Become Involved!

The Council has nine committees through which you can become involved. Join one today!

All of these committees are working committees and will meet on a regular basis. Thank you for your interest and support. This is YOUR council and we appreciate your active involvement.

Committees:

1. Education Committee

   Chairperson - Ms. Lynn Washington, Department Chairperson for the Richland Northeast High School Magnet Programs

   The Education Committee is an extremely active committee whose responsibility is to develop our relationship with the education community in an effort to promote international awareness in the South Carolina educational system.

   Projects of the Education Committee include:

   • Sending surveys to all of the schools in Richland and Lexington Counties to find out what their needs and interests are in the area of international studies.
   • Visiting the schools in Richland and Lexington Counties to talk with educators and students about the World Affairs Council and the impact of international affairs.
   • Speakers in Schools - Sending visiting speakers to schools to meet and talk with students about international affairs.
   • International Institute for Teachers in the Fall - This is a seminar designed to teach our teachers how to teach international studies. This is a Department of Education certificate renewal course that is offered to middle and high school teachers at no cost. Experts from the University of South Carolina will be presenting sessions throughout the Institute on timely international topics of interest.
   • Essay contest for elementary school children that emphasizes the importance of international awareness.
   • World Class Partnership - a program originated through the Department of Education that establishes partnerships between schools in South Carolina and schools around the rest of the world.
     

2. Cultural Committee

   Chairperson - Ms. Dot Ryall, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties

   This committee is responsible for developing projects that will increase the community's awareness of international cultural events.

   Projects of the Cultural Committee include:

   • Promotion and planning of the Annual Columbia International Festival.
   • Development of an International Film Series.
   • Promotion of community events related to international cultures.
   • Development of cultural fund-raisers (i.e. International Art Auction, etc.)
     

3. Technology Committee

   Chairperson - Ms. Fausta Razelli

   This committee is responsible for developing projects that will increase the community's awareness of the importance and impact of utilizing technology to more effectively communicate world wide (i.e., the Internet and the World Wide Web).

   Projects of the Technology Committee include:

   • Developing the World Affairs Council pages on the World Wide Web.
   • Linking our members to the World Wide Web.
   • Developing and offering free computer classes to our membership about the Internet and the World Wide Web.
   • Developing ways to increase our technological capabilities (i.e. sending the newsletter and luncheon invitations via e-mail, etc.)
     

4. Military Committee

   This committee is responsible for developing relationships with the large military community in the Midlands area in an effort to promote international awareness and utilize the vast international resources of the military.

   Projects of the Military Committee include:

   • Contacting the various branches and assessing their needs and interests.
   • Developing collaborative programs between the World Affairs Council and the interested branches.
   • Pooling our international resources for a more comprehensive database.
     

5. Global Vision Award Dinner Committee

   This committee is responsible for the planning and organizing of the Global Vision Award Dinner held in December of each year.

   The Global Vision Dinner will take place on December 10, 1996. This is a black-tie dinner for approximately 500 people that honors an individual for their contributions in raising the level of international awareness in South Carolina. The committee will meet on a regular basis beginning in August of 1996. Committee members will meet on a weekly basis beginning in late October. This committee is a lot of fun and a lot of work.
   

6. Sister Cities Committee

   This committee is responsible for developing and fostering our relationships with our Sister Cities in Romania, Bulgaria, Russia and soon in Japan and Mexico. The primary goal is to develop projects that will benefit both cities involved through cultural, economic and social exchanges.

   Projects of the Sister Cities Committee include:

   • Developing a Sister Cities section for our World Wide Web pages with comprehensive information about our Sister Cities.
   • Developing other exchange programs to foster our relationships.
     

7. Membership Committee

   This committee is responsible for developing and implementing program to maintain and increase membership. Works closely with other committees such as the publicity and technology committee.

   Projects for the Membership Committee include:

   • Targeting organizations with an interest in international issues for membership mailings.
   • Building awareness about the World Affairs Council among the international groups.
   • Promoting the CWAC to individuals and providing the CWAC office with names and addresses of those individuals for membership mailings.
   • Expanding corporate sponsorship.
     

8. Publicity Committee

   This committee is responsible for all publicity activities to support activities of the World Affairs Council. The activities of this committee are vital to the success of all committees previously mentioned.

   Projects include:

   • International Festival
   • Global Vision Award Dinner
   • James F. Kane Golf Tournament
   • Monthly distinguished lecturer series luncheons
   • All other CWAC activities
     

9. Sports Committee

   This committee is responsible for developing sports-related programs and activities (i.e., James F. Kane Carolina International Golf Classic, CWAC Softball team).

   Projects for the Sports Committee include:

   • Establishing a World Affairs Council Co-Ed Softball Team
   • Planning and Organizing the James F. Kane Carolina International Golf Classic
   • Developing the idea of a Tennis Tournament