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Sister City Commission chair Brenda outlines 'Sister City 2' plan to boost student exchanges, arts and economic ties
Summary
At a Newport City Council workshop, the Sister City Commission presented a renewed 'Sister City 2' plan centered on education, arts and economic development, proposing a standard operating procedure, annual/post-trip reports, and new funding paths for sustained student exchanges and cultural programming.
Brenda, chair of the Sister City Commission, told a Newport City Council workshop tonight that the commission is pursuing a refreshed "Sister City 2" strategy focused on sustained student exchanges, arts and cultural programming, and clearer delegation and funding procedures.
The plan, Brenda said, rests on four pillars—education, economic development, community partnerships and arts and culture—and aims to make the commission's work more transparent and sustainable. "Bringing the world to Newport and Newport to the world," she said, is the commission's guiding tagline.
The proposal includes a 13-article standard operating procedure and an annual-report template the commission says will document delegations, incoming visits, cultural and educational exchanges, business collaboratives and community outreach. Michael, a commission member who helped draft the SOP, described Appendix B as an outline of the commission's annual reporting sections and said the template is meant to summarize travel, incoming delegations, initiatives and outcomes.
Education was a central emphasis. Brenda described efforts to establish more reliable student-exchange programming with local schools and to secure external funding so exchanges are not "on again, off again." "We have 25 student Shimoda students coming in March, with 2 teachers," she said, and she noted an Italy visit in April that will bring six Italian students and two teachers. Commissioners said they have begun meetings with school leaders and parent-hosting families to create a sustained program and are exploring legislative grants, private donations and local-business scholarships to underwrite travel.
Commission members outlined arts and cultural activities tied to exchanges: local artists hosting visiting students, artist-in-residence pilots (including outreach to Kinsale), music and performance swaps, and entries in Sister Cities International student-artist competitions. Mary Jamieson, the commission's resident artist, described studio visits and exhibits as entry points for broader community engagement.
On economic development, Joe Oakes said the commission is exploring workforce-exchange and trade-oriented collaborations that could expand opportunities for local independent businesses and connect Newport's tourism economy to international partners, citing Imperia, Italy as an example where regatta ties overlap with Newport's maritime events.
Council members praised the commission's work but pressed for financial clarity. "It checks all the boxes of community engagement and accountability," Councilor Mike said, urging clear reporting so taxpayers understand what any budget line supports. Another council member suggested the commission explore tourism-allocated revenue or Discover Newport-related funds rather than general-tax appropriations.
Funding history was raised in the discussion: a council speaker recalled the commission previously receiving "approximately $60,000 from Discover Newport's rent for the year" and said non-taxpayer sources have historically supported much of the programming. The commission said it will continue to pursue non-city funding, including legislative grants, donations and partner sponsorships.
Commissioners and councilors discussed whether to revive dormant ties (Skiathos, Kinsale) and how to handle relationships that have lapsed (Saint John's, Ponta Delgada/Porto Delgado). Brenda said some twinning relationships may need to be clarified or retired before adding new ones, and she suggested delegations include community representatives who match each trip's mission (for example, inviting a local sailing representative when traveling for a regatta).
Before adjourning, Brenda asked the community for homestays for incoming students and teachers: "I do need homestays for these kids, 2 teachers, a single young woman and a single... I have 3 Italian girls, 1 Italian boy, and 2 teachers that I need homestays for at the end of April." A resident, Jerry, offered public praise for the progress the commission has made.
The commission said it will take council feedback, prioritize the recommendations, and return with refined documentation and reporting templates. No formal council vote or appropriation occurred at the workshop.
