we went in LA. Thank you to the LCF City Council and the entire Sister Cities Association for making it all happen, and of course, to Eva Perez for sharing her life with me.

Jack ApplebaumMy Sister Cities experience this summer was fantastic! On this journey, I learned so much about Spanish culture and I also met so many new and generous people. With this international exchange, not only was I able to experience different cultures abroad, I was also able to celebrate the great activities that La Cañada Flintridge, my own city, has to offer.

My journey started with the introduction to my Spanish brother, Daniel. Although the first couple of days were awkward, we really got along great. With my Spanish brother, we went to some of my favorite places, such as Six Flags, Universal Studios, and Santa Monica Beach. We also visted JPL, USC/Mackay Center, and a ceramics class at the Community Center right here in La Cañada.

Although staying in La Cañada was very fun, going to Spain and seeing our sister city, Villanueva de La Cañada was a once in a lifetime experience. The city is so alive at night, with the elderly eating and drinking at cafes, little kids still out dancing in the streets, and teenagers partying until the sun rises. My host family was so thoughtful and took me on amazing adventures. One night we went camping on the top of the mountain to see the wonderful starlit night and then the beautiful sunrise. By visiting our Spanish sister city, I lived the Spanish life. My experience was educational and at the same time, an incredibly fun time.

Thank you to all the generous donors that gave us tickets and tours to all the fun activities I shared with my Spanish “brother” in Los Angeles. I’d also like to thank the City of La Cañada Flintridge and the LCF Sister Cities Association for starting the entire program. Lastly, I want to thank my Spanish brother, Daniel Fernandez-Multigner, for making this summer one of the best summers ever.

Catherine Condit and Jack Applebaum with Mayor Luis Partida of Villanueva de la Cañada, July 2017.

MEET THE AMBASSADORS

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13%AdministrativeExpenses

87%Program Costs

2016*

2016 Budget:$13,043

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

2016 Insurance, 501(c)3 filing, DBA filing, office supplies, advertising.

2017 Insurance and office supplies.

* 2016 was not a full year. We incorporated on 2/22/16 and commenced financial operations on 4/1/16.

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Global Leader

Ambassador Diplomat Benefactor Family Individual Student TOTAL MEMBERS

1015

33 3138 37

171

20172016

FINANCES

MEMBERSHIP

20175%AdministrativeExpenses

95%Program Costs

2017 Budget:$26,250

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GLOBAL LEADERS

AMBASSADORSFlintridge Preparatory School

Pete & Linda SegalVicki & Brad Schwartz

DIPLOMATSThe Applebaum Family

Descanso GardensTodd & Vanessa GrecoHeather & Paul Haaga

LCF Community CenterDiane & Jon MoldafskyLinda & Fernando Roth

Gita & Harpal SinghSt. Francis High School

Lynn & Donald Voss

BENEFACTORS

Carl & Bridget AlamedaJulie & Dave Battaglia

Amy BernhardGreg & Joyce Brown

Celina Lew & Edward CastroGabriel Mendham & Steve Chuck

Elysa & Stephen Del Guercio

Kai Ryssdal & Stephanie FossanRod & Gina Guerra

Jim & Stephanie KambeLa Cañada Thursday ClubPeter & Teri Lauenstein

Leanne LowdenJulie & Lance Markowitz

John & Leanne MothersheadLeslie Miller

Linda O'CallaghanLaura & Bill OlhassoJoe & Kaitzer Puglia

Mary & Ken VanAmringeClarissa & Brad Weirick

IN KIND DONATIONS

Left to right: Donald Voss, Pat Anderson, Diane Moldafsky, Vicki Schwartz, Gabriel Mendham Chuck, Katherine Loevinger, Pam Knapp. Not in photo are Peter Lauenstein and Tamar Tujian.

Left to Right: Vicki Schwartz, Donald Voss, Gita Singh, Elysa Del Guercio, Pam Knapp, Gabriel Mendham, Pat Anderson, Diane Moldafsky, Gina Ricci, Katherine Loevinger, Linda Roth, Tracy Rodriguez, Naomi Stephen, Gina Ricci, Carl Alameda, Mary Van Amringe, June Lam. Not pictured: Mayor Michael Davitt, Honorary Chair; Mark Alexander, Dr. Art Chmielewski, Jon Curtis, Tracie Heileson, Peter Lauenstein, Ian McFeat, Julie Markowitz, Leslie Miller, Sheri Morton, Ellen Multari,, Linda Segal, Tamar Tujian, Dr. Manuel de la Torre Juarez, Terry Walker.

Flintridge Preparatory School

Pete & Linda Segal

Vicki & Brad Schwartz

— GLOBAL LEADERS —

— AMBASSADORS —

— DIPLOMATS —

— BENEFACTORS — Carl & Bridget Alameda Julie & Dave Battaglia

Amy Bernhard Greg & Joyce Brown

Celina Lew & Edward Castro Gabriel Mendham & Steve Chuck

Elysa & Stephen Del Guercio

Kai Ryssdal & Stephanie Fossan Red & Gina Guerra

Jim & Stephanie Kambe La Cañada Thursday Club Peter & Teri Lauenstein

Leanne Lowden Julie & Lance Markowitz

John & Leanne Mothershead Leslie Miller

Linda O'Callaghan Laura & Bill Olhasso Joe & Kaitzer Puglia

Mary & Ken VanAmringe Clarissa & Brad Weirick

— IN KIND DONATIONS —

The Applebaum Family Descanso Gardens

Todd & Vanessa Greco Heather & Paul Haaga

LCF Community Center Diane & Jon Modalfsky Linda & Fernando Roth

Gita & Harpal Singh

Gita & Harpal Singh St. Francis High School

Lynn & Donald Voss

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & DONORS

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Left to right: Donald Voss, Pat Anderson, Dian Moldafsky, Vicki Schwartz, Gabriel Mendham Chuck, Katherine Loevninger, Pam Knapp. Not in photo are Peter Lauenstein and Tamar Tujian

EXECUTIVE BOARD

La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities Association, Inc is a registered tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN No. 81-1880374

EXECUTIVE BOARD LEADERSHIP TEAM

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND DONORS

Flintridge Preparatory School

Pete & Linda Segal

Vicki & Brad Schwartz

— GLOBAL LEADERS —

— AMBASSADORS —

— DIPLOMATS —

— BENEFACTORS — Carl & Bridget Alameda Julie & Dave Battaglia

Amy Bernhard Greg & Joyce Brown

Celina Lew & Edward Castro Gabriel Mendham & Steve Chuck

Elysa & Stephen Del Guercio

Kai Ryssdal & Stephanie Fossan Red & Gina Guerra

Jim & Stephanie Kambe La Cañada Thursday Club Peter & Teri Lauenstein

Leanne Lowden Julie & Lance Markowitz

John & Leanne Mothershead Leslie Miller

Linda O'Callaghan Laura & Bill Olhasso Joe & Kaitzer Puglia

Mary & Ken VanAmringe Clarissa & Brad Weirick

— IN KIND DONATIONS —

The Applebaum Family Descanso Gardens

Todd & Vanessa Greco Heather & Paul Haaga

LCF Community Center Diane & Jon Modalfsky Linda & Fernando Roth

Gita & Harpal Singh

Gita & Harpal Singh St. Francis High School

Lynn & Donald Voss

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & DONORS

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Left to right: Donald Voss, Pat Anderson, Dian Moldafsky, Vicki Schwartz, Gabriel Mendham Chuck, Katherine Loevninger, Pam Knapp. Not in photo are Peter Lauenstein and Tamar Tujian

EXECUTIVE BOARD