History of CSCA

The history of the Corvallis Sister Cities Association (CSCA) goes back to 1989, when Corvallis citizens first identified Uzhhorod, in the Ukraine, as the most desirable possibility for a new sister city relationship. The Corvallis City Council endorsed that option and volunteers proceeded to file the necessary paperwork to legally recognize a new non-profit organization. The IRS granted formal non-profit status to the CSCA in 1991.

Right away, the CSCA embarked on a number of activities, the details of which are chronicled in the history of the Corvallis-Uzhhorod Sister Cities Association web page. The CSCA has been recognized on numerous occasions for its excellent program in Uzhhorod and has been the recipient of several awards by Sister Cities International.

In 2004, some Corvallis citizens began to explore the possibility of creating a second sister city relationship, between Corvallis and Gondar, Ethiopia. This effort is described in the history of the Corvallis-Gondar Sister Cities Association web page. Discussions proceeded with the CSCA and the City of Corvallis. In 2005, the Corvallis City Council formally approved a new sister city partnership between Corvallis and Gondar. The CSCA Board of Directors made some necessary adjustments to the organization’s bylaws to clarify how the CSCA would oversee the operations of Corvallis’ two sister city programs.

Much of the organization’s work program activity is now assumed by C-GSCA and C-USCA volunteers. However, the CSCA continues to coordinate these efforts and to ensure that the organization’s finances and general operations comply with non-profit requirements. The CSCA Board, comprised of representatives from the Uzhhorod and Gondar organizations, also plans for joint events, such as Sister Cities Week and the CSCA annual meeting.