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Home My WebLink About2007-09-18 Proclamation City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, the City of Iowa City gratefully acknowledges the contributions to this community of the international populations that live here; and Whereas, students from over one hundred countries bring their backgrounds and cultures as well as their expertise in a variety of fields to Iowa City helping to make this small midwestern city in the United States into a microcosm of the world; and Whereas, over twenty-five international student organizations share their cultural traditions and foods with the community at the annual Cultural Diversity Day and on various occasions that are open to the public throughout the year; and Whereas, organizations such as Friends of International Students, the International Women's Club, and many others have programs to help connect international students and their families with the community; and Whereas, Friends of International Students, a local volunteer organization affiliated with the University of Iowa Office of International Students and Scholars, this year is celebrating thirty-five years of matching international students with local friends-helping to bring the world together, one friendship at a time. Now, therefore, I, Ross Wilburn, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, herebyproc1aim Wednesday, September 19,2007, to be International Student Day in Iowa City, Iowa, and urge all citizens to join us in recognizing the important role that international students play in onr commun~ U < Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 18th day of September 2007. ~v. "'--' Can you imagine what it is Ii~e to be an ocean away from family, friends, and a familiar way of living? While pic~ing up lunch at a fast food restaurant, holiday shopping at a mall, driving through rows of corn in the country, or ta~ing a leisurely stroll on the pedestrian mall may be commonplace for you, for a person unfamiliar with our culture, these can be new and exciting experiences. For a new international student and his or her family, every day is a learning experience. - A (~)JInnunity of1!;anizution I)roviding hospitality to internationul students. sdlolurs amI their families ut the University ot"Imvu If) C (1) (1) .... "0 C 2lf)(1) ooEO 0 -m- 0 m....O LO c C>~ LO 000.. I .-.... m N (6o..0m"lt Em>.~~ (1)C~_LO -olf) C .- .... -0 <( --(1) - _m> o c.- >. >; L-C~+J ~2:J~C3 c.=......~m .~ 0.......- ~ L...-....~c> LLO......:Jo Share these adventures with an international student and discover your own culture through brand new eyes. Anyone genuinely interested in international exchange on the personal level is encouraged to join FIS. There is no typical Friend-they are young and old single individuals and married couples, young families and senior citizens. Participants come from all walks of life and have all kinds of experiences MEMBERSHIP IN FIS STUDENTS" Friends of International Students (FIS) is a non-profit community organization of people in the Iowa City area who are interested in providing friendship and support to international students and scholars attending the University of Iowa. While FIS is affiliated with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at the University of Iowa, the organization is run by volunteers who are dedicated to encouraging international understanding. WHAT IS "FRIENDS OF INTERNATIONAl~ EXPECTATIONS OF FRIENDS OUR GOALS OTHER OPPORTUNITIES Board members and other volunteers perform the important work of matching students with Friends, recruiting new Friends, organizing orientation sessions and other group activities. If you are interested in helping in this way, let a member of the FIS board know. Once Friends and students are matched, they can decide what they would like to do together, depending on their time and mutual interests. Friends are encouraged to meet with their students at least once a month. Friends often simply include students in their normal activities, whether it be family gatherings, going to the movies, or cross-country skiing. Many students also enjoy inviting their Friends to their activities, and there are occasional FIS-sponsored events to which all Friends and students are invited. FIS Friends gain by learning about different traditions of the world through friendship with students and scholars from other cultures, while the international student or scholar obtains a closer understanding of American values and ways of life. Through FIS, both the student and the friend are given the opportunity to obtain a new perspective on the world through an ongoing open exchange of ideas and points of view. BECOMING A MEMBER To obtain an application to become an FIS Friend, or participate in any other way, contact: Friends of International Students c/o International Programs 1111 University Capitol Centre Iowa City, IA 52242-5500 (319) 335-0335 E-mail: fis@uiowa.edu http://intl-programs.uiowa.edu/fis revised 08/2007 - To make sure your match meets your needs, the FIS board and Office of International Students and Scholars staff are available to assist members in any way necessary. During your orientation you will be provided guidelines to help you answer many of the questions that will naturally arise. FIS has also created a website of helpful information that can provide assistance when questions arise in working with your international student. WHAT You WILL GAIN Friends enjoy the personal pleasure of getting to know interesting people who may come from a different background, yet who share the value of cross-cultural friendship. You will have the opportunity to learn about the cultural, religious and political beliefs and personal background of your student and scholar in a way that comes only from an ongoing relationship. Your student may be far from home and in a different culture, often struggling with the English language and the demands of academic life and will appreciate having an individual who is neither teacher nor official to offer hospitality and friendship. Many Friends maintain contact with their students long after the student has returned home. ~:uv FRIENDS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (FIS) Application for International Friends c/o Office of International Students & Scholars 1111 University Capitol Centre University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 Phone: 319-335-0335 Fax: 319-335-2021 E-mail: fis@uiowa.edu Friends ofInternational Students (FIS) provides international students with an opportunity to learn about life in the U.S.A. and acquaints Americans with life in other countries. If you are interested in joining, please complete and return this form. Y ourresponses will help us in making the best match with a student. Primary Contact: Family name Address First name Phone E-mail Please provide the following information on all family members in your household, including yourself (use an additional piece of paper if necessary) Name Relationship Gender Date of birth Occupation What languages do you or others in your household speak? What are you and your family's special interests or hobbies? Why do you want to participate in the International Friends Program? Are you willing to be matched with a student from any country? _ yes _no: preferences Other preferences: _male _ female _no preference _undergraduate _graduate _no preference _married _ single _no preference Other requests you will like considered when matching you with a student Are you willing to be matched with more than one student? no _yes: how many? How did you learn about FIS? Please provide two references we can contact: Name Relationship Name Relationship Telephone Telephone As an organization affiliated with the University of Iowa, Friends of International Students (FIS) has a duty to protect students who participate in FIS programs. FIS does not release student information to third parties under any circumstances except as part of the Friend-Student matching program. FIS reserves the right to screen potential Friends. This screening process may include phone interviews, reference checks, and background checks. FIS provides an orientation program to Friends when they are matched with a student. Signature Date Do not write in this box; for FIS use only: Date matched Orient Ref Other information Student City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, the City of Iowa City gratefully acknowledges the contributions to this co . unity of the international populations that live here; and Whereas, stu nts from over one hundred countri~s bring their backgrounds and cultures well as their expertise in a Varifl ty of fields to Iowa City helping to ma this small midwestern city in the United States into a microc~m~~ ~d;~ I . Whereas, over twenty- ve international student organizations share their cultural traditions and oods with the cornmu ity at the annual Cultural Diversity Day and on arious occasions th t are open to the public throughout the year; and Whereas, organizations such International Women's Club, and international students and their fa Whereas, Friends of International Stu nt, a local volunteer organization affiliated with the University of Iowa nee of International Students and Scholars, this year is celebrating thirty- e years of matching international students with local friends-helping 'ng the world together, one friendship at a time. Now, therefore, I, Ross Wilburn, ayor of tH City of Iowa City, Iowa, hereby proclaim Wednesday, Septe ber 19, 2007, 0 be Internation Studen Day \ in Iowa City, Iowa, and urge all citiz s to join us in recognizing'{he important role that international students play in ou community. \ \ \ \\ Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 18th day of September 2007. ~# '{! City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, our founding fathers, in order to secure the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity, did ordain and establish a Constitution for the United States of America, and Whereas, it is of the greatest importance that all citizens fully understand the provisions and principles contained in the Constitution in order to effectively support, preserve and defend it against all enemies; and Whereas, the two hundred sixteenth anniversary of the signing of the Constitution provides an historic opportunity for all Americans to remember the achievements of the Framers of the Constitution, and the rights, privileges, and responsibilities afforded to us in this unique document; and Whereas, the independence guaranteed to American citizens, whether by birth or naturalization, should be remembered, Now, therefore, I, Ross Wilburn, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa do hereby proclaim the week of September 17-23,2007, to be Constitution Week in Iowa City and urge all citizens to reflect during that week on the many benefits of our Federal Constitution and the privileges and responsibilities of American citizenship. (;2u Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa this 18th day of September, 2007 (3 W~ ':), 1, ~'~ .,' 'J ~ ~ ffC,j) ~ 'J City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, 0 founding fathers, in order t secure the blessings of liberty for them elves and their posterity, did ordain and establish a Constitutio for the United States of erica, and Whereas, it is of t e greatest importance that all citizens fully understand the provisions a d principles contai ed in the Constitution in order to effectively suppo , preserve and d end it against all enemies; and Whereas, the two hund d sixteent anniversary of the signing of the Constitution provides n histo IC opportunity for all Americans to remember the achievem nts 0 the Framers of the Constitution, and the rights, privileges, and s nsibilities afforded to us in this unique document; and Whereas, the independence gu ran ed to American citizens, whether by birth or naturalization, sho Id be Now, therefore, I, Ross W' bum, Mayo of the City of Iowa City, Iowa do hereby proclaim the eek of Septe er 17-23, 2007, to be Co stitution We k in Iowa City and urge all itizens to reflect during at week on the many benefits of our Federal Co stitution and the privileges nd responsibilities of American citizenship. Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa this 18th day of September, 2007 '-' cJ~