About the HIC

HISTORY and MISSION

On May 7, 2002 the Hickory International Council was established by the Hickory Mayor and City Council to serve as a forum for the international community in Hickory and to advise the City Council regarding ways to improve Hickory as an international city that welcomes and values international visitors, residents and businesses. Resolution document No. 02-24 outlines the purpose, duties and membership requirements of Council members.  To read the complete document click here .

OBJECTIVES: 

• To recommend to the City Council steps, processes, programs or procedures which will improve communication and foster positive interaction between the international community and municipal government.

• To make Hickory better known as an international city and a city friendly to international visitors, businesses and residents.

• To recommend actions to improve cultural understanding and tolerance within the community.

• To work with the educational system, the City of Hickory and other organizations to promote the understanding of the international communities within Hickory and to teach the interconnectedness of the world today.

• To promote both international investment in Hickory and the expansion of local businesses through exports and investment abroad.

• To make studies of conditions that affect the international community within the City.

MEETINGS and INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL HOUR

The HIC meets the third Thursday of each month at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, 375 3rd Street NE.   The public is invited to attend the meeting from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Occasionally, there is a Social Hour preceeding the meeting which starts at 5:00 PM in the rotunda of the library.

p1080944   MEMBERSHIP and APPOINTMENT

The HIC is composed of ten (10) to twenty (20) members, nominated by the Chair or the Mayor with the concurrence of the City Council. The members comprise a broad cross-section of the community with international ties.   If you are interested in serving on the HIC, please complete a Board and Commission Membership Application.  All appointments are made by the Hickory City Council. 

For more information, contact Hani Nassar, Chairman, Hickory International Council hnassar@klingspor.com or 828.234.6330 or any other member of the board: Marc Swinnen mswinnen@charter.net, Betty Petersen bpetersen@cvcc.edu, Jack Crawford jackcrawford420@yahoo.com, Bawol Cabiri bwanacabiri@yahoo.com, Becky Mitch beckymich@hotmail.com, David Moore cefogarty@embarqmail.com, Kyle May kyle.may@lr.edu, Toshiaki Satake ToshiakiSatake@USConec.com, Dr. Michael Kuchinsky mkuchinsky@gardner-webb.edu, or Dr. Ken Humphreys kenkhumphreys@charter.net