THIS for Diplomats 2020-2021
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THIS for Diplomats 2020-2021
Introduction
➢ THIS (The Hospitality and Information Service) for Diplomats is a
non-profit organization, 501(c)(3).
➢ Non-government organization, independent and self-sustaining
➢ No political or religious affiliations
➢ Welcomes all new diplomats to Washington, DC.
➢ Serves diplomats holding the following visas:
➢ A1, A2,
➢ G1, G2, G4
➢ NATO-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
"Our mission is to promote international understanding and friendship
through educational, informational and cultural exchanges with members
of the diplomatic community in Washington, DC."
What is THIS for Diplomats?
➢ Created in 1961 to welcome diplomats and their families
to Washington, DC.
➢ The first sponsors were the wives of President Kennedy’s
cabinet members.
➢ Headquartered at 1250 H Street NW, co-located with a
consortium of organizations
dedicated to cultural exchange.
➢ No fee for diplomats to join
THIS for Diplomats.
How THIS Fulfills Its Mission
➢ During a typical year (pre-pandemic)
➢ Over 200 Cultural Exchange Meetings
➢ 40 Programs
➢ 450 total diplomatic participation
➢ Operations and activities funded
via fundraisers, donations,
program fees and volunteer dues
➢ Annual volunteer contributions
➢ 14,000 hours
Who is THIS for Diplomats?
➢ Nearly 200 volunteers and 2 office staff.
➢ Highly educated and well-traveled.
➢ Fluent in 33 languages,
lived in 88 countries.
➢ Careers span academia,
industry, and public service.
➢ THIS for Diplomats Leadership:
➢ Diplomatic Advisory Board
➢ Advisory Board
➢ Executive Committee
THIS Officers
plus the Embassy Liaison Chair
➢ President Linda Wildes
➢ Vice President for Cultural Exchanges
Seyoung Thomas
➢ Vice President for Programs Nancy Regan
➢ Corresponding Secretary Carol Bradford
➢ Treasurer Angel Cavise
➢ Embassy Liaison Chair
Roxana van der Mensbrugghe
Vice President for Cultural Exchanges
Seyoung Thomas
➢ Activity Based (3)
➢ Geographical Based (5)
➢ Culture and Language Based (8)
Cultural Exchange Groups
Activity Based
➢ Book – Sarah Boittin, Marilyn Horwood
➢ Bridge – Juliana Madan, May Geadah
➢ Home Hospitality – Harriet Kelman,
Lashley Wolf
Book
Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Discuss international literature and
books by authors from around the
world.
➢ Meet on the last Friday of every
month, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
➢ For the 2020-2021 Book List go to
our website
at www.THISforDiplomats.org.
Chairs:
Sarah Boittin,
Marilyn Horwood
October's book: Years of Wonder
by Geraldine Brooks
Bridge
Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet to play contract bridge.
➢ Fundamental understanding of
bridge is required to participate.
➢ Meet every Monday, from 10:30 am
to 2:00 pm.
Chairs:
Juliana Madan,
May GeadahHome Hospitality
Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Hosted by volunteers in
their homes at a diplomat's
request.
➢ Opportunity to share family
dinner, weekend brunch,
afternoon picnic, outdoor
barbecue or holiday celebration.
Chairs:
Harriet Kelman,
Lashley WolfCultural Exchange Groups
Geographical Based
➢ DC – Ronna Foster, Wendy Morris,
Keiko Thurston
➢ Bethesda/Chevy Chase Maryland –
Suzanne Carbone, Peggy Letter
➢ Potomac Maryland – Nancy Coyle,
Roxana van der Mensbrugghe
➢ Arlington Virginia – Jamie Harding, Shari Lama
➢ Northern Virginia (NOVA) – Ieva O’Rourke,
Anita RezazadDC Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 1st and 3rd
Tuesdays of every month, from
10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
➢ Due to COVID-19, video
conference meetings are
combined with the
Bethesda/Chevy Chase group.
Chairs:
Ronna Foster,
Wendy Morris,
Keiko ThurstonBethesda/Chevy Chase Maryland
Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of
every month, from 10:30 am to
12:30 pm.
➢ Due to COVID-19, video conference
meetings are combined with the DC
group.
Chairs:
Suzanne Carbone,
Peggy LetterPotomac Maryland
Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 2nd and 4th
Thursdays of every month, from
10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Chairs:
Nancy Coyle,
Roxana van der MensbruggheArlington Virginia
Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Include members from the
American Association of
University Women (AAUW).
➢ Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of
every month, from 10:30 am to
12:30 pm.
Chairs:
Jamie Harding,
Shari LamaNorthern Virginia (NOVA)
Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of
every month, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Chairs:
Ieva O’Rourke,
Anita RezazadCultural Exchange Groups
Culture Based (English Speaking)
➢ African – Toyin Rose, Lidia Dorin
➢ Arabic – Lila Gurany, Tina Bailem,
Juliana Madan, Anita Rezazad
➢ Japanese – Gail Roache, Sheila Platoff,
Naomi FreemanAfrican Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 4th Friday of
every month.
Chairs:
Toyin Rose,
Lidia DorinArabic Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 4th Wednesday of
every month.
Chairs:
Lila Gurany,
Tina Bailem,
Juliana Madan,
Anita RezazadJapanese Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 2nd Friday of every
month, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
➢ Currently not meeting due to
COVID-19.
Chairs:
Gail Roache,
Sheila Platoff,
Naomi FreemanCultural Exchange Groups
Culture and Language Based
➢ Chinese – Kris Day
➢ French – Angel Cavise
➢ German – Johanna Nutter, Tina Bailem
➢ Italian – Maria Grazia Stephanz,
Elena Rocchio
➢ Spanish – Elena Olson, Nan CoughlinChinese Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 2nd Sunday
of every month.
➢ Welcome all levels
of Chinese proficiency.
➢ Children welcome.
Chair: Kris DayFrench Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 4th Tuesday of every month,
from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
➢ Welcome all levels of French proficiency.
Chair: Angel CaviseGerman Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 2nd Friday of every month,
from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
➢ Welcome all levels of German
proficiency.
Chairs:
Johanna Nutter,
Tina BailemItalian Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 3rd Friday of every
month, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
➢ Welcome all levels of Italian
proficiency.
Chairs:
Maria Grazia Stephanz,
Elena RocchioSpanish Cultural Exchange Group
➢ Meet on the 1st and 3rd
Mondays of every month, from
10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
➢ Welcome all levels
of Spanish proficiency.
Chairs:
Elena Olson,
Nan CoughlinVice President for Programs
Nancy Regan
➢ Due to COVID-19, only conducting
virtual programs.Programs Committees (4)
➢ Art – Peggy Letter
➢ Performing Arts – Carol Kaplan,
Mary Elizabeth Sadun
➢ Architecture, Garden and Home
Design – Sarah Moss, Carol Bradford
➢ American History and Government
Affairs – Nancy ReganArt Program Committee Chair: Peggy Letter
Performing Arts Program Committee Chairs: Carol Kaplan, Mary Elizabeth Sadun
American History and Government Affairs Program Committee Chair: Nancy Regan
Architecture, Garden and Home Design Program Committee Chairs: Sarah Moss, Carol Bradford
Embassy Liaison Chair
Roxana van der Mensbrugghe
➢ Role of THIS Embassy LiaisonsTHIS Connections
How We Connect With You
➢ Video conferencing
➢ THIS Websites
➢ Message Board
➢ Online Welcome Kit
"Our mission is to promote international understanding and friendship through
educational, informational and cultural exchanges with members of the
diplomatic community in Washington, DC."
To this day, no other organization provides this unique service.Presidential Endorsements
➢ Former President Barack Obama
“…Their work reminds us of the
profound impact each of us can have in
building goodwill and mutual
understanding among peoples and
nations.”
➢ Former President George W. Bush
“…By advancing goodwill and
understanding, you help build a brighter
future for people of all nations.”THIS for Diplomats has been serving
the diplomatic community for 59 years.
For more information visit our
website www.thisfordiplomats.org
Contact us via email
this@thisfordiplomats.org
or call (202)232-3002
Our office hours are Monday
through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
1250 H St. NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
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