November 28, 2013

Dear Members of the Community of Richmond California,
Did you know that Richmond is the most named place on the planet?  At last count there are more than 80 communities on six continents named Richmond or with Richmond in their name.  The seventh continent, Antarctica, is home to Richmond Peak, the culminating peak of the Toney Mountain massif.  There is even a recently published book about the many Richmonds.  For several years Richmonders in the first three Richmonds - Richmond Yorkshire, Richmond upon Thames and Richmond Virginia - have been working to connect the many Richmonds into a global community of Richmond and I am writing to tell you of the formation of that international collaboration called Richmonds of the World.
A couple of months ago I mailed an invitation package to Mayor Gayle McLaughlin (see attached) for the community of Richmond California to join Richmonds of the World.  Today's communication was intended to go out soon thereafter, but cobbling together a global community without a handbook is not an exact science.  Additional time was needed to start to invest and involve two powerful community connector organizations in this effort - United Way Worldwide and the International Red Cross - two entities that intersect with just about every Richmond.  Our plans now have the foundation that assures success so it is finally time to tell the masses. 

Today is a special day for so many across the globe with the celebrations of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving.  Just as these holidays are about family and community, Richmonds of the World intends to help Richmonders across the globe enhance their quality of life and that of their family and fellow Richmonders.  Mayor McLaughlin was sent the original invitation as a leading community member, but this invitation is not to your Richmond's government, it is to you and your entire community of Richmond.  To accept, just say YES and then start figuring out how to strengthen your community of Richmond through a growing connection with the global community of Richmond.  Also, it is hoped that several Richmonders from your community will come to Richmond Virginia in 50 days for the inaugural Richmonds of the World Conference, January 16-19, 2014.

Sorry for the short notice on the Conference, but we Richmonds have important work to do and there is no time to waste.  In the end, all Richmonders will be able to participate in the Conference as we will videotape all sessions and upload them to a yet to be created YouTube site.  We will also try to webcast as much of the Conference as possible on our website, richmondsoftheworld.org (not yet active).  Below are several links to the Replenish Richmond website which is coordinating the formation of Richmonds of the World.  Hopefully this information will tell you everything you need to know as a community to say YES to join Richmonds of the World and to start arranging a delegation to come to Virginia in January.  We are prepared to assist with all travel arrangements and overnight accommodations, including home stays that can reduce travel costs and strengthen connections between Richmonders.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this information and invitation.  I look forward to hearing from you and your questions and comments.
Rick Tatnall
Replenish Richmond
(804) 325-3674
Richmonds of the World Information:
General Description and Call to Action - http://replenishrichmond.com/richmonds-of-the-world/
List of Richmonds and populations - http://replenishrichmond.com/list-of-richmonds/
10 Ways to Strengthen your Richmond - http://replenishrichmond.com/rotw-community-benefits/
2014 ROTW Conference - http://replenishrichmond.com/2014-rotw-conference/
Five Richmonds Twinning - http://replenishrichmond.com/five-richmonds-twinning/