Sister Cities Commission

AGENDA Sister Cities Commission Meeting 5:15 PM - Monday, February 3, 2025 City Hall Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 3.1. Election of 2025 Officers:  Chair (Tom Schmitz 2025)  Tom resigned from the commission to serve as City Councilor Ward 3 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1. Approve the January 6, 2025 Sister Cities Commission meeting minutes. 3-4 SCC minutes 01-06-2025 5. FINANCIAL REPORT 5.1. Approve the financial report for the date ending January 31, 2025. 5-6 SISTER CITIES 01.31.2025 General SISTER CITIES 01.31.2025 6. HANS JOOHS CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM 6.1. Outbound Hans Joohs Intern  Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in the City Hall Council Chambers. A recommendation will be announced at the March meeting. 6.2. Inbound Hans Joohs Intern 7 - 17  Three applications were submitted from Ulm, Germany for the 2025 Hans Joohs Cultural Exchange Program  Review applications and select intern to travel to New Ulm Cover Letter & Resume Jana Böhm Cover Letter & Resume Linda Sinani Cover Letter & Resume Samuel Knoops 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.1. Recognition Award (John Vorwerk/Brian Filzen)  2024 Recognition Award Recipient has been selected  Select date and location to hold award reception (regular meeting will be held in the council chamber; following meeting, travel to location of reception)  Order plaque 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1. German Language Day Camp 2025 (Carolyn Smith/Ellie Sveine/Jayne Maday Hulke) Page 1 of 17   Peter Engeldinger will be in attendance to discuss interest in instructing the camp 8.2. New Ulm High School (NUHS) German instructor Peter Engeldinger request for assistance to facilitate a NUHS German class trip helping with host families for students and tours of the area including a visit to local high schools. Tentative trip date in 2026. 9. ADJOURNMENT 9.1. The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall Conference Room. If someone would like an item discussed at an upcoming Sister Cities Commission meeting, please send an email to lisap@newulmmn.gov so the item can be added to the Agenda. The SCC meets the first Monday of the month. In order for an item to be added to the Agenda, please submit the information five (5) days prior to the meeting. Page 2 of 17 Minutes of the Sister Cities Commission Monday, January 6, 2025 5:15 pm Roll call Members present: Carolyn Marti-Smith, John Vorwerk, Tom Schmitz, Ellie Sveine, Jayne Maday-Hulke, Larry Mack, Tony Beranek, and Kathleen Backer. Absent: Ron Wendinger, Dick Seeboth, Brain Filzen Approval of Minutes from December 2, 2024 Larry Mack made a motion to accept the minutes, second by John Vorwerk. Motion carried. Financial Report ending December 31, 2024 Jayne Maday -Hulke made a motion to accept the report, second by Carolyn Marti-Smith. Motion carried. Larry Mack made a motion to pay $440.00 for our International Sister Cities membership, second by Jayne Maday- Hulke. Motion carried. Hans Joohs Cultural Exchange Program We have three applications for the outbound exchange. Larry Mack asked if a survey would be going out for lining up interviews. Yes, this should be coming soon. The subcommittee members for the Hans Joohs exchange are, Larry Mack, Tom Schmitz, Dick Seeboth, and John Vorwerk. Old Business We had continued discussion about the German Language Day Camp for 2025. We are still trying to find a teacher. The sub –committee members are Carolyn Marti- Smith, Ellie Sveine, Jayne Maday-Hulke. Work will continue on this project. Tom Schmitz submitted the name of Kristy Lindquist as a probable instructor who we will try to contact. We will also place some inquiries on Facebook and KNUJ about seeking an instructor. Recognition award, sub-committee members Brian Filzen and John Vorwerk, Dick Seeboth and Tom Schmitz met on December 9th , 2024. Their recommendation is that Keith Rolloff be recognized posthumously. Ellie Sveine made a motion to accept this recommendation, second by John Vorwerk. Motion carried. John Vorwerk will get the award made and be in touch with the Rolloff family. The date and location of the award is yet to be determined by the committee. We would also like to recognize Holger and Uli Tietz (from Ulm Germany). After some discussion it was determined that Mayor Kathleen Backer will write a certificate of commendation from the Mayor, City of New Ulm and, Sister Cities Commission. We will ask that the Narren present them with the award when they are in Germany later this month. A motion to approve this accommodation award was made by Jayne Maday-Hulke, second by Carolyn Marti-Smith. Motion carried. Page 3 of 17 New Business Committee assignments were made by those present. Advertising and Promotion: Carolyn Marti-Smith, Larry Mack, Tony Beranek. German Language Camp: Jayne Maday-Hulke, Ellie Sveine, Carolyn Marti-Smith. Hans Joohs Exchange: Jayne Maday-Hulke, Larry Mack, John Vorwerk. Recognition Committee: Ellie Sveine, John Vorwerk, Tony Beranek. Those members absent from the meeting tonight should let Lisa Pelzel know what their preferences are. Announcements Ellie Sveine announced that she will be absent from the next two meetings and that there will be a need for someone to take minutes. Kathleen Backer spoke about the need for a new leader for the flower watering project and their upcoming recognition dinner. Addendum Larry Mack made a motion to suspend the rules for addendum, second by Carolyn Marti-Smith. Motion carried Tom Schmitz announced that he will be resigning from the commission, as requested by the City Council so that he can be on other committees. He states he will always be a friend of the Sister Cities Commission. He asked if anyone was interested in being the new chair, no one volunteered, so this will be put on the agenda for next month. Adjournment The next Meeting will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 5:15 pm at City Hall Conference Room. Minutes submitted by Ellie Sveine. Page 4 of 17  Sister Cities Commission General Fund For the Month Ended 1/31/25 Revenues: Budget 0.00 Revenues: 0.00 Budget remaining 0.00 Percent of budget remaining 0% Expenses: Budget 3,570.00 Expenses (440.00) Budget remaining 3,130.00 Percent of budget remaining 88% Total Budget Remaining 12/31/2024 3,130.00 Detailed Revenue and Expenses Revenue: TOTAL REVENUE $0.00 Expenses: January 2024 Sister Cities International Membership -$440.00 TOTAL EXPENSE -$440.00 Page 5 of 17  Sister Cities Commission Special Projects Fund For the Month Ended 1/31/25 Beginning Balance: 1/1/2025 8,084.09 Revenue: Interest 0.00 Other Contributions/Sales 0.00 0.00 Expenses: Other 0.00 0.00 Ending Balance: 12/31/2025 8,084.09 Detailed Revenue and Expenses Revenue: TOTAL REVENUE $0.00 Expenses: TOTAL EXPENSE $0.00 Page 6 of 17 JANA BÖHM Application as a Participant for the Professional Exchange Program with New Ulm/USA Page 7 of 17  Jana Böhm Erlenstr. 8 D-89567 Sontheim Germany City of New Ulm Sister Cities Commission 100 North Broadway New Ulm, MN 56073 January 22, 2025 Dear Selection Committee, I am writing to express my keen interest in participating in the Professional Exchange Program with New Ulm, MN. The opportunity to spend three months in the United States, immersing myself in American culture and the American workplace is incredibly exciting. I believe this exchange will provide me with a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth. What fascinates me most about the United States is the openness and friendliness of its people. During a previous trip, I had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand the warm hospitality of Americans, and I am confident that I will make many meaningful connections during this exchange program. I am eager to contribute to the long-standing relationship between Ulm and New Ulm. Through the active exchange of skills and knowledge, I believe I can make a significant contribution to the cultural exchange of both cities. I am also looking forward to gaining new insights and perspectives that will not only further my own professional development, but will also enrich my working environment in Germany. My commitment to personal and professional growth motivated me to apply for the City of Ulm's trainee program after graduation. This program provides targeted training and mentoring to recent graduates to foster their growth and development. As part of the program, I successfully completed various training modules, including workshops on project management, communication, and interpersonal management. Targeted seminars helped me identify my strengths and develop strategies to use them effectively. This program enhanced my self-reflection skills, resulting in a clearer understanding of my potential and improved readiness for future challenges. Page 8 of 17 I am currently responsible for the implementation of a Tax Compliance Management System (TCMS) in the internal tax department of the city of Ulm. This includes the design and implementation of a comprehensive TCMS. In this role, I coordinate the implementation and requirements definition process closely with various departments and provide training and support to employees. Excellent communication and organizational skills are crucial to this position, enabling the effective communication of complex information and the management of diverse project requirements. This management role in a new area has been incredibly rewarding. It has demonstrated my passion for taking on new challenges and increased responsibility. My experience as a children's gymnastics coach showed me the importance of individual needs. This role honed my observation, communication, and empathy skills, which I now use effectively in training sessions for city employees. During my studies at the University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration and Finance in Ludwigsburg, I gained practical experience through internships in various departments, including Human Resources, Public Relations, Elections, Public Order, Financial Administration, and Youth Welfare. My diverse experiences have demonstrated my ability to quickly adapt to new tasks and thrive in dynamic work environments. I am a highly curious individual with a strong desire for continuous learning and growth. In conclusion, I am eager to explore internship opportunities in a variety of areas. I am confident in my ability to adapt quickly to the New Ulm work environment. I believe that my personal and professional experience combined with my flexibility, eagerness to learn, and cultural curiosity will make me a valuable asset to this unique opportunity to promote international understanding and cooperation between Ulm and Neu-Ulm. I am excited about the prospect of immersing myself in American culture and making a meaningful contribution to this important exchange. Sincerly, Page 9 of 17  JANA BÖHM PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Mar/2024 - Present INTERNAL TAX DEPARTMENT City of Ulm Implementation of a Tax Compliance Management System, including design, implementation and training of employees Supporting the implementation of tax law reforms Supervising interns and imparting practical knowledge Erlenstraße 8 D-89567 Sontheim EDUCATION Germany Sep/2020 - Feb/2024 UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE LUDWIGSBURG 0049 176 56875628 B.A. Public Management Public Administration with a focus on finances and economics Practical Training jana.boehm@mein.gmx Human Resources Office, City of Ulm (Sep/2020 - Dec 2020) Assisted with recruitment processes, including screening resumes and scheduling interviews Office of Statistics and Elections, City of Ulm 10/10/2000 (Jan/2021 - Feb 2021) Supported the organization of elections Staff Position, City of Heidenheim (Jul/2022 - Oct/2022) Public Relations LANGUAGES Smart City Project Financial Administration, Village Sontheim a. d. Brenz (Nov/2022 - Jan/2023) Assistance in the preparation of the municipal budget German: native speaker Englisch: B2 Public Order Office, City of Ulm (May/2023 - Sep/2023) Hungarian: B2 Resolved citizen inquiries and complaints Assisted with the organization of public events Youth Welfare Office, Dillingen district office (Feb/2023 - Apr 2023) Support in determining maintenance claims for children Page 10 of 17 Sep/2017 - Jul/2020 COMMERCIAL SCHOOL HEIDENHEIM University entrance qualification (Abitur) with a major in business and economics Sep/2011 - Jul/2017 SECONDARY SCHOOL SONTHEIM A. D. BRENZ Intermediate secondary school leaving certificate SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT May/2020 - Jul/2020 SERVICE STAFF Campsite “Camping Gutshof Donauried” Apr/2019 - Sep/2019 SERVICE STAFF Campsite “Camping Gutshof Donauried” May/2018 - Dec/2018 SERVICE STAFF Burgerhouse “Imbiss zum Dachdecker” Jun/2017 - Sep/2017 SERVICE STAFF Campsite “Camping Gutshof Donauried” VOLUNTARY WORK Coach in a children's gymnastics group Gymnastics club “Turnverein Brenz 1864 e.V.” Active commitment to nature conservation and biodiversity January 22, 2025 Page 11 of 17  Linda Sinani WORK EXPERIENCE City Administration Ulm - Trainee Personal Details Department of Social Services - Eselsberg District Since 03/2023 +49 1573 7727513 Administrative processing under Social Security Codes IX and XII Ulm, Germany Project Management: Neighborhood development projects in collaboration with municipal social services, German establishment of a community association and various small-scale social initiatives 03/30/2000 Sonnenhof Schwäbisch Hall - Federal Voluntary Service linda-sinani@ 09/2019 – 02/2020 web.de Teaching assistant in an inclusive elementary school class INTERNSHIPS 05/2022 – 08/2022 Municipal Administration Wallhausen Focus: Local Government Policy and Leadership in the Public Sector 02/2022 – 04/2022 City Administration Crailsheim Focus: Human Resources and Organization 11/2021 – 01/2022 City Administration Vienna (Austria) Department 40 – Social Services Center 07/2021 – 10/2021 City Administration Ulm Division: Citizen Services – Public Safety, Order and Business Regulations 09/2019 – 02/2020 City Administration Kirchheim u. Teck Citizen Services: Public Safety, Order, Civil Registry and Elections Facility Management Human Resources and Organization Page 12 of 17 Interests EDUCATION Show dance University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration, Kehl (Member of KGO 09/2019 – 02/2023 Oberelchingen) Bachelor of Arts in Public Management Badminton Squash Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium Crailsheim Boardgames 09/2010 – 08/2018 Travelling High School Diploma Exploring different cultures Concerts / Festivals TECHNICAL SKILLS Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Languages LICENSES German: Native Driver’s License (Class B and BE, equivalent to US standard driver’s license) English: B2 Ulm, 01/23/2025 Linda Sinani Page 13 of 17 Linda Sinani Silcherweg 12 89075 Ulm +4915737727513 linda-sinani@web.de Sister Cities Commission 100 N Broadway New Ulm, MN 56073 Ulm, January 23, 2025 Application for the Professional Exchange Program with New Ulm, USA Dear Members of the Sister Cities Commission I have always been fascinated by the opportunity to connect with other cultures on a personal level rather than just scratching the surface. The exchange program between the sister cities of Ulm, Neu Ulm and New Ulm offers a unique chance to experience life in the United States in a way that goes far beyond a typical vacation. In particular, I see living with a host family as an incredible opportunity to get to know the local people authentically and experience their culture firsthand. My current experience of living in a shared apartment with people from different cultures has taught me the value of cultural exchange, which I am excited to build upon in this program. In addition to the intercultural experience, I am excited about the chance to work in an American organization and gain new professional perspectives. I am adaptable and eager to take on new challenges, which is why I can imagine myself in a variety of roles during my time in New Ulm. I would particularly enjoy working in dynamic, people-centered environments, such as a kindergarten or school. My experience working with children during my voluntary service has shown me how rewarding this kind of work can be, and I would love to explore it further. In February 2023, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Management. Since March 2023, I have been working as a trainee in the Social Affairs Department at the City of Ulm. My responsibilities include neighborhood work in the Eselsberg district and case management in the field of integration assistance. I particularly value the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds, which has further strengthened my desire to gain international experience. Driven bycuriosity, I continuously seek ways to expand my skills. Traveling gives me freedom, and my one-month stay in Indonesia last year allowed me to broaden my horizons and gain valuable experiences. I am convinced that this exchange is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. With my open and communicative personality, I aim not only to learn but also to contribute and share my perspectives. It would be a great pleasure for me to participate in a program that fosters both new and long- standing friendships each year, thereby preserving the strong bond between our cities and strengthening the cultural ties between our communities. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this exceptional program. Sincerely Linda Sinani Page 14 of 17  Samuel Knoops Regerweg 7 89075 Ulm Ulm, 01.18.2025 Dear Sir or Madam, I am very greatful to have gotten into the closer selection for the exchange program between the cities of New Ulm and Ulm. I found out about the exchange program through a colleague, and it immediately became clear to me that I should not miss such an opportunity. I am a very open-minded person who enjoys expanding his horizon and meeting new people. Furthermore, I researched that the city of New Ulm attaches great importance to preserving the German language in the area. In this regard, I could imagine making a contribution, like visiting German language classes at a school. I would particularly like to to do the internship at the August Schell Brewing Company, as I am a brewing journeyman at the Brauerei Gold Ochsen in Ulm, and we have already had a collaboration with your local brewery. I am very interested in the life and work in America, as well as the beer production there, especially since your breweries are not bound by the German Purity Law. However I´m also open for other kinds of businesses, in particular in the field of food production or chemistry. I am convinced that this exchange program would be a valuable opportunity to get to know and understand the culture and work practices of the United States of America, and to grow both personally and professionally. Moreover, I think it is of enormous importance that such programs for international understanding exist in today's world, and it would mean a lot to me if you would give me the chance to go to the United States of America and to participate in this professional exchange. With best regards Samuel Knoops Page 15 of 17 Samuel Knoops +49732446661 samuelknoops@web.de CV Personal data Name Samuel Knoops Address Regerweg 7 89075 Ulm Phone number +49732446661 Email samuelknoops@web.de Date of birth 01.25.2001 Birthplace Dillingen a. d. Donau Educational path September 2007 – July 2011 Angelina-Egger-Volksschule (primary school), Dillingen a. d. Donau September 2011 – July 2013 Albertus-Gymnasium (high school), Lauingen a. d. Donau September 2013 – July 2017 St.-Bonaventura-Realschule, Dillingen a. d. Donau (BWR-Zweig) (high school – department for business studies and accountancy) July 2017 School graduation GCSE September 2017 Albertus-Gymnasium, Lauingen a. d. Donau Favorite subjects: History, English July 2020 School graduation A-Level September 2020 – July 2023 Apprenticeship as Brewer and Malter at the Gold Ochsen Brewery since August 2023 Journeyman brewer at Gold Ochsen, Ulm Internships and language stays 03. - 08. August 2015 Internship at the District Court in Dillingen 15. - 19. January 2016 Social internship at the Regens-Wagner school in Dillingen (a school for mentally retarded and physically disabled children) 21. - 23. March 2016 Internship at the engineer and planning company Rinkenburger, Dillingen 23. - 25. May 2016 Internship at the surveying office in Dilllingen 07. - 10. August 2018 Internship at the tax office Ruff, Dillingen 04. - 08. March 2019 Internship at the Gold Ochsen Brewery, Ulm 11. - 21. June 2019 Internship at the Riegele Brewery, Augsburg Page 16 of 17 May 2013 Language stay in Bournemouth/England August 2014 Stay in South Africa with school visit May 2015 Language stay with the Kent School of English April 2019 Stay in the USA Knowledge and skills Language skills English since 5th grade Cambridge Assessment: Level C1, Overall Score 190 French, 1.5 years school knowledge Computer skills good knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint Hobbies and interests Recorder for 18 years Many years of ensemble experience with the recorder Violin for 8 years Many years of orchestra experience with the violin Novels with historical background Non-fiction books about historical events Ulm, 01.18.2025 Page 17 of 17