December 2002

Quick Look:

26th International Conference

WE DID IT! Our Conference is over and it went very smoothly. Our speakers were excellent, entertainment and food was great, workshops were interesting and our homestay was really fun! We had so many compliments from so many people on everything we did. We can be proud of our club and the work of our many volunteers. Thank you, thank you!  

It is working on joint projects like this that involve the talents and hard work or so many people that confirm our belief in Friendship Force as an organization of people committed to our cause of international friendship. We hope that you deepened your friendships with members of our own club and met many interesting people from other clubs.  

Marilyn Wilson and Mary Williams

Jerry Tuttle and Joy Perigo - Fort Worth  

Marilyn Wilson and Mac Mackenzie - 

Dallas

Conference chairs and club presidents treasure the Conference Cup for this year

Emily Dee (center) was ED for our homestay; Lilliana Hollister and Mary-Helen Lyons arranged our parties.

Constance Swank put together a program of highly respected speakers who addressed us during 5 plenary session and dinner speeches.  Dr. Louise Diamond, a peace arbitrator, gave us copies of The Peace Book that we will circulate among our members.  We heard how demographics alert us to a changing world. We learned that whether selling Coca Cola or Friendship Force what the world wants is connectedness.  Personal endorsement is more effective than any kind of impersonal advertisement.  Spreading the word of Friendship Force by telling others of our experiences is the way for the organization to grow. We were reminded that 1/6 of the world population is Moslem as we heard about the issues, beliefs and practices of that faith.

On the practical side there were "walking workshops" in a room set up with display areas and resource people to discuss various topics like fund raising, exchange booklets, special humanitarian projects, etc. Constance Swank and Chip Carter led a session on the new "transparent" funding of exchanges. 

Most of the meals were provided which gave us opportunities to eat and share ideas with different delegates.  It was fun to see the familiar faces of those whom we had hosted or who had hosted us throughout the world. It was informative to meet with people from Hamburg and Cuba and discuss upcoming exchanges.

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Message from Mac

Greetings, 

The FFI Conference and post-conference hosting are over! I hope everyone had a good time and enjoyed the various talks and sessions. This conference will be a memorable occasion for many members because it was the first time FFI had held their annual conference in Dallas and also it coincided with the resignations of Chip Carter as President of FFI and his mother’s (Mrs. Rosalyn Carter) as Honorary Chairman of our Board of Trustees.

The conference was followed by home hosting for four days. Our club hosted about sixty ambassadors. These people came from various corners of the world and I believe all involved had a good time. Sixty ambassadors at one time was equivalent to about three regular exchanges all rolled into one! Coordinating this was a huge task with names being added and deleted continuously. Thanks to all the hosts. I hope everyone enjoyed the experience, especially those participating for the first time.

I would like to thank Marilyn Wilson for all her efforts in coordinating the various conference activities. And thank you Mary Williams for all your efforts in support of Marilyn, while continuing to devote considerable time to her duties as vice-president of our local club. Many people were especially impressed with the farewell party for the ambassadors; the Broadway Show was well received. Thank you Emily Dee as ED, and Lilliana Hollister as organizer and MC. Thanks also to John Whaley for providing the facility. I don’t know where to end a list of thanks!

As a result of FFI Board decisions, Atlanta has advised us that it is necessary to modify some fees. The exchange fees will be reduced and clubs can now handle their own travel arrangements. That is the good news! The membership fees and the magazine cost will increase. These changes will be covered as a separate item in this newsletter.

This is my last letter as president of our club. Jim Bourn will take over in the New Year. Thank you for all of the support you have given me this past year. I will miss being so deeply involved; it has been most enjoyable! My frequent travels put a large burden on Mary Williams; she did an excellent job keeping things rolling and keeping me informed. Thank you, Mary.

I look forward to a continued FF involvement, and maybe spreading into other similar activities involving other cultures. We must have Peace on this earth and I feel I must help some way or other! Please let me know about any such organizations that you consider might be of interest to me.

Gaby and I enjoy FF very much. With our backgrounds, it is a perfect match for us in many ways. 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Cheers! 

“Mac” Mackenzie 

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Letter from incoming president, Jim Bourn:

By the time you get this we will be in the New Year. Friendship Force International will face new problems and challenges. It is even more important that people of all races and beliefs adopt the precepts of  FF. As we get to know others and develop lasting friendships, we trust and love others. This understanding is the best hope for world peace. Let us each light a small fire that will light the world into new understanding and trust.

I first would like to thank all the officers and people that have volunteered to help make this the best year ever. At the next board we will be discussing outbound and inbound visits as well as domestic exchanges. The club can be justly proud of the last year. We have developed a reputation as a “can-do” club. Let’s continue with this by having a good representation at the regional conference in Houston in January. Several new and different panel discussions are proposed. We have experience that we can share as well as discover new ideas that can be added to the programs for next year.

If anyone has new ideas or programs, please fell free to contact those in charge. I would like everyone to try to add one new household for the next year.

Some ideas: The club can possibly add some day trips to spark new interest and add spark. Likewise the club could add some optional events – such as attend plays or performances of visiting International groups. The club can become active in hosting Russians who are here on the Russian Leadership Program.  The Visitor’s Bureau has many opportunities for us to host and meet new friends. We could invite visiting exchange students in our school systems to be our guests at meetings and tell us about their country. Overall we want to keep it fun. 

Here's to a great new year.  

Jim

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Put the Southwest Regional Conference on your calendar now. Dates are January 24-25, 2003 and participants from clubs in Texas, Kansas (welcome to this new member of our conference!), Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma are welcome.

The conference will be held at the Hilton Houston Southwest Hotel located at 6780 Southwest Freeway (Hwy 59 South),  713-977-7911.  Rooms are $65/night for 1-4 occupants. This rate is good for three days before and after the conference. If you are planning to attend, please make your hotel reservations directly with the hotel no later than January 17, 2003. Be sure to identify your registration as part of the FF Regional Conference for discounted pricing.

Also, complete and return the registration form as soon as possible. Registration fee is $70/person and includes registration materials and all meals on Saturday (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks). A restaurant is available in the hotel for other needs.  A mailing with registration materials, maps and route directions will be sent to us in early December and will be posted on our website as soon as we get it.

Pat Kambhu is the Conference Coordinator and is requesting input from club members.  She writes: “We are needing panelists for program topics from each club, so indicate which three topics are priorities for your organization.  We will take the three with the most votes, and request that each of the 10 clubs include names of individuals who will be prepared to speak on each topic.”  So be thinking of what you would like to attend at the conference and if you could be on a panel for  discussion by the entire audience.  (Example: Exchange Management; Fund-raising; Newsletters; Community Involvement and Membership Growth) Networking and exchanges of ideas (successful and “don’t do it this way” both) will be heightened by diverse participation. PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION BY DECEMBER 15.

Constance Swank will attend the entire conference and will be available to respond to your questions regarding recent changes within the Friendship Force International leadership and organization. Following September 11, 2001, many changes in our world necessitated changes in FFI and those points will be discussed at our meeting. She will share the new directions, challenges, and changes that will impact our organization during the next few years. Please prepare your questions for Constance and send them to Pat Kambhu at  kkambhu@sbcglobal.net  so Constance can prepare her presentation to address most of our concerns.

The Houston club will provide information on local attractions and entertainment prior to or following the closing on Saturday evening. More details will be available in the next few weeks, so that those attending can make travel plans and hotel registrations as soon as possible.  

UPDATE: Click on Conference Registration Form for a registration form. Copy to Word, or print as it is.

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Registration: Register beginning mid-afternoon on Friday.

Presidents/Officers Meeting:  Friday evening at 6:30 pm.

Conference:  The full program will begin early Saturday morning and will conclude following dinner and entertainment that evening.

Sightseeing: Opportunities for sightseeing on your own will be made available before and after the conference. Costs for these tours will not be included in the registration fee. Points of interest may include Galveston Historical Area, Kemah Boardwalk, NASA Space Center, Houston Museum District, Medical Center, Harwin Import Shopping Area, Golf, or other sights. If possible we will arrange visits to ethnic areas and places of worship.

Home Hosting:  Limited homehosting will be available. Please contact the Conference Chair immediately for assistance.

The Friendship Force of Houston welcomes everyone with a big Texas “Howdy” and is planning an enlightening program for FF members. They hope to make this the biggest regional conference yet. Houston has just completed 25 years as a club, so we will be celebrating with this dynamic group.

Mary Williams is the conference coordinator for the Dallas club. Those of us attending may want to coordinate carpools and/or hotel room sharing.

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Home of Edward Perez and Paula Rose

Please reserve by December 6 and mail to Paula Rose

JANUARY MEETING: UPDATE                             

South of the Border Buffet: chips and salsa, spinach quesadillas, Spanish rice, Barrocho beans, cheese enchiladas, beef tacos, soft chicken tacos, dessert cinnamon crispies, coffee, tea or soft drink and gratuity. Vegeterian enchilada is also available.

$13 per person

Please reserve with your check to Lilliana Hollister by Jan 10.

Memories and Memorabilia of 2002 Exchange

If you went on the exchange to Tokyo and Tottori, please bring something to show, and tell us about it.

Introduction of new officers

Update on FFI changes 

Sunday, February 9 at 5 PM

Hungry Jockey Restaurant at 12829 Preston Road # 220 in the Preston Valley Shopping Center (SW corner of LBJ and Preston, just south of Valley View Mall) . Telephone 972-661-0134.

Larry Bleiberg - travel writer from the Dallas Morning News

Mediterranean food will be served. Dinner choices are:

1.      Chicken Lemonate - marinated with artichokes and lemon, chargrilled chicken breast with rice almondine and vegetables

2.      Pork Souflaki (shish kebab) with rice pilaf and roasted onions, peppers and tomatoes

3.      Fish (Tilapia) with oven roasted potatoes and vegetable

4.      Vegetarian plate

Price includes choice of one entree, salad, dessert and choice of coffee, tea or wine. 

$15 per person. Your check is your reservation. Price at the door (without a reservation) is $20.

Deadline is February 6.

Dallas Club News

MEMBER NEWS

Our sympathies to Margie Tareilo whose brother Franklin Morris, died on November 4th.

Emily Dee is recovering from a car accident just prior to the conference that broke her jaw and loosened front teeth.

WANTED: EXCHANGE DIRECTOR

Since our inbound exchange from Libertad Club for June 2003 was accepted, we need an Exchange Director. If you are interested or want to know more about what is involved, please contact Mac Mackenzie. In order to allow proper planning time, we need to have an ED appointed soon. Mac can send you an application.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Judy Childs

E-mail: childsja@aol.com

Lee Jim & Katherine Payne

Donna Favour

David and Pat Matula 

E-mail: pat_matula@yahoo.com

CHANGES:

Ray Enstam: 

E-mail: enstam@sbcglobal.net 

Rudy & Chris Michalek

Omit work number; home phone and fax are corrected from Yearbook

Marilyn Wilson

New home phone

[Note: Please contact the club e-mail or phone number to receive these new addresses and phone numbers.]

SPEAKERS ON FRIENDSHIP FORCE

If you belong to an organization that would like a free speaker for a meeting, please contact Jim Bourn. Several of our members have given presentations on Friendship Force to other organizations, and we are pleased to have many visitors and new members as a result. Help us spread the word!

BOARD MEETINGS

The Board meets the second Monday of each month (with exceptions during exchanges) from  7-9 pm at the Richardson YMCA, 821 Custer Road in Richardson. These meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The Board will meet on December  9 and again on January 13.

NEWSLETTERS

Thanks to all contributors to this issue. Send information about club news and members to Mary Williams at txtravel@flash.net. For the February newsletter, please submit by Thursday, January 30.

MEMBER SURVEY

There are many opportunities for members to participate in the running of our club. Each year a new board is elected and there are many appointments for the various activities. We would like to know what positions may interest you, so that you might be invited to participate in the club management in the future. Everyone is very welcome to help!

Attached is a form for renewal of membership. Please mark any position on the survey that might interest you, or contact Jim Bourn with your offer to help. We do not want anyone to feel that we have a “closed” shop on officer/committee positions. We look forward to your reply.  

DUES ARE DUE

Membership Dues are due on January 1. Please complete the renewal form and survey at the bottom of the Membership Information page and return to LaNell Koch (before Jan 1) or Lillian Fipps (after Jan 1)  

Membership Information

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Changes in FFI  

FROM MAC MACKENZIE 

A number of members have asked for an update on the outcome of a situation that evolved at the recent FFI Conference. It appears that in recent months differences in philosophy about the operations and budget of FFI have developed between Chip Carter and this Board of Trustees.  A major split also occurred on Thursday of the Conference regarding the election of two new members to this Board. The Carter family and Chip issued an ultimatum that was not acceptable to the Board.

The bottom line is that Chip Carter has resigned as President of FFI, effective January 1 and Mrs. Rosalyn Carter has resigned as our Honorary Chairman of the Board effective immediately. The basic reason is stated to be differences in the appointments to the Board of Trustees.

This situation will not make any significant difference to our club or to our dealings with the staff in Atlanta. We will continue as usual, enjoying our exchanges to the full.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

This new fee structure from FFI raises membership dues: International membership dues will be $10/yr for individuals and $15/yr for households (up from $3 and $5). The new rate for the magazine will be $15/yr (up from $12). There will be additional benefits to members, including discounts on FFI exchange fees (up to $20) and discounts on conferences and festivals. In order for Friendship Force to survive, it needs to raise these extra funds to cover its operating costs.

As a result of these increases, the Dallas Board has voted to increase dues and it hereby gives one month’s notice as our bylaws require. The current annual membership dues are $35 for individuals and $37 for households including the magazine. Effective Jan 1, dues will be $40 and $45 respectively with an option to not subscribe to the  magazine  (though the Board strongly recommends subscribing). We feel we can absorb the additional cost of International dues within the club.

EXCHANGE FEES

Another change is that exchange fees will be reduced for those participating in exchanges. In the past, the greatest source of income for FFI has come from those traveling on exchanges and from gifts. With a more equitable membership fee extending to all Friendship Force members, those who travel will not be assuming as much of the support for the organization as in the past. The mandate that U.S. clubs use FFI Travel Services will also be lifted in 2003, though all clubs are encouraged to use FFI Travel Services. 

For International Exchanges, American members will pay $200 and nonmembers will pay $220 administrative fees to FFI for the initial exchange week of hosting. Administrative fees for the second week of hosting (within one exchange) are $50. There will be no administrative fees for additional weeks of hosting beyond two weeks (within one exchange).

For Regional Exchanges (between clubs in countries within regions as defined by FFI), members will pay $120 and nonmembers $140. 

There are reduced fees for less affluent countries (listed on our webpage). U.S. clubs are in a separate category because they receive additional benefits including toll‑free access to FFI, liability insurance coverage for clubs and officers, no extra charges due to currency conversions, and free travel consultation and price quotes from the FFI Travel Services Team.

Clubs will now receive $75 host fees per person on incoming exchanges, except for the Exchange Director who leads a group of 10 or more. Outbound Exchange Directors will still receive a full waiver of FFI administrative fees and host fees if there are at least 20 paid Ambassadors on the exchange or a prorated share if there are fewer than 20.

To participate in Domestic Exchanges (inter-club visits within a country), a club must be able to host at least two incoming international exchanges per year. Domestic exchanges will be no more than five days. Administrative fees for Domestic Exchanges will be $25 per member and $45 per nonmember. 

The complete text of the three documents sent to us is on our webpage under Friendship Force International. There is a letter from Board Chairman, Tony Coates. Another document details these changes to FFI, while the third gives the complete new fee structures. See FFI Changes

UPDATE:  Letter from Tony Coates - 12-02-02

UPDATE:  New FFI President

Board members Vicki Vance and Jeanette Hyde have also resigned.

Exchanges

DALLAS EXCHANGES

Our exchange to Tuxtla-Gutierrez, Mexico for January has been cancelled, due to an insufficient number of people wanting to go. However, there are several other groups going, so if you want to visit Chiapas, there is still an opportunity to participate in an exchange there. (See Other Club Exchanges and/or the FFI webpage: www.friendshipforce.org)

We are still hoping to have another outbound option for later in the year.

Libertad, Peru (Trujillo) is still our scheduled inbound exchange for June.

See Other Club Exchanges to see where other clubs are going

Please complete the Survey for 2004 Exchanges, responding to Ray Enstam by December 15th with your preferences. Exchanges

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Membership Renewal

Dues are due on January 1. Go to Membership Information for an application form.

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Staying in Touch

Friendship Force International (FFI)  is located at 34 Peachtree Street, Suite 900, Atlanta GA 30303.  Tel:  404-522-9490 or 9490; e-mail: ffi@friendshipforce.org. 

Debbie Powell is our FFI Program Service Coordinator in Atlanta.  

Check the webpage for Friendship Force International:

http://www.friendshipforce.org

Also see the webpage of Dallas International for a listing of Dallas international community events: www.dfwinternational.com

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