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Mission Statement
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TGA Brochure
File Size: 4MB
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History
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Services
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TGA Staff
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Board
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Annual
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The world gets smaller all the time. We cross oceans in
a few hours and information traverses the globe in a few
seconds. A global economy is changing the way we live. The
citizens of Northeast Oklahoma play an important role in
building the understanding that is essential in an increasingly
interdependent world.
Mission
Statement
Tulsa
Global Alliance is a
non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to increasing
global awareness, understanding and opportunities in Northeastern
Oklahoma by hosting international visitors, facilitating
Sister Cities activities, promoting global education, assisting
with international trade development, cooperating with international
organizations and serving as a resource for area governments,
businesses, educational institutions, organizations and
residents.
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History
Tulsa Global Alliance is the merged organization of the
International Council of Tulsa (ICT) and Sister Cities International
of Tulsa (SCIT). The two separate organizations were merged
into TGA in 1995. The International Council of Tulsa was
started in 1976 by volunteers and the Metropolitan Tulsa
Chamber of Commerce. Sister Cities was organized by volunteers
under the auspices of Mayor Terry Young in 1986.
As a result of the merger,
TGA has been able to remove duplications of effort and strive
for greater economies. More importantly, TGA has been better
able to tie together the individual program goals of the
separate organizations with the broader objectives of Tulsa's
educational, cultural and economic goals. As a stronger
organization, TGA has been able to bring its programs to
a greater number of people throughout the community and
internationally.
TGA is affiliated with
two national organizations -- the National
Council for International Visitors (NCIV) and Sister
Cities International (SCI). NCIV was founded in 1961
with the purpose of providing services to government-sponsored
international visitors. Today, NCIV is the umbrella organization
for 100 plus cities and university centers that provide
local itineraries and hospitality to international visitors.
The IV program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State Department under the
authority of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, as amended.
Affiliations between cities in the United
States and other countries began shortly after 1945 but
with no real national focus until 1956 when President Eisenhower
initiated the People-to-People Program at the White House.
Out of this grew Sister Cities International (SCI). Over
650 communities in the United States are active members
of SCI and the numbers are growing rapidly. These member
communities are linked through their sister cities with
over 2,100 sister cities in 121 countries throughout the
world. The City of Tulsa designated TGA as the organization
responsible for managing Sister Cities activities. TGA is
very fortunate to have ongoing support from the Mayor's
office and the City Council.
In 1993, TGA established
Kids' World, The Children's International Festival,
to introduce children to other cultures through hands-on
learning activities. The four-day festival is produced every
other year and has become one of the premier cultural events
of the area. Kids' World has won several awards and is the
major educational initiative of the organization.
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A World of Services
Opportunities to show the Tulsa way of life to others through
people-to-people exchanges and volunteer opportunities.
A magnet to attract foreign leaders to Tulsa.
A structure to enable Tulsa to carry out its increasingly
diverse activities as an international city.
Speakers on contemporary international issues.
A referral center for international information, people and
activities.
Opportunities to meet and consult with international visitors
in a specific industry or from countries where local businesses
have a presence.
Increased contact with international opportunities.
Consultation and assistance in providing professional, social
and multi-lingual services to international visitors.
Guidance on cross-cultural resources and services.
Seminars with an international focus.
Workshops
on international cultures and events.
Speakers
for language and social studies classes
Classroom
visits from international people.
Multi-cultural
Curriculum Guide with a section on tolerance.
Culture
Boxes containing artifacts, books, games, clothing, etc.
and lesson plans representing 40 different countries.
Kids'
World, The Children's International Festival, a biennial
festival that teaches children about other cultures and
countries of the world through hands-on activities, ethnic
entertainment and food.
Affiliate
memberships are made up of different ethnic and community
organizations interested in TGA's programs and activities.
TGA
acts as a liaison to the community on behalf of our affiliate
membership by providing a variety of services to member
organizations:
Newsletter
Announcements
Calendar
of International Events
Joint
Project Opportunities
Mailing
Lists
Annual
Reception
Sharing
of Resources
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TGA Staff
Becky
Collins, President & CEO
Bob Lieser,
Vice-President of Programming
Jocelyn Wood,
Director of Community Relations
Cathy Izzo,
Office Administration
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