Our Story
The Rockville Sister Cities Corporation (RSCC) is a non-profit, all-volunteer, people-to-people organization, affiliated with Sister Cities International, Inc. Our organization is dedicated to conducting Rockville’s Sister City relationships. RSCC also conducts robust local initiatives, which include all of Rockville’s citizens in Rockville’s Sister Cities Program.
Incorporated on June 24, 1986, the Rockville Sister Cities Corporation formed to plan and support exchange programs and other intercultural activities between Rockville and its Sister Cities: Pinneberg, Germany and Yilan City, Taiwan. In addition to international exchanges and numerous local events, we publish a newsletter iperiodically detailing Rockville Sister Cities Program activities, and host a website with ongoing information. The RSCC Board of Directors meets each month. Membership is open to any individual, family, or corporation, which upholds Rockville Sister Cities Corporation values, affirms the Corporation Bylaws and advocates for the continuation of the Rockville Sister Cities Corporation and its programs.
Sister Cities members come from many backgrounds, while share a common interest in making our world a little smaller, a little friendlier, and a little more understanding, through partnership with cities in other countries and in our own local communities. We enjoy getting to know our own neighbors, whom share our common interests and working together on projects to support our exchanges and local programs.
If you enjoy international travel, hosting foreign guests in your home, helping high school students realize the dream of a trip to another country, and meeting other people with similar interests, Rockville Sister Cities is for you!
More information about the Rockville Sister Cities programs, is in this website. Or click here for contact information.
What are sister cities?
A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.
A city may have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a half dozen to hundreds of volunteers. In addition to volunteers, sister city organizations can include representatives from nonprofits, municipal governments, the private sector, and other civic organizations.
Each sister city organization is independent and pursues the activities and thematic areas that are important to them and their community including municipal, business, trade, educational, and cultural exchanges, pursuing projects with their sister city.
Affiliations between cities in the United States and other countries began shortly after 1945. The national focus was realized in 1956 by the People-to-People program initiated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Sister Cities International, incorporated in 1957, grew out of the “Civic Committee of People-to-People” program. This organization is dedicated to providing the catalyst, assisting the formation of new relationships, and acting as coordinator for communities to develop and further their sister city relationships. By 1996, Sister Cities International has assisted millions of people in more than 1,100 cities and towns across the United States in establishing links with over 2,000 communities in over 120 nations of the world.
ROCKVILLE SISTER CITIES CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - As of September 2023
David Hill*
President
Marika Brown*
Director
Chaiyee Mao
Director
Adjoua Silue
Director
Gilbert Santiago
Vice President
Xi Chen
Director
Melissa McKenna
Director
David Tang
Director
John McKenzie
Treasurer
Hung-Bin Din
Director
Drew Powell
Director
Liz von Kaenal*
Director
Steve Fisher
Secretary
Kuan Lee
Director
Hannelore Quigley
Director
* Rockville Mayor and Council Appointee
ROCKVILLE SISTER CITIES CORPORATION
Rockville City Liaisons - As of October 2021
Paige Janzen
Rockville City Liaison: Superintendent of Community Facilities
Adam Van Grack
Rockville Mayor and Council Liaison:
Councilmember
Board Information
Board Meeting Dates, 2024
Board Meeting: Oct. 22, Tue., 7:00pm, hybrid: City Hall & WebEx
Board Meeting: Nov. 19, Tue., 7:00pm, hybrid: City Hall & WebEx
Further dates: Dec. TBD
Reimbursements:
Policy: RSCC_ExpenseReimbursementPolicy2.pdf
Form: RSCC_ExpenseReimbForm.docx
Categories List: RSCC_BudgetCategories2.pdf
Terms
David Hill* | President | July 1,2025 |
Gilbert Santiago | Vice President | April 2026 |
John McKenzie | Treasurer | September 2025 |
Steve Fisher | Secretary | September 2025 |
Marika Brown* | Director | September 1, 2026 |
Xi Chen | Director | September 2025 |
Hung-bin Ding | Director | September 2026 |
Kuan Lee | Director | April 2026 |
Chaiyee Mao | Director | September 2026 |
Melissa McKenna | Director | September 2026 |
Drew Powell | Director | September 2026 |
Hannelore Quigley | Director | September 2025 |
Adjoua Silue | Director | April 2026 |
David Tang | Director | April 2026 |
Liz von Kaenal* | Director | April 1, 2027 |
* Rockville Mayor & Council appointee