-Invaluable Programs and Lasting Impressions-
August 29, 2011
This blog post continues our retrospective, compiled in 1998 by former GCIV executive director Anne Hansen. Please be a part of our 50th anniversary celebration in 2012 by leaving comments about your GCIV memories, reasons for hosting, and beliefs about the impact of our shared work.
GCIV became the coordinating office for the Great Decisions discussion groups in 1993 for the state of Georgia, with Rosalie FitzPatrick managing the program. This combination of GCIV members and Great Decision participants provides a forum for the visitors to speak to interested groups about their countries and to observe U.S. citizens in small groups discussing foreign affairs.
No history of GCIV would be complete without a special mention of James Kindell, long time program officer since 1977, who died in April 1996. Mr. Kindell, as he was known by all, will be remembered for his hearty laugh, his southern cooking and his love of gospel music. In 1993 he was given the NCIV award for outstanding program officer for the many group programs he coordinated during his twenty years. Ada Almering reminisces, “Mr. Kindell was always most involved with the GCIV office holiday party, his fried chicken was famous, his pound cakes were sacred. On the day of the office party he was always busy organizing the mid-winter AID Seminar – typing on his knees because all extra chairs were needed elsewhere for the party.”
One last anecdote from Dorothy Beasley, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and a new GCIV board member in 1998, depicts the way the visitors and programs of GCIV interface with other international endeavors in the city and how Americans exchange ways of doing things with people from other countries. She says, “As a new member of the board, I have already had many experiences which have enriched my life and those of others as we reach into the global community.” She goes on to recount a breakfast meeting with the chief editor and head of programming for Croatian television, which helped her in the preparation for two Croatian law students who would be coming to spend a semester at Georgia State Law School. 
She also entertained an Indian visitor over “grits, biscuits and can syrup” while they discussed the use of mediation in settling disputes in both their countries. She later arranged for the visitor to have a productive meeting with the Justice Center of Atlanta, a mediation center.
-
Our Mission & Vision
GCIV builds understanding and cooperation between the people of our state and the world. Our vision is that every Georgia citizen has the opportunity to become more globally engaged.
Upcoming Events & Delegations
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/26/2012: Libyan Delegation
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/26/2012: South African Delegation
- Wed 2/22/2012 - 2/25/2012: Greek Delegation
- Fri 2/24/2012: International Dining Experience