Sister Cities Records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: UASC.UA.011

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of two main series. The first relates to the business of Tyler Sister Cities Corporation (TSC) of Tyler, Texas from 1983 to 1992. The bulk of these documents date between 1984 and 1989. The second series relates to the work of Dr. George F. Hamm, President of the University of Texas at Tyler from 1981 to 1998, during his appointment to the International Executive Committee of Sister Cities International (SCI). Materials in this series date from 1985-1988 with the bulk dated between 1987 and 1988. Materials represented in this collection include meeting minutes, financial reports, correspondence, brochures, travel itineraries, budget proposals, membership applications, travel study applications, fundraising forms, newspaper clippings, inventories of supplies, by-laws, posters, bookmarks, bumper stickers, newsletters, and mailing lists. Primary topics of interest include the Sister Cities partnership between Tyler, Texas and Metz, France; the establishment of the Eisenhower International Golf Classic in Tyler, Texas; the Sister Cities Young Artist Competition inaugurated by the Tyler Sister Cities branch at the University of Texas at Tyler; the formation and early organization of Tyler Sister Cities; selection criteria for Sister Cities International; prospective candidates for US Sister Cities partnerships abroad; and Youth Exchange programs. The process leading to the creation of these records is unclear. With respect to the dates represented, the consistency of organization, and annotations present throughout the collection, it seems most likely that the records were compiled by Margaret Loftis during her term as President of Tyler Sister Cities (TSC). Mrs. Loftis served as President from September 1, 1987 through June 1989. Mrs. Loftis may have incorporated select legacy documents from prior administrations into her organizational system in order to facilitate her executive duties. Consequently, these records may not be a complete representation of the work of Tyler Sister Cities from 1983-1992. It is unclear who contributed new materials to the collection after the election of the fifth board of directors. Materials dated beyond summer 1989 represent a minute portion of the collection. Records in series two appear to have been compiled during Dr. Hamm's tenure as TSC liaison to the SCI International Executive Committee. These records reflect the same organizational structure imposed by Mrs. Loftis on the general TSC holdings. Dr. Hamm served on the International Executive Committee and SCI board beyond 1987-1988, so the materials collected in these records comprise only a small portion of his work with Sister Cities International. From September 1987 through June 1989, Dr. Hamm serve on the Tyler Sister Cities Board of Directors as Chairman of the International Executive Board. Accordingly, these materials may represent contributions from Dr. Hamm to the Tyler Sister Cities records compiled by Mrs. Loftis.

Dates

1983-1992
Majority of material found in 1987-1990
Other: Date acquired: 2011-03-28

Creator

Loftis, Margaret (Person)
Tyler Sister Cities (Organization)
Hamm, George F. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Some restrictions may apply. Please contact the repository for more details.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Tyler Sister City Corporation (also known as Tyler Sister Cities) was founded in 1982 following an educational exchange tour of French universities by Dr. George Hamm, former president of the University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Hamm credited the trip with inspiring him to seek a long-term Sister Cities partnership with the city of Metz, France. In 1982, Dr. Hamm and his wife Janie attended a Sister Cities International meeting in Florida with Tyler Mayor Norman Shtofman and Tyler residents Charles and Ann Primer. The small Tyler delegation decided to found a chapter in Tyler, Texas, forming a partnership with the Tyler City Council and Tyler Chamber of Commerce. The newly formed Tyler Sister City Corporation was legally incorporated in 1983. Mayor Norman Shtofman, Dr. George Hamm, local architect and photographer Carroll Sinclair, Tyler philanthropist J.R. Borgerding, and Tyler City Manager Gary Gwyn formed the initial board of directors and incorporators. Norman Shtofman served as the first General Chairman from the date of incorporation through July 1984. During his tenure as Chairman, the Tyler Sister Cities board of directors governed nine committees: Business and Industry, chaired by J.R. Borgerding; Medical and Health, chaired by Trinity Mother Frances President and Chief Administration Officer Lindsey Bradley; Public relations, chaired by Tyler Morning Telegraph and Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph publisher Calvin Clyde, Jr.; Fund Raising, chaired by Martha “Rusty” Fletcher; Municipal Affairs, chaired by Gary Gwyn; Education, chaired by Dr. George Hamm; Hospitality, chaired by Ann Primer; Professional and technical, chaired by Carroll Sinclair; and Community Activities, chaired by Gulf State Lumber company owner Sam Wolf. UT Tyler Development Board chairman Ralph Spence served as Executive Committee Member at large and Tyler Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Hardy served as Chamber of Commerce representative. The second TSC board served from July 16, 1984 through October 1985. Tyler Mayor Charles Halstead served as General Chairman with Gary Gwyn as vice-chairman. New committees included Membership, Special Projects, and Community Affairs. The position of “liaison” (otherwise unspecified) was added to the board. Evelyn Muntz served as the first elected secretary-treasurer. Four inaugural board members transitioned to the newly established Advisory Board, including Calvin Clyde Jr, George Hamm, Ann Primer, and Carol Sinclair. Real estate agent Ben Fitzgerald served as the fifth Advisory Board member. The third TSC board served from October 24, 1985 through September 1, 1987 under the leadership of Ann Primer (General Chairman) and Gary Gwyn (vice-chairman). No new committees were added. The new Advisory Board consisted of Calvin Clyde Jr, Jean Marie Fey, Ben Fitzgerald, Charles Halstead, George Hamm, and Carroll Sinclair. The fourth TSC board was elected in August 1987, serving September 1, 1987-June 1989. Tyler philanthropist and educator Margaret Loftis was elected President, a title designated by the modified TSC by-laws to replace “General Chairman”. Mrs. Loftis joined the organization as Community Affairs Chairman in 1984. Gary Gwyn served as vice-president. The Board of Directors eliminated positions of executive committee representative and liaison. A new position, Chairman of the International Executive Board (George Hamm), was added. The fourth Advisory Board included Calvin Clyde, Jr, Charles Halsted, J.R. Montgomery, Ann Primer, and Norman Shtofman. During Mrs. Loftis’ tenure as president, Tyler Sister Cities moved to a new office in the Olde English Village at 3502 F. South Broadway. Membership fees were $5 for students, $10 for individual members, $15 for families, $100 for patrons, and $1000 for sponsors. During her first year in office, TSC reported 79 paid memberships, 29 board members, and 12 active committees. Tyler Sister Cities partnered with Sister Cities International and the University of Texas at Tyler to establish the Eisenhower International Golf Classic in 1987, a fundraising event which provided scholarships for international students pursuing higher education in U.S. Sister Cities. Margaret Loftis chaired the executive board for the inaugural Sister Cities Young Artist Competition, titled “Expressions of Peace”, in 1988-1989. Tyler Sister Cities was responsible for collecting all applications for the showcase, establishing judging criteria, planning and coordinating the local competition and national exhibition, and delivering winning entries to the 1989 Sister Cities International Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon. The event showcased the work of student artists from around the globe in conjunction with the 1989 Eisenhower International Golf Classic. Later renamed the Young Artists Showcase, the competition continued as a hallmark event of the Eisenhower IGC through 1999. Sister Cities International celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the Young Artists Showcase in 2013.Note written by Samantha Winn

Extent

3.75 Linear Feet

9 boxes other_unmapped

1.00 Folders

1.00 Items

3.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection includes textual records related to the activities of the Tyler Sister Cities Corporation from 1983-1992 and Sister Cities International in Tyler, Texas from 1985-1988. Sister Cities International is a non-profit organization created by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote "citizen diplomacy" through bilateral partnerships and exchanges between global cities.

Arrangement

I. Tyler Sister Cities A. Administration B. Administrative C. Affiliation D. Awards E. Committees F. Development 1. Fund Raising 2. Membership 3. Programs 4. PR 5. Sponsors 6. Youth Travel Study G. Eisenhower International Golf Classic H. Forms I. Franco-American Association of S. C. J. French Bicentennial Celebration K. Invitation Lists L. Leadership M. Mailing List N. Medical Insurance O. Member Services P. Membership Q. Newsletters R. Programs S. Projects T. Research U. Sister Cities V. Miscellaneous II. Sister Cities International A. Affiliation B. Awards C. Budget D. Building Fund E. By-Laws F. Conventions G. Criteria H. Development A I. Directory J. Exchanges K. Forms L. Leadership M. Local Leadership Forum N. Member Services O. Membership P. Mid-Winter Leadership Conference Q. Music R. Organizational Structure S. Programs T. Projects U. Publications V. Public Relations W. Scholarships X. Sister Cities News Y. USA City Z. USIA AA. Workshops

Technical Access Requirements

Audiovisual materials may require special equipment to review.

Custodial History

It is unclear how these records came to be in the possession of the University, as Tyler Sister Cities still exists as an independent organization. These records may have been acquired by President George Hamm or donated by Mrs. Loftis to the University sometime during or prior to 1992.

Source of Acquisition

University of Texas at Tyler Physical Plant

Method of Acquisition

Three storage boxes were delivered to the UASC as part of the general university accessions acquired from the Physical Plant department in 2011. Unlike many boxes delivered, these three represented a clear and cohesive order.