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The Friendship Force is an
international non-profit organization founded to promote friendship, goodwill
and understanding among the world's people.
The organization creates an environment where personal friendships can be
established through international home stay
exchanges.
The Friendship Force
achieves its goals through the travel of goodwill ambassadors to pre-assigned
destinations. In each city, the ambassadors share the lives of their host
families for one week.
Established in 1977 by Wayne
Smith with the support of President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, Friendship Force has
grown into an organization of 50,000 members in 58 countries. There are nearly
350 clubs around the world with about 135 clubs in the United States. The
headquarters of Friendship Force International is in Atlanta with George Brown
as President.
The Dallas club was established in 1994
and now has membership of over 100 people from all walks of life - professionals, seniors,
singles, couples, families - anyone who loves to meet new friends at home and
abroad. The club has enjoyed
wonderful outbound exchanges to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Brazil, Chile,
England, Cuba, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Croatia and Columbia; this year we plan
to visit Costa Rica. We have hosted clubs from Germany four times, Chile, Latvia
(twice), Peru (twice), Brazil, Japan (twice), England, Canada and Romania.
For
more information about Friendship Force International, club contacts and
trips offered, please see their webpage at www.thefriendshipforce.org.
See
Friendship Force History.
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Motto
"Changing
the way you see the world!"

Dear Friendship Force Clubs,
Now you have seen the new logo, a custom design for us by Iconologic in Atlanta.
We’re wondering whether there is another name to call it by, besides the generic ‘logo’ So we thought we would ask all of you.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
*This logo represents who and what Friendship Force is today.
*The multiple colors connote diversity. Not just two people shaking hands but people of Many skin colors coming together.
I*t is an intentionally abstract symbol…meaning it can suggest to each person what speaks to them.
*It is doves of peace
*It is people joining hands
*Or, it is simply an energetic, sparkle of fun
*An invitation into the world of friends to get to know us better
So! What to call it??
If you have an idea, please send it to: Rebecca at rshaw@thefriendshipforce.org
Thanks!
The Staff at FFI
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Mission
To promote world peace and understanding by
creating an environment where individual friendships can be established across the barriers that
separate people.
Friendship Force International is a non-profit organization dedicated to the
principle that each person can make a contribution to global goodwill. Home hospitality - the heart
of a Friendship Force exchange- provides the opportunity for people of different countries and
cultures to connect at a personal level. More than half a million participants have experienced the
personal enrichment and cross-cultural understanding that results from a Friendship Force exchange.
The ever-widening Friendship Force global network represents a powerful and growing force that can
overcome differences between people and nations.

The
Friendship Force Pledge
As a member of the
Friendship Force, I recognize that I can make a difference. I recognize that I
have a mission. That mission is to be a friend to the people of the world. As I
embark upon this adventure, I know that others will be watching me. I know that
through my example to my fellow citizens and the people of other countries, the
cause of friendship and peace can be furthered.
I can make a difference!
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Scams/Security
Dated 2/9/09: Recently we have had reports of emails purporting to be from bona fide Friendship Force members requesting money to get home. These emails are as a result of our members' email accounts having been hacked into and taken over by criminals.
The criminal pretends to be a fellow member and emails everyone in their contact list.
THESE EMAILS ARE SCAMS. DO NOT WIRE ANYONE MONEY THROUGH WESTERN UNION OR ANY OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AS A RESULT OF ONE OF THESE EMAILS.
We regret anyone being inconvenienced by one of these emails, however FFI takes your privacy seriously, we do not sell our contact lists and we cloak all emails in our communications to our members as much as possible. We continue to look for ways to ensure your privacy.
When traveling with Friendship Force and you have a true emergency you should always first contact your Exchange Director, our emergency number (404 522 9490 ext. 375), the relevant Consulate and your Program Coordinator.
Here are some tips to keep your email account safe:
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Do not reply to these emails. This puts your computer and email account in danger. |
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If you cannot access your email account with the password you always use and you feel like somebody is using your account for illegal purposes contact your provider immediately. They might be able to shut it down before any harm is done. |
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Use the Bcc Field when writing an email to multiple persons (i.e. for a newsletter or a Christmas email). |
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Do not post your private email in forums or on websites. We at FFI will do all we can to make our site safe by cloaking email addresses whenever possible. |
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Be careful when you log into your email from a computer away from home. Always make sure you log off once you are done. |
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Check your email and your computer for viruses regularly, even if you have to buy special software for it. Protect your information and that of your friends. |
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And always be suspicious if the sender of an email asks for money. |
From Easy Website presentation at 2009 SW
Conference:
Facebook
Many Friendship Force people are signing on to Facebook - just type in Facebook on your top line of your browser and you will be taken to the Facebook website to join or sign in if you are already a member. It lets you share photos with friends, with people you have stayed with, with club members. Share exchange photos and keep in touch worldwide. There are groups within Facebook, and one of them is a Friendship Force group. You can set up your own group too.
With any social sharing site, just be careful what you put on there. Theoretically, you are allowing only your friends whom you have approved to see what you put there, but actually their friends may see some of your postings too.
There have been cases of scams and people defrauded when their Facebook password was used to steal their identity. People can assume your identity, change your password and appeal to your friends for “emergency” money. This problem occurs if you respond to a request on your e-mail for information or click on a link taking you to a scammer’s site. That’s really where you need to be careful. When you get a request on your e-mail from an organization, bank or company that looks familiar to you, do not click on a reply link. Respond if you wish by going to that company’s website or use your own address book. That request could come from someone mimicking that company and providing you with a link to their scamming address; you may not be talking to the company you think you are. Reputable companies do not ask for information online that would compromise your identity. Beware of any that do.
Privacy
When the whole world sees you, you need to weigh what you put on your website. We (in Dallas) don’t print our members’ phone numbers or
home addresses. If a meeting is in a private home, we provide an e-mail address as contact to get the address. We figure if the viewer is seeing this on the Internet, he or she has e-mail and can use that to contact a person mentioned on our site.
An e-mail address does not identify location of the person or confidential information; however, some people object even to using their e-mail address or last name in a newsletter or website. If you have a member who objects, respect their privacy.
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Store
We
have extended the deadline for ordering the new Friendship Force merchandise. These
products make wonderful Christmas presents for members and non members to use as gifts. Order
them in advance so we can combine several orders from around the world to meet the minimum
orders - a measure to keep our inventory low and to save you money!
We are offering two types of cards for all occasions to send to your many friends around the
world and a coaster that makes great gift. The
Friendship Force logo is embroidered on the polo
shirt and cap, while a more casual t-shirt is screen printed on a durable
fabric. These items help Friendship Force in two ways - advertise our brand and support the important work we do.
The order deadline has been extended so order now in time for Christmas delivery. www.thefriendshipforce/promoshop.com
Please note: if we do not meet the required minimum you will be notified and
you will NOT be charged for the products.

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Rebranding Friendship Force

To: Friendship Force Club and Exchange Leaders
From: George Brown
Date: June 13, 2008
Re: New Website launches on 16 June!
On Monday, June 16, at 12:00 pm Atlanta time, FFI will launch the new Friendship Force website. The web address will be the same
(www.thefriendshipforce.org), but it will have an entirely new look, reflecting the re-branding initiative that is part of our strategic plan. I invite all of you to take a look at the website in the days ahead and let us know what you think. It will be a “work in progress” for a while as we continue to make improvements.
As you and your members become familiar with the website, there are several features that I want to emphasize:
1. GETTING THE WORLD’S ATTENTION
We all know that FFI has a great story to tell. We also know that we live in an age of information technology. So, we are going to maximize our piece of cyberspace by using our website to help us get the word out about our organization and its activities. Our new homepage is designed to be fun, attractive and interesting to our members and to the general public.
2. ATTRACTING EXCHANGE PARTICIPANTS
The website will be useful in getting the word out about Exchanges. Here’s what the terminology means:
Featured Exchanges provides a sample of upcoming exchanges that are open to applicants from outside the originating club. Currently these exchanges originate in the USA but anyone, anywhere in the world, may apply. We will also be adding exchanges of interest to members from other regions in the future.
In addition to the Featured Exchanges we still have the “All Exchanges” listing as well as “Find an Exchange,” both of which provide a full listing of our exchange activity for 2008 and 2009.
3. WEB-SITE VIDEOS
We’re entering the age of web-videos with the new website, providing the opportunity to include short videos for those with fast internet connections. The new website includes the video about the new logo and strategic plan that was sent to all club presidents.
4. VISIT THE FFI STORE
We have an on-line Friendship Force store for the first time. You can order merchandise with the new FF logo directly from an internet supply house called “Café Press”. In the weeks ahead we’ll be adding additional merchandise items including a standard logo lapel pin — that will be supplied from FFI in Atlanta. In July we will provide guidelines to clubs on how to use the new logo in their own materials or merchandise.
5. PRIVATE HOMEPAGE FOR FF LEADERSHIP ONLY
One of the most important features of the new website is a special section for club and exchange leaders. This new leadership section is much stronger. And to avoid confusion for members and the general public who may be using the website to learn about
FFI, a password will be required for the leadership section. We want all active FF leaders — both club and exchange leaders—to have access to this section, which we’re calling the Leadership Forum, so the password is very easy to remember:
The user name is FFI; the password is friendship.
We are asking that club presidents give the password to exchange directors and other leaders who may have need of forms, manuals and other leadership information. The Leadership Forum section is also designed to be interactive, providing a way for you to communicate with each other and with the FFI staff on an ongoing basis, using “blogs” (web-logs). This means you can enter comments and suggestions that can be seen by FF leaders around the world. Give it a try! Or you can send an email directly to me through the website in the “Talk to George” section. I think it will be fun and also very productive.
6. NEW NAME FOR OUR MONTHLY E-MAIL TO YOU
Since we will now be calling our entire leadership section in the website Leadership Forum, the name of our monthly communication which you have been receiving by that name will now be called the “FFI Communiqué.” We’ll continue to send this via
e-mail, with back issues saved on the website in the leadership section.
If you’re like me, this new technology can be quite confusing. But there is no doubt that the
Internet is a tremendously powerful tool for a global organization like FFI. In addition to providing the world access to our story and our programs, it also enables us to greatly improve communications between FFI and our clubs. It won’t always go just the way we want, but we can learn together and in the process create a much more efficient and effective international organization. I’m looking forward to working with you to make this a reality!
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Staying
in Touch
The
Friendship
Force International (FFI) office
is at 233 Peachtree Street, Suite 2250, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA on
Jan 8, 2007. Tel: 404-522-9490
or 9490; e-mail: ffi@thefriendshipforce.org. George
Brown is President of FFI and Debbie Powell is our Program
Service Coordinator in Atlanta.
Check
the webpage for Friendship Force International:
http://www.thefriendshipforce.org
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| FFI New Board November 2008
1. Planning Forms for 2010 Exchanges Now due! The original deadline for submitting the on-line planning form for 2010 exchanges has been extended until November 10 when the FFI staff will begin making the 2010 assignments. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at:
matching@thefriendshipforce.org.
2. Mark your Calendars for Future International Conferences: We are pleased to announce that the 2010 international conference will be held in Washington, DC in October 2010. The FFI staff will work with the Friendship Force of the National Capital Area to plan an excellent event. But first, we are looking forward to a very unique setting for 2009. As previously announced, next year’s conference will be in Okinawa, Japan, November 19-22, 2009, with post conference hosting available throughout Japan. Full details will be available in early January.
3. New FFI Board Members Announced. The FFI Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members who will begin their four year terms on January 1, 2009.
Congratulations to these new members of the Board:
Darrell Anderson of Southwest Florida, USA
Cecile Bouchet of Limburg, Belgium
Sandy Larson of Kern County, California, USA
Boya Marshall of Bavaria, Germany
Alan Milne of Kapiti Coast, New Zealand
The Board officers for 2010 will be:
Chairman, Tommy Dortch, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Vice Chair, Arifin Mochtar, Jakarta, Indonesia
Treasurer, Andrew Stirling, Ottawa, Canada
Secretary, Dave Kalan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Even as we welcome new members, we are sorry to be losing five very effective members who have served with distinction: Terry Hopkins, Mac Mackenzie, Robin Mulholland, Horst Neumann, and Rita Powell.
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Friendship Force International 2009 Club and Exchange Policies
(Revised September, 2008. Items new for 2009 are in red)
Club Charter Renewal Policy
To remain an active Friendship Force club, the club president should complete the Club Charter Renewal
Form and return it to Friendship Force International (FFI) along with the club affiliation fees, according
to the schedule provided by FFI. (Subscriptions to Friendship magazine are optional and may be obtained
for US$12 per subscription.) UPDATE: The Friendship
Magazine has been discontinued.
Club fees are US$6 per individual and US$10 per family. This is a club affiliation fee and is not an individual
membership to FFI. “Members” belong to the club, with each club joining the FFI network through the
annual charter renewal process and the payment of the club affiliation fee. Club fees are due at the same
time as the Club Charter Renewal Form. Fees for 2009 are based on the number of club members in 2008.
Upon receipt of the completed Club Charter Renewal Form and the club affiliation fees, the club will then
be authorized to conduct exchanges for that year and will also be eligible for the exchange assignment
process for the following year. By signing this form, the club agrees to organize and conduct exchanges
in accordance with the Friendship Force International Club and Exchange Policies. The club agrees to
only conduct exchanges specifically authorized by
Friendship Force International. Failure to submit a signed Charter Renewal Form accompanied by the
club affiliation fee will cause FFI to consider the club inactive.
Exchange Policies and Fees
1. Exchanges: Friendship Force exchanges are typically composed of 20 to 25 ambassadors who
travel to a host community in another country for a one-week (5-7 nights) homestay experience. After
the first homestay, options exist for independent travel in the region, participation in a group tour,
or, where available, a second week homestay with a nearby club. Participation as an ambassador on
an exchange is by application, with ambassadors and hosts carefully selected to ensure compatibility
with the program. The ambassador club traveling on an outbound exchange is responsible for recruiting and preparing local citizens for the
homestay experience. The host club is responsible for recruiting and preparing citizens from the
community who will open their homes to the visiting ambassadors. Each exchange operates under the leadership of volunteer Exchange
Directors appointed by the local clubs and in accordance with the exchange policies set by Friendship Force International.
2. Exchange Directors: Exchange Directors (EDs) provide the local leadership required for
successful exchanges. They are selected by the local club and report to FFI for exchange planning purposes.
Clubs should take the appointment process very seriously, as the success of the exchange depends
primarily on the quality of exchange leadership. Preference should be given to individuals with
proven leadership ability and prior experience in exchange planning.
3. Earned Seat for the ambassador Exchange Director. It is appropriate for an ambassador ED to
“earn” part or all of the basic cost of the Friendship Force exchange that he or she is leading.
Providing some or all of the exchange cost as an “earned seat” recognizes the responsibility
associated with leading an exchange and can also motivate the ED to recruit a full exchange.
a. FFI Fees: The ambassador ED will receive a pro-rated discount of the FFI fees if there are
at least ten fully-paid ambassadors on the exchange. There will be a full waiver of FFI fees
for the ED if there are at least twenty fully paid ambassadors.
b. Other Fees: Depending on the ambassador club’s policy, an “earned” seat can include some
or all of the following: (a) travel costs to and from the host community, (b) travel and tour
costs that are a required part of the exchange; (c) Host Club Program Fees. It is not appropriate
to include optional and personal expenses including passport, visa fees, etc.
c. Club Policy: Each club shall adopt a written policy regarding the “earned seat.” This policy
should be publicized within the club so that all members are aware of the policy. EDs should
price their exchanges in accordance with the club policy. Any member of one club that joins
another club’s exchange will be expected to accept the governing policy of the ambassador
ED’s club.
4. Recruitment Goal: The goal is to recruit as many qualified applicants as can be accommodated by
the host club(s), while maintaining a standby list. In most cases, the ambassador goal is 20-25. Exchanges
recruiting less than 15 persons may continue to be conducted, pending consultation with the clubs
involved and with permission granted by FFI. EDs should look both within the club membership
and to the broader community for the most qualified ambassadors and hosts. Prior membership in a club should not be a requirement
to apply for an exchange, but clubs may, if they choose, ask new participants to become a club
member when joining their first exchange. Care should be taken to screen all applicants and to accept only those who understand the goals
of the organization. Clubs should avoid a “sign up” process that suggests to club members that
acceptance on exchanges is automatic. Applicants should demonstrate that they are physically fit
for the living conditions in their host community and, at the ED’s discretion, they may be asked for a
physician’s verification of good health, stamina and mobility. Please refer to the attached statement on
Mobility and Health Limitations.
Clubs should educate their members to the reality that some exchanges require little physical exertion
while others require a great deal. Therefore, recognizing that each exchange is different, longtime
members should not assume they will be accepted just because they are loyal members of
the club. Many clubs have elderly members who may not be capable of being good guests in host
communities that require a lot of walking and use of public transportation. It is the responsibility
of the ED to accept only those who are able to meet the physical demands of the exchange. Club
presidents and board members should assist in this process by educating their members and providing
support to the ED in making the sometimes difficult decision regarding rejection of applicants
because they don’t meet these requirements. Clubs that fail to abide by these requirements may be
required by FFI to adopt new procedures to ensure that only well-qualified ambassadors and hosts are
accepted.
5. Recruitment Deadline: The ambassador list should be sent to the host club(s) and FFI 60 days
before the exchange departs. The Ambassador Application and Agreement form must be completed and signed by each ambassador and
host. The respective EDs retain this form. Failure to meet the specified deadlines can result in the
postponement or cancellation of the exchange, with the hosting assigned to another club.
6. Visas: In recent years some clubs have encountered difficulties obtaining visas for their
outbound exchanges. As a result, some of the regular FFI planning procedures may need to be modified. It is important for the host club
to recognize that these difficult situations are often the ones where the Friendship Force mission is most needed. Therefore, host clubs
are encouraged to accept exchanges with clubs from these countries and to work with FFI and the
ambassador club to carry out the exchange, even if it means adjusting some of the usual planning
schedule.
It is the responsibility of the ambassador Exchange Director to determine what visas will be required,
if any, to travel to the host club(s). This should be done as soon as the exchange is assigned. If there
is the expectation that obtaining visas will be a problem, the following steps should be followed:
■ The ambassador ED should meet with embassy or consular officials of the host country as
soon as possible to determine what steps are required to apply for visas.
■ FFI and the host clubs should respond promptly to any requests for documentation regarding the Friendship Force experience.
However, the ambassador club should not expect that individual host families will be able to issue private invitations that includes
guarantees of financial support.
■ The ambassador ED should thoroughly screen all applicants for the exchange and reject any
who may be a risk for not returning home.
■ The ambassador ED should ensure that all qualified applicants apply for their visa interview as soon as possible in order to avoid
last-minute decisions.
■ Host clubs should recognize that visa decisions are beyond the control of the ambassador
club and that often the decision is made at the last minute. In such situations, the host club
is encouraged to keep open the possibility of hosting the exchange, but to avoid making firm commitments until the visas have been
issued. In some cases this may mean waiting until just before the exchange to make the final
hosting and program arrangements.
7. FFI Oversight and Monitoring of Exchanges: To ensure that Friendship Force exchanges
provide high quality cultural experiences for all ambassadors and hosts, FFI will monitor each
exchange’s planning and recruiting. This includes:
a. the timely appointment of all EDs and selection of exchange dates,
b. the timely confirmation of a final itinerary and price,
c. recruitment of qualified ambassadors and hosts, and
d. payment of fees according to FFI guidelines. When asked, ambassador EDs should be prepared to submit
to FFI detailed information regarding exchange details, recruiting progress, names and ages of the
prospective ambassadors, and the status of the payment of fees. This information can be useful
in determining if the exchange is progressing properly or if additional support is needed from
the sponsoring club, other clubs and leaders in the region, or from FFI. In most cases, early intervention
for an exchange in difficulty can lead to a successful exchange. If, however, it is determined
that the ambassador recruiting is not satisfactory, FFI may cancel or postpone the exchange and
reassign the hosting assignment to another club from the waiting list that is maintained by
FFI.
8. FFI Ambassador Fee: Each ambassador pays an FFI ambassador fee for a Friendship Force
experience. The Friendship Force International Board of Directors approves these fees each year.
FFI ambassador fees are due at FFI 45 days before the exchange departs. The FFI ambassador fees
are:
a. For first and second week of hosting: US$115 per week for all ambassadors from countries
outside the USA. For US ambassadors the fee is US$140 per week. A week is considered 5-7 nights.
b. For third week of hosting: US$50 for all countries. This is available on a limited basis in
countries with surplus hosting (Australia, New Zealand and the USA).
c. For interclub visits and domestic exchanges: Visits of 1-3 nights between clubs within a
country will be considered interclub visits and will have no FFI ambassador fees. Visits of 4-7
nights will be considered domestic exchanges and will have a US$25 per person FFI ambassador fee. Interclub visits and domestic
exchanges should be supplemental to a club’s regular exchange activity and should be scheduled after the dates for international
exchange activity have been finalized
d. For interclub visits within Europe: Visits of 1-4 nights between clubs within Europe will be
considered interclub visits and will have no FFI ambassador fee. Visits of 5-7 nights will be
considered regular international exchanges and will have regular FFI ambassador fees. European interclub visits are supplemental to
regular exchanges and should be scheduled after the dates for all international exchange activity have been finalized.
9. Host Club Program Fees:
a. Host clubs will receive a Host Club Program Fee of US$100 per ambassador, (including
the ED) per hosting week (5-7 nights). The purpose of the fee is to provide a budget so the host club can prepare an interesting
cultural program for the ambassadors. The fee can be used to pay for welcome and farewell parties/dinners, and for group
activities that provide the ambassadors an excellent cultural orientation to the host city
and region. The fee can also be used, at the host club’s discretion, to enable the hosts to
participate in these activities.
b. In some cases the host ED may recommend activities that are not covered by the US$100
fee. These activities should be optional. If the ambassador ED agrees that these activities
should be included for all ambassadors, the Host Club Program Fee may be increased accordingly.
However, if the Host Club Program Fee is more than US$100, the host ED will present a full budget of all
activities—both the basic cultural program and the additional activities—prior to the exchange and a post-exchange accounting
of the actual expenses.
c. In addition to planned group activities, the host ED should ensure that the ambassadors
have sufficient time with their hosts for individual activities, so the individual host can serve as guide to the local community
and for the ambassadors to explore on their own. The costs of these individual activities outside the home should be paid by the
ambassadors.
d. The Host Club Program Fee does not cover the cost of transporting ambassadors from
their arrival site to the host community and returning them to their departure sites or for any tour
arrangements prior to or following the exchange week. If the host ED is asked by the ambassador ED to assist
in these arrangements, the costs should be agreed to in advance and should be designated “transfer and/or tour costs.”
Transfer and tour costs are not considered part of the Host Club Program Fee, and should be treated separately with payment
and accounting details arranged between the ambassador and host EDs.
e. Procedures for payment of Host Club Program Fees: Host club program fees should be transferred directly from the ambassador
club to the host club in a mutually acceptable manner, unless otherwise authorized by FFI.
The US$100 host fee is non-refundable if an ambassador cancels from the exchange less than 45 days prior to departure and must
therefore be transferred to the host club together with the fees for the participating ambassadors. In the event that the
ambassador club fails to pay for all confirmed ambassadors, FFI will advance the fees to the host club and
collect them from the ambassador club.
10. Local Ambassador Club Budget: Up to US$25 may be added to the cost of an exchange to be
retained by the ambassador Exchange Committee. These fees cover the costs of administering the
exchange at the local level and are collected and retained by the club, not by FFI. These fees are
nonrefundable if the ambassador fails to participate in the exchange or the exchange is cancelled.
11. Youth Ambassadors: Youth ambassadors will receive a discount of 50% on FFI club exchange
ambassador fees. The discount does not apply to exchanges designed for youth ambassadors, which
will have their own fees. A youth ambassador is defined as someone who is 18 years of age or
younger or a full-time student 26 years of age or younger. Children under the age of 2 who participate in an exchange with a parent will not be
charged any ambassador fees or host club program fees.
12. Unaccompanied Children: Any person under the age of 18 who is not accompanied by a parent
must have a designated guardian during any Friendship Force experience. FFI provides master copies of the appropriate legal documents in the
Exchange Manual. In addition, children under 16 must travel and be hosted in the same home with
an adult relative or designated guardian.
13. Travel Insurance: All Friendship Force ambassadors are required to secure adequate
travel and medical insurance to cover emergencies during their exchanges. This requirement can be
fulfilled in one of the following ways: a) through the ambassador’s existing insurance policy if it
covers international travel, b) through the policy offered by FFI, or c) by purchasing a separate travel
insurance package. The Ambassador Application and Agreement form includes the following statement: “I hereby agree to secure adequate
travel and medical insurance for the duration of the exchange.” At the discretion of the ED, an insurance
waiver form may be signed by an ambassador
and notarized for those who choose not to secure insurance.
14. Exchange Evaluation: Within 30 days of the completion of the exchange, each Exchange
Director shall complete and send to FFI a final Exchange Evaluation using a form provided by
FFI. If there are substantial negative comments, FFI will contact the club(s) involved and will work with
them to implement corrective action. The results of the evaluation may be taken into account by FFI
in determining future assignments for the club. Clubs with consistently excellent exchanges will be
given priority in their choice of future exchanges. On the other hand, clubs with consistently poor
evaluations will be closely monitored by FFI. If the problems are not solved, FFI may suspend
exchange activity until such time as the club can demonstrate its ability to carry out proper
Friendship Force exchanges.
15. Cancellation from a club-to-club exchange: If an ambassador cancels more than 45 days before
departure, FFI will refund all FFI ambassador fees paid. If an ambassador cancels 45 days or less
prior to departure FFI will refund 50% of the ambassador fee paid. If FFI cancels an exchange, all ambassador
fees paid will be returned to ambassadors. For specialized exchanges see paragraph 16.
16. Specialized Exchanges: Friendship Force International recognizes that an alternative to
club-based exchanges can be attractive for Friendship Force members and non-members alike and plans
a number of specialized programs accordingly each year. These range from programs with a
cultural focus without home-hosting to mission based or themed programs. The fees for these specialized programs are set by FFI and sometimes
include airfare and a comprehensive program; in some cases there are fees for a land-only program.
The cancellation fees for specialized programs will be advised to the Exchange Director based on the
penalty plans we receive from our travel suppliers and vendors.
Payment Procedures
Exchange and club affiliation fees are quoted in US dollars. In Japan, the United Kingdom and
Australia, separate banking arrangements have been made, and payments should be made according to the
procedures established by FFI for these countries. For all other countries, payment should be made
in US dollars and may be made by check or by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express)
to the following mailing address: Friendship Force International, 233 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2250,
Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. Bank wire transfers may also be used, with payments made to: Wachovia Bank, Atlanta, Georgia; Routing
Transit No: 061000227; Swift Code: PNBPUS33; Beneficiary: Friendship Force International; Operating
Account No: 2000-12809- 8785.
All transactions should include full information to identify both the source (club or exchange) and the
purpose of the payment.
Policy on Mobility and Health Limitations
Ambassador Exchange Directors are responsible for ensuring that ambassadors on their exchanges
understand and certify that they can comply with the physical requirements of the exchange program.
While Friendship Force exchanges are not considered unusually demanding, ambassadors need to be able
to keep up with the typical daily activities of their hosts. Walking for extended periods of time, carrying
luggage, riding public transportation, and climbing stairs are all normal activities within any exchange.
Participants also need to be alert, capable of following directions, and able to fulfill the goal of The Friendship
Force as an ambassador of friendship and goodwill. Ways in which ambassador Exchange Directors can
screen potential ambassadors include:
■ Review the health section of the ambassador Application Form with the applicant and make sure
that any potential or current health or mobility problems are adequately noted.
■ Ask applicants direct questions about their daily routine, travel habits, and level of physical and
mental abilities and explain the nature of activities proposed on the exchange plan.
■ If the applicant has traveled previously with FFI, check with the applicant’s most recent Exchange
Director regarding any reasons why the applicant should not participate on the planned exchange. If
the applicant is new to FFI, ask for a reference who can speak knowledgeably about the applicant’s
level of physical and mental capabilities to fulfill the requirements of the exchange.
■ If concerns remain, provide the applicant with a list of the planned activities for the exchange and ask
for a letter from their health provider indicating if the applicant will be able to meet the
requirements of the exchange. FFI does support the participation of ambassadors with health limitations and physical disabilities. However,
without exception, ambassadors can only be accepted on an exchange upon full disclosure of their limitations
to both the ambassador and host Exchange Directors and written agreement from the host exchange community
and/or travel suppliers that they are able to accommodate the limitation. During an exchange, if either the ambassador or host
Exchange Director finds that a physical or mental limitation, which was not fully disclosed in advance,
interferes with the ambassador’s ability to participate fully in the exchange program, including the
homestay, then that participant can be asked to depart the program or be moved to an alternate housing
arrangement at his/her own expense.
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2007 FFI Board Meeting and New Board Members
The annual meeting of the Board of Directors was held in Atlanta
September 9-11, 2007 with all 12 active members in attendance. The board
received regular operations reports from the staff and approved a
preliminary budget for 2008. A major portion of the time was spent
looking to the future of Friendship Force with a strategic planning
session, led by John Suddes who was one of the speakers at the 30th
anniversary conference in Atlanta earlier in the year. The results of
the strategic planning process will be announced later in the year. The
board expressed its appreciation to all the club leaders around the
world who responded to several surveys, which were very useful in
helping shape the discussion.
An important part of the annual meeting is the election of officers for
the next year and also filling of vacancies on the board. For 2008, the
officers will be as follows: Donna Lambeth (North Carolina) will be
Board Chairperson; Arifin Mochtar (Indonesia) will serve as Vice-Chair;
Thomas Dortch (Atlanta, GA) was elected Treasurer; and Rita Powell
(Oregon) will serve a second year as Secretary.
Four new board members were elected to fill vacancies. Each will
serve a four-year term beginning January 2008 and ending December 2011.
The new members represent different countries and have a variety of
backgrounds.
Cang Jian (known to FF members as Jack) is from Nanjiing, China and is 42 years old. He is married and has a 12-year-old
daughter. Jack has degrees from both Peking University and Nanjing
University. Jack speaks English, Hebrew and several Chinese dialects.
Jack is the director of the Department of International Liaisons at the
Jiangsu International Cultural Exchange Center. This organization is
FFI’s partner organization for the Nanjing exchange program that has
been very effective in both hosting FF delegations and also in
organizing outbound exchanges. He has participated and planned exchange
programs to Canada, France, Japan, Russia and the U.S. Jack became
involved with the Friendship Force in 1995. Since that time China has
hosted nearly 40 inbound exchanges.
Elza Maria Fernandes dos Santos (known to FF members
simply as Elza) is 51 years old and lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil with her
husband Eduardo de Cillo. In addition to Portuguese, she speaks English
and Spanish. Elza graduated from Ibero Americana University and worked
in human resources and sales before opening her own business. She is now
retired. Elza joined the Friendship Force in 1988 and served as club
president from 2001 to 2006. She was the host chair for the 2005
International Conference in Sao Paulo, and has recently served as Vice
Chair of the FF Council of Brazil. Elza has traveled extensively with
the Friendship Force and participated in a three-month homestay with a
family in Colorado with another organization.
Andrew Sterling is 62 years old and from Ottawa,
Canada, but he was born and raised in Adelaide, Australia. He has
degrees from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University of South
Australia. After completing his education, Andrew moved to Canada where
he worked at Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. before retiring. He speaks
both French and English. Andrew and his wife are widely traveled around
the world. They joined the Ottawa club in 2001 and have participated in
15 outbound exchanges since that time. In 2002 he was elected to the
Ottawa club’s board of directors and has served as president. During
his professional career, Andrew traveled to Japan on 12 occasions and
multiple times to countries throughout Europe, Asia and the South
Pacific.
Dave Kalan is 52 years old and from Milwaukee,
Wisconsin and has lived his entire life in the U.S. He has engineering
degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and Marquette
University. Dave worked professionally for S.C. Johnson Wax for 21
years. While there he traveled frequently while supporting offices in
London, Amsterdam and Sydney. Since retiring seven years ago, Dave has
spent much of his time volunteering. Dave has been active with the
Friendship Force for 17 years and has been on 16 Friendship Force
exchanges and exchange director on 9 exchanges. He held the positions of
Midwest field representative, club president, club vice-president and
club treasurer. In addition to Dave’s travel with work and the
Friendship Force, he travels with friends on a regular basis. He
recently traveled with a friend to Senegal, West Africa.
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2010 International
Conference
Washington, DC in October 2010
Friendship Force members from around the world
are invited to register now for the 2010 World Conference in Washington, DC
Saturday, October 16, 9:00 a.m. - Monday, October 18, 12:00 p.m.
Conference highlights include:
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Building the Friendship Force of the
future. Plenary sessions and leadership workshops on how to grow your club for the future. Sessions will feature new initiatives in membership growth, exchange planning, club management and publicity; along with tips on how to design new themed exchanges for both outbound and inbound exchanges. |
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The Friendship Force as Citizen
Diplomacy. Prominent speakers from a variety of Washington-based international organizations and government agencies will introduce Friendship Force leaders to the growing global movement known as citizen diplomacy. You’ll learn how important our mission is in today’s world and how you can connect with organizations in your community that share our goals. |
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Networking. You’ll be part of a global gathering with Friendship Force leaders from six continents. There will be ample opportunity to meet your counterparts, learning from their experiences while you enjoy developing new friendships. |
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Fun! Having fun is a requirement at any Friendship Force gathering, and Sunday’s gala banquet will be an evening you’ll long remember. Entertainment, music, dancing, and camaraderie. The theme of our banquet is "World Costume," so feel free to wear your national dress or any items you have acquired overseas during your Friendship Force travels! |
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Explore Washington. The Renaissance Hotel
(http://cwp.marriott.com/wasrb/friendship/)
is located in the heart of downtown Washington and is ideal for experiencing the rich history and culture of the nation's capital. You’ll want to take advantage of the amazing array of museums, historic sites and cultural activities. |
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Join a post-conference homestay. Following the conference travel to a Friendship Force club in the region for a four night homestay. A great way to conclude your World Conference week. |
Conference Fee is US $280. Fee includes:
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All workshops and coffee breaks |
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Plenary sessions with keynote
speakers |
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Lunch on Saturday |
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Breakfast on Sunday |
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A gala banquet with dancing and entertainment Sunday night, and |
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A closing plenary with high-profile speaker Monday
morning |
An optional four-night post-conference homestay in the region is available exclusively for conference participants for an additional $100.
Hotel room reservations are not included and should be made directly with the Renaissance
Hotel at (http://cwp.marriott.com/wasrb/friendship/). Quote our discount code FFIFFIA for our special rate of $199 per room per night!
Read all about the conference and reserve your space at the Friendship Force 2010 World Conference now at
www.regonline.com/2010_world_conference
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Past
Conferences
2007 International
Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
A report and some photos are in the May 2007 Newsletter.
2008 International Conference
October 2- 5, 2008 at
the Marriott Hotel, Gold Coast Australia.
2009 International Conference
Okinawa,
Japan
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November 19-22, 2009 - CANCELED
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FFI
Changes - August 7, 2007
From: George Brown, President, FFI
Re: FFI e-mail and website notice
As some of you may have discovered, the FFI website no longer contains information related to Friendship Force International. The domain name
friendshipforce.org has been taken over by a domain broker. This happened because of a lapse in our domain name registration. The lapse occurred because the domain was created in 1999 using a different website hosting company. While the website was managed by our current company, the domain name or web address was managed by the previous company. Because of this, we were not provided with proper renewal notification before the domain expiration date.
The name “Friendship Force” is a registered trademark and there are legal steps we will take, if necessary, to have the domain name returned to us. Unfortunately, this may take as long as two months. During this time we have no control over the domain name or website located at
friendshipforce.org.
To insure communications for our organization can move forward without disruption, we have secured the domain name
www.thefriendshipforce.org. Please note that the only change is the addition of the word “the” to the former address. The same change is also required for all staff email addresses. So my email address will be
gbrown@thefriendshipforce.org. In addition, you should know that any email messages sent since Sunday, August 5th, were not received and should be resent to the appropriate new addresses. We anticipate our new email addresses to be functional beginning Thursday, August 9th.
Also, any club websites that include links to friendshipforce.org need to be changed and directed to the correct address. If you have questions regarding changes to your site, please contact Ken Wilson at
kwilson@thefriendshipforce.org.
We are very concerned about the confusion and inconvenience this will cause our members and leaders around the world. Please know that we are doing everything possible to correct the situation and to protect the good name of our organization.
Thanks for your understanding.
George Brown
NOTE: Only links on this page
have been changed. If you see other links to FFI on other pages, please
insert THE to the name: www,thefriendshipforce.org.
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Communiqué/Leadership
Forum
August, 2008 Communiqué
1. FFI Communiqué: This is the first issue of the FFI Communiqué, replacing the earlier Leadership Forum. As you may recall, we are now using the term “Leadership Forum” to refer to the entire leadership section of the new website. We will be sending an updated issue about once a month. Please be on the lookout for it in your email inbox—and let us know what kinds of items you’d like to see presented in future issues.
2. Leadership Forum Password: The Leadership Forum on the website is for FF leaders. You and others in your club who are in leadership positions can easily access this section by entering the log on: FFI (all uppercase) and friendship (all lower case) as the password. If you have any difficulty, please contact Rebecca Shaw:
rshaw@thefriendshipforce.org
3. New Logo Guidelines and Options: Within the next ten days we will be sending guidelines on how you can customize the new logo for use by your club. If you need information before then, please contact Rebecca,
rshaw@thefriendshipforce.org.
4. Annual Awards. We are now seeking nominees for our annual awards for outstanding clubs and individuals. The criteria the awards committee will be looking for are excellence in club and exchange programs, as well as outstanding individual leadership accomplishments by Friendship Force volunteers. If you have someone in your club (or in another club) please send a short description of the individual or club achievements. Send your nominations to George Brown,
gbrown@thefriendshipforce.org. The winners will be announced at the International Conference in October.
5. International Conference deadline extended. We now have reached the 300 mark for registrations for the International Conference and anticipate an excellent program, hosted by the Gold Coast, Australia club. The deadline for registration has been extended until September 12You may register online at
www.regonline.com/conf2008 or contact Debbie Powell at FFI
(dpowell@thefriendshipforce.org)
6. Planning for 2010. Even as planning begins for our 2009 exchanges, the FFI staff has begun work on the exchange assignment process for 2010. The online planning form will be available September 1. The online form should be submitted to FFI not later than November 1. Full instructions will be sent by email prior to September 1.
7. Hosting opportunities for English teachers: In 2008 we completed two very successful exchanges with English teachers from Thailand and Indonesia. We are hoping to expand this program in the future. We are looking for clubs in the USA, Australia and New Zealand that may be interested in the possibility of a teacher exchange as a special hosting opportunity. If your club is interested, send an email to Allison Lindsey and she will provide full details,
alindsey@thefriendshipforce.org
8. FFI Staff Update: We recently welcomed two new Program Coordinators. Barbara
Stonebrink-Martin, originally from Munich, is the new Program Coordinator for Germany and the United Kingdom. Elena McCarty, a native of Moscow, Russia, is working with our Russia and the former Soviet Union. Allison Lindsey and Minh-An Arthur are former staff members who have returned on a part-time basis. Allison is working on specialized educational programs while Minh-An is working on new exchanges with an environmental theme.
9. FFI Staff concern: Kathy Thomas, FFI manager of Exchange Operations, will be out of the office on medical leave beginning August 18. She will be undergoing major surgery and will be away for about four weeks. I know all of you join the FFI staff in extending to Kathy our thoughts and prayers for a full recovery. During her absence if you have any questions that you would normally be discussing with Kathy, feel free to let me or another staff member know so we can provide whatever assistance you may need.
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June 2007 Leadership Forum
To: Friendship Force Club Presidents, Field Representatives, Members of FFI Board of Directors and Exchange Directors
From: George Brown, FFI President
Call for Nominations for the Friendship Force International Board of
Directors: At the end of this year, three members of the FFI Board of Directors will complete their term of service: Mac Mackenzie (Florida), Julian Sewell (Brazil), Diana McIntyre (Canada). In addition, Kazuo Aichi will become a member of the FFI International Advisory Council and will be leaving the board. New board members will be elected by the board of directors at its upcoming meeting on September 11, 2007. The new members of the board will begin a four-year term of service on January 1, 2008.
In keeping with established board policy, we encourage our club leaders and members to provide the board nominating committee with suggestions for new directors. We are requesting that you send us the names of possible candidates, along with a brief statement (not more than one page) as to why you feel the person would make a good Friendship Force International board member. You may nominate someone you know, or yourself if you would like to be considered. Attached is a more detailed description of the board of directors.
While you should feel free to consult with the person you are nominating, that is not required. The nominating committee will take all the names that are submitted and consider them carefully. From this initial list, the committee will select a list of finalists who will be contacted directly for their full resumes and to determine their interest and availability to serve on the board. The committee will then make its recommendation to the full board. Send your nominations by June 30, 2007 to
gbrown@thefriendshipforce.org.
We look forward to receiving your nominations in the near future.
Travel Guard Travel Insurance: Please continue to use Travel Guard as your preferred travel insurance provider if you are traveling on a USA outbound exchange. The policy is available online at
www.travelguard.com. Click HERE for instructions to book your policy online.
Club Promotional Materials: Friendship Force International is now offering a box of promotional materials for your clubs. The box includes the following items and can be purchased for only $75 USD including shipping within the US (international shipping not included). The materials are worth $150 USD if sold individually. The materials are great gifts for speakers, new club members or ambassadors. If you are interested, please email Linda Ector at
lector@friendshipforce.org and she will send you a box.
Club Promotional Kit:
5 travel mugs
2 sports bags
2 tote bags
100 brochures
3 pens
5 When the World Sings (cassette tape)
FFI balloons
2 FFI Stories CD set – (30th anniversary)
2 FFI DVDs
5 30th Anniversary Friendship Publications
Fund-raiser: What if FFI earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can!
GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter “Friendship Force International” as the charity you want to support. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year. Please be sure to spread the word!
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May 2008 Leadership Forum
To: Friendship Force Club Presidents, Field Representatives, Members of FFI Board of Directors and Exchange Directors
From: George Brown, FFI President
Greetings from FFI in Atlanta! We are now well into our exchanges for 2008 with many excellent programs underway. Here are some items that I hope you will look at carefully. If you are interested in learning more, simply send a message to the contact person listed for each item. Or feel free to contact me directly about anything related to your Friendship Force programs.
In friendship,
George Brown
President, FFI
gbrown@thefriendshipforce.org
Nominations for Board of Directors: At its next meeting (August 24, 2008) the FFI Board of Directors will be electing five new members to serve four year terms beginning January 1, 2009. We are now seeking nominations for these positions. If you would like to make a nomination,
please review the attached material and send your recommendation to George Brown at: gbrown@thefriendshipforce.org
not later than 15 June 2008.
International Conference: Reserve your space today for the International Conference, Gold Coast, Australia, October 2-5, 2008. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about FFI’s future plans while enjoying outstanding Aussie hospitality. All the details are on the FFI website or at:
www.regonline.com/conf2008.
2009 exchanges: As of May 15, there are 292 confirmed club exchanges for 2009, with several more still being planned! As each exchange is confirmed a document entitled “It’s A Match!” is emailed to the participating clubs’ presidents. This is your club’s cue to identify a qualified and enthusiastic Exchange Director (ED) for the exchange and to send the ED’s contact information to FFI as quickly as possible. Then the FFI staff person overseeing your exchange will be in touch with the ED to assist with plans.
Another outbound? If your club is interested in adding an additional outbound exchange next year to your program, please contact Meghan Skelly at
FFI. There is hosting currently available in Australia, Burundi, Germany, Ghana, Nepal, New Zealand and the USA. We would love to hear from clubs interested in making new friends in any of these destinations. Email Meghan at
mskelly@thefriendshipforce.org.
Ready to Lead? To supplement the 290+ club exchanges for 2009, Friendship Force is also organizing a small number of exciting specialized exchange programs. These programs are open to ambassadors from any country, so the group would represent several different nationalities, not just one! Over the next few months we will be working on the content and itineraries for these 2009 programs and are looking for experienced, enthusiastic and effective exchange leaders from any country for the following. Please contact Debbie Powell at
dpowell@thefriendshipforce.org if interested in learning more.
Humanitarian programs in Costa Rica, Mongolia, Romania and Tanzania. These programs include a homestay and have a service-related focus, such as bringing donations of medical or school supplies, working light construction at a new school or women's refuge, working with orphans, teaching English etc).
Discover programs in China, Croatia, Eastern Europe (H), Guatemala, New Zealand (H), Norway, and Vietnam
(H). These programs provide us a close encounter with the locals by way of cultural touring and activities such as meals and home visits with local people. Those marked “H” also include a homestay of at least five nights.
Bridgebuilders programs in Colorado for skiing with a homestay, or northern Europe for biking with home visits. Bridgebuilders programs are based on a specific theme, either interest-based (such as sports, hiking, music) or based on profession (such as medical professionals, agricultural workers). Please contact FFI if you are a skier or enjoy cycling in the countryside (or perhaps your club wants to host a themed exchange like this and you want to tell us your idea!).
FFI Staff Changes: Some of you will remember Minh-An Arthur who was a Program Services Coordinator for Asia at FFI a number of years ago. We are delighted to welcome Minh-An back on a part-time basis as she helps develop some specialized programs focusing on environmental concerns - such as wildlife conservation, sustainable energy, eco-tourism and so on. If you have any ideas about projects of interest in your community, or if you would be interested in leading such an exchange program in 2009, please contact Minh-An at
marthur@thefriendshipforce.org.
Club Survey: All club presidents have been sent an on-line survey to complete. This will provide important information to assist FFI in the implementation of the strategic plan. As of May 14, more than 130 have responded. If you haven’t yet responded, please do so as soon as possible. If you are having any difficulty or have questions, please contact Rebecca Shaw:
rshaw@thefriendshipforce.org.
Opportunities Open to All Friendship Force Members, Worldwide: See Other Club Exchanges for some great opportunities for FF members around the world to join each other for some very unique experiences.
New exchanges are to Italy and All Europe to Vietnam & Cambodia, November 5-25, 2008: Come with friends from around Europe to enjoy a 16 day program in Vietnam and four day tour of Cambodia. The highlight of the program will be home hosting in Hanoi and Hue. Cities in Vietnam you will visit are Hanoi, Lao
Cai, Sa Pa, Ha Long, Hue, Hoi An, Danag and Ho Chi Minh. During the tour in Cambodia you will visit Siem Reap, home of the Angkor Wat temples and Phnom Penh, the capital city. To join the program in Hanoi, the estimated cost is 3150€ from Brussels or Amsterdam or would be 2200 € to join in Hanoi. For all the details contact Martin Cobbaert in Belgium at
sb242234@skynet.be.
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Back
Copies of Leadership Forums
Note: No Leadership Forums from
FFI were available to post during from 2006-2007. Click here for Leadership
Forums from 2003-2005. None were made
available from that time until June 2007.
Other correspondence
from FFI is posted here:
FFI
Changes - cover letter with links to the next documents
Letter
from Tony Coates
- 11-02
Changes
in Leadership Changes
in Leadership -
11-02
New
Fee Schedule -
11-02
Letter
from Dallas President, Mac Mackenzie
- 11-02
Letter
from Tony Coates - 12-02-02 Selection
of New
FFI President, Noel Pryde - 12-2002 Meet
Susie Smith - 1-20-2003 Resignation
Susie Smith - 12-9-03 New
President - George Brown - 3-26-04 Death
of Wayne Smith Top
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| Awards 2006
International Club of the Year: The Friendship Force of the Isle of
Wight, UK
US Club of the Year: The Friendship Force of Long Island, NY
International Volunteer of the Year: Carlos Alberto Herra Guillen,
The Friendship Force of Heredia, Costa Rica
US Volunteer of the Year: Craig Cornwell, The Friendship Force of
Montgomery, AL
2006 Humanitarian Awards: The Friendship Force of Baton Rouge, LA and
The Friendship Force of Tweed Valley, Australia
2006 Legacy Super Stars:
Williams and Joan Blaine, Mac and Gaby Mackenzie, The Friendship Force
of Greater Atlanta, GA, The Friendship Force of Greater Milwaukee, WI,
and The Friendship Force of Memphis, TN
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World Friendship Day
March 1, 2005
As previously announced, we are requesting Friendship Force clubs around the world to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the founding of our organization with a special event on March 1, 2005. We are also using this occasion to raise funds to support the Legacy Campaign, our tribute to Wayne Smith. All of the funds raised will go to support the creation of new Friendship Force clubs around the world and to train a new generation of volunteer leaders. The World Friendship Day events will begin in New Zealand and conclude 24-hours later in Hawaii as clubs in each time zone join their friends around the globe in celebration. Already, many clubs have indicated that they will be joining. But we need every club to participate to make this a truly global event. The planning begins now, and by following three easy steps, your club can have a very successful event.
1. Schedule It (club president and board)
- Put March 1, 2005 on your calendar of club events
- Send out a "save the date" announcement to your club members
- Appoint an event chairman and small support committee
- Contact FFI to confirm your participation in this important event. Use your regular
communication channels or send an email to our special email address
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aroundtheworld@friendshipforce.org.
2. Plan It (event committee)
- Determine the type of event you will have. It can be as simple as a "pot luck"
evening, or as
elaborate as a catered banquet.
- Select a venue. If possible, choose a location that has Internet access (or that will
allow you
to bring a computer that can be linked to the Internet.)
- Determine price. Don't forget this is a fundraising event for the expansion of The
Friendship Force. FFI is suggesting that $10 US be added to the cost per person as your
contribution to the Legacy Campaign. But you can be creative in how to
raise this money.
Try a raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses; or look to
local sponsors to help with the
cost of the event. Make the fundraising part of the
fun, with all members knowing their contribution
will help in our common goal of
creating a stronger organization.
- Promote World Friendship Day with mailings to your club members. But look
beyond your
regular members. This can be a great way to introduce new people to
your club. Include the
media-they may be attracted to the fact that you are
participating in a global event. A sample
press release is available here.
3. Enjoy It (everybody!)
- Make sure it is a very friendly event, with people sharing FF experiences
- Plan to show the new FF video (in dvd or VHS format) which will be provided all
participating
clubs well in advance of March 1, 2005)
- Be ready to go "on line" to add your event to all the others that will be taking place
as part of our
global celebration.
If you would like some additional ideas or guidance on how to plan a great event-or if you want to share with other clubs what you will be doing on March 1, 2005--please contact us at
aroundtheworld@thefriendshipforce.org.
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Recruitment for
New Field Representatives
Date: May 5, 2004
From George Brown, President
FFI
As you may know, Friendship Force International (FFI) operates Field Representative systems in several countries around the world to provide expert assistance from experienced volunteers to Club Leaders, Exchange Directors, and members. We are now soliciting applications for six vacant Field Representative positions, and we hope that you or someone you know will be interested in this opportunity for service!
The job description outlines a most challenging and important role for these Field Representatives in serving FFI clubs, exchanges, and members to fulfill the mission of our worldwide organization. The appointment process allows for new talent to join this cadre on a regular basis while assuring stability through staggered terms of service for all Representatives.
U.S. Field Representatives will be appointed to a two-year term of service with the opportunity to be reappointed for one additional term, thus serving a maximum of four years in the position. The term of office for those applying now will begin on July 1, 2004 and will end on July 1, 2006.
Laurie-Ann Scott will continue to serve as the U.S. Field Representative Coordinator and will chair the selection team made up of FFI leaders and staff. Those interested should submit their applications directly to Laurie-Ann Scott by May 31, 2004. You will find contact information for Laurie-Ann on the application form.
Many thanks for considering this exciting service opportunity and encouraging any others you feel qualified to apply. All applications will be considered with care.
See www.thefriendshipforce.org
for attachments for:
U.S. Field Representative Description of Responsibilities
U.S. Regions and Field Representative Assignments
U.S. Field Representative Application
34 Peachtree St., Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30303 USA
Phone: 404-522-9490 Fax: 404-688-6148
E-mail: ffi@thefriendshipforce.org
www.thefriendshipforce.org
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| Internet
Search
What if FFI earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can!
GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter “Friendship Force International” as the charity you want to support. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year. Please be sure to spread the word!
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Blog - 2007
Friendship Force International launched a new blog this month, titled Blog for Friendship. The term “blog” is short for web-log and is a user-generated site that presents information in a journal format. The website allows staff and club members to share their experiences, ask questions or chat with a friend on the other side of the globe.
Blog for Friendship can be found at www.thefriendshipforce.wordpress.com
To begin blogging you will need to create a WordPress account, which you can sign up for by clicking the WordPress.com link on the FFI blog. It only takes a minute to sign up.
The more people that post their comments and share their experiences, the more useful this tool will be for everyone.
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