The Sister-County Commission with the Province of Florence, Italy was established by the Board of Supervisors on April 26, 1987. The Commission is composed of 25 members, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, with a term of three years. The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity in promoting, aiding and encouraging a diverse cultural, educational, and technological exchange with the Province of Florence, Italy. Persons appointed shall have previously demonstrated their interest or participation in matters pertaining to the relationship between Italy and the United States. For more information please contact (408) 299-5115 or email sistercounties@ceo.sccgov.org
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the County Government Center.

Mission Statement

The County of Santa Clara/Province of Florence, Italy Sister County Commission is committed to fostering the exchange of art, commerce, culture, education, and technology in many diverse areas between the people and governments of the County of Santa Clara, U.S.A. and the Province of Florence, Italy.

Accomplishments

The County of Santa Clara/Province of Florence, Italy, Sister County Commission is celebrating its 21st anniversary of a sustained relationship with the Province of Florence. Numerous achievements reflect the Commission’s dedication to promoting and understanding of Italian culture and heritage:

• Established and promoted the Florence Commission Da Vinci Educational Sponsorship Project and partnered with The Tech Museum of Innovation, area businesses and individual donors to make it possible for 3,540 students and chaperones to experience the Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibit. The exhibit was extended through January 25, 2009 due to popular demand and the unprecedented number of school field trip visits.
• Delegations - Sponsors American governmental delegations to the Province of Florence, Italy and hosts Italian governmental delegations to highlight respective artistic, cultural and educational advancements, technological innovations and to explore partnership opportunities that strengthen the sister county relationship.
• Sponsored and hosted the Florence Commission Annual Appreciation Barbecue at the Guglielmo Family Winery in Morgan Hill, to announce the six Medici Medallion Award Recipients.  Began planning for the 2009 Medici Masked Ball - the Commission’s major fundraising event to be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Fairmont Hotel in San José – where the recipients will be honored.
• Visited the Province of Florence and met with President Matteo Renzi and colleagues in May 2008, to share best practices and discuss mutual collaborations for the coming year.
• Hosted a welcoming reception for the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, Fabrizio Marcelli.
• Hosted Province of Florence President Matteo Renzi and colleagues in February of 2007 and held a Joint Meeting to discuss mutual collaboration for the coming year.
• Cultural Exchange - Partnered with Morgan Hill Sister City Committee to present “Pranza in the Vineyard” featuring Chef Angelo Mazzi from the Association of Florentine Chefs.
• Currently working on a project to feature artists from Florence in musical programs in Santa Clara County.
• Established an annual scholarship award for Santa Clara County students at San Jose State University, Santa Clara University and Stanford University, who would like to study at accredited universities in the Province of Florence, Italy.
• Florence Commission Sister-County website renewed its relationship with Sister Cities International and is now a part of SCI website and annual directory. (Go to www.sccgov.org/portal/site/scc and click on the gold Sister County Commission box at the bottom right hand of the homepage.)
• Advancing Cross Cultural Understanding - Supported and attended an International Transportation Planning Conference hosted by the Province of Florence, Italy.
• Facilitates exchange programs between University of Florence and area universities and provides scholarship assistance to local students studying in Florence.
• Acted as the liaison between European and American experts studying solid waste recycling, which led to Santa Clara County representation at an international recycling conference.
• Represented the County of Santa Clara at the World Peace Conference held in the Province of Florence, Italy.
• Supported and attended an International Transportation Planning Conference for the Province of Florence, Italy.
• Approved and provided funding to support an Italian Language Program at Los Gatos High School.
• Granted funds to assist Opera San Jose’s dedication to Italian opera and language.
• Organized “A taste of Florence” cooking sessions featuring the art of “antique” cooking and preparation of Tuscan foods.
• Promoted light rail transportation, jazz concerts and Santa Clara County wines during “Santa Clara Week” in Florence, Italy.
• Bridged cultural heritage with “Florence-Santa Clara:  Two Schools of Sculpture” exhibit at the Triton Museum of Art.
• Presented the Quartetto di Fiesole, and Italian string quartet, to perform in a special concert for the San Jose Chamber Music Society.
• Presented “The City of Brunelleschi” art exhibition at the Saisset Museum.
• Coordinated the “Fencing Gala” by te Societá Accademia Schermistica Fiorentina at San Jose State University.
• Restructured its Bylaws, Ordinance, Mission Statement and operating procedures.

Contact Information: Province of Florence Sister County Commission Office of the County Executive Attn: Office of Public Affairs 70 W. Hedding St., East Wing, 11th Floor San Jose, CA 95110 PH: (408) 299-5115 FAX: (408) 295-2192 Email: sistercounties@ceo.co.santa-clara.ca.us