International Affairs Council Nominated For World Affairs Council Of America President’s Award

Todd Culpepper, executive director of the International Affairs Council (IAC) of Raleigh (www.iacnc.org), has announced that the organization has been nominated for the World Affairs Councils of America’s (WACA) 2008 President’s Award for Council Excellence. To be eligible for this award, organizations must display outstanding participation in WACA flagship programs, as well as have involvement in the WACA National Conference. The President’s Award for Council Excellence places special emphasis on growth, innovation, operations and network as a whole. Founded in 1918, the WACA is a commonwealth of councils that encourages international education and communication throughout the country.

Selected from 37 other council applicants nationwide, the IAC is one of four organizations nominated this year in the Small Council category, which encompasses councils with fewer than 350 members. Winners will be announced at the closing banquet of the National Conference on Friday, Feb. 8, held in Washington D.C. Previous winners of this award include World Affairs Councils of California Central Coast in 2007, Jacksonville in 2006 and Alaska (Anchorage) in 2005.

Related Links:
www.iacnc.org
www.worldaffairscouncil.org
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News Facts:

• The International Affairs Council (IAC) of Raleigh (www.iacnc.org), has announced that the organization has been nominated for the World Affairs Councils of America’s (WACA) 2008 President’s Award for Council Excellence.
• To be eligible for this award, organizations must display outstanding participation in WACA flagship programs, as well as have involvement in the WACA National Conference. The President’s Award for Council Excellence places special emphasis on growth, innovation, operations and network as a whole.
• Founded in 1918, the WACA is a commonwealth of councils that encourages international education and communication throughout the country.
• Winners will be announced at the closing banquet of the National Conference on Friday, Feb. 8 held in Washington D.C.

"The IAC of Raleigh is very excited about our nomination for the WACA President’s Award for Council Excellence," said Culpepper. "We have worked very hard all year to bring innovative programming to the Triangle and look forward to the National Conference."

About the World Affairs Councils of America:
The World Affairs Councils of America’s WACA is a commonwealth of 87 World Affairs Councils serviced by a national office that provides resources, as well as serving as the central agency of correspondence and information exchange. Each year the WACA supports the grassroots development of the council network. Its national conference allows policymakers to interact with World Affairs Council members in Washington, DC. Annually, the WACA hosts and works with local World Affairs Councils on the national championship Academic WorldQuest competition. The WACA also serves an important role representing the council network to the world at large, including foreign diplomats and the US State Department. For more information, visit their Web site at www.worldaffairscouncils.org.

About International Affairs Council:
International Affairs Council (IAC) is a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding of world affairs, citizen-to-citizen diplomacy and the recognition of North Carolina as a center of education, culture and business. IAC, which began in 1973 as the Research Triangle International Visitors Center (IVC), plans itineraries for visiting international dignitaries and professionals interested in business development, education and other topics, as well as hosts events that bring high-profile speakers from around the world to the Triangle. After beginning as a service of the office of the University of North Carolina’s then-president Terry Sanford, IVC was incorporated under N.C. law on July 30, 1975 as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. During the early 1980s, the organization was revitalized and moved to a larger office space with additional staff thanks to the support of Dr. William Friday, who was president of the UNC system at that time. In 1986, the name of the organization was changed to International Visitors Council. Since then, the organization has quadrupled the number of visitors it hosts each year to over 600 and now has six staff members. In 2002, IVC merged with Triangle World Affairs Council to become International Visitors Council/World Affairs Council. In 2005, the board of directors appointed a special committee that decided on the current permanent name: International Affairs Council. IAC’s mission is to improve international relations, raise awareness of national and global issues and attract foreign dignitaries and professionals to the state. It receives grant funding from the U.S. Department of the State, corporate and philanthropic foundations, individual members and numerous other sources. For more information, visit www.iacnc.org.

Keywords:
International Affairs Council, IAC, Small Council, international dignitaries, visiting the Triangle, World Affairs Councils of America, WACA, World Affairs Council, President’s Awards for Council Excellence, Small Councils, Todd Culpepper

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
919-233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC

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