FAQ

What kids of things does WCIV arrange for Visitors?
A: The WCIV staff and volunteers arrange for professional meetings with Jackson experts in the visitors field of interest; provide opportunities to meet local folks socially in their homes; coordinate visitor presentations at the Jackson schools; arrange accommodations and other logistics. We want to encourage a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and to promote the Town of Jackson and the State of Wyoming as important centers of American culture and commerce.

Q: Who can meet the international visitors?
A: Anyone who is interested in citizen diplomacy

Q: How can I get involved?
A: there are many ways; you or your organization can serve as professional resources; you can receive visitors in you home for a single meal as a host/hostess; you can greet and welcome the groups when they arrive at the airport. There are occasional opportunities to host visitors overnight in your home, however this is not typical with the WCIV program.

Q: What is the Wyoming Council for International Visitors (WCIV)?
A: The WCIV is a non-profit 501c(3) membership organization. It is one of 91 volunteer councils that are all part of a nationwide network of organizations whose purpose is to host (locally) foreign visitors who are traveling as official guest of the US Government to the United states. As a member of the National Council for International Visitors, WCIV is Wyoming’s official host for this government sponsored program. It is possible, through the efforts of individuals working in councils such as ours, to shape foreign relations “one handshake at a time”.

Q: Why do the international delegates come to the US?
A: The visitors come to the US to learn about a particular and assigned topic of study. During their visit each group will travel to four different councils and learn how the different communities address and/or manage their shared subject matter.

Q: What are the topics the visitors pursue while in the US?
A: Programs the WCIV has hosted include NGO Management, Environmental Protection, Business Sustainability, Historical Preservation, Local and State Government, Public Health and Safety, and Professional Women.

Q: How are visitors chosen to travel to the US and participate in the programs?
A: The guests are foreign leaders, specialists, and international scholars selected by officials of the US State Department in their countries of residence.

Q: Once the delegation and theme of the program are chosen, how do they decide to come to Wyoming?
A: If the program is based on a theme that we have a strong resources for, we will submit a detailed proposal to the State Department. If we are selected from among the other 91 other councils, the delegation will come to our state.

Q: Where does WCIV funding come from?
A: Approximately 40% of our funding comes from a Community Partnership Grant from the US Department of State that is based on the number of visitors that we arrange programs for. The rest of our funding has to come from membership dues, donations, and special events.