International Services Council, continued from page 29PREMIERMartha M. C<strong>of</strong>fman, ABR“Meeting your Real Estate needs”Phone 256.337.0152Office 256.650.0022Fax 256.650.0082www.homeshuntsville.comMarthac<strong>of</strong>fman@knology.net00375996their efforts to enhance global learning andunderstanding. “We welcome the opportunityto share and expose the excellent work <strong>of</strong>NCIV to individuals in our community, and,indeed, in our entire state.” This is the firsttime for the meeting to be held in Alabama.Citizen diplomacy is the notion that individualcitizens have the right – even theresponsibility – to help shape U.S. foreignrelations “one handshake at a time.” “Thousands<strong>of</strong> Americans are engaged in this activity,”said Cehelska, “reaching out every dayto visiting international leaders, scholars andstudents, thereby giving international guestsa more realistic view <strong>of</strong> Americans.” Theprogram is a unique, short-term pr<strong>of</strong>essionalopportunity to bring emerging leaders,selected by U.S. Embassy personnel, to theU.S. for substantive pr<strong>of</strong>essional dialoguewith their U.S. counterparts. Complementarycultural experiences give these leaders a betterunderstanding <strong>of</strong> the history and heritage<strong>of</strong> the United States. In turn, U.S. hosts gainvaluable experience, develop internationalfriendships and build enduring educationaland economic relationships.Each year several hundred Alabama volunteersengage international visitors throughacts <strong>of</strong> kindness and hospitality, hostingevents in their homes, schools and <strong>of</strong>fices.Fifty-six international visitors and theirEnglish language <strong>of</strong>ficers visited the state in2004-2005 via 21 different programs. TheISC creates itineraries including pr<strong>of</strong>essionalvisits and home hospitality for distinguishedvisitors interested in a broad range <strong>of</strong> interests,which include: investigative journalism,economic development, public/privatepartnerships, librarianship, civil rights andgrassroots democracy. The ISC internationalvisitor leadership program contributes toAlabama’s tourism industry and also providesa higher pr<strong>of</strong>ile for the state.The NCIV Regional Meeting will enablekey U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> State leaders, as wellas national program agencies, to becomeacquainted with Alabama’s cultural, educational,civic and business resources. Meetingattendees will engage in a pr<strong>of</strong>essionalresource tour in the <strong>Huntsville</strong> area, meetingwith some <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>essionals who haveshowcased their expertise to internationalvisitors in the past. According to Cehelska,leaders <strong>of</strong> program agencies and the U.S.Department <strong>of</strong> State responsible for coordinatingactivities for thousands <strong>of</strong> internationalvisitors yearly will be introduced to outstandingarea resources such as the <strong>Chamber</strong>PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTThe University <strong>of</strong> Alabama in <strong>Huntsville</strong>Prepare your business for upcoming opportunitieswith our summer seminars and programs!Certificate Programs• Cost Estimating• C++ Programming• Federal Contract Mgmt. Essentials• Federal Contract Mgmt. Specialization• Foundations <strong>of</strong> Radar• Java Developer and Java Enterprise• Modeling and Simulation• Oracle Developer• PRO/Engineer• Systems Engineering• Test and Evaluation• UNIX/Linux• Web DeveloperOur summer coursesanswer the newesttraining needs <strong>of</strong> theaerospace and defensecommunity.Some are available indistance learningformat, and all can becustomized for yourorganization.Registration is quickand easy, so call or visitour web site today!SeminarsCapabilities Based Acquisition •Functional Analysis & Allocation •Greening for Contractors •MATLAB •Orbital Mechanics for Defense •Performance Based Logistics •PMP Examination Review •Project Management Fundamentals •Reliability Engineering and Analysis •Tactical Missile Systems Fundamentals •Unmanned Aerial Vehicles •www.coned.uah.edu256.824.6372pdinfo@cepo.conted.uah.edu32 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2006</strong> InitiativesUAHThe University <strong>of</strong> Alabama in <strong>Huntsville</strong>An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution00375977
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Commerce</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Huntsville</strong>/<strong>Madison</strong> <strong>County</strong>,Sirsi/Dynix, the Port <strong>of</strong> <strong>Huntsville</strong>, TheNational Children’s Advocacy Center, The<strong>Huntsville</strong> Times, Cummings Research Park,<strong>Huntsville</strong>/<strong>Madison</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials, the U.S.Space & Rocket Center, and <strong>Huntsville</strong>’s historicdistricts. Alabama resources that will befeatured via video include the Civil RightsInstitute in Birmingham, as well as theSouthern Poverty Law Center and state government<strong>of</strong>fices in Montgomery.Conference participants will enjoy anintroduction to southern hospitality whenvolunteer hosts open their homes for dinnerand conversation. The meeting includesseveral plenary sessions featuring Alabamaleaders addressing topics related to citizendiplomacy, international relations and nonpr<strong>of</strong>itmanagement. Conference attendeeswill experience downtown <strong>Huntsville</strong> bystaying at the Holiday Inn Downtown,meeting at the Von Braun Center and enjoyingarea amenities.The ISC staff welcomes public participationfor this prestigious gathering. NCIVorganizations that have hosted regionalmeetings, added Cehelska, realize an increasein visitors as a result <strong>of</strong> the opportunityto experience communities firsthand. •David CouchRealtor, Certified AppraiserDirect: 256-755-0421Office: 256-650-0022David Couch“Personal, Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Real Estate Services”How much is your home really worth?To find out what you’re your home would sell for intoday’s market, trust a valuation expert. As a real estatepr<strong>of</strong>essional, I analyze home values and determine marketvalues every day. In fact, I am certified by the State <strong>of</strong>Alabama as General Real Property Appraiser which is thehighest level <strong>of</strong> appraisal certification awarded by the State<strong>of</strong> Alabama Real Estate Appraiser’s Board.So if you’re thinking <strong>of</strong> selling or just need some friendlyadvice, give me a call. We’ll meet at your house anddiscuss values and marketing strategy to get you the mostmoney for your house in the least amount <strong>of</strong> time.Expect Success!!www.<strong>Huntsville</strong>HomeBuyer.com00375972Involvement Opportunitiesfor the <strong>2006</strong> NCIV SouthernRegional MeetingThe International Services Council is looking forlocal sponsors, volunteers and participants to makethe <strong>2006</strong> NCIV Southern Regional Meeting asuccess. Opportunities include:▲ Event sponsorship and underwriting▲ Welcome Reception▲ Tour Transportation▲ Hospitality Transportation▲ Welcome Bags▲ Dinner hospitality volunteers▲ Conference volunteersPlease visit the ISC <strong>of</strong> <strong>Huntsville</strong>/<strong>Madison</strong> <strong>County</strong> atco.madison.al.us/services/otherag/IntlSvc.shtml“Find out why our clients trust usto safeguard their continued success.”• Staffing• PayrollProcessing• HR Services/Solutions• RiskManagement• Training/DevelopmentIf you would like to get involved with this excitingevent, please contact Luba Cehelska at256.532.3560 or ischsv@co.madison.al.us4925 University Drive • Suite • 168 <strong>Huntsville</strong>, AL 35816256.721.5627 – Fax 256.830.5102www.expressbusinesssolutions.com0037598433Initiatives <strong>April</strong> <strong>2006</strong>