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Meet President Joan Keston
Officers & Staff
Executive Committee
• Dr. Joan B. Keston, President
• Claudia H. Thurber, Vice President for Programs
• Marian Kumar , Vice President for Services
• Harriet Kelman, Corresponding Secretary
• Liz Klass, Treasurer
• Nan Coughlin, Development Committee Chair
• Phyllis Kaplan, Embassy Liaison Committee Chair
• Karen Bopp, Member-at-Large
• Riki Sheehan, Member-at-Large
• Evie Hirsch, Member-at-Large
• Carol Kaplan, Member at Large
• Tina Bailem, Editor in Chief
• Valeska (Lexie) Ellis, Past President
• Maureen Plevyak, Volunteer Committee Co-Chair
• Karen Russo, Volunteer Committee Co-Chair
• Megann Yaqub, Public Relations Committee Chair
• Olivia Brown, Bylaws Chair
• Bonnie Williams, Nominating Chair
Staff
• Maryanne Laager, Executive Director
• Melissa Larkin, Program Manager
Past Presidents
• Valeska (Lexie) Ellie (2008-2010)
• Bonita Williams (2007-2008)
• Susan Lee (2005-2007)
• Marlene Futterman (2004-2005)
• Olivia Brown (2003-2004)
• Elena Olson (2002-2003)
• Jacquelyn Pickett (2001-2002)
• Susan Rushton (2000-2001)
• Connie Andre (2000)
• Madge Palumbo (1999-2000)
• Cissy Anderson (1998-1999)
• Mary Gianoplus (1997-1998)
• Shirley Gayner (1996-1997)
• Sharon Spilhaus (1994-1996)
• Marion Turner (1992-1994)
• Evelyn Moore (1990-1992)
• Ellie Krone (1989-1990)
• Jean Wall (1988-1989)
• Lee Murek (1986-1988)
• Joy Vige (1984-1986)
• Polly LeFaivre (1982-1984)
• Joyce Bonin (1981-1982)
• Peggy Brown (1979-1981, 1982)
• Anne Good (1977-1979)
• Ruthanna Weber (1975-1977)
• Paula Jeffries (1971-1975)
• Mary Louise Day (1969-1971)
• Petey McClintock (1967-1969)
• Lillian Owen (1962-1967)
Description & Mission
THIS (pronounced T-H-I-S) for Diplomats was organized in 1961 at the request of the Chief of Protocol of the United States to help new diplomats and their families adapt to life in the United States. Today there are more than 180 foreign missions in the capital with more than 4,000 diplomatic families residing in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
THIS greets newly arriving diplomats and their families to the Washington area with welcome receptions and information about the opportunities and resources in the local area. Diplomats are offered services and programs which are useful both personally and professionally and include cultural exchange groups in 8 languages, "insider tours" to democratic institutions and historical landmarks, cultural events and the opportunity to freely exchange ideas and information with distinguished speakers on topics of worldwide concern.
All the endeavors of THIS aredesigned to fulfill our Mission:
"To promote international understanding and friendship through educational, informational and cultural exchanges with members of the diplomatic community in Washington, DC."
This mission springs from our core belief in the power of Citizen Diplomacy - that is the building of understanding and personal relationships between ordinary individuals from different countries. We believe that these warm exchanges between individuals can grow into positive relationships between countries. In President Dwight D. Eisenhower's words, "If only people will get together, then so eventually will nations."
Sponsors & Advisory Board
Honorary sponsors include:
• The Honorable Capricia P. Marshall, Chief of Protocol of the United States
• The Honorable Stuart Holliday, President of Meridian International Center
Advisory Board
- The Honorable Mortimer Caplin, Chair
• Mrs. Didi Cutler
• Mrs. Deborah Dunham
• Mr. Lawrence Dunham
• Mrs. Alexine Jackson
• The Honorable Kenton Keith
• Mr. David Weisman
• Mrs. Gail West
• Mr. Eric Willis
• THIS Past Presidents
Diplomatic Advisory Board
Our Diplomatic Advisory Board is comprised of spouses of current ambassadors from the countries listed:
• Afghanistan - Mrs. Sultana Hakimi
• Belgium - Mrs. Agnes Matthysen
• Brunei - Datin Mahani Abu Zar
• Chile - Mrs. Monica Pellegrini
• Djibouti - Mrs. Amina Farah Ahmed Olhaye
• Egypt - Mrs. Aziza Ibrahim Shoukry
• Fiji - Mrs. Queenie Thompson
• France - Mrs. Sophie L'Helias-Delattre
• Indonesia - Dr. Rosa Rai Djalal
• Japan - Mrs. Yoriko Fujisaki
• Kenya - Mrs. Aoko Odembo
• Norway - Rev. Dr. Cecilie Jorgensen Strommen
• Poland - Mrs. Malgorzata Kupiecka
• Slovak Republic - Mrs. Nina Burian
• Turkey - Mrs. Talia Fugen Tan
• Vietnam - Dr. Minh Ha Hoang
Helpful Links
US Department of State Diplomatic List (Spring 2011 "Blue Book")
http://www.washdiplomat.com
(Resource for Diplomatic community)
http://www.dc.gov
(District of Columbia government website)
http://dcps.dc.gov/portal/site/DCPS/
(District of Columbia public schools)
http://www.dmv.state.va.us
(Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles)
http://www.mva.state.md.us
(Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles)
http://www.culturaltourismdc.org
(Washington heritage and arts)
Diplomats Contact Request
THIS serves 180 embassies with approximately 4,000 accredited diplomats as well as accredited diplomats at the Organization of American States, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
If you would like to be contacted by a THIS member volunteer or you would like to receive a Welcome Kit please contact us at THIS@meridian.org or fill out the form below.
Service Committee
The Service Committees are: Book Discussion; Foreign Language Conversation groups include: French, German, Italian, and Spanish; Cultural Exchange groups include Turkish, Russian, Arabic, and Japaense; Home Hospitality, International Coffee and Cultural Exchange include: Washington DC, Bethesda/Chevy Chase MD, Potomac/Rockville MD, Arlington VA THIS/AAUW, McLean VA THIS/AAUW, Northern Virginia; Bridge; Mahjong; and Tennis.
These committees meet on a regular basis, usually in the homes of volunteers, and there is no charge (or at most, a nominal fee) to the diplomats for these services. Volunteers on Service Committees have diverse responsibilities, and the opportunities for one-on-one interatction with diplomats are unlimited.
The following forms have been provided to help Service Committee members report after each meeting.
This is a PDF version of the Services Report Form which must be filed once a month.
Services Report Form E-Mail Layout
This is a MS Word document which can be opened and then copy and pasted into the body of an e-mail message.
Program Committee
FORMS
Program Final Report Once your Program has taken place, send this completed form and the registration list to the THIS for Diplomats office within one week.
Pricing Worksheet for Calendar Program Form Use this form to determine how much to charge for the program.
Services and Gratuity Reimbursement Form Please complete this form and submit it with your Final Report for
Program form in order to be reimbursed for things such as tips for bus
drivers and tour guides, items which you are buying from an individual
and you need documentation of payment, etc
GUIDELINES
General Guidelines for Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs The purpose of THIS as stated in the Bylaws is to be of service to the diplomats
and their families in the Washington area by encouraging understanding, rapport
and a close relationship between the resident members of the diplomatic corps
and the Washington community.
The Program Process Documents, Deadlines and Responsibilities - a checklist to assist you in planning programs.
What the Office Does to Make a Program Happen
Guidelines for Nametag Coordinator This instruction form is for the THIS volunteer who is responsible for nametags
at your program.
Upcoming Programs
May 15- Visit with the Hubermans: Contemporary Art Collection in Potomac
May 21- Bus Trip to Montpelier
June 1- Arena Stage's The Music Man
June 2- Historic St. Michaels by Boat
Programs & Services
THIS for Diplomats organizes many stimulating and informative programs not available to the general public for all individuals who are on diplomatic status in the United States and their dependants. Currently, a Calendar of Events is sent by email to diplomatic families and 400 volunteer members five times a year. If you have not already registered with us please do so by submitting a contact form. Providing your email address will ensure that you receive each issue of the Calendar of Events. Click on the Contact Form button to the right. Program Committees and sample events are listed below:
• Government Affairs hosts seminars on civics and special tours of government institutions such as the Pentagon, the Supreme Court, the US Capitol and The White House.
• Travel orgainzes day and overnight trips to cities and areas within the mid-Atlantic region. Some recent trips include Pennsylvania's Brandywine River Valley, Pittsburgh and Fallingwater, and Virginia's Luray Caverns.
• American History and Community Affairs provides outings to historical sites in the Washington, DC area.
• Architecture, Garden and Home Design schedules visits to design centers, gardens and homes of distinction in the Washington area. It arranges lectures by architects, designers and horticulturists.
• Art visits private collections and area museums, such as the Hirshhorn Museum, Renwick Gallery and Phillips Collection.
• Sports in America: Like language and fashion, sports are an essential element of cultural identity. "Sports in America" offers the opportunity to experience sports through a new perspective - the American one. All-American sports include baseball, American football, and lacrosse.
• Performing Arts provides opportunities to enjoy theatre, dance and musical performances throughout the Washington area.
• Cooking demonstrates preparation of American meals and serves them in private homes. Chefs from area restaurants offer tips and techniques on preparing their specialty dishes.
• Initiatives and Programs for Professionals presents expert lectures and panel discussions on current topics of interest to the international community.
- Insights at Meridian: The Insights program is a series of forums for ambassadors and other senior diplomats designed to provide them with detailed information on current events and topics dominating the national and international dialogues. Co-presented by Meridian International Center and THIS for Diplomats since early 2011, this series has covered topics from economics to politics with notable experts such as pollster John Zogby and former US Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.
THIS Services
Service groups meet on a regular basis in the homes of volunteers and diplomats and are available free of charge.
• International Coffee and Cultural Exchange (ICCE) - groups that meet at different homes to practice English and informally discuss various aspects of their cultures.
• Washington, DC
• Maryland
◦ Bethesda / Chevy Chase
◦ Gaithersburg/Rockville
◦ Potomac
• Virginia
◦ Northern Virginia
◦THIS / AAUW Arlington
◦THIS / AAUW McLean
• Foreign Language Conversation and Cultural Exchange - groups that meet at different homes to use and practice other languages and informally discuss various aspects of their cultures.
• Arabic - conducted in English
• French - conducted in French
• German - conducted in German
• Italian - conducted in Italian
• Japanese - conducted in English
• Russian - conducted in English
• Spanish - conducted in Spanish
• Turkish - conducted in English
• Home Hospitality - enjoy social events in private homes, such as a family dinner, weekend brunch, afternoon picnic, or outdoor barbeque.
• Calling - volunteers welcome newly arrived diplomats and their spouses to introduce them to THIS and provide them with information about life in Washington.
• Book Discussion - members meet each month to discuss literature, reading books by American and international authors.
• Tennis - volunteers support an informal daytime tennis group.
• Bridge - enjoy playing this popular and challenging card game in an informal atmosphere. A fundamental understanding of bridge is required to participate.
New Member Information & Forms
As a volunteer organization, our goal is to give foreign diplomats an enriched and happy experience while they live in the Capital area. Our volunteers must be active participants who commit their time and energy on a regular basis to the organization.
If you would like us to consider your qualifications for the type of service we offer the diplomatic community, please complete the New Membership Form below and return it to the THIS office via our e-mail: this@meridian.org
If you are presently aquainted with a current volunteer, please ask them to fill out the Sponsor Form and include it with your New Membership Form.
Member Volunteers
THIS for Diplomats has more than 300 member volunteers who give their time and talents to furthering the mission of THIS. Volunteers represent a wide variety of personal and professional backgrounds. Most have lived or traveled abroad and some are native to other countries. Many are are multilingual. All seek and enjoy opportunities to interact with members of the diplomatic community.
Member volunteers are proposed and sponsored by current volunteers or through application to the Volunteer Committee, which conducts interviews for prospective member volunteers several times a year. Prospective volunteers should have a sincere interest in citizen diplomacy and the ability to contribute substantial time and effort to support the programs and services of THIS. All volunteers pay annual dues. Persons interested in becoming members of THIS may contact the Volunteer Committee through this website.
Donate now
We are so grateful for your contribution to THIS! Click here to donate securely through PayPal.
Corporate & Individual Giving
Citizen diplomacy has never been more important. Your tax-deductible gift will go a long way to helping us continue our critical work that truly affects the lives of those we serve. We are changing the world, one relationship at a time.
THIS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-governmental organization. THIS receives financial support from corporations, individuals and our affiliate, Meridian International Center. See our most current Form 990 for more information.
For more information on corporate sponsorship or individual giving,please call 202.232.3002 or visit our contact page.
Our thanks to these individuals for their generous support!
Dr. Peter Bing and Mrs. Helen Bing
The Honorable Mortimer Caplin and Mrs. Ruth Caplin
Ms. Ann Reilly
Press
Having been a fixture in the Washington, DC diplomatic community for over 50 years, THIS for Diplomats has many stories to tell. If you have an interest in writing about our unique organization, covering one of our events, or interviewing our volunteers or diplomats, please contact us at this@meridian.org or call 202-232-3002.
Contact
Do you have a question, comment or suggestion? Just use the form below to send an email and we will answer your question or comments as soon as possible. You can also write or call us at:
THIS for Diplomats
Meridian International Center
1630 Crescent Place, NW
Washington, DC 20008
tel 202.232.3002
fax 202.939.5872
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