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Membership | Volunteer Opportunities | Online Giving | In-Kind Donations | Corporate Support and Sponsorship

ICU membership is an affordable and enjoyable way to meet people from other countries and cultures who live in the Upstate. If you are an international resident, membership in the ICU will help you and your family settle into your new home. If you are an Upstate resident, ICU membership will enrich your experience of the international cultures that we are privileged to have in South Carolina.

ICU membership runs from September 2010 through August 2011.

Your ICU Membership Card will be ready 2 weeks after registering. Please pick up your card anytime during our Business hours Monday – Friday 9am – noon.

Please present your ICU membership card to receive these discounts. Sign up for your 2010-2011 membership now.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Benefits of membership include:

The ICU is a volunteer organization — our volunteers coordinate events and activities. We need volunteers in all areas! If you would like to volunteer to serve on any of the ICU committees, please contact Executive Director Wendy Anthony.

WHY SHOULD YOU VOLUNTEER?

Meet other fun-loving, interesting people from other cultures.

Become involved in activities you care about.

DID YOU KNOW?

44 percent of adults in the United States volunteer with a formal organization. Of these,63 percent volunteer on a regular basis- monthly or more.
On average, American volunteers donate just over 24 hours per month.
Collectively, volunteers contribute about 15.5 billions hours a year.
About 84 million adults volunteer, representing the equivalent of over 9 million full- time employees at a value of $239 billion.

SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Programs & Events Committee
Develop and plan programs and activities that interest the ICU members. Find volunteers to help at the programs, including welcoming members, presenting speakers, and assisting with set up and clean up. Time Commitment: Committee meets regularly each quarter. Additional time to participate in some programs throughout the year.

International Women's Club Committee
Plans the year's program, organizes refreshments, publicizes the meetings, and sets up the room for the monthly meeting. Time Commitment: One meeting a year to plan the schedule, then help with preparation for monthly meetings.

Web Site Committee
Updates the Web site and adds materials and information. Knowledge of Web authoring programs is helpful but not required. Time Commitment: Flexible, on an as-needed basis.

Language Class Teachers
The ICU offers classes in English conversation, French (all levels), Italian, Basic Spanish, and German conversation.  We need more teachers in these languages, as well as in other languages (Greek, Japanese). Time Commitment: Usually 1½ hours a week, with additional time for preparation.

Publicity
Seeks ways to publicize the activities of the ICU through the media and the community. Time Commitment: Flexible, from 1 hour a month.

ICU Relocation Program
Welcomes new arrivals to the Upstate and assists employees of international companies with bureaucratic tasks such as obtaining a driver's license and a Social Security number. Consultants are paid a modest salary. Time Commitment: Variable, busiest in the fall. Consultants provide half-day and full-day orientations on weekdays, and occasionally meet again by arrangement with the clients. The ICU especially seeks consultants who speak another language (French, German, Japanese, Spanish in particular) in addition to English.

Children's Programs
Plans programs for children, including international playgroups, school visits to talk about different countries and cultures, and weeklong activity camps during the vacations. Time Commitment: Flexible; as much time as you would like to spend.

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The International Center of the Upstate is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Financial support for the ICU comes from private donations, corporate contributions, grants, class fees and business services, and individual memberships.

ONLINE GIVING
The ICU provides the secure Click & Pledge Online Payment System as a convenient way for donors to contribute to the organization online. The system allows the ICU to accept contributions made with Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit cards. For those donors who are uneasy about providing financial information online, the system also allows contributors to pledge donations, print invoices and send their payments to the ICU via U.S. Mail.

IN-KIND DONATIONS AND SERVICES
Tangible gifts and services that advance the causes of the ICU are much appreciated. We will publicly acknowledge your contributions. In addition, as the ICU is a non-profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible.

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF THE UPSTATE WISH LIST:
International items for the Center ( postcards, crafts, furniture, art, etc.)
Language training materials
Office supplies of any kind
Literature holders for fliers and brochures
A projector for Power Point presentations
Large dry erase board
Promotional materials such as coffee mugs with the ICU logo and perhaps an accompanying corporate sponsor's logo
Wine to serve at events
If you would like to donate these or any other item, please contact Wendy Anthony at info@internationalupstate.org

CORPORATE SUPPORT
Join our group of generous corporate friends. Our sponsors have challenged the business community with matching grants, outright gifts, and encouraging volunteerism to the ICU among their employees.
We are seeking other corporate sponsors who want to be part of this vibrant organization through contributions or in-kind donations.

Benefits of corporate sponsorship:
-Recognition as a supporter of international business and cultural diversity in Upstate South Carolina
-Networking and marketing opportunities
-Opportunities to reach targeted audience with interest in international business and cultures
-Visibility in the community as a leader in international business
-Opportunities to interact with members and other corporate sponsors
-Use of the ICU’s business services such as customized cultural diversity training and the Ambassador Program (relocation assistance for international employees and their families)
-Contributions are tax-deductible

To discuss your corporate sponsorship, please contact ICU Executive Director Wendy Anthony at info@internationalupstate.org or 864-467-4579.

Click here to view our Sponsors.

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