Mailing Address: Sister City of Lynchburg-Plus, P.O.Box 3104, Lynchburg, VA 24503 USA

2010
Board of Directors

Officers

President
Hermann Ulrich

Vice President
Lynn Dodge

Secretary
Dana Wright

Treasurer
Wendy Counts

Directors
Judy Ayler
Bert Dodson, Jr.
Beth Dunn
Ken Farrar
Tina Johnson
Manfred Mibus
Kelly Mourtemousque
Adelheid (Polly) Roakes
Françoise Watts
Regina Weeks

Sister City of Lynchburg – Plus is a volunteer, non-profit organization and an affiliate of Sister Cities International. The organization was started by a small group of area citizens who, in 1992, first met to consider the possibility of organizing a sister city. The group decided to call itself Sister City of Lynchburg – Plus; the "Plus" reflects the interest and involvement throughout Central Virginia. Due to the diligent efforts of the organization, the Lynchburg-Plus area now has two sister cities: Rueil-Malmaison, France and Glauchau, Germany.

Rueil-Malmaison: Our First Sister City

Because of Lynchburg’s strong business connections to France and the large number of French speaking residents, it was decided to first seek a sister city in France. Late in 1995, Sister Cities International informed Sister City of Lynchburg – Plus, that Rueil-Malmaison, France was looking for a sister city in the United States and was considering five other possible cities for a match.

A delegation from Rueil was invited to Lynchburg in November, 1995. They were greatly impressed with the Central Virginia area and the hospitality extended to them. In March 1996, a group from Lynchburg traveled to Rueil and by the end of their visit, they had a commitment for a sister city match.

In July, 1996, a group of 150 residents of Central Virginia, accompanied by reporters from the local newspaper and TV station, traveled to France. On July the Fourth, they met in Rueil to mark the official linking of the two cities. There were representatives of the arts, education, religion, businesses and government. A second proclamation signing ceremony took place on this side of the Atlantic on September 22, 1996, at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. A large delegation from Rueil traveled to Central Virginia for this occasion and a week’s visit in the area.

Since 1996, Sister City of Lynchburg – Plus has worked to develop a strong relationship between the people of Rueil-Malmaison and

Central Virginia, and to promote and coordinate exchanges. There have been several exchanges in the areas of sports, education, arts and culture, small businesses and economic development; others are planned.

A group of twelve visited from Rueil in October, 2006 to celebrate our tenth anniversary as sister cities.

Our Second Sister City: Glauchau, Germany

After the success of the match with Rueil, in 2001, Sister City of Lynchburg – Plus began exploring a match with a city in Germany. Manfred Mibus led the search for a German sister city, and after three years of searching and discussions with four possible cities, the U. S. State Department informed us that Glauchau, Germany was looking for a sister city in the United States.

A delegation from Sister City of Lynchburg – Plus, visited Glauchau in September, 2004. Other visits followed between the two cities, resulting in the twinning of Lynchburg and Glauchau being recognized and celebrated in Lynchburg on April 30, 2007. Vice mayor Bert Dodson and his wife Theresa visited Glauchau in the fall of 2009 for a celebration in Glauchau. Also, several student exchanges have taken place between Lynchburg and Glauchau with the next scheduled for this fall when a group of 12 students and their chaperone will visit from Glauchau. A group of Lynchburg area students traveled to Glauchau in June, 2009.

The Sister City program provides unlimited possibilities and opportunities for groups and individuals throughout Central Virginia to learn more about the world and its people, and to foster friendship and understanding. We look forward to future exchanges with both of our sister cities and invite the people of Lynchburg to join us.