City council reviews retooled Sister City Commission plan, eyes funding and student exchanges

Brenda, chair of the Sister City Commission, presented a retooled program at a Newport City Council workshop, saying the commission wants to broaden exchanges and strengthen oversight while sustaining student and cultural programming.

"Bringing the world to Newport and Newport to the world," Brenda said, describing four pillars—education, economic development, community partnerships and arts and culture—that the commission says will guide its next phase.

The commission outlined concrete plans for student exchanges and fundraising. Brenda said about "25 student Shimoda students coming in March, with 2 teachers," and that "at the April, I have 6 Italian students for the first time ever coming with 2 teachers." Commissioners said they are pursuing grants, legislative funding and local fundraising so exchanges are sustained rather than intermittent.

Joe Oakes, a commission member, said the economic-development pillar focuses on workforce exchanges and business partnerships that could leverage Newport’s large independent-business base and international tourism.

Michelle Gallagher, who leads community partnerships for the commission, said the group will use targeted outreach and media to engage local nonprofits and businesses and to promote events connected to visiting delegations.

Resident artist Mary Jamieson described arts programming tied to exchanges, including artist-in-residence ideas with Kinsale partners and a Boathouse Gallery show planned for March.

The commission presented a proposed standard operating procedure and an annual-report template intended to document visits, delegations, cultural exchanges and outcomes. Michael, a commission member who helped draft the document, said the appendix with the annual-report template is central to improving transparency and accountability.

Council members praised the proposal and emphasized the need for clear reporting and finance procedures. "I think this is wonderful what what you have put forth," one councilor said, while others urged the commission to clarify how delegations are chosen and financed and to show how the program benefits Newport taxpayers.

A council speaker noted prior support from a tourism entity: "we received, approximately 60,000 from Discover Newport's rent for the year," and suggested revisiting similar funding sources rather than relying on general taxpayer dollars.

Commissioners also reviewed the status of individual sister-city relationships. They said Skiathos may be an opportunity to rekindle ties (the 30th anniversary of the twinning is noted for 2026), Punta Del Gada presents complications because it is also twinned with Fall River, and Saint John's counterparts appeared unaware of Newport's claimed relationship, which the commission said should be clarified.

The group described steps to expand school programming—pen pals, regular Zoom exchanges, art and curriculum tie-ins—and discussed scholarship and donation strategies to send students despite differing school calendars.

Before closing, the commission asked the public for homestays for visiting students and teachers, noting they need placements for "3 Italian girls, 1 Italian boy, and 2 teachers" for the April visit. A resident in public comment praised the commission’s progress.

The council did not take a formal vote at the workshop; commissioners said they will take council feedback and prioritize next steps, including finalizing delegation processes and funding plans.