Over 100 people nationwide, will be "citizen diplomats," representing their communities at the USCSCA conference in Havana. For the first time, people will have the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with their counterparts in  Cuba, from all fourteen provinces and the Isle of Youth, to discuss, determine and create the criteria, procedures and other solutions to the  complex issues we face in building viable and diverse "sister city" exchanges with Cuba.

This bilateral, people-to-people partnership, offers a profound new way to bridge over forty years of isolationism, that has been a curse on both our houses, resulting from the Cold War. Through constructive engagement, firsthand experiences and mutual cooperation, we have the unique and urgently necessary opportunity to serve as healers, and begin to bring about a new relationship between our estranged nations.

Obviously, the majority of our vast membership is unable to attend the conference in Cuba, HOWEVER, we are calling a NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN MADISON WISCONSIN the weekend of JUNE 9-11, so that we can share, firsthand with all and each of you, how the discussions in Havana will impact on your local work. This conference IS FOR YOU, to help you move ahead, diversify, or begin an exchange project with a community in Cuba.

We will also be having some basic skills workshops, like how to write grants, etc. "END THE EMBARGO COFFEE" will also be with us (Yum, yum) Lots of great coffee for worthwhile discussions) as well as Cuban representatives who will speak on the relationship/lack of resulting from the Elain Ordeal, and how that opens unlimited opportunities for local organization.

Please read details below and check out our website, www.USCSCA.org

See memo below about the June conference, including housing and registration information.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference.

Robert Kimbrough/Marg Sumner/Lisa Valanti

From: Ricardo Gonzalez, president, MCSCA; and Robert Kimbrough, conference coordinator

The Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association is honored and delighted to host the second annual U.S.-Cuba Sister Cities Association Conference on June 9, 10, and 11, 2000. This letter is long, but contains much essential information.

Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and the home of the main campus of the University of Wisconsin. The city is centered on an isthmus between two large lakes, Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. The Capitol building sits in the middle and the city extends generally east and west from the Capitol.

On Friday and Saturday, we will meet on the campus of the University, 7 short blocks west of the Capitol on the shores of Lake Mendota. On Saturday night we party at Ricardo Gonzalez’s Cardinal Bar, 3 blocks east of the Capitol, where all the "good" people of Madison meet. And on Sunday, we will move to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, 2 blocks south of the Capitol on Lake Monona. (For maps and more information, check the Internet: www.ci.madison.wi.us or www.visitmadison.com).

The preliminary format for the conference is:

On Friday, June 9, from late in the afternoon and on into the evening, registration and an informal reception with music and refreshments in the Alumni Lounge of the UW Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St.

On Saturday, June 10, daylong meetings and lunch in the Pyle Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. After people break for rest and dinner, the day will end (and Sunday will begin) with Latin dancing at Ricardo’s famous Cardinal Bar.

On Sunday, June 11, meetings and the closing lunch in the lakeview Community Terrace Room at Monona Terrace, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (The USCSCA board meeting will follow, 2:30-5 p.m.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The registration information and form are found at the end of this letter. Many other groups will be meeting in Madison at the time of our conference, but we have been able to block discounted rooms near the Pyle Center. Before listing the options, please let me suggest that you move quickly, that you call to ensure that the kind of facilities you need are available, and that you have your roommate(s) confirmed before you call. Be sure to state that you are with the USCSCA Conference and ask for a brochure.

1. Lowell Hall, 610 Langdon St., is run by the University. 33 rooms reserved. $62 for a single, $72 for 2-4 people (2 double beds, no queen size). 608-256-2621; www.uwex.edu/ecc

2. Madison Inn, 601 Langdon St. 20 rooms reserved. $75 for a single, $85 for 2-4 people (some rooms have 2 queen-sized beds). 608-257-4391.

3. Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, 525 W. Johnson St. (a 5-block walk). 10 rooms reserved. $85 for 1-4 people (most rooms have 2 queen-sized beds). 1-800-446-4656

4. University Inn, 441 N. Frances at State St. (a 2-block walk). 10 rooms reserved. $89 for 1-4 people (some rooms have 2 queen-sized beds). 1-800-279-4881

5. Madison Hostel, 141 S. Butler St. (9 blocks from campus, 2 blocks to Cardinal Bar and Monona Terrace). No rooms reserved, but 7 discounted rooms available, some dorm, some private. $12/person in the dorm; $23/room for 1-3 people (clean, spare, no bathrooms en suite, kitchen, commons). 608-441-0144; www.sit.wisc.edu/hostel

For those who want to treat themselves, I’ll mention 3 really great places.

No rooms have been reserved or discounted.

1. Canterbury Inn, 315 W. Gorham at State St. 6 rooms. $150-260. 1-800-838-3850; www.madisoncanterbury.com

2. Mansion Hill Inn, 424 N. Pinckney St. 6 rooms. $170-340. 1-800-798-9070; www.mansionhillinn.com

3. The Edgewater Hotel, 666 Wisconsin Ave. $109-399. 1-800-922-5512; www.gowisconsin/edgewater

For those who would like to stay in private Madison homes, please call Robert Kimbrough at 608-238-1266.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Over 100 years ago, rich families from the south came north to Madison in the summer to enjoy our pleasant site and lovely weather. The waterfront terrace of the Student Union (same block as the Pyle Center) is the place in the summer to be, to see, and to be seen. There’s music, dancing, sunning, watching, food and drinks, beer and brats, etc., etc., to indulge in. (The terrace is popularly known as "The Leisure of the Theory Class.") Rest assured that the Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association will be going all out to make your stay profitable and most pleasant. If you have any questions or suggestions concerning the conference, please call Robert Kimbrough at 608-238-1266. (Robert will be attending the Havana conference, but will help before May 19 and after May 28th.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Registration: After you have made your housing arrangements, please fill out and return the registration form, even if you do not pay your registration fee in advance. We simply must get some sense of attendance in order to prepare conference materials and to arrange two catered meals. (Leaders and other delegates to the May conference, please bring with you estimates of attendees. Thanks, R.K.)

Once you have filled out the form, mail or email to:

Mail to: Robert Kimbrough, , 3206 Gregory St., Madison, WI 53705; 608-238-1266; prose@facstaff.wisc.edu

Fellow Friends of Cuba:

On January 5^th, at meetings of the MCSCA board and membership, motions were passed unanimously to have the association host the second annual conference of the US-CUBA Sister Cities Association here in Madison on June 9, 10, and 11. I have been asked to coordinate the event.

The Sister Cities Association was formed last March in Pittsburgh by members of the four existing sister-city groups along with individuals from U.S. cities that want to twin with Cuba. Our Ricardo Gonzalez was there and was elected vice president. (Lisa Valanti of the Pittsburgh/Matanzas Association was elected president.)

The mission of the USCSCA is "to foster sister city relationships and understanding through mutually beneficial exchanges between individuals, community groups, organizations, and institutions in the United States with counterparts in Cuba."

The need for such an association arose out of the fact that, while there are at present only four chartered associations, there are between 20 and 30 U.S. cities who want to twin with cities in Cuba. Too many cities are simply making direct contact with cities in Cuba, which creates confusion and unfair pressure on the government of Cuba. The function of the USCSCA is, in short, 1) to help U.S. cities organize themselves in their own areas, and 2) to process and forward completed applications to twin with Cuba to the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, D.C., which will screen and forward applications to the National Assembly of Cuba.

The first conference of the USCSCA was held last October in Mobile, the first sister city, twinned with Havana. Because Madison is the second chartered city, it is fitting that the second conference be held here.

The preliminary outline-format for the conference is: On Friday, June 9^th, from late in the afternoon and on into the evening, registration and an informal reception with music and refreshments in the Lakeside Room of the UW Alumni House on campus. On Saturday, June 10^th, daylong meetings and lunch in the Pyle Center (formerly Wisconsin Center) from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; after people break for rest and dinner, the day will end (and Sunday will begin) with dancing at Ricardo’s famous Cardinal Bar. On Sunday, June 11^th, meetings and the closing lunch in the lakeview Community Terrace room at Monona Terrace, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (The USCSCA board meeting will follow, 2:30 - 5 p.m.)

The purpose of this letter is to inform you, to excite you, and to plead for your help — before the event as well as during the event. A few have already volunteered, but we need many more. Please get in touch:

Robert Kimbrough

3206 Gregory St.

Madison, WI 53711-1821

Phone: 608-238-1266

Fax: 608-251-4279

E-mail: prose@facstaff.wisc.edu

Thank you for your attention.

  P.S. If you have not paid your Y2000 dues of $20, please do so. Most of your dues are used to maintain the mailing and e-mail lists, to do mailings, to present monthly meetings, and to cover other routine but necessary matters.

2000 is going to be a very big year for us: more trips, more visitors, and this national conference. Because we are now a 501(3)(c), perhaps you will consider adding a donation to your small dues?!

Madison will be where we "bring it all back home" and put it into practice! Be there, or be square. Madison will offer something for everyone! Please RSVP! Save your spot!

To: Friends and Members of USCSCA
From: Robert Kimbrough, conference coordinator

Dear Friends,

A short follow-up to Lisa's e-mail of Sunday, April 30, from your slightly nervous conference coordinator before he leaves for the Havana Conference (and a trip on to Camaguey before returning to Madison on the 29th).

By now I hope that all the information about housing and the registration form which came attached to Lisa's message have been received and distributed to all potentially interested parties. If not, see the association's web site, www.uscsca.org, or e-mail: cardinalbar@globaldialog.com and ask for a copy of "the April 7 letter and attachment."

We recommend Lowell Hall for price and convenience, but four people sharing might be more comfortable at the Madison Inn or Howard Johnson's.

Please make your travel plans soon. Flights fill up and prices go up. Leaders of the various groups going to Havana: please have a rough head count of conference participants for me. I'll be bringing packets of material on Madison and more registration forms.

The University of Wisconsin is hosting us all day Saturday at no cost, but Sunday's lunch will be $20 per person.

Enough!
Robert Kimbrough
Madison Conference Co-ordinator

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