Annual Meeting

An annual National Conference is held yearly in each country.  Delegates from affiliated cities gather to discuss mutual problems, elect association officers, and plan program for the coming year.  Business matters conducted at these meetings include various workshops which offer information about conducting student exchanges; advice relating to customs problems which frequently arise during the exchange of equipment and other materials between Sister Cities; fund-raising advice, and any other subjects which are of general interest to the member cities.

In addition, an International Convention of U.S.. and Mexico Sister Cities alternates each year between the two countries.  These international meetings are colorful and rewarding events that greatly strengthen the spirit and resolve of all who participate in them.  This is the one event at which the rand-and-file members from both countries can join for a reexamination of their program goals and a reaffirmation of the broader goal for which they are all working so hard.  Featured speakers at these gatherings have included U.S. Ambassadors to Mexico and other Department of State officials, educators, and journalists who know Mexico  from having lived and worked there.

Every year several major cities vie spiritedly to be selected to host the coming year's meeting,, and a gala atmosphere resembling a political convention often prevails.  Each conference also includes the selection of two US/Mexico Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors, one from each country, who reign for the next year as Sister City Queens.

In addition to the national and international meetings, US/MSCA also sponsors a series of ongoing events of interest and value to all.  These include a "Teacher's Day;" art exchange between the school children of the two countries;" "Pen Pal" programs, and a Sister City Barbecue, held each year in the spring.

The Association publishes a bi-monthly newsletter which provides new about the individual city activities in the two countries, as well as the national organization's activities.  In addition it provides a variety of "self-help" informational brochures for member cities and prospective members.