Commission on International Relations &
Cultural Liaison Encounters
The Commission on International Relations & Cultural Liaison Encounters, or CIRCLE, commission was established in 1996 in response to the Atlanta Olympics in which Columbus hosted the softball events. Its mission is to promote and coordinate communication, contacts and encounters between Columbus and the people of other nations and to facilitate cross–cultural communications and associations among the various national groups in Columbus. The commission is composed of twelve members who each serve four–year terms. The Columbus Council appoints eight of the members and the Mayor appoints four.
Sister Cities
Picture Galleries
Kiryu, Japan Children’s Art Exhibition at the Government Center
Columbus Children’s Art Exhibition in Kiryu, Japan, 2010
Commission Members
CIRCLE meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. You may contact CIRCLE through the Mayor’s Office. All contact information is listed on the Mayor’s home page under the title Mayor’s Office.
- Jong Yoon, Co–Chair (Term 2007–2011)
- Sudhir Patel, Co–Chair (Term 2009–2013)
- Mattie Hall, Secretary (Term 2009–2013)
- Neal R. McCrillis, Treasurer (Term 2007–2011)
- Pedro Diaz–Agosto (Term 2010–2014)
- Owen Ditchfield (Term 2009–2013)
- Daphne Dove–Pierce (Term 2008–2012)
- John Kuforiji (Term 2007–2011)
- Ella Mae Lewis (Term 2010–2014)
- Mary Renteria (Term 2008–2012)
- Catherine Ross (Term 2010–2014)
- Yuriy Totskiy (Term 2009–2013)
International Organizations & Activities
- Asia–Pacific Alliance
- Center for International Education, Columbus State University
Contact: Dr. Neal McCrillis at (706) 565–4036 - Holy Transfiguration Church
Contact: (706) 660–1777 - INDO–US Cultural Association
- International Friendship Ministries
- International Network
Contact: Mary Renteria (706) 596–9257, or Merlina Salamanca (706) 323–9505 - International Wives, Fort Benning
Contact: Olga Kelly (706) 687–6471, or Trudy Hancock (706) 561–3667 - KlubHeimatland, Columbus, Georgia (celebrating German and German traditions)
Contact: Frau Inge Wills at (706) 327–30496, or Frau Andrea Kuykendall (706) 888–9098 - Masjid Al Jannah Islamic Center
Contact: (706) 568–6750 - One Columbus
- St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Ministry
Contact: (706) 332–4246 - Temple Israel
Contact: (706) 323–1617