L to R: Denise Cumbee Long, IH Executive Director; Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State; Lara Printz, IH CDP Director; Norma Jiron, IH CDP Coordinator

The National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) is a nonprofit membership organization that joins the Peace Corps in celebrating 50 years of leadership in citizen diplomacy in 2011. It is a nationwide network comprised of 92 community organizations which provide cultural and educational activities, as well as home hospitality, for foreign leaders and specialists participating in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program and other exchange programs. International House is the umbrella organization for Charlotte's Council for International Visitors, one of three such CIV's in North Carolina. Last year, International House welcomed 240 international visitors, helping them learn best practices and see democracy in action while showcasing Charlotte and the United States. 
  

International House Executive Director Denise Cumbee Long, Program Director Lara Printz, and Citizen Diplomacy and English Training Coordinator Norma Jiron, attended the NCIV Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. from February 16-19^th.  They heard from the State Department's senior leadership, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy Judith McHale, and Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ann Stock, as well as a wide range of diplomats in regional and thematic briefings. It was also a time for professional networking with colleagues across the country, strengthening programming skills and building nonprofit and fundraising expertise.  Best of all, it was an exciting opportunity to celebrate years of citizen diplomacy that has linked people from around the world and humanized international relations.  

Experience the World in Your Home!

Rusty Reynolds and family with the Russian librarians they hosted for an Independence Day cookout.

Sign up now for hosting international visitors for dinner or an overnight stay, or as a transportation chaperone 

As a dinner host, you'll provide a meal and hospitality for an international guest and make new friends from around the world. Upcoming dinner host opportunities include: 

• Early Childhood Education: 6 Educators from Burma, Egypt, Jamaica, Malawi, Oman, Trinidad and Tobago need dinner hosts on March 10  or 11
   
• U.S. Financial Services: 8 Economic and Financial professionals from Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Turkey would like to share a meal on March 21 or 22
   
• And 3 Chinese Education Administrators need dinner hosts on March 28 - 30

Home host responsibilities include arranging transportation to and from International House, providing  breakfast and dinner, and showing your guest around Charlotte. Home hosting opportunities currently available include:  

• Serbian Anti-Corruption Professionals and Journalists, through Community Connections for March 30 - April 8 OR April 8 - 17.

• Human Rights and Government Officials from Nepal, Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, through the Legislative Fellows Group, for April 10 - May 1.
   
• Combating Domestic Violence Officials from Azerbaijan, through the Open World Program, May 6 - May 15.

 We also need transportation hosts to help drive our guests around Charlotte: 

•  3 Chinese Education Administrators and 1 interpreter, March 27 - 31
   
• 2 Community Leaders from Egypt, morning pick-up, evening drop off, March 24 - April 23.

If you would like to help or have questions, contact Lara Printz at lprintz@ihclt.org or call her at 704 333-8099.  

International House Board member Felix von Uklanski and his wife Candice Langston hosted a delightful reception at their home on February 23^rd to raise awareness about the programs and work of International House and to allow community members to meet new Executive Director Denise Cumbee Long. The evening was well attended, and the food, drinks, and conversation were first class!

The highlights of the evening were the testimonials delivered by past clients and volunteers on how International House has impacted their lives for the better. A refugee from war-torn Sierra Leone spoke of his new U.S. citizenship and how he was now able to better support himself and his family. "International House lifted me up!" he said with a smile and raised arms. An architect from Brazil spoke of finding friendship and help with her English at the ESL class and English conversation hour. Immigrants from Colombia and Mexico shared their gratitude for the personal assistance provided by their tutors who were able to help them reach a level of English fluency that allowed them to navigate the complexities of life in a new land. Their tutors then gave their own accounts of how they felt enriched by the friendships that had blossomed. The stories were heartfelt and real, and all the attendees left with a better understanding of the value of International House to the wider Charlotte community.

Many thanks to Felix, Candice, and everyone who attended, especially the clients and volunteers who took the time to share their amazing stories.

Join us to take part in a great cultural event where you'll enjoy an evening of cocktails, British cuisine and entertainment, dancing and silent and live auctions.

Tickets are $150 each and corporate sponsorships are available. Mark your calendar and look for more information coming soon on our website.