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About Us

Our City Corvallis

Corvallis is a city whose population is slightly above 59,000 citizens, located in central west Oregon, and the home of Oregon state University, Oregon’s land-grant university.

Our Evolving History

The Corvallis Sister Cities Association (CSCA) began in 1989, when Corvallis citizens first identified Uzhhorod, in the Ukraine (which was part of the Soviet Union), as the most desirable possibility for a new sister city relationship. The Corvallis City Council endorsed that option and volunteers filed the necessary paperwork.  The association was granted formal non-profit status in 1991.

The activities of the organization are chronicled here in the Uzhhorod Sister Cities program web page. The association 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. In 2005, the Corvallis City Council formally approved a second sister city, Corvallis and Gondar.  This effort is described here in the Gondar Sister Cities program web page.  Corvallis-Gondar Sister Cities Association was also awarded “outstanding” status by the Sister Cities International for its on-going projects and activities.

The two programs are administered by a Board of Directors and oversees the two advisory councils, one each for Gondar and Uzhhorod. Individuals serving on the advisory councils, Board of Directors, and members serve as volunteers.  Corvallis Sister Cities Association has no paid staff.

Sister Cities International

The Corvallis Sister Cities Association (CSCA) is a member of Sister Cities International (SCI), an organization based in Washington, DC, with more than 900 cities, representing millions of Americans. The “sister city” concept evolved from President Eisenhower’s 1956 “People to People” program, and is now embodied in Sister Cities International and its mission.

CSCA Board of Directors

The Corvallis Sister Cities Association’s (CSCA) overall operations are managed by its Board of Directors. The Board ensures that the activities and finances satisfy legal requirements for a non-profit organization. The Board also is responsible for ensuring that the organization acts according to its Bylaws as described below.

The Board automatically includes the Chair and Assistant Treasurer from both the Uzhhorod Council (CSCA-U) and the Gondar Council (CSCA-G).

The Board meets at least quarterly, and also oversees an annual meeting in June for the members of the organization. The public is welcome to attend the annual meeting and regular Board meetings. Click here for details of past Board Meeting minutes.

The Current Board Members are:

President: Patty Harris

Vice-President: Karen Sundseth

Secretary: Don Prickel

Treasurers: Dan Lind, Richard Raymond (Assistant Treasurer-Gondar), Scott Gatherum (Assistant Treasurer-Uzhhorod)

Chair of Gondar Council: Patty Harris

Chair of Uzhhorod Council: Carol Trueba

At-Large Members: Ari Grossman-Naples, Pete Bober, Katrina Pearson

Web Design & Developers: Josh Armentano (Abidewebdesign.com), [original designer: Stephen Hodges (Bosonhub.com)] ;                                                 Web Managers: Robel Tadesse (Gondar), Sarah Lane (Uzhhorod)

Sister City Flags:

Shown here are the country flags representing Corvallis’ two sister cities of Gondar, Ethiopia (left) and Uzhhorod, Ukraine (right). These flags can be seen displayed from a pole adjacent to the rose gardens located in Central Park, near downtown Corvallis.