Jim's Jewels

Rain and cold greeted the delegates to the Southwest Conference on January 24-25 in Houston. Mac and Gaby Mackenzie, Jim Bourn, John Funk and Mary Williams represented Dallas. 

Jim Bourn did our club proud as a presenter on “Making Club Travel Arrangements for International Exchanges.” Since Dallas was one of the pilot clubs trying out this concept last year when Jim was ED for the Hertfordshire Exchange, he was well qualified to give the other clubs the benefits of his experience. He was joined on the panel by Jerry Tuttle and a local travel consolidator, Esperanza Peale. He gave an informative talk that was well received by the other clubs who will also be making their own travel arrangements from now on.

Other workshop topics were:

•  Club Activities (with lots of interesting program and activity ideas) presented by incoming Fort Worth president, Jim Young

•  Fund-raising and Budgeting, presented by Pat Kambhu, president of the Houston club and Conference Coordinator

All ten conference clubs were represented, with nine presidents in attendance. They reported on planned exchanges.

Addressing the Friday evening Officer’s Meeting and the Conference on Saturday was new FFI President, Susie Smith. She has been on the job for three weeks, having moved from California where she was Administrative and Executive Affairs Manager of the Yosemite Fund. She brings her recent fund-raising, administrative, cross-cultural psychology skills and her long experience with Friendship Force to the job. (See more on Susie Smith.)  She outlined some of the changes in FFI such as:

•  The demise of the travel services at FFI 

•  Friendship magazine going to quarterly editions and no longer online

•  Loss of staff and resignation of Constance Swank effective February 7

•  Financial report - she expects most of the shortfall of this past year to be made up soon

•  Financial outlook improving - fund raising, cost cutting measures, upcoming festivals, Bridgebuilder exchanges, the Conference in Budapest, club exchanges and inter-club visits, a 2003 Annual Report

•  Board changes and possible future changes in the way it operates and selects members 

Since the Conference in November, she and Board members have been swamped with e-mails (she has about 2000 pending right now) and asked people to be patient as their input and suggestions are being read. She noted that individual Board members are not able to speak for the Board in their replies. A new e-mail address will be set up soon for member communication for the Board, with issues being grouped by category so that Board members can get a better feel for what people are saying. Susie has enlisted a volunteer to help her with categorizing e-mail that she gets. She is committed to better communication between clubs and FFI.

She outlined her priorities as financial stability and reconciliation among members and with the Carter family in order to get past events of November. She asks us to remember the original vision of Friendship Force - creating an environment where friendships can be formed across international barriers. She called for more bold initiatives similar to the opening of Russia by citizen ambassadors in the 70s, where people meet people on a nonpolitical basis. Cuba and Vietnam are two areas where this is taking place now.

She promised better communication from FFI and repeated her willingness to listen to members’ ideas; she asked that comments be respectful and constructive to enable us move forward.

Susie Smith

Entertainment at the Saturday lunch was a singing group, the Pacesetters

Here we are well into the New Year. Friendship Force International will face new problems and challenges. Our founder Wayne Smith’s daughter, Susan Smith, is now President of FFI in Atlanta.  I encourage everyone to get behind our new President and help her in any way that we can to make Friendship Force a success. With our world situation the way it is, it is even more important that people of all races and beliefs adopt the precepts of Friendship Force  - 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 would like to thank all the officers and people who have volunteered to help make this past year the best year ever. The club can be justly proud of our accomplishments. We developed a reputation as a “can-do” club with our hosting of the International Convention in Dallas. We continued with active participation at the SW Regional Conference in Houston in January.  Several new and different panel discussions were presented where we shared experiences and discovered new ideas to add to our programs for next year.

Some ideas:

•    Fort Worth members have proposed a train trip on the TRE (Trinity River Express) to come to Dallas to visit the Dallas Museum of Art and/or Aquarium followed by lunch. They have invited us to join them and asked us to come on a similar trip to Forth Worth. See Events for plans.

•    Likewise the club can add some optional events – such as attend plays or performances of visiting International groups or dinners out at ethnic restaurants.

•    The club can become active in hosting Russians who are here with the Russian Leadership Program. They come here to study trade, economic development, government, etc. Their interaction with Americans who work in the same occupations contributes to world peace and friendship as well as pragmatically inspires them to think more like entrepreneurs taking ownership of their work with enthusiasm.

•    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 and expand our cultural horizons.

Please invite your friends to join us at meetings or events. I would like everyone to try to add one new household to our membership for the next year. 

Here’s to a great new year!

Jim Bourn,

President

Outgoing President Mac Mackenzie 

and incoming President Jim Bourn 

Dallas Club News

Painting

Jim Bourn regretfully reported that Bill Slaughter’s picture that was donated to the FFI silent auction is being shipped back to him as it was not sold at the conference.

Finances

New Treasurer is Eleanor Roylance. Our books will be audited by Ray Enstam and John Funk and will  be completed by our next Board meeting in February. They will also audit the Exchange books. 

Programs and Reservations

The Board voted to encourage people to make firm reservations with a check, as Lilliana is having a difficult time giving our restaurants a definite count.  Often our space is limited, and when many extra people show up at the door, it is sometimes difficult to find a place for them. So, be prepared to pay for procrastination in future, with a $5 extra charge for showing up without a reservation. We, in turn, will send our flyers/newsletters a little earlier so you can get reservations in. But be sure to read them when they come, so you don’t miss the deadline! And Yes, unless someone takes your place, your reservation is nonrefundable.

Bridgebuilders

John Funk reports that three or four computers were recently donated. Bob Langford told John that his group shipped over 300 computers to schools for the blind last year. [Only a few of these were to FF destinations.]

Exchanges

Ray Enstam received more surveys for 2004 outbound exchanges at the meeting of the group on Jan. 12th.  He received 26 responses and weighted the answers. He counted 59 points for Belgium and Holland, 47 points for Eastern Europe and 40 points for Turkey.  We have also invited Tottori, Japan to visit us in 2004 and they will request an exchange here.  

Ray will request two inbounds and one outbound in 2004. He will also request that we be considered to be a part of another group’s exchange. 

This fall the International Conference is in Budapest We could plan a tour for our group before or after that conference, should we not get assigned a second outbound for 2003. Jim Bourn is looking at possible side trips in Eastern Europe. If you think you might be interested in such a trip, tell him your preferences.

Membership Dues are Due

Effective Jan 1, 2003, our dues are $40 (individuals) and $45 (household) with an option to not subscribe to Friendship magazine  (though the Board strongly recommends subscribing). Please have dues in by March 1. Please complete a membership form (in the last newsletter, on the Dallas webpage or by request from Lillian Fipps or Mary Williams), make your check to Friendship Force of Dallas and send to Lillian Fipps, Membership Chairperson. Membership Dues Form

Telephone Committee

John Funk needs a few more people to volunteer to help him contact people about meetings. Please give him a call or e-mail him at jfunk14031@aol.com.

Prospects

Lee Latham sends information to people interested in our group and New Member Packets to new members.  If you  know of someone who may be interested in Friendship Force, please inform him  (hlatham@swbell.net).

Volunteers needed

There are still some openings for committee chairpersons. We still need greeters at meetings, telephone callers, speakers coordinator, people to chair special fun events, and exchange entertainment coordinator. Call Jim Bourn to volunteer (airbourn@attbi.com).

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 next on February 10.  The March Board meeting is on March 10.

UPDATE: There will not be a Board meeting in April.

Newsletters

Thanks to all contributors to this issue. Send information about club news and members to Mary Williams at  txtravel@flash.net. For the April newsletter,  please submit by March 25. 

Dallas Webpage

Can’t remember when the next meeting is? Have you visited our webpage yet? Not only can you get updates as they occur between newsletter issues, but you’ll find additional photos, articles, news from FFI, copies of forms and other links and information on our page. The newsletter is updated immediately after it is printed, and the past newsletter is moved to Past Newsletters. The Profile that we send and distribute to other clubs describes what we do on an inbound exchange and what they can expect when visiting Dallas. (Lots of links to Dallas sites also.) Note: It has an ORG ending.   Bookmark it!

www.friendshipforcedallas.org

Speakers on Friendship Force

If you belong to an organization that would like a free speaker for a meeting, please contact Jim Bourn (airbourn@attbi.com). 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!

Welcome New Members

Be sure to introduce yourself to these new members:

Betty Mayeur

bimayeur@aol.com

bmayeur@ccccd.edu

Herb Ziev and Julie Middlekauff

hziev@sbcglobal.net

Annelies Kahan

Changes

Eleanor Roylance has a new e-mail: ellielance@attbi.com

Marilyn Wilson has moved to Palacios, but her e-mail is the same.

Ruthelle Wilson's new e-mail is:  ruthelled@sbcglobal.net

Member News

Sunshine

Mary-Helen Lyons reports:

Lee Schomer’s mother died in December and Lee and Lou recently traveled to Warner Robbins, Ga and Tulsa for memorial service arrangements. Our sympathies to the Schomers.

We are sorry to be losing Marilyn Wilson who has contributed so much to our club, but wish her much happiness on her marriage to Dr. Jack Allen of Palacios on February 14.  Letter from Marilyn  (sorry - left it out of the newsletter)

Myra Smith says their Swiss Ave. house has still not sold. She and Darwin spent Christmas in Beijing with their daughter and grandchildren.

Mac and Gaby Mackenzie are planning to move to Florida (Tampa area) to be closer to their daughter and five grandchildren. Their house in McKinney has just gone on the market. They will be another great loss for our club, but we hope they will travel with us on outbound exchanges.

Ray Enstam is planning a trip to Trujillo to visit the school for the blind and Friendship Force friends there.

Shaaron Salyer has recovered nicely from surgery. Vera Lo Curto has made a slow recovery from her surgery, but is now getting around.

Marijo Gibson is holding her own. She doesn’t get out much any more, but appreciates a card or call from friends.

Don and Bev Erb report that their daughter Debbie is still having trouble with a low blood count and has been receiving blood transfusions and radiation treatments on her neck.  Please keep up your prayers.

UPDATE: Wanda Hamilton has knee replacement surgery.

December Meeting

Paula Rose, Edward Perez, Dora Stahl

Ed Stahl led the group in singing carols, and we all had lots to eat.

           Ed Stahl

Ann Kisner spread the spirit of a loving Christmas in the kitchen, with Ray Enstam the recipient, and Mary-Helen Lyons and Mary Suther looking on.

Ann Kisner hugging Ray Enstam, 

Mary-Helen Lyons and Mary Suther

We were delighted to welcome former ambassador from Hannover, Eric Geissler, who attended as a guest of his former host, Yvonne Klusman. This is his seventh visit to Dallas since being an official ambassador. (We’re thinking of making him a member of this club!)

Eric Geissler and Yvonne Klusman

January Meeting

Exchanges

Dallas Exchanges

Libertad, Peru (Trujillo) is still our scheduled inbound exchange for June. UPDATE: If you are interested in being the Exchange Director or helping with this exchange, please contact Ray Enstam at enstam@sbcglobal.net. If you would like to host, contact Paula Rose (paularose2000@hotmail.com), who will arrange home hosting.

We are still hoping to have another outbound exchange assigned later in the year.

27th Annual International Conference 

Budapest, Hungary from Oct 30 - Nov 2, 2003, at the Hilton Budapest.  Look for more information on the FFI webpage about plans for the conference as well as both pre- and post-conference tours and homestays. We may also be organizing a tour before or after the conference.

Exchanges Other Clubs

Please see where other clubs are going if you are ready to roll! 

Other Club Exchanges

Staying in Touch

Friendship Force International (FFI)  is located at 34 Peach- tree 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

Find the Dallas Club at:

Tel: 972-713-4898

Fax: 972-713-4898

E-mail: friendshipdallas@yahoo.com

http://www.friendshipforcedallas.org

Also see the webpage of Dallas International for a listing of Dallas international community events:

www.dfwinternational.com

New Reservation policy! (See Meetings)

Membership Dues Are Due!

Friendship Force: a cultural exchange group that promotes peace and friendship in the world through homestays.

Please wear your name badge to the meeting!