Another Belief Statement from a Board Member

Tom Dumstorf is Sister Cities of Louisville's Perm co-chair. Here's his "Belief Statement" that is short, sweet, and very direct:

I believe Sister Cities is an extremely important vehicle for making the world a safer, closer and more understanding place. Were we able to make people-to-people relationships the primary means of diplomacy with world leaders relying on this as the best means of communication, we would surely be collectively less violent, less hungry and less self-interested. 

As soon as a face is put on a country in the form of an individual relationship, we no longer think of that country as just a pink or orange or blue shape on a map. I believe the sooner we take larger steps towards making this real, the better off we will all be. 

This I Believe

As I work with nonprofits, I have always believed that a person who sits on the board of directors should create a Belief Statement. Why? Well, why ARE you on the Board? WHY do you believe in this organization? What is the passion you have for the organization and wish to share with others to become a part of this great organization.


So, when I "re-joined" Sister Cities, I immediately developed my Belief Statement which I would like to share with you:

This I Believe

Why do I believe in Sister Cities and have been a member and board member for years?

I can begin with our mission statement —

Sister Cities is a non-profit diplomacy network that promotes

peace through

mutual respect,

understanding, and

cooperation

ONE individual,

ONE community at a time.

But there’s more…

I believe that in its simplest form, Sister Cities creates partnerships and relationships and because of individual relationships. Our citizens exchange people, ideas, and culture in a variety of educational institutional, municipal, professional, technical and youth projects.

Global Community, Global Communication by people like you and me — that’s Sister Cities. We’re able to get into homes and organizations faster and more efficiently because SCL is an organization that is not dealing with hierarchy, bureaucracy, and red tape.

We ARE the grassroots of international diplomacy, and all of the perks that come as a result of being a one individual, one community at a time organization.

That’s why I believe in Sister Cities.