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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
This
is our new logo, a custom design for us by Iconologic in Atlanta.
This logo represents who and what Friendship Force is today.
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The multiple colors connote diversity. Not just two people shaking hands but people of
many skin colors coming together. |
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It is an intentionally abstract symbol…meaning it can suggest to each person what speaks to them. |
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It is doves of peace |
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It is people joining hands |
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Or, it is simply an energetic, sparkle of fun |
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An invitation into the world of friends to get to know us better |
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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.
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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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Upcoming Friendship Force International
Conferences
2013 Friendship Force
International Conference
Next year's world conference will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA November 22-25, 2013. The official host club will be the Friendship Force of Baton Rouge.
UPDATE: Registration is now open! Go to the World Conference website to see full details and register to attend.
Join friends from around the world in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA for the Friendship Force World Conference, November 23 to 25, 2013.
There is no better place to celebrate our mission than the festive city of New Orleans. Together, we'll enjoy the world famous jazz music, cuisine and architecture of this iconic city, and we'll share our ideas, knowledge, and plans for a strong future for the organization we all love.
Post-conference home stays will take place over the American Thanksgiving holiday, giving participants the opportunity to experience all the traditions of this beloved holiday with their hosts.
Our conference hosts, the Friendship Force of Baton Rouge, are hard at work preparing an unforgettable, three-day event. Here are some more of the conference highlights:
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A focus on the music and cuisine of one of the USA's most culturally diverse places |
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The opportunity to meet and hear from FFI's newly appointed President |
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Great low rates on a four-star hotel in the heart of the French Quarter |
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Updates from around the world and an introduction of the newest clubs |
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Specialized leadership training utilizing new materials developed by FFI |
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A Mississippi steamboat cruise with jazz and dinner |
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Our gala banquet with traditional jazz and a parade down Bourbon Street |
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Cooking
class: Make a classic New Orleans dish in our chef-led cooking workshop |
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Exciting tours in the city or to sugar plantations, swamplands and more |
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Join US families for a Thanksgiving home stay after the conference |
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Make friends from around the globe in this romantic and vibrant city! |
PLEASE NOTE: Your hotel room is NOT included in the conference registration. Reserve your room directly with the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel New Orleans - click here to get the Friendship Force discounted rate.
Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel New Orleans - $148 per night
Conference events: http://www.eventbee.com/v/ffiworldconference2013
Optional tours:
http://www.neworleans.com/new-orleans-tours/
Questions? Contact Debbie Powell at
dpowell@thefriendshipforce.org
127 Peachtree Street Suite 501 | Atlanta, GA 30303 US
US Regional Meetings: Regional meetings for US club members will be held in New Orleans on the afternoon of Friday November 22. Please contact your regional Field Representative if you would like to participate. We will not have a SW Regional conference this year; this is our opportunity for our regional clubs to meet.
Our Field Rep is Bob Duncan,
mardigrasbob@hotmail.com.
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2014
Friendship Force International Conference
Announcing the 2014 World Conference: Auckland, New Zealand. FFI is pleased to announce that the 2014 World Conference will be held in Auckland and will be jointly hosted by the 23 Friendship Force clubs of New Zealand. Clubs are encouraged to consider requesting an exchange to New Zealand for October 2014, to coincide with the World Conference being held that month.
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2012
International Conference
Hiroshima, Japan
Oct 30 - Nov 2, 2012

Join friends from around the
world in Hiroshima, Japan, for the Friendship Force International 35th
World Conference.
Theme: Hiroshima for Peace and Friendship
Registration is now open!
Conference Fee: ¥27500 (all
conference pricing is in Japanese Yen).
Go to the World
Conference website to see full details and register to attend.
Contact: Debbie Powell - Conference Director/Special Projects
+1.404.496.6615 or dpowell@thefriendshipforce.org
Get excited about the Global Expansion Plan with plenary presentations and interactive sessions. Learn about the initiatives to open new clubs around the world, expand leadership training and resources, and develop new programs - and find out what role YOU can play in building the future of the Friendship Force.
Attend workshops on the subjects that interest you, led by other Friendship Force volunteers, members of the international board of directors, and FFI staff. Workshop topics include club growth, exchange assignments, social media, Japanese culture, and more! See all 14 workshops and their descriptions.
Highlights:
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Cultural performances
(dancers & drummers) |
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Miyajima tour |
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Hiroshima city tour:
World Heritage Center, Torii Gate, Peace Memorial Museum, Ground
Zero of A Bomb |
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Japanese cultural
workshops |
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FFI and volunteer
workshops |
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Dynamic keynote speakers |
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Opportunities to meet and
reconnect with friends from around the world. |
Hiroshima
Peace Memorial
Hiroshima provides an inspiring setting for this conference theme. The
city is a symbol of world peace, having risen from the ashes of World War
II. The conference will be held on the grounds of the historic Peace Park,
a landmark dedicated to world peace and the memory of those who lost their
lives on August 6, 1945, in the explosion of the atomic bomb.

The city of
Hiroshima at night
Get inspiration for a
strong future:
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Keynote
speakers |
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Workshops on
volunteer leadership, Japanese
culture |
and new opportunities
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Meet and
converse with other Friendship Force volunteers, |
FFI board members and FFI staff
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Take an
optional tour to beautiful Miyajima |
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Encounter
Japan with optional activities of your choice |
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Enjoy the
natural beauty surrounding Hiroshima and the Inland Sea |
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Experience
Japan's rich cultural traditions |
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Explore
historic and cultural landmarks such as Miyajima and Iwakuni |
Hiroshima
Castle
Meet friends new and
old:
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Get to know
the friendly hosts of this year's |
conference, the Friendship Force of Hiroshima
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Reconnect with
the friends you've made all around |
the world
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Get to know
new friends at a karaoke party and a lovely gala dinner, |
always a
conference highlight! This year's gala is being arranged by
FF
Hiroshima with a traditional Japanese theme.
Hear dynamic speeches from guest speakers, including:
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Hidehiko
Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture |
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Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima |
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Steven
Leeper, Chairman of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation |
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Sherry Mueller, President Emerita of the National Council for International Visitors |
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Takaaki "James" Morikawa, President of FF Hiroshima and a survivor of the atomic bombing |
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George Brown, President of Friendship Force International |
Special Opportunity! Pre-Conference Tour of Japan
This tour of Tokyo, Nagoya, Nara and Kyoto is designed specifically for conference attendees. Spend a week exploring Japan with other Friendship Force members, enjoy a two-night home stay with FF Aichi, and then continue on to the World Conference together. The tour begins in Tokyo on October 24th and ends in Hiroshima on October 30th. Click for more information.
See you in Japan! If you have
questions, contact Conference Director Debbie Powell: dpowell@thefriendshipforce.org,
+1.404.496.6615
Extra Info: Post-conference hosting will be available with several
Japanese clubs.
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SENBAZURU
1,000 paper cranes for peace
JOIN THE FRIENDSHIP FORCE IN MAKING A WISH FOR PEACE AROUND THE WORLD.
With your help, delegates to the Friendship Force World Conference in Hiroshima can present 1,000 paper cranes at the Children's Peace Monument. Known as Senbazuru, the practice of presenting 1,000 origami cranes represents hope and peace. What a profound statement the Friendship Force could make with a crane from every club!
Can you send one crane or more by October 1?
(Those attending the conference will have opportunities to fold a crane with the help of Hiroshima club members.)
Step 1: Paper Please use 6” x 6” (150mm) paper. Origami paper, chiyogami paper and washi can be widely found in art or stationery stores worldwide. If you cannot find these types of paper, don’t worry! You can just as easily use scrapbooking paper or normal printer paper, although it is a little thicker. Any colour or pattern is fine, but please start with a paper that is 6 inches square.
Step 2: Fold Easy-to-follow, English video instructions for folding an origami crane can be seen
here. (You may want to search for a video in your own language.) Leave the crane folded flat so you can mail it in an envelope to Hiroshima.
Step 3: Write
on one wing, write the name of your club and country. If you choose, you may dedicate your crane to someone, by writing their name or a prayer on the wing.
Step 4: Send Whether you make one or one hundred origami cranes, please be sure to send them to Hiroshima by October 1st so that the Hiroshima club members can string them all together in time for our presentation at the Peace Park. Send your crane to:
Mr. Takaaki Morikawa
19-3, Imokuchi 3 chome, Nishi-ku
Hiroshima City, 733-0842
Japan
In November we will publish photos of the Senbazuru, one thousand cranes, and the presentation at the Peace Park on the FFI website.
We thank you for your help with this meaningful project for peace!
Send your questions to Debbie Powell at dpowell@thefriendshipforce.org
Do you want to attend the World Conference in Hiroshima? Register today!
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The Story of the Thousand Paper Cranes
Hiroshima's Children's Peace Monument is dedicated to all the children who died as a result of the A-bomb. At the top, there is a statue of a girl holding a folded paper crane. This girl was Sadako Sasaki.
Two-year-old Sadako was blown out of the window at her home, about two miles from ground zero, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Miraculously, she survived, but ten years later she developed acute leukemia.
She had great faith in the popular Japanese belief that folding a thousand paper cranes would make her wishes come true; however she died eight months later. Sadako’s classmates completed the 1000 cranes and buried them with her.
They also began a fundraising campaign which was supported by the entire nation and erected a memorial to her and all the children who died from the effects of the atomic bomb.
At the foot of the statue is a plaque that reads: "This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world."
Gradually Sadako’s story spread throughout the world and the paper crane became a symbol of peace and hope.


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Friendship
Force Expansion Plan
2012 marks the 35th
anniversary of The Friendship Force. Our mission — to promote global
understanding across the barriers that separate people — is just as
important today as it was 35 years ago. Ensuring a successful future is
essential to our mission. The Global Expansion Plan comprises five
initiatives for building a strong Friendship Force for tomorrow.
1. Establish 45 new clubs
Establish new clubs in all regions of the world, bringing the total to
over 400 for the first time and opening new countries and communities to
our global exchange program.
2. Expand themed exchanges and new programs
From wine tasting and gardening to language learning and history, expand
themed exchanges to attract a new generation of participants.
3. Leadership for tomorrow
Recruit, train and support volunteer leaders for tomorrow, with
materials and techniques designed for a new generation of leaders.
4. Promote the Friendship Force globally
Increase regional, national and global recognition of the Friendship
Force through the Internet, social media and global communications.
5. Raise $275,000 to pay for the Global Expansion
Challenge clubs, members and friends to step forward with financial
donations to secure the future of the Friendship Force.
Working together we can build a strong Friendship Force for tomorrow.
http://www.thefriendshipforce.org/expansion
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2012
Updates on Expansion Plan
New Clubs
These new clubs are opening in 2012 with exchanges to them:
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Mt. Fuji Yamanashi, Japan |
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Kalungu, Uganda |
If you have contacts in the following regions, please tell FFI your name, your Friendship Force club, where your contacts are and what your connection to them is. Mary Mwambay, FFI Program Services Coordinator, will respond to discuss with you the possibility of reaching out to your contacts to establish a new club. They are especially interested in:
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France: The Friendship Force has a long, positive history in France, with two current clubs, FF Pau and FF Biarritz. We are hoping to open more clubs in France, and we are particularly looking for possible contacts in Bordeaux and Toulouse. |
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Poland and Lithuania: We are eager to reintroduce the Friendship Force to Poland and Lithuania, particularly the Krakow region (southern Poland) and the Vilnius area (capital city of Lithuania). |
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Canada: The Friendship Force is strong in Canada and well-equipped to support new clubs. We are especially interested in seeking contacts in the Vancouver area or Maritime Provinces.
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Themed Exchanges – Coming Together
Themed exchanges create opportunities for new friendships to blossom from shared interests. For many ambassadors and hosts, the best parts of an exchange are the opportunities to discover all they have in common. Themed exchanges provide unique opportunities for Friendship Force members to come together around shared interests, such as gardening, language learning, hiking, history or the arts.
Many successful themed exchanges took place in 2011, including a performing arts exchange in Hamilton and Burlington, Canada; gardeners to Cornwall, UK; renewable energy advancements in Colorado, USA; vintage travel in New Zealand; and the history, technology and culture of the Mississippi River in the US.
FF Haliburton Highlands hosted a winter sports exchange in 2011 and again in 2012. Their guests learned the game of curling, went snowshoeing and drove a team of sled dogs.
The FF Niagara club provided bicycles and helmets and welcomed ambassadors to join them on their favorite trails. Ambassadors and hosts cycled the region together, taking in all the varied scenery including the canal, the Niagara vineyards, and the beautiful farmland and orchards.
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George
Brown Retirement
George Brown, who has served as president of Friendship Force International since April 2004, will retire effective June 30, 2013. The announcement comes two weeks after the very successful conclusion of FFI’s 35th World Conference in Hiroshima, Japan, attended by over 400 members from 24 countries.
“It has been a great honor for me to work for this incredible global organization for a total of 23 years, the last nine years as president,” stated Brown who will turn 68 next June. “The Friendship Force, with its new global expansion plan, is in great shape. I can look back with pride and satisfaction at the record of the past few years, but now is the time for new leadership to carry forward the mission of global friendship that was started in 1977 by Wayne Smith, with the support of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.”
Brown expects to remain active in the international field but has no plans to take on another fulltime position. “I’m looking forward to slowing down a bit and to taking advantage of the opportunity for personal visits with many of the friends I’ve made around the world.”
In accepting Brown’s resignation, Board Chairman Alan Milne of Kapiti Coast, New Zealand, stated: “We will miss George with his enthusiastic and effective leadership. He has made a tremendous contribution to the growth of our organization. We wish him all the best in his retirement years and know he will remain an active friend of the Friendship Force.”
Brown first joined the Friendship Force staff in 1983 and worked closely for many years with founder Wayne Smith. The Board of Directors has begun the leadership transition process and expects to have a new president appointed by June 2013. “We are confident that we will find just right person to lead us, building on the strong foundation George Brown has established,” stated Milne. “The Friendship Force is strong and growing and will continue to flourish for years to come.”
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CEO Search Committee Established
During a special teleconference on December 20, 2012 the FFI Board of Directors approved the appointment of a search committee to guide the selection process for a new President to replace George Brown when he retires in June 2013. The purpose of the committee will be to work with a consulting firm to identify and screen candidates for the position and to recommend one or more finalists for final selection by the Board of Directors.
The committee consists of current board members, as well as other experienced Friendship Force leaders. The members of the committee and their home Friendship Force clubs are: Sandra Larson, chair, Kern County, California; Cecile Latour, Canadian Capital Region, Ottawa, Canada; Mac Mackenzie, Florida Suncoast; Boya Marshall, Bavaria, Germany; Alan Milne, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand; Jack Mullen, Western North Carolina; Karen Overly Smith, Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Bruce Wazorko, Connecticut.
According to Sandra Larson, the committee will be looking for a person "who can work well with all the countries and cultures represented in our remarkable organization.” She welcomes comments from Friendship Force members regarding the task of the search committee. Contact Sandra at
SLWorksCO@hotmail.com.
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Field Representatives
Bob Duncan of FF Baton Rouge will serve the Southwest Region, including the Friendship Force clubs of Kansas, Baton Rouge, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Thanks to Joyce Rulon, who has served the Southwest Region for the past two years. We appreciate all the hard work she has put into serving the mission of the Friendship Force.
Bob says: There is a lot I need to learn, the most important of which is how I can help you and the other club Presidents the most… Regarding a SW Regional Conference in 2013, it's my hope that we can have a one day conference in New Orleans the day before the beginning of the International Conference. I would also like to come up with some specific ways to get the SW region involved in the conference as well. Any ideas, anyone? My e-mail is
mardigrasbob@hotmail.com.
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Health and Mobility
In 2012 there are new guidelines for how to recruit ambassadors (and hosts) that are physically and mentally capable of carrying out the basic requirements of the exchange. This is very important, and FFI will monitor closely all exchanges to ensure these guidelines are followed. Clubs failing to abide by these guidelines will be required to make changes in their recruiting procedures. In order to ensure proper recruiting, it is the responsibility of the host exchange director to provide the ambassador ED with details regarding hosting activities. A new checklist has been prepared by FFI for use by the host exchange director for this purpose. The ambassador ED is required to accept only people capable of carrying out the hosting activities—unless an exception is granted by the host ED.
See the guidelines.
If you have any questions or suggestions or need to report difficulties with this policy, please contact Kathy Thomas at
kthomas@thefriendshipforce.org.
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Friendship Force International Online Magazine
Taking the place of the print magazine FFI used to publish,
Friendship Online magazine will now come to you as a link in an email every two months free of charge.
Inside, you'll find fascinating stories, important news, leadership ideas and reflections on the FFI mission from staff and volunteers like yourself.
We hope you'll enjoy reading Friendship Online, and we hope you'll pass it on to your friends.
Friendship Online is a great tool for showing your community what the Friendship Force is all about.
Happy reading! Click here to read the magazine:
http://www.thefriendshipforce.org/index.php/site/magazine/
In this issue:
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Cover Story: A thousand miles of Outback adventure |
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Message from the President: Faces, places and more |
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Editor's Desk: A new twist on a Friendship Force classic |
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Dispatches: How a new member got hooked! |
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Leadership: Australian leader receives first Wayne Smith Medal |
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Spotlight: The Friendship Force of Belo Horizonte |
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News: A new address and a new year of exchanges |
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Adventure starts here! |
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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
UPDATE
JANUARY 1, 2011:
The
Friendship
Force International (FFI) office has moved to
127 Peachtree St., Suite 501, Atlanta, GA 30303. Tel: 404-522-9490
or 9490; e-mail: ffi@thefriendshipforce.org
or www.friendshipforce.org.
George
Brown is President of FFI and Debbie Powell is our Program
Service Coordinator in Atlanta.
Check
the webpage for Friendship Force International news, all exchanges, clubs around the
world, products for sale and the Friendship Magazine.
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2014
Friendship Force International Conference
Announcing the 2014 World Conference: Auckland, New Zealand. FFI is pleased to announce that the 2014 World Conference will be held in Auckland and will be jointly hosted by the 23 Friendship Force clubs of New Zealand. Clubs are encouraged to consider requesting an exchange to New Zealand for October 2014, to coincide with the World Conference being held that month.
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2011 FF
International Exchanges - First Half Year Summary
A total of 1,875 Friendship Force ambassadors participated in 101 exchanges
during the first half of 2011. These numbers are very similar to last year, even with the cancellation of 11 exchanges due to the tragedy of the Japanese
tsunami.
Among the highlights:
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6 global exchanges with 163 ambassadors recruited globally |
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3 youth exchanges with a total of 148 high school students. |
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The “winter festival” exchange to Winnipeg and Ottawa with 34 ambassadors |
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40 ambassadors on the Enrichment Voyage to the Panama Canal, with optional
home stay in Costa Rica. |
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More special themed exchanges - Gardeners to Cornwall, Eco Exchange to
Costa Rica, Cycling in Niagara, and Sustainable Energy Festival in Northern Colorado. |
Important “firsts”:
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Our new Canadian club, FF Stratford and St Marys (started last year with the
help of board member Andrew Stirling) participated in its first outbound exchange. |
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Our newest club in Germany, FF Schwerin, hosted their first inbound exchange. |
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Our newly re-opened club in Irkutsk, Russia, hosted their first inbound
exchange (with Friendship Force of Dallas members Lee and Mary Latham). |
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2011
International Conference
The
2011 conference was held in Hamburg, Germany - August 26
- 30, 2011 at the
Ramada Hotel Hamburg-Bergedorf in Hamburg,
Germany
The Friendship Force International Conference for 2011 was hosted in Germany’s second largest city. Hamburg is not only culturally rich and diverse, but with its stylish elegance and maritime charms it counts amongst the most beautiful cities in Europe.
All conference events took place at the modern 4-star Ramada Hotel in the borough of Bergedorf, a historic 13th century town on the river Bille boasting a picturesque castle and cobbled streets with cafes.
The 2011 conference theme was “Leadership for Tomorrow.” Through workshops and plenary sessions, participants learned about future plans for our organization, as well “best practices” that provided practical information on strengthening clubs and exchanges.
There was time for informal gatherings for leaders to share with each other one-on-one while developing new friendships and renewing old ones.
The gala banquet followed a traditional Hanseatic theme. Following, there
were several optional tours and post-conference homestays hosted by a German club.
Larry Kurtz was
Exchange Director
kurtz_larry@hotmail.com
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2010 International
Conference
Washington, DC in October 2010
Friendship Force members from
around the world attended the 2010 World Conference in Washington,
DC -
Saturday, October 16 - Monday, October 18.
Conference highlights
included:
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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 featured 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 introduced Friendship Force
leaders to the growing global movement known as citizen diplomacy.
We learned how
important our mission is in today’s world and how to connect with organizations
in our community that share our goals. |
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Networking.
We enjoyed the global gathering with Friendship Force leaders from six
continents, meeting our counterparts, learning from their experiences
and developing new friendships. |
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Fun! Having fun is a
requirement at any Friendship Force gathering, and Sunday’s gala banquet
featured entertainment, music, dancing, and camaraderie. The
theme of our banquet was "World Costumes," so many
costumes and national
dress were worn. |
 | Explore Washington.
Many people took advantage of the Renaissance Hotel location in the heart of downtown Washington
to explore the rich
history and culture of the nation's capital. There wasn't enough
time to take advantage of the
amazing array of museums, historic sites and cultural activities. |
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Post-conference
homestay. Many Friendship Force clubs in a wide region hosting
four night homestay for the many participants requesting it. A great way to conclude
the World Conference week. |
Read about the conference
on the November, 2010 Newsletter page.
Get copies of
presentations and handouts from the conference on the FFI website - click on 2010
Conference. (This will take you off this website.)
See some notes from
the Conference taken by Mary Williams.
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Internet
Search
What if FFI earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can!
WWW.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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Contact
Information

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