Tuesday, November 15, 2011

New members on the FFI Board of Directors

At its October 15-17 meeting, the FFI Board of Directors elected four new members to serve four year terms beginning January 2012:

Cinda Clark, Friendship Force Northern Colorado, USA.
Yury Kazantsev, Friendship Force Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
Cecile Latour, Friendship Force Canadian Capital Region.
Karen Overly Smith, Friendship Force Greater Harrisburg, USA.

Read more about the new board members.

With great appreciation we say goodbye to the following who have completed their terms on the Board: Jack Cang, Tommy Dortch, Elza dos Santos, Dave Kalan and Andrew Stirling.

————————————————————————————————————————

View the 2011 World Conference Report online!

Click here to:

Watch new Friendship Force videos • See photos of conference events • Download helpful presentations given at workshops • Read the conference highlights

Share this link with your club members: http://www.thefriendshipforce.org/index.php/conference_current

————————————————————————————————————————

World Friendship Day: March 1, 2012

This World Friendship Day marks the 35th anniversary of the Friendship Force. Throughout March, clubs around the world will hold special events to celebrate our history, promote our mission and plan for a stong future.

The World Friendship Day theme is: Building Friendships for a New Generation.  Click here to read more about World Friendship Day.

————————————————————————————————————————

Please respond!

Club leaders have received two very important emails lately. Please remember to respond:

2012 Club Charter Renewal Form due by January 15, 2012

2012 Planning update email (ongoing): Write to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if your club is interested in further exchange opportunities in 2012.

————————————————————————————————————————

Friendship Force Online Auction - You can help!

The Friendship Force Online Auction will coincide with World Friendship Day. Donate a hosting opportunity to be bid on, with proceeds benefiting the Legacy Fund. Click here to read more.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

2011 First Half 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:

6 global exchanges with 163 ambassadors recruited globally via FFI’s expanded email marketing system.

3 youth exchanges with a total of 148 high school students.

The “winter festival” exchange to Winnipeg and Ottawa with 34 ambassadors attracted outstanding media attention.

40 ambassadors on the Enrichment Voyage to the Panama Canal, with optional homestay in Costa Rica.

An increasing number of special themed exchanges, including Gardeners to Cornwall, the second Eco Exchange to Costa Rica, Cycling in Niagara, and the Sustainable Energy Festival in Northern Colorado.

Important “firsts”:

Our new Canadian club, FF Stratford and St Marys, which was begun last year with the help of board member Andrew Stirling, participated in its first outbound exchange.

Our newest club in Germany, FF Schwerin, hosted their first inbound exchange.

Our newly re-opened club in Irkutsk, Russia, hosted their first inbound exchange.

————————————————————————————————————————

New Policies for 2012

The 2012 club and exchange policies are now available*. Most of the policies remain the same (including club and exchange fees) but look for the word NEW! to identify important changes. Please pay special attention to these two sections:

Section B-5, Health and Mobility: These expanded guidelines are designed to reduce problems associated with ambassadors (or hosts) who are not physically able to carry out the requirements of an exchange.

Section B-6, Recruiting Ambassadors from Other Communities: These new guidelines will help EDs with recruiting, screening and accepting ambassadors who apply from outside the ED’s community.

Click here to download. These policies can also be found on the Documents page of the Club Resources section of our website.

*The 2012 policies are currently available in English. Translations in Japanese, German, Portuguese and Spanish will be available in September.

————————————————————————————————————————

Welcome to the staff, Matthew Nidek!

We are pleased to welcome Matthew (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) to the FFI staff as our new Program Coordinator for Australia and New Zealand. Born in the US, Matthew became a permanent resident of New Zealand in 2006 and earned his postgraduate certificate in public policy from Victoria University of Wellington. Learn more about Matthew here.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Deadlines Approaching

The deadline for Club and Volunteer of the Year nominations has been extended to June 15. Click here for more details.

The deadline to nominate yourself or someone else for the FFI Board of Directors is also June 15. Click here for more details.

Notice of Staff Change
Unfortunately we must say goodbye to Australia and New Zealand Coordinator Erin Zingales, who is pursuing other career paths. We wish her well on her way! Pallie Savoie (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) is taking over her responsibilities while we search for the ideal candidate to fill this position.

2011 World Conference – Hamburg, Germany
Don’t miss this great opportunity. Read up on what to expect at the World Conference, and click here to register. Don’t delay! Some optional events are filling up fast. No refunds will be made after June 27.

2012 World Conference – Hiroshima, Japan
October 30-November 3, 2012. Plans are well underway to have an excellent global gathering of the Friendship Force family. Mr. James Morikawa, President of the Friendship Force of Hiroshima, will be in Hamburg to give the official invitation for this important event. 

Announcing the 2013 World Conference:
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
November 22-25, 2013. The official host club will be the Friendship Force of Baton Rouge.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

1) Nominations

Board of Directors: In October 2011, four new board members will be elected to a four-year term on the FFI Board of Directors that will begin in January 2012. The Board invites Friendship Force club leaders and members to submit nominations for these important leadership positions. You may nominate yourself or someone you know by reviewing the attached information and completing the attached nomination form. Submit the completed form to Nominating Committee Chair David Meyer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) no later than June 15, 2011. Click here for more information and the nomination form.

Outstanding Clubs and Volunteers of the Year: At the World Conference in Hamburg, FFI will recognize two clubs and two volunteers that have achieved excellence in 2010 and 2011 in such areas as exchange programs, public relations, service and specific achievements. Please send your nominations to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by June 1, 2011. Include the name and a brief explanation of why that club or volunteer deserves to be recognized. (For volunteers, include the person’s club affiliation). Don’t be shy – feel free to nominate your own club. For more information on nominating clubs and volunteers, click here.

2) 2011 World Conference – Register today!

Post-conference homestay opportunities are filling up fast – tell your members to act now to reserve their spots! Click here to register.

3) Japan Update

Our field representative coordinator for Japan, Tsuguyo Ishii, has written a letter to all the Friendship Force leaders on behalf of the Friendship Force in Japan. Click here to read it.

Most spring exchanges to Japan have been cancelled for this year, but our Japanese leaders are confident they will be able to host again in autumn 2011 or in 2012. We strongly urge our clubs around the world to continue planning their future exchanges with Japan. We will be closely tracking the recovery process in Japan, and we expect that many of the travel warnings currently in effect may be revoked by next year. We are continuing to plan the 2012 World Conference in Hiroshima.

It is premature to cancel any 2012 exchanges to Japan at this time. If a club cancels their exchange to Japan for 2012, they cannot get it back, and we cannot guarantee a good substitute. Please consult with FFI regarding any questions or concerns you may have.

4) FFI Staff Update

Program Services Coordinator Erin Zingales is now taking over the Middle East region in addition to Australia and New Zealand. We know you will all enjoy working with Erin on your Middle East exchanges. This region includes clubs in Egypt, Israel, Morocco and Turkey.

We are thrilled to announce that our colleague and friend, Conference Director Debbie Powell, is expecting her first child in August. We are sorry to say that she will not be able to join us in Hamburg for the World Conference, but we know you will all join us in wishing Debbie and Blake all the best.

5) Online Payment Options for Club Dues and Exchange Fees

You now have the option to pay all your FFI fees online by credit card. Go to http://www.thefriendshipforce.org and click on Support FFI in the blue bar. Select Legacy Fund, Exchange Payments or Club Dues.

Paying online is simple, convenient and safe.

6) “Like” the Friendship Force on Facebook!

Friendship Force International now has a Page on Facebook! By “liking” it, you’ll have access to all the latest announcements from FFI. Plus, you’ll find Friendship Force members from around the world there – you can share messages, photos and more… even promote your exchange! Just go to http://www.facebook.com/friendshipforce and click “Like.” If you’re not a Facebook user already, it’s free to join and easy to create your online profile.

To read more about what Facebook can do for the Friendship Force, or why the new Facebook Page is better than the old Facebook Group, click here.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

1. Japan Update: All Friendship Force members continue to be saddened by the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. FFI is working with our Japanese leaders to make adjustments in exchanges as needed. Some exchanges will need to be cancelled or postponed, but we are hopeful that many will be conducted as planned.

2. FFI Board of Directors Meeting:  All members were present at the FFI board meeting in Atlanta, including the four new board members: Jack Mullen (USA), Çiçek Sensan (Turkey), Beatriz “Cuqui” Gamboa de Ardila (Colombia), and Mark Rebstock (USA). Alan Milne from Kapiti Coast, New Zealand, is the new board chairman.

At the meeting the following actions were taken:

a) The fees for 2012 will be the same as 2011 – there will be no fee increase.
b) The FFI budget was approved for 2011 with little change from 2010. FFI was very pleased to have a net operating gain in 2010 after two years of losses.
c) The 2012 exchange policies, which will be issued in June, will include stronger guidelines on health and mobility.
d) The board approved the Trailblazer Project (see below).

3. Trailblazer Project: Clubs are invited to review the new Trailblazer Project proposal – click here to download. The purpose of the Trailblazer Project is to encourage clubs to create innovative strategies for growth that can be shared with other clubs. For more information please contact George Brown ( .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or Debbie Powell ( .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

4. 2012 Exchange Assignments:  By the March 15 deadline FFI had received responses from about 85% of the clubs regarding their 2012 assignments. This is excellent. Thank you for helping us remain on schedule. The “It’s a Match” exchange confirmations will be sent during April as planned. If your club is one of the few that hasn’t responded, please do so now so your 2012 exchange assignment will not be delayed. If you have any questions send your email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Dear friends,

Just as our friends in Christchurch, New Zealand, began trying to recover from the earthquake there, the terrible disaster struck Japan. Our hearts go out to all the people in the areas affected by the earthquakes.

This is a devastating tragedy for Japan. The Friendship Force family in Japan stretches across the entire nation and includes the Friendship Force of Miyagi, which is located in and around the area of Sendai – the area that has been hit hardest by the earthquake, the tsunami and now the radiation leak from the nuclear power plant.

The most recent reports we have received from our leaders in Japan indicate that the Friendship Force members in the area are safe, but some have suffered damage and all are in shock over the devastation.

Now the entire Japanese nation is not only mourning the destruction of the earthquake and tsunami, but they are also living with the unknown outcome of the damage to the nuclear power plant. We are all hoping and praying that this problem is quickly solved without any more damage.

We understand that the months ahead will be difficult ones for our Japanese members. The staff of FFI is already working directly with all clubs that have exchanges to or from Japan in the weeks ahead, and we will make any necessary adjustments.

Many people around the world are asking how they can help. We encourage those people who want to provide financial support to make donations to organizations like the Red Cross that are already organizing major relief efforts. We know those donations will be well spent. In the long run there may be other ways for Friendship Force members to get personally involved with the recovery process, but that will come later.

Please click here to read the Friendship Force International policy statement regarding financial assistance to disaster areas. Please let us hear from you via email if you have questions or suggestions.

In friendship,

George Brown
President, FFI

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Great news, everyone. Friendship Force International now has its own “Page” on Facebook! This means better ways to share and learn about all the latest opportunities from FFI. It also means better ways for you to connect with us at FFI headquarters and with your friends around the world. You won’t want to miss out.

Here’s what you do: Click here to see our new Page! At the top of the page, you’ll see the title “Friendship Force International” and next to it, there will be a small button that says “Like.” Click on the button!

“Liking” our “Page” is just like joining the group – only better! “Groups” (like the Friendship Force “group” we have had for years) were one of the original features of Facebook. But as Facebook grew, “Pages” were developed as a better way for you to stay connected to the organizations that mean something to you.

The new Page is better than the old group because:

1. Pages are easier to find when you search on Facebook.

2. Posts from Friendship Force International will appear on your News Feed, just like posts from your friends (We’re all friends here, after all!) This way you can get updates from FFI without having to remember to visit the group.

3. Pages make it easier for you to share updates from FFI with all your friends – this means better visibility for the Friendship Force and better recruiting for your club and exchanges!

4. You can use the Page to do all the same things as the group – write on the wall, upload photos, and share links. But on the Page, your posts are much more likely to be seen!

You can still belong to the Friendship Force Facebook group – it’s not going anywhere. But here at FFI headquarters we’ll be using the new Friendship Force page to share the latest news. See you there!

Monday, February 21, 2011

World Friendship Day (March 1) is almost here! In honor of this special day, we invite your club to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, big or small, this March!

Read ideas for how your club can Make a Difference this March.

See ideas in this photo presentation of FF Sacramento’s famous 2010 World Friendship Day festival.

Consider a “Diversity Dinner” like the ones FF Milwaukee puts on.

Use a press release to publicize your club’s activities. Download our samples as a Word document or PDF.

Keep in mind the opportunity to fundraise for the Legacy Fund. We appreciate your contributions that help us expand the Friendship Force. 

Tell us your plans! Write to Jillian Walters at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The Friendship Force International Online and Silent Auction is back by popular demand!

Spread the word – Offer up a homestay, use of a time-share, use of a holiday house, etc., for bidding to raise money for the Legacy Fund, and retain ONE THIRD of the funds for your own club!

Last year the auction raised $13,000. It’s your chance to be a part of expanding the Friendship Force network around the globe.

Don’t delay! Contact Board Member Andrew Stirling at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to put your travel opportunity up for auction!

Click here to learn more.

Friday, February 18, 2011

The new chairman of the FFI Board of Directors is Alan Milne of Kapiti Coast, New Zealand. He follows Thomas Dortch, who has completed his two years as chairman.

Milne is just the second person from outside the USA to serve as the board chairman in the 34-year history of the Friendship Force. His election, along with the record number of countries represented on the board (10), is an indication of how diverse the board has become.

Responsible for the formation of The Friendship Force of Kapiti Coast, Alan and his wife, Mary, have been on exchanges to the United States, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

His professional experience includes economic and community development and local government. Between 2001 and 2007 he served two terms as the mayor of the Kapiti Coast. Alan has also taken a leading role in concern for climate change and protection and was New Zealand’s official local authority representative at the 2005 UN climate conference in Montréal.

In addition to volunteer and civic leadership, he also brings extensive business experience to the Board. Alan believes that “life is about people,” and during his first two years on the Board of Directors, he has already done much to secure a bright future for the Friendship Force. Click here to read more about Alan.

Milne is joined by the following three other officers for 2011:

Sandra Larson, Vice Chairperson, of Kern County, California
Boya Marshall, Secretary, of Nurenburg, Germany
Andrew Stirling, Treasurer, of Ottawa, Canada

The FFI Board of Directors will have its first meeting of 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia, March 11-14. In addition to overseeing the regular operations of FFI, in 2011 the Board will continue to push forward with the implementation of the strategic plan that was adopted in 2008.

Congratulations, officers of 2011! We’re looking forward to an exciting year.

In friendship,
George T. Brown, Jr.
President, FFI

The Friendship Force is off to a great start in 2011. The first exchanges of the year departed on January 11.  Twenty ambassadors from Southern Connecticut were hosted by Bogotá, Colombia, and 21 ambassadors from Haliburton Highlands, Canada, were hosted by Heredia, Costa Rica – just the first of approximately 275 groups that will travel this year.

1. FFI Board of Directors
There are four new members joining the FFI Board of Directors in 2011:

Cuqui Ardila of Bogotá, Colombia:  Cuqui is well known by the Friendship Force family, having been active in the Bogotá club since its founding in 1982. Read more.

Jack Mullen of Western North Carolina, USA: Jack is a retired accountant (CPA).  During his career he lived and worked in various countries, including Venezuela, Spain and Chile. Read more.

Mark Rebstock of Washington, DC, USA:  Mark is vice president of the National Council for International Visitors in Washington, DC. Read more.

Çiçek Sensan of Karsiyaka, Turkey: Çiçek was one of the first members of the Friendship Force of Izmir in 1994 and later worked to establish her current club in Karsiyaka. Read more.

These new members will join the ten returning members in Atlanta, GA, March 11-14, 2011 for the first of two scheduled meetings. This year’s board has members from ten different countries: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Turkey and the USA.

2. 2012 Planning
Proposals for 2012 exchanges were sent out on January 24th. We sent out 285 proposals for regular club exchanges and proposed 15 global exchanges as well. Please respond to your club’s proposals by March 15th.

Clubs that request to change their proposals should expect a waiting period before receiving any changes: we must wait until we have received responses from most clubs in order to know what will be available.

3. Conference
Registration is well underway for the Friendship Force International 2011 World Conference in historic Hamburg, Germany. Visit http://www.regonline.com/2011worldconf to find out more and register today!

4. Health and Mobility
FFI will soon be sending a survey to all club presidents regarding the policy on health and mobility of ambassadors. This is part of a policy review process to determine if changes are needed in order to avoid situations where people are accepted as ambassadors who may not be able to carry out the physical requirements of the host program. All clubs are encouraged to return the survey by March 1 so the results can be considered by the Board of Directors.

5. Email Marketing Lists
Thank you to all the clubs who have sent us their email lists. We’ve received almost 1,000 email addresses so far! These people now have direct access to all the latest opportunities from the Friendship Force. Thanks to the great response we’ve gotten, we will continue to accept email lists – send yours to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To read the previous Communiqué about why and how to send your list, click here.

6. World Friendship Day - March 1st, 2011
The theme for this year’s World Friendship Day is “Make a Difference.” For ideas on how to “make a difference” this World Friendship Day, see below.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Dear Clubs,

We are excited to announce plans for celebrating World Friendship Day on March 1, 2011. This special day, recognized by the United States Senate, is a great opportunity for Friendship Force clubs everywhere to get the world’s attention with special events in the name of global friendship. It’s also a great time to reach out to your community, to the Press, to individuals and to other clubs, in the spirit of forming new connections.

Our theme for the 2011 celebration of World Friendship Day is “Make a Difference.” The Friendship Force has always believed that each and every person can make an important contribution to international goodwill. As members of the Friendship Force, we serve our global village, we serve the cause of friendship, and we serve our organization with our time and effort. We believe that through our example the cause of friendship and peace can be advanced. This World Friendship Day, we invite you to make a difference – to the world, to your community, to just a few people – because we believe we can change the world, one friendship at a time.

Below are some suggestions that you may find useful in creating your World Friendship Day activities. The opportunities are limitless. We look forward to hearing your club’s plans!

More information will follow. If you have questions, please contact Communications Coordinator Jillian Walters at (404) 965-4359 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

In friendship,
George Brown

——————————————————————————————————————-

World Friendship Day 2011

Date: March 1, 2011

Theme: Make a Difference

Challenge: FFI encourages Friendship Force clubs around the world to celebrate World Friendship Day 2011 by putting the Friendship Force mission into action, participating in club activities or public events that will:
- promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people
- increase public awareness for the Friendship Force
- provide a platform for gaining new members

Your Friendship Force club can make a difference by promoting friendship and understanding in the world and in your community at home. Here are some examples:

Make a difference to a child or young person
- By reading or giving a presentation to children at the library, school, hospital or other children’s organization.
- By hosting a “home away from home” dinner for foreign exchange students.
- Volunteer at an international school or for an English language class.

Make a difference to a refugee
- Reach out to refugee organizations in your community.
- Volunteer at a refugee center or donate clothes, food or supplies.

Make a difference to a person of another faith
- Arrange for local religious leaders to give a public speech or round table discussion on religious tolerance and world peace.
- Invite members of a religious organization to discuss understanding across religions with your club members, either at a club meeting or special dinner.

Make a difference to your community
- Host a World Friendship Day dinner or party for a cultural organization in your community.
- Bring together diverse cultural organizations to put on a World Friendship Day event for the public.
- Participate in a community event such as a festival or parade by giving a performance or demonstration or carrying a banner.
- Put together a cultural display for your public library or local schools.
- Donate a floral display to a community building, such as a house of worship or government building, in honor of “our hope for a more peaceful world.”

Make a difference to your members and potential members
- Attend a cultural event or performance together, or try out a new cuisine.
- Reach out to a club you haven’t visited and agree to exchange letters and photographs, or even arrange for the two clubs to talk over Skype.
- Invite a teacher, student group or cultural organization to give your club a language lesson or cultural demonstration.
- Have a special meeting to make up a list of Friendship Resolutions – these will be your club’s goals for 2011.
- Get online! Update your website and create a Facebook page where your members can share comments and photos and invite others to join.

Make a difference to your global organization
- Offer to be a mentor club to a younger or smaller club – your field representative or program services coordinator at FFI can advise you.
- Make a donation to the Legacy Fund to support new club and program development.
- Invite other Friendship Force clubs in your area to join your World Friendship Day activities.
- Send World Friendship Day greeting cards to clubs who have hosted you.

Make a difference to your global community
- Donate supplies to a humanitarian organization.
- Raise awareness of a humanitarian cause.
- Team up on a project with other local organizations that share the Friendship Force mission.

Don’t let your members miss out! Send us your club members’ email addresses today. Here’s why:

1. We’re sending great items your members will want to receive.

a. The World of Friends catalog updates feature opportunities that are available to all Friendship Force members, including themed and Discover exchanges that may be of special interest to some of your members.
b. Periodic ED Invitations, written by exchange directors, invite your club members to join innovative global exchanges.
c. Friendship Online magazine takes the place of the print magazine that was available previously by subscription. The online magazine will be distributed free of charge, offering stories and advice from Friendship Force leaders around the world.
d. We’re sending time-sensitive information that is of interest to all members, such as the conference registration and photo contest announcements.
e. Our email campaigns in 2010 have been successful, and many clubs have already submitted their lists.

2. It’s very safe.

a. Our Policy: FFI has a long standing policy not to pass on email addresses to any other organization or to use them for other than the stated purpose of providing current membership information on Friendship Force exchanges and activities.
b. “Emma”: Our email campaigns are distributed through our email service partner, Emma Email Marketing (myemma.com). Emma is highly secure, and it’s the email marketing service of choice for 30,000 businesses and nonprofits.
c. The “Opt out” option is built in by Emma. You can see it below this email in blue. It will always be there, in the same place, for members who want to stop receiving FFI email campaigns. But please note: Clicking on “opt out” will cause you to stop receiving ALL FFI email campaigns. If you want to receive some of our email campaigns but not all of them, don’t click “opt out” – just delete the ones you don’t want.

3. Forwarding is risky and inefficient for YOU.

a. Forwarding can lead to viruses: Emails are more likely to get viruses if they pass through more “hands” – this means it’s safer to receive an email directly from our secure email marketing service than an email that was forwarded and passed around.
b. Accidental opt-outs: The email you receive is attached to your email address – if you forward it to someone else and they click on “opt out,” YOU will be opted out.
c. Using the built-in “Share This” function prevents this from happening, but it requires you to enter each email address individually.
d. Taking a load off your mind: Giving us the membership list removes a troublesome middle step. Everyone will have access to the same information, and this ensures that your club members can stay in-the-know even if the club leadership is in transition or the club leader is unavailable.

How to send your list:
Send your list, with names and email addresses, as an Excel spreadsheet or CSV to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by January 30th.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

2010

Congratulations! 2010 has been a great year for the Friendship Force with over 5,000 individuals traveling on 299 total exchanges — a significant increase from 2009. The 33rd World Conference in Washington, DC, was also a huge success with 500 Friendship Force members in attendance.

2011

We are still adding exchanges for 2011. If your club is available to host a new inbound exchange, or if your club is still waiting to be assigned an outbound exchange, please send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the following up-to-date information:
WHEN you are available to host or travel
HOW MANY ambassadors you can host or travel with
IF you want to host or travel on a themed exchange and WHAT theme you are interested in
WHERE you would like to travel

Sending this information does not commit you to host or travel, but your information will help us utilize our network’s full capacity.

2011 Club Charter Renewal forms are due by January 15th. Don’t forget that there are new policies for 2011. Click here to download the club charter renewal form, and read the new policies here.

2012

2012 Planning Request forms are now due. Make sure your requests get full consideration by turning them in immediately. If you need assistance submitting your 2012 Planning Request Form, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Thank you for 299 fantastic exchanges in 2010. We’re looking forward to two more great years!

Monday, August 16, 2010

The Wayne Smith Medal

The FFI Board of Directors is proud to announce the Wayne Smith Medal, a special award to be given by Friendship Force clubs to recognize those who show exceptional leadership in promoting our mission.

The Wayne Smith Medal will recognize the leaders of today who make it possible to maintain the founders vision of promoting understanding across the barriers that separate people. The award may be presented to leaders within the Friendship Force or in the broader community. Each presentation of the Wayne Smith Medal will be accompanied by a donation of US $500 to the Friendship Force Legacy Fund, given by the presenting club(s) in honor of the recipient.

With the Wayne Smith Medal, clubs have a unique opportunity to distinguish the leaders in their own communities who set an example of respect, understanding and humanitarian service. The donation given in the recipients honor both supports the founders vision and honors the achievements of the recipient in furthering the mission of the Friendship Force, FFI Board Member Alan Milne of New Zealand said.

Click here for complete information and a photo of the medal, or download a nomination form.

2011 Exchange Policies

The exchange policies for 2011 are now available on the FFI website on the Forms page under Club Resources. Please take a moment to look over them - click here to download.

Don’t forget: Travel Guard has a new address!

Toss out the old address. Please send all Travel Guard mail to:
Travel Guard
3300 Business Park Drive
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54482

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

FFI Staff Changes
Barbara Stonebrink, who has been serving for the past two years as program services coordinator for the UK and Germany, will be returning to her hometown of Munich, Germany, in September. We will be sorry to see her leave Atlanta, but we are very pleased that she will remain with us as a part-time staff member from Munich. She will continue to work with our German clubs and their exchanges. In addition, she will continue providing support to FFI’s Web site.

With Barbara’s departure from Atlanta, we are pleased to welcome a new full-time Atlanta-based staff member, Pallie Savoie. Pallie will take on the responsibility for working with our UK clubs. In addition, she will be responsible for the 2012 exchange planning process which had been managed previously by Meghan Skelly, who left the staff in June. Pallie attended the University of Georgia and earned bachelor’s degrees in speech communication and Spanish. As a student, she participated in study abroad programs to Granada, Spain and Oaxaca, Mexico, where she realized her love for experiencing different cultures through homestays with local families. Upon completing her education at the University of Georgia, she attended Vanderbilt University where she earned a master’s degree in community development action.

Erin Zingales has also joined FFI as a full-time staff member in Atlanta. She will be taking responsibility for our clubs and exchanges from Australia and New Zealand, replacing Emma Copeman. Erin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved with her family to Atlanta, Georgia, as a teenager. She graduated from Georgia State University in Atlanta with a B.B.A. in marketing. After college, Erin accepted a three-month internship in Auckland, New Zealand. During this time, she was able to work and travel extensively throughout the country, visiting both the north and south islands of New Zealand, along with a few of Auckland’s gulf islands. Erin’s experience in New Zealand made a permanent impression on her life and has fueled her passion for travel and world cultures.

The third new member of the Atlanta staff is Jillian Walters. Jillian joins us as the new communications coordinator. She will be responsible for coordinating all of the communications from FFI, including the new online magazine we are developing for the Web site. Jillian is no stranger to FFI, having worked as an intern for Melissa Hampton several years ago, at which time she researched and wrote the cover story for the final issue of Friendship magazine. Jillian graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, with a degree in English. She studied abroad in both Guatemala and England, where she spent three months studying at Oxford University. She is excited to join FFI in a position that combines her passions for good communication and intercultural understanding.

Along with the good news of our new staff colleagues we are sorry to report that Kathy Thomas broke her leg while water skiing during the July 4th holiday and required surgery to repair the damage. She expects to be sufficiently mobile to return to work within two weeks. We wish her a smooth recovery!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Dear Club Leadership:
As we approach the middle of 2010, there is much to report from FFI and our global network. We are seeing an increase in exchange participation after the declines of last year. Already this year we have had a number of outstanding exchanges, with many more planned for the remainder of the year. Congratulations to all the leaders and members who are making these activities such a success in 2010.

Sad News
We are sorry to report the passing of one of FFI’s board members, Darrell Anderson of Cape Coral, Florida (Friendship Force of Southwest Florida).  Darrell had only recently joined the Board, after a number of years of active leadership in his local club. He remained committed to his service on the board right up to the time of his death. We will remember him for this dedication and commitment, and extend our sympathies to his family.
New Office for FFI
After three and a half years at our present location, FFI will be moving its office at the end of June. We’re not moving far—just three blocks south, still on Peachtree St. our new address, effective June 21, 2010 will be Suite 501, 127 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. The phone, fax and email addresses will all remain the same. We are looking forward to a new office, which is smaller than our current office but sufficient to meet our needs for the future.
FFI Staff Changes
Along with changes in our office, FFI is also experiencing some important staff changes. Three of our current staff members are leaving us this summer. We will miss them but wish each of them all the best as they pursue new career opportunities. It will be important to fill the gaps left by their departure. We anticipate having new staff in place by the end of July.
Debbie Powell , who has been on the staff for more than ten years, has decided to return to Europe to be closer to her family in England and to pursue new career possibilities in Spain or France. Debbie also announced recently that she is engaged, and her fiancé will be traveling with her. We wish Debbie and Blake all the best. Debbie is leaving Atlanta, but with our new office capabilities we will be able to continue to have her working with us on a part-time basis. Debbie will continue to oversee the plans for the 2010 World Conference in Washington, as well as providing support to the Board of Directors.  In addition, being in Europe will enable her to visit Hamburg to meet with our conference committee for the 2012 World Conference. Those working with Debbie on any of these projects will be able to contact her through her regular FFI email address.  Debbie’s last day in Atlanta was May 21. We will miss her, but are glad we are not saying goodbye!
Meghan Skelly will be leaving on June 4, 2010 to take a new position in her field of marketing.  She joined FFI as a college intern in 2007 and became a fulltime member of the staff in 2008. She has become an important part of the exchange planning and club support team. We’ll miss Meghan but wish her all the best in her future career.
Emma Copeman joined the staff in 2006 as the Program Services Coordinator for Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Middle East.  Emma has decided to continue her studies in Turkey and will be leaving Atlanta in mid June. She will be able to continue to provide us support for our Turkish programs. Emma has been an important part of the staff and we wish her all the best as she continues her international activities in Turkey.
Website Revisions. 
The FFI website (http://www.thefriendshipforce.org) is being revised to provide our members, leaders and the outside world a better way to connect with the organization. You and all members who are on our email distribution list will receive notice of the revised website in early June. Please take some time to look at it and become familiar with its features. And let us know what you think! What you like about it as well as suggestions.
Call for FFI Board Nominations
The next meeting of the FFI Board of Directors will held October 18 and 19 in Washington, DC immediately following the World Conference.  At that meeting four new board members will be elected to replace the following board members whose terms expire at the end of this year: Tommy Dortch, Arifin Mochtar, Sherry Mueller and Mary Suther. The new members will begin a four year term on January 1, 2011.
Identifying talented leaders to serve on the FFI Board is one of the most important actions we can take to be sure FFI remains a strong nonprofit organization committed to its members. In keeping with established Board policy, club leaders and members are invited to provide the Board Nominating Committee with suggestions for new members. You may nominate someone you know, or yourself if you are interested in being considered. Please send the names of possible candidates to Sherry Mueller who is once again chairing the Nominating Committee. Include a brief statement (not more than one page) as to why you believe the person would make a good member of the Friendship Force Board.
While you may consult with the person you are nominating, that is not required. The Nominating Committee will review 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 to request their complete resumes and to determine their interest and availability to serve on the Board.
If you would like to submit a nomination, please review the background information on Board Membership HERE. Send your nominations by July 15, 2010 to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

FFI Board of Directors: The Friendship Force International Board of Directors met in Atlanta March 6 – 8, 2010. The most important item of business was to review FFI’s financial situation and to set the fees for 2011. The full set of exchange policies for 2011 will be distributed in May. However the Board wanted to send a separate memorandum to all club leaders regarding fees for 2011 (see the links below). If you have questions on the fees you may send them to George Brown at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
FFI Board Memo: English

FFI Board Memo: German

FFI Board Memo: Japanese

FFI Board Memo: Portuguese

FFI Board Memo: Spanish

World Conference, Washington DC, October 16-18, 2010: Registrations are very strong for the annual conference with 300 people registered. The spaces for post-conference hosting are filling quickly, so be sure to get your registration in as soon as possible.  To learn more about the conference and to register online, please go to http://www.regonline.com/2010_world_conference.

Last Call for Friendship Force Recognition Awards for 2009 and 2010: During the 2010 World Conference in Washington, DC in October, FFI will recognize outstanding Volunteers and Clubs that have achieved excellence in 2009 and 2010 in areas such as exchange programs, public relations, service and specific achievements. Nominations are due to FFI by June 1, 2010. Please send your recommendation with supporting information (not to exceed one page) to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

World Conference 2011: The dates for the World Conference in Hamburg, Germany, are now set for August 26 – 30, 2011. Detailed information about the conference will be available later this year.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Friendship Force World Conference: More than 160 people are already registered for this year’s World Conference in Washington DC. The conference, which is being held at the beautiful and conveniently located Renaissance Hotel ( http://e2ma.net/go/8022282886/2590099/91696208/21753/goto:http://cwp.marriott.com/wasrb/friendship/  ), begins at 9am on Saturday October 16 and concludes at noon on Monday October 18. It’s sure to be an incredible event with high profile speakers, enlightening workshops, a splendid gala banquet, and opportunities to enjoy time with global friends - old and new. Visit the conference homepage at http://www.regonline.com/2010_world_conference for event details and to register for the conference online. Don’t forget to check out our incentives and top ten reasons to book your stay at the conference hotel!  Please direct any inquiries or questions about the conference to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Please Note: Spaces on the optional four-day post-conference homestay are going fast, so register soon!
Friendship Force Recognition Awards for 2009 and 2010: During the 2010 World Conference in Washington, DC in October, FFI will recognize outstanding Volunteers and Clubs that have achieved excellence in 2009 and 2010 in areas such as exchange programs, public relations, service and specific achievements. Nominations are due to FFI by June 1, 2010. Please send your recommendation with supporting information (not to exceed one page) to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 
US Club Legal Question: FFI has been working with our legal and accounting advisors to determine if it is possible for us to issue a group application for US clubs to gain official status as tax exempt 501(c)3 organizations. At this point it looks like this will not be possible. A final decision will be made at the upcoming Board of Directors meeting and all US clubs will be notified. Those who submitted preliminary applications with payment will receive full refunds.
Planning Domestic Exchanges: In 2010 clubs wishing to conduct domestic exchanges may contact potential partners directly. Once a domestic exchange has been confirmed, they should notify FFI by sending an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  If your club has any questions or needs assistance in finding a good partner for a domestic exchange, please contact us at the above listed email.
Club Survey: We have now received responses to the FFI finances survey from more than half of our clubs. Thank you to all club presidents who participated in this survey. This information will be very helpful in the upcoming Board Meeting in March.
Name Badges: FFI is in the process of changing our supplier for name badges.  Those who have already placed orders should receive them within the next few weeks and we thank you for your patience.  Please send all future name badge orders directly to Friendship Force International: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

This week: Favorite Foods Around the World

One of the most popular Hungarian dishes is called “Goulash,” which is a dish in between a soup and a stew in terms of consistency. It is made of beef, onions, Hungarian paprika powder, tomatoes and green peppers. It is often served with pasta or potatoes.

In Australia and New Zealand, people love to eat meat pies, which are small hand sized pies filled with minced meat, gravy and onions. They often eat them as a snack on-the-go. For dessert, they enjoy Anzac biscuits which are composed of rolled oats, flour, coconut, sugar, butter, and golden syrup. They are believed to have originated during WWI as gifts to loved ones fighting in the war because they do not spoil for extended periods of time.

Finally, “fish and chips” has become very popular in Australia, New Zealand, and North America but originated in the United Kingdom. The fish is deep fried in batter or breadcrumbs and served with deep fried potatoes (“French fries” or “chips”). The modern fish and chip shop is known as a “chipper” or “chippy.

Do you have fun facts about your country or culture you’d like to share? Click here

One of the most popular Hungarian dishes is called “Goulash,” which is a dish in between a soup and a stew in terms of consistency. It is made of beef, onions, Hungarian paprika powder, tomatoes and green peppers. It is often served with pasta or potatoes.

In Australia and New Zealand, people love to eat meat pies, which are small hand sized pies filled with minced meat, gravy and onions. They often eat them as a snack on-the-go. For dessert, they enjoy Anzac biscuits which are composed of rolled oats, flour, coconut, sugar, butter, and golden syrup. They are believed to have originated during WWI as gifts to loved ones fighting in the war because they do not spoil for extended periods of time.

Finally, “fish and chips” has become very popular in Australia, New Zealand, and North America but originated in the United Kingdom. The fish is deep fried in batter or breadcrumbs and served with deep fried potatoes (“French fries” or “chips”). The modern fish and chip shop is known as a “chipper” or “chippy.

Do you have fun facts about your country or culture you’d like to share? Click here

The Legacy Fund, created in 2005, honors Friendship Force founder, Wayne Smith. This fund has been successful in:
* Launching 25 new clubs around the world
* Expanding the impact of the Friendship Force with new themed exchanges educational, humanitarian, cultural fields,
* Training programs for new leaders

With your help, Friendship Force International can continue its vital work of promoting global understanding across the barriers that separate people.
By submitting your financial support on-line you help FFI keep administrative costs low.

Donate to the Legacy Fund to support The Legacy Fund.

And Thank You! You are making a significant contribution to the power of friendship!

Mission

To promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people

Values
Mutual Respect • Cultural Diversity • Cultural Exploration • Service

Vision
Each individual will make a contribution to global goodwill.
The Friendship Force worldwide network of clubs and individuals will overcome differences among people and nations.
By connecting the world, one friend at a time, we will create a world of friends that becomes a world of peace.

Slogan
Changing the Way You See the World

Tagline
Explore • Understand • Serve

Explore: We explore new countries and regions. We explore new cultures and new ways to connect across the barriers that separate us.

Understand: By sharing a home, meals, conversation and everyday experiences, people become friends, seeing beyond governments and borders into the heart of a country and its people. By combining home hospitality with cultural exploration, we reach a new level of understanding.

Serve: Exploration leads to understanding. Understanding leads to an acceptance of our common humanity and the desire to serve our global village—with words and actions.

Quick Facts

244 exchanges were conducted in 2009 with 3,877 ambassadors traveling. More than 2,500 families across the globe served as hosts.

346 chartered clubs and programs in 59 countries on 6 continents with more than 18,000 members worldwide.

Friendship Force is a volunteer-driven organization. More
than 1,500 volunteer leaders work more than 30,000 hours
each year to promote the Friendship Force mission.

Almost 225,000 ambassadors and 750,000 hosts have participated in Friendship Force programs since 1977.

Friendship Force International (FFI) is a worldwide network of clubs (local chapters) and individuals that advance our mission of promoting global understanding across the barriers that separate people. We do this by connecting people from different countries at the personal level. When local hosts open their homes to visitors from other countries and cultures, true understanding can develop through the sharing of meals, conversation and the routines of daily life. Since its founding in 1977 FFI has brought together millions of people. In 2007 alone, 5767 friendship ambassadors traveled between 58 countries, with thousands more serving as hosts. Our mission, structure and activities are described in our website: http://www.thefriendshipforce.org.

The Friendship Force was founded by Wayne Smith and introduced on March 1, 1977, by President Jimmy Carter at a White House gathering of state governors. At that time, President Carter asked the governors to return to their states and identify a volunteer leader who would serve as State Director for the Friendship Force in their state. Rosalyn Carter served as Honorary Chairperson until 2002.

FF originally involved groups ranging from 150 to 400 private citizens, known as friendship ambassadors, traveling via chartered aircraft to the partner city where a group of the same size boarded to return to the original city, hence the terminology “Exchange,” the word we use still to refer to our travel programs. The visiting ambassadors were hosted in the homes of volunteer host families for a week, sharing everyday experiences and getting to know each other on a personal basis. The first FF experience involved 762 Ambassadors in a simultaneous exchange between Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England and Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

During its first five years, a few large two-way exchanges were conducted each year. In 1982, Friendship Force travel arrangements changed from charters to one-way “exchanges” on regularly scheduled airlines, allowing greater flexibility and a reduction of group size—first to 40-80 and later to 20-25. The change in format permitted a great expansion of the program worldwide. Instead of a few large exchanges each year, there are now 250-300 smaller exchanges.

While the size and number of exchanges has changed dramatically since 1977, the basic Friendship Force formula is the same, with visiting ambassadors spending a week in the home of a host family. While each exchange is now in just one direction, the participating ambassadors and hosts develop a shared understanding of each other’s culture so that a true cultural exchange takes place. In many cases, the friendships established during an exchange continue for many years, with follow-up visits through later Friendship Force exchanges or through private visits.

Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa, President of The Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, played an important role in the organization’s history. After being introduced to the Friendship Force, Mr. Sasakawa became convinced of the worthy goals of the program. Thanks to Mr. Sasakawa’s financial gifts in the mid 1980s, The Friendship Force was able to grow into a global network of independent chapters, which are called Friendship Force clubs. The clubs are organized and led by volunteers in more than 350 communities on six continents.

In 1985, the A.R.M.S. (American Russian Mutual Survival) program was implemented under the auspices of The Friendship Force. The endeavor encouraged the use of arms that embrace rather than arms that destroy. In May of that year a group of 10 Soviet citizens traveled to the U.S. to extend arms of friendship in Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia and Washington D.C. This was followed by a series of exchanges between the USA and the USSR, with thousands of Americans and Soviets participating. The success of the ARMS program demonstrated that the Friendship Force can be a powerful force for good in the world.

As a result of its initiatives between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Friendship Force was nominated in 1992 for The Nobel Peace Prize.

In addition to its annual series of exchanges between established Friendship Force clubs, Friendship Force International (FFI) conducts a variety of specialized programs. These include the “discover” series designed to introduce Friendship Force members to new countries and cultures, humanitarian and educational exchanges, and Friendship Festivals that include participants from many countries.

Since its founding in 1977, The Friendship Force has brought together millions of people. Today we are active in more than 50 countries, promoting friendship and goodwill through an extensive program of home hosting, or exchanges. In 2007 alone, 5763 friendship ambassadors traveled between 58 countries, with thousands more serving as hosts.

Friendship Force International is supported by membership, exchange fees, donations, and foundation grants.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Here are all of the forms, documents, policies and Manuals you need for club management; to execute a successful exchange,  as well as FFI organizational policies and by-laws. Note the new 2010 Ambassador/Host Ed Manual. The Manual will be an important partner for you as you plan your exchanges.

Please select from the following forms:
CLUB FORMS

EXCHANGE FORMS

PROMOTIONAL FORMS

Here is a list of Frequently accessed forms:

2007 FFI Audit Report
Download PDF

FFI resources and downloads page

Here is a list of FFI Photo Galleries:

Flickr Photo Stream

List of FFI Videos

You can find out about Friendship Force exchanges in two ways: 

1) Our World of Friends Catalog contains our featured exchanges. This subset of approximately 30 exchanges is chosen for the catalog because they are open to anyone, i.e. club membership is not required.

2)Find an exchange – This link takes you to a chronological list of all active exchanges. Some of these will require club membership.

Dear clubs,
Here is where you can find information on any club in the Friendship Force family, i.e. a profile of the club, contact information and so on.  Use this section to facilitate communication with fellow club presidents. If you find that your club information needs updating please download the template here, and send it to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Find a Club

Information on Club Website hosting

New Club Web Hosting

FFI is working with our ISP to make webhosting available for our clubs at a reasonable price. For about $130 per year ($11 per month) your club can have a professional-looking website that can be assembled in about an hour. And you don’t need to be to be a design geek to make a good looking site your club can be proud of. If you know how to copy and paste on a computer, you can do this.

We are developing easy-to-use templates complete with new FFI sanctioned graphics. The templates include photo galleries, calendars, widgets and events pages your club can customize for your needs. And updating your content is truly easy.

If your club wants to create its own website without the templates, your club can (FTP) the pages to your website using Frontpage, Dreamweaver or any other web authoring software. And your club can add 5 email accounts for about $5 per month.

If this is something your club is interested in investigating, click here This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it send me an email. If you are interested in signing up for the service, click here. Here’s an example of how the Friendship Force of Northeast Ohio created a very nice website using the service. Click here to visit their website.
Jim Ecklund - FFI Webmaster

Dear Friendship Force clubs,


Club Resources is designed with you in mind. It is filled with essential and useful information relating to managing a club or an exchange.  You’ll find here all the forms and documents needed for exchanges as well as for managing your club. 

Please take a few minutes to click through what you see here to familiarize yourself with the content.  If you feel that something is missing, please let us know and we will do our best to find it for you.
Here are some of the features we think you’ll like:

Clubs. You can find profiles of clubs around the world. This is helpful in learning about your exchange counterparts, as well as contact information for possible domestic or stopover exchange partners.  If you need to update your club’s profile, you can download a template and then send it to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Exchanges. You can find all the upcoming exchanges listed in this section.
But don’t forget the list of exchanges in the catalog that your members are invited to join.

Forms + Manuals. These are essential for any club or exchange leader. Download what you need.

Logos. This section tells you what you need to know to develop your club logo as well as the style guidelines on the proper use of the FFI logo.

Website Development. Assistance on how to develop or improve your club website.

Communiqué. As a club leader you may be receiving the Communiqué already. But current and back issues will now also be available on the website.

Article Submission. We are excited about our new on-line magazine. For it to be successful, we need articles on your exchanges.

FFI staff: Need to know who to contact at FFI in Atlanta? The updated staff list provides contact information as well as the job descriptions for each staff member.

Feedback: Let us hear from you regarding the website. What do you like and what would you like to see changed? 

Monday, February 22, 2010

Friendship Force World Conference: More than 160 people are already registered for this year’s World Conference in Washington DC. The conference, which is being held at the beautiful and conveniently located Renaissance Hotel ( http://e2ma.net/go/8022282886/2590099/91696208/21753/goto:http://cwp.marriott.com/wasrb/friendship/  ), begins at 9am on Saturday October 16 and concludes at noon on Monday October 18. It’s sure to be an incredible event with high profile speakers, enlightening workshops, a splendid gala banquet, and opportunities to enjoy time with global friends - old and new. Visit the conference homepage at http://www.regonline.com/2010_world_conference for event details and to register for the conference online. Don’t forget to check out our incentives and top ten reasons to book your stay at the conference hotel!  Please direct any inquiries or questions about the conference to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Please Note: Spaces on the optional four-day post-conference homestay are going fast, so register soon!
Friendship Force Recognition Awards for 2009 and 2010: During the 2010 World Conference in Washington, DC in October, FFI will recognize outstanding Volunteers and Clubs that have achieved excellence in 2009 and 2010 in areas such as exchange programs, public relations, service and specific achievements. Nominations are due to FFI by June 1, 2010. Please send your recommendation with supporting information (not to exceed one page) to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 
US Club Legal Question: FFI has been working with our legal and accounting advisors to determine if it is possible for us to issue a group application for US clubs to gain official status as tax exempt 501(c)3 organizations. At this point it looks like this will not be possible. A final decision will be made at the upcoming Board of Directors meeting and all US clubs will be notified. Those who submitted preliminary applications with payment will receive full refunds.
Planning Domestic Exchanges: In 2010 clubs wishing to conduct domestic exchanges may contact potential partners directly. Once a domestic exchange has been confirmed, they should notify FFI by sending an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  If your club has any questions or needs assistance in finding a good partner for a domestic exchange, please contact us at the above listed email.
Club Survey: We have now received responses to the FFI finances survey from more than half of our clubs. Thank you to all club presidents who participated in this survey. This information will be very helpful in the upcoming Board Meeting in March.
Name Badges: FFI is in the process of changing our supplier for name badges.  Those who have already placed orders should receive them within the next few weeks and we thank you for your patience.  Please send all future name badge orders directly to Friendship Force International: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

FFI Board of Directors: The Friendship Force International Board of Directors met in Atlanta March 6 – 8, 2010. The most important item of business was to review FFI’s financial situation and to set the fees for 2011. The full set of exchange policies for 2011 will be distributed in May. However the Board wanted to send a separate memorandum to all club leaders regarding fees for 2011 (see the links below). If you have questions on the fees you may send them to George Brown at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
FFI Board Memo: English

FFI Board Memo: German

FFI Board Memo: Japanese

FFI Board Memo: Portuguese

FFI Board Memo: Spanish

World Conference, Washington DC, October 16-18, 2010: Registrations are very strong for the annual conference with 300 people registered. The spaces for post-conference hosting are filling quickly, so be sure to get your registration in as soon as possible.  To learn more about the conference and to register online, please go to http://www.regonline.com/2010_world_conference.

Last Call for Friendship Force Recognition Awards for 2009 and 2010: During the 2010 World Conference in Washington, DC in October, FFI will recognize outstanding Volunteers and Clubs that have achieved excellence in 2009 and 2010 in areas such as exchange programs, public relations, service and specific achievements. Nominations are due to FFI by June 1, 2010. Please send your recommendation with supporting information (not to exceed one page) to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

World Conference 2011: The dates for the World Conference in Hamburg, Germany, are now set for August 26 – 30, 2011. Detailed information about the conference will be available later this year.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

This week FFI Ambassadors are heading to….

World Time Page

Handy Travel Info

Currency Converter

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Communiqué is FFI’s periodic newsletter containing important information for club leaders. The Communiqué is sent out via email to club presidents, vice presidents, field representatives and board members. If you are one of these leaders and are not currently receiving the Communiqué, please send us an email. You can also look here for an archive of back issues if you miss one.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Dear Club Leadership:
As we approach the middle of 2010, there is much to report from FFI and our global network. We are seeing an increase in exchange participation after the declines of last year. Already this year we have had a number of outstanding exchanges, with many more planned for the remainder of the year. Congratulations to all the leaders and members who are making these activities such a success in 2010.

Sad News
We are sorry to report the passing of one of FFI’s board members, Darrell Anderson of Cape Coral, Florida (Friendship Force of Southwest Florida).  Darrell had only recently joined the Board, after a number of years of active leadership in his local club. He remained committed to his service on the board right up to the time of his death. We will remember him for this dedication and commitment, and extend our sympathies to his family.
New Office for FFI
After three and a half years at our present location, FFI will be moving its office at the end of June. We’re not moving far—just three blocks south, still on Peachtree St. our new address, effective June 21, 2010 will be Suite 501, 127 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. The phone, fax and email addresses will all remain the same. We are looking forward to a new office, which is smaller than our current office but sufficient to meet our needs for the future.
FFI Staff Changes
Along with changes in our office, FFI is also experiencing some important staff changes. Three of our current staff members are leaving us this summer. We will miss them but wish each of them all the best as they pursue new career opportunities. It will be important to fill the gaps left by their departure. We anticipate having new staff in place by the end of July.
Debbie Powell , who has been on the staff for more than ten years, has decided to return to Europe to be closer to her family in England and to pursue new career possibilities in Spain or France. Debbie also announced recently that she is engaged, and her fiancé will be traveling with her. We wish Debbie and Blake all the best. Debbie is leaving Atlanta, but with our new office capabilities we will be able to continue to have her working with us on a part-time basis. Debbie will continue to oversee the plans for the 2010 World Conference in Washington, as well as providing support to the Board of Directors.  In addition, being in Europe will enable her to visit Hamburg to meet with our conference committee for the 2012 World Conference. Those working with Debbie on any of these projects will be able to contact her through her regular FFI email address.  Debbie’s last day in Atlanta was May 21. We will miss her, but are glad we are not saying goodbye!
Meghan Skelly will be leaving on June 4, 2010 to take a new position in her field of marketing.  She joined FFI as a college intern in 2007 and became a fulltime member of the staff in 2008. She has become an important part of the exchange planning and club support team. We’ll miss Meghan but wish her all the best in her future career.
Emma Copeman joined the staff in 2006 as the Program Services Coordinator for Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Middle East.  Emma has decided to continue her studies in Turkey and will be leaving Atlanta in mid June. She will be able to continue to provide us support for our Turkish programs. Emma has been an important part of the staff and we wish her all the best as she continues her international activities in Turkey.
Website Revisions. 
The FFI website (http://www.thefriendshipforce.org) is being revised to provide our members, leaders and the outside world a better way to connect with the organization. You and all members who are on our email distribution list will receive notice of the revised website in early June. Please take some time to look at it and become familiar with its features. And let us know what you think! What you like about it as well as suggestions.
Call for FFI Board Nominations
The next meeting of the FFI Board of Directors will held October 18 and 19 in Washington, DC immediately following the World Conference.  At that meeting four new board members will be elected to replace the following board members whose terms expire at the end of this year: Tommy Dortch, Arifin Mochtar, Sherry Mueller and Mary Suther. The new members will begin a four year term on January 1, 2011.
Identifying talented leaders to serve on the FFI Board is one of the most important actions we can take to be sure FFI remains a strong nonprofit organization committed to its members. In keeping with established Board policy, club leaders and members are invited to provide the Board Nominating Committee with suggestions for new members. You may nominate someone you know, or yourself if you are interested in being considered. Please send the names of possible candidates to Sherry Mueller who is once again chairing the Nominating Committee. Include a brief statement (not more than one page) as to why you believe the person would make a good member of the Friendship Force Board.
While you may consult with the person you are nominating, that is not required. The Nominating Committee will review 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 to request their complete resumes and to determine their interest and availability to serve on the Board.
If you would like to submit a nomination, please review the background information on Board Membership HERE. Send your nominations by July 15, 2010 to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Submit an Article

The new on-line Friendship magazine will be based on articles submitted by Friendship Force members around the world. We want to feature your exchanges and club experiences. 

If you would like to submit your own article, please use the Morocco cover story in the current on-line magazine as a model. You’ll see that the basic article is a short, descriptive one that really demonstrates how the Friendship Force mission was carried out on this exchange. The article should be not more than 300 words. There is a photo that goes with the story, showing ambassador and hosts together in the home, and a caption that names those in the photo. Be sure you select a photo that conveys a Friendship Force story—not just a travel scene. 

For the Morocco cover story there is also a longer article that is attached for those wanting to learn more. This is optional, but if you would like to submit a second, longer piece with additional details and photos that is fine.

To submit an article and photo, send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  giving your name, hometown and dates of the exchange. The article and photo should be attached to the email.  We will let you know if your article and/or photo is accepted for publication on the web as part of our on-line magazine.

Thanks!

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Between 1983 and 2009, Friendship Force International (FFI) published a magazine by the name of Friendship.  Thousands of members enjoyed receiving this colorful and informative publication about the global activities of the Friendship Force. The subscription cost was minimal, but because of the time and cost of international postage, most subscribers were in the United States and Canada. 

We now are pleased to begin publication of the next generation of Friendship as an on-line magazine. You’ll see the first issue in the website with a fascinating cover story about an exchange to Morocco. Reading the article and seeing the photos will make you want to join the next such exchange—and there is information attached on how you can do so. 

But you’ll notice that for now the magazine has only a cover story. The rest of the magazine is being developed and will include timely articles on exchanges, clubs, and other news of interest to all members.

Best of all, the new Friendship will be accessible to everyone on the web, and it will be free of charge! As the magazine becomes complete in the months ahead we’ll be providing email alerts when the new issue is ready for all to see. 

Like any good magazine, we will want to incorporate your ideas and feedback. Let us hear from you regarding what you would like to see. And if you have an article or idea to submit, please do so by sending it to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Mission

Promouvoir une vision planétaire du monde au-delà des barrières qui séparent
les personnes

Valeurs
Le respect mutuel • La diversité culturelle • L’exploration culturelle • Le service

Vision
Chaque personne aura contribué à la bienveillance mondiale.

Le réseau international des clubs et personnes de Friendship Force International
contribuera à surmonter les préjugés dus aux différences entre peuples et nations

En rapprochant les habitants du l’univers, un ami à la fois, nous créerons un monde
d’amis qui formera un monde de paix.

Devise
Changer Votre Façon de Percevoir le Monde

Slogan

Explorer – Comprendre - Servir

Explorer: Nous découvrons de nouveaux pays et de nouvelles régions. Nous
explorons de nouvelles cultures et de nouvelles façons de nous rejoindre au-delà des
barrières qui nous séparent.

Comprendre: Par l’accueil à domicile, en partageant des repas, des conversations et
la routine quotidienne, les gens deviennent amis, voyant au-delà des gouvernements
et frontières, jusqu’au coeur d’un pays et de son peuple. En combinant l’hospitalité
chez soi et l’exploration d’une culture, nous atteignons un nouveau niveau de
compréhension mutuelle.

Servir: l’exploration mène à la compréhension. La compréhension mène à
l’acceptation de notre humanité commune, ainsi qu’à la soif de servir notre village
global – par des mots et des actions.

Mission

Förderung der Völkerverständigung jenseits aller trennenden Hindernisse Werte Gegenseitiger Respekt • Kulturelle Verschiedenheit • Kulturelles Entdecken

Vision

Jedes Mitglied trägt dazu bei, die Welt zum Positiven zu verändern
Überwindung der Konflikte zwischen Menschen und Nationen durch das weltweite
Netzwerk von Friendship Force Erschaffung einer Welt des Friedens durch weltumspannende Freundschaften

Slogan
Die Welt mit anderen Augen sehen

Tagline
Enddecken • Verstehen • Mitwirken

Entdecken: Wir entdecken neue Länder und Regionen. Wir entdecken neue Kulturen
und neue Gemeinsamkeiten jenseits aller trennenden Grenzen.

Verstehen: Fremde werden zu Freunden, indem wir ein Zuhause, eine Mahlzeit,
eine Unterhaltung und alltägliche Erlebnisse teilen. Jenseits der Grenzen von
Regierungen und Staaten gewinnen wir einen neuen Einblick in das Herz eines
Landes und seiner Menschen

Mitwirken: Aus dem „Entdecken“ entsteht Verständnis. Aus dem „Verstehen“ der
Gemeinsamkeiten entwickelt sich das Bedürfnis, in der globalen Gemeinschaft
mitzuwirken und mitzuhelfen - durch Worte und Taten.

Missão

Promover o entendimento universal, rompendo as barreiras que separam as pessoas

Valores
Respeito Mútuo • Diversidade Cultural • Exploração Cultural • Solidariedade

Visão
Cada indivíduo dará sua contribuição à boa vontade universal.
A rede global de clubes e indivíduos da Friendship Force ultrapassará as diferenças
entre pessoas e nações.
Por conectar-se ao mundo, um amigo de cada vez, cria-se um mundo de amigos,
conduzindo a um mundo de paz.

Slogan
Mudando a Maneira de Você Ver o Mundo

Lema
Conheça • Entenda • Participe

Conheça: Conhecemos novos países e regiões, novas culturas e novas maneiras de
nos conectar, ultrapassando as barreiras que nos separam.
Entenda:Ao compartilhar sua casa, refeições, conversas e experiências do dia-adia,
as pessoas se tornam amigas, vendo, além de governo e fronteiras, o coração de
um país e de seu povo. Ao combinar a hospitalidade de uma casa com a exploração
cultural, alcançamos um novo nível de entendimento.
Participe: Conhecimento conduz a entendimento. Entendimento conduz a uma
aceitação de nossa humanidade comum e ao desejo de participar do mundo global,
com palavras e ações

使 命
人々を隔てる障壁を越えて地球規模的相互理解を推し進める
価 値
相互理解 • 文化の多様性 • 文化の探検 • 相互援助
ビジョン
• 誰もが世界的に善意の貢献をします
• フレンドシップフォースのクラブや個人の世界規模ネットワークは、人々や
国の間に横たわる相違点を乗り越えます
• 世界と繋がることで、一度に一人の友人を創造していくことは、世界の平和
に繋がります
スローガン
あなたの明日を見る目が変わります
タグライン
発見 • 文化理解 • 相互援助
発 見：私たちは新しい国々や地域を発見していきます。私たちは新しい文化と、
そして私たちを隔てている障壁を乗り越えて新しい道を発見します。
相互理解：一緒に一つ屋根で過ごし、共に食事、会話、日々の経験を共有するこ
とで人々は友人となり、政府の政策や国の境界線をはるかに超えて、国や人々の
心を理解します。家庭でのもてなしと文化発見を組み合わせることで、私たちは
相互理解の新しいレベルに達することができます。
相互援助：発見は理解を生みます。理解は我々に馴染み深い人間性を受け入れる
ことを導き、われらが地球村の相互援助をしたいという気持ちを呼び覚まします
－言葉や行動で。

Наша миссия

Содействовать всеобщему пониманию невзирая на барьеры, разделяющие
людей

Наши ценности
Взаимоуважение • Культурное многообразие • Исследование
других культур • Помощь

Наше видение
• Каждый человек внесёт вклад во всемирную добрую волю.
• Распространение по всему миру сети клубов Силы дружбы и дружба между отдельными людьми преодолеют различия между народами и нациями.
• Приобретая всё новых друзей, сближая людей из разных уголков света, мы создадим мир друзей, который станет миром без насилия.

Слоган
Изменение твоего видения мира

Девиз
Познаём • Понимаем • Помогаем

Познаём: Мы познаём новые страны и регионы. Мы познаём новые
культуры и новые пути преодоления барьеров, которые нас разделяют.

Понимаем: Разделяя дом и еду, беседуя и делясь житейским опытом, люди
становятся друзьями и начинают видеть сердце страны и населяющих
её людей – вне границ и правительств. Совмещая гостеприимство и
культурное исследование, мы достигаем нового уровня понимания.

Помогаем: Исследование ведёт к пониманию. Понимание ведёт к
принятию нашей общей человечности

Misión

Promover el entendimiento global rompiendo las barreras que separan a la gente

Valores

Respeto mutuo • Diversidad cultural • Exploración cultural • Solidaridad

Visión
• Cada individuo contribuye con la buena voluntad global.
• La red mundial de clubes e individuos de la Fuerza de la Amistad sobrepasa las diferencias entre las personas y las naciones.
• Por conectarse al mundo, un amigo a la vez, creamos un mundo de amigos y logramos un mundo de paz.

Slogan

Cambiando la Manera de Ver el Mundo

Lema
Conozca • Entienda • Únase

Conozca: Conocemos nuevos países y regiones, nuevas culturas y maneras de
conectarse rompiendo las barreras que nos separan.
Entienda: Al compartir la casa, comidas, conversaciones y experiencias de la vida
diaria, la gente se hace amiga, yendo más allá de gobiernos y fronteras, y viendo
adentro del corazón de un país y de su gente. Al combinar la hospitalidad en una casa
con la exploración cultural, se logra un nuevo nivel de entendimiento.
Únase: El conocimiento lleva al entendimiento, y éste conduce a la aceptación de la
humanidad y al deseo de unirse a la aldea global con palabras y acciones

Welcome to the Friendship Force International website and Press Center. We hope you find everything you need here to help us tell the FFI story.

We are very proud of our work and are constantly looking for ways to take our message to a larger audience and to connect even more people across the globe, in friendship.

In 2008 we launched a major re-branding effort, changing our look, logo, slogan, mission and vision in order to refresh our appeal to a younger demographic.

We have also created a new approach to travel with FFI, offering opportunities for ‘themed’ travel. Ambassadors can now choose between trips that focus on humanitarian themes; educational, environmental or cultural themes.

In the 1980’s Friendship Force was one of the first NGO’s to cross the Iron Curtain, breaking down barriers that separate people. Today, our FFI Clubs in Russia are among our strongest and most active in the world.

Today, we have similar opportunity with our Pilgrimage Project. Interfaith groups of Christians, Muslims and Jews are traveling together to sites sacred to all three traditions. These pilgrims return to their hometowns to continue the dialogue with on-going efforts in their communities.

We believe passionately that the work of connecting people at the prersona level, across the cultural, social, religious and language barriers that separate us, is more vital than ever. Our survival as a global village depends on it.

Thank you again for your interest in FFI. If we can do anything to assist you further, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

In Friendship,

George Brown
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Cafe Press

DVDs

Pins

Brochures

Name Badges XLS PDF

United States Logos
FFI Logos
Style Guidelines
World Club Logos

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

FFI Staff Changes
Barbara Stonebrink, who has been serving for the past two years as program services coordinator for the UK and Germany, will be returning to her hometown of Munich, Germany, in September. We will be sorry to see her leave Atlanta, but we are very pleased that she will remain with us as a part-time staff member from Munich. She will continue to work with our German clubs and their exchanges. In addition, she will continue providing support to FFI’s Web site.

With Barbara’s departure from Atlanta, we are pleased to welcome a new full-time Atlanta-based staff member, Pallie Savoie. Pallie will take on the responsibility for working with our UK clubs. In addition, she will be responsible for the 2012 exchange planning process which had been managed previously by Meghan Skelly, who left the staff in June. Pallie attended the University of Georgia and earned bachelor’s degrees in speech communication and Spanish. As a student, she participated in study abroad programs to Granada, Spain and Oaxaca, Mexico, where she realized her love for experiencing different cultures through homestays with local families. Upon completing her education at the University of Georgia, she attended Vanderbilt University where she earned a master’s degree in community development action.

Erin Zingales has also joined FFI as a full-time staff member in Atlanta. She will be taking responsibility for our clubs and exchanges from Australia and New Zealand, replacing Emma Copeman. Erin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved with her family to Atlanta, Georgia, as a teenager. She graduated from Georgia State University in Atlanta with a B.B.A. in marketing. After college, Erin accepted a three-month internship in Auckland, New Zealand. During this time, she was able to work and travel extensively throughout the country, visiting both the north and south islands of New Zealand, along with a few of Auckland’s gulf islands. Erin’s experience in New Zealand made a permanent impression on her life and has fueled her passion for travel and world cultures.

The third new member of the Atlanta staff is Jillian Walters. Jillian joins us as the new communications coordinator. She will be responsible for coordinating all of the communications from FFI, including the new online magazine we are developing for the Web site. Jillian is no stranger to FFI, having worked as an intern for Melissa Hampton several years ago, at which time she researched and wrote the cover story for the final issue of Friendship magazine. Jillian graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, with a degree in English. She studied abroad in both Guatemala and England, where she spent three months studying at Oxford University. She is excited to join FFI in a position that combines her passions for good communication and intercultural understanding.

Along with the good news of our new staff colleagues we are sorry to report that Kathy Thomas broke her leg while water skiing during the July 4th holiday and required surgery to repair the damage. She expects to be sufficiently mobile to return to work within two weeks. We wish her a smooth recovery!

Monday, August 09, 2010

Sixteen Brazilian ambassadors in Germany were almost stranded when their trip to Moscow, the middle week of a 25-day exchange, was called off due to increasingly dangerous weather conditions in the Russian capital.

The Brazilian ambassadors were participating in the Schwerin festival and homestay and were scheduled to leave Saturday, August 7, to spend a week with FF Korolev in the suburbs of Moscow before heading on to Estonia. But by Wednesday it was apparent that travel to Moscow would be impossible.

Wildfires resulting from record heat in Russia filled the capital with “an acrid, choking haze,” the Associated Press reported. Friendship Force members in Korolev and Moscow contacted FFI Headquarters reporting difficulty breathing in the city.

Many members who were supposed to host ambassadors have instead had to take in displaced relatives, whose villages were consumed in the blaze.

With only three days left for their German homestay, the Brazilians worried that they would not be able to find another host in time. With their Estonian hosts still expecting them the following week, they needed somewhere to go.

To their credit, many Friendship Force members across Germany came forward to offer whatever help they could provide, even if it was only a day or two of hosting.

The best solution came from the Friendship Force of Varel, whose members rallied to take in all 16 ambassadors for the full week.

FFI President George Brown applauded FF Varel and everyone who volunteered to help. “They demonstrated flexibility and strong leadership in taking responsibility in an emergency. They have the desire to serve the cause of friendship and the needs of others, and that comes from an appreciation of all people across the world,” Brown said.

FFI Headquarters extends its sympathy to our members in Moscow and the surrounding region as they endure these difficult times. We will continue to follow the situation closely. Click here to read more about the situation in Moscow.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Monday, August 16, 2010

Australian ambassadors to experience a bit of Iowa life
The Tribune, newspaper of central Iowa, USA
Click here to read the article

Indonesian students show their appreciation
BlueRidgeNow.com, newspaper of Blue Ridge region of North Carolina, USA
Click here to read the article

The Wayne Smith Medal

The FFI Board of Directors is proud to announce the Wayne Smith Medal, a special award to be given by Friendship Force clubs to recognize those who show exceptional leadership in promoting our mission.

The Wayne Smith Medal will recognize the leaders of today who make it possible to maintain the founders vision of promoting understanding across the barriers that separate people. The award may be presented to leaders within the Friendship Force or in the broader community. Each presentation of the Wayne Smith Medal will be accompanied by a donation of US $500 to the Friendship Force Legacy Fund, given by the presenting club(s) in honor of the recipient.

With the Wayne Smith Medal, clubs have a unique opportunity to distinguish the leaders in their own communities who set an example of respect, understanding and humanitarian service. The donation given in the recipients honor both supports the founders vision and honors the achievements of the recipient in furthering the mission of the Friendship Force, FFI Board Member Alan Milne of New Zealand said.

Click here for complete information and a photo of the medal, or download a nomination form.

2011 Exchange Policies

The exchange policies for 2011 are now available on the FFI website on the Forms page under Club Resources. Please take a moment to look over them - click here to download.

Don’t forget: Travel Guard has a new address!

Toss out the old address. Please send all Travel Guard mail to:
Travel Guard
3300 Business Park Drive
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54482

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Monday, August 23, 2010

Friendship Force prepares for Costa Rica trip
PennLive.com, news and information Web site about Central Pennsylvania
Click here to read the article

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Centerville-Washington Foundation honors local couple as Community Founders
TCNewsNet.com, community news of Dayton, Ohio
Friendship Force members David and Doris Ponitz are recognized for their community service and their contributions to international communities. Doris led the first Friendship Force exchange to Sarajevo, and David has been instrumental in starting community colleges in Qatar and India.
Click here to read article

Friendship Force Somerset prepares for Japanese visitors
ThisIsSomerset.co.uk, a news and information website for Somerset county in England
Click here to read the article

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

2010

Congratulations! 2010 has been a great year for the Friendship Force with over 5,000 individuals traveling on 299 total exchanges — a significant increase from 2009. The 33rd World Conference in Washington, DC, was also a huge success with 500 Friendship Force members in attendance.

2011

We are still adding exchanges for 2011. If your club is available to host a new inbound exchange, or if your club is still waiting to be assigned an outbound exchange, please send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the following up-to-date information:
WHEN you are available to host or travel
HOW MANY ambassadors you can host or travel with
IF you want to host or travel on a themed exchange and WHAT theme you are interested in
WHERE you would like to travel

Sending this information does not commit you to host or travel, but your information will help us utilize our network’s full capacity.

2011 Club Charter Renewal forms are due by January 15th. Don’t forget that there are new policies for 2011. Click here to download the club charter renewal form, and read the new policies here.

2012

2012 Planning Request forms are now due. Make sure your requests get full consideration by turning them in immediately. If you need assistance submitting your 2012 Planning Request Form, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Thank you for 299 fantastic exchanges in 2010. We’re looking forward to two more great years!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Don’t let your members miss out! Send us your club members’ email addresses today. Here’s why:

1. We’re sending great items your members will want to receive.

a. The World of Friends catalog updates feature opportunities that are available to all Friendship Force members, including themed and Discover exchanges that may be of special interest to some of your members.
b. Periodic ED Invitations, written by exchange directors, invite your club members to join innovative global exchanges.
c. Friendship Online magazine takes the place of the print magazine that was available previously by subscription. The online magazine will be distributed free of charge, offering stories and advice from Friendship Force leaders around the world.
d. We’re sending time-sensitive information that is of interest to all members, such as the conference registration and photo contest announcements.
e. Our email campaigns in 2010 have been successful, and many clubs have already submitted their lists.

2. It’s very safe.

a. Our Policy: FFI has a long standing policy not to pass on email addresses to any other organization or to use them for other than the stated purpose of providing current membership information on Friendship Force exchanges and activities.
b. “Emma”: Our email campaigns are distributed through our email service partner, Emma Email Marketing (myemma.com). Emma is highly secure, and it’s the email marketing service of choice for 30,000 businesses and nonprofits.
c. The “Opt out” option is built in by Emma. You can see it below this email in blue. It will always be there, in the same place, for members who want to stop receiving FFI email campaigns. But please note: Clicking on “opt out” will cause you to stop receiving ALL FFI email campaigns. If you want to receive some of our email campaigns but not all of them, don’t click “opt out” – just delete the ones you don’t want.

3. Forwarding is risky and inefficient for YOU.

a. Forwarding can lead to viruses: Emails are more likely to get viruses if they pass through more “hands” – this means it’s safer to receive an email directly from our secure email marketing service than an email that was forwarded and passed around.
b. Accidental opt-outs: The email you receive is attached to your email address – if you forward it to someone else and they click on “opt out,” YOU will be opted out.
c. Using the built-in “Share This” function prevents this from happening, but it requires you to enter each email address individually.
d. Taking a load off your mind: Giving us the membership list removes a troublesome middle step. Everyone will have access to the same information, and this ensures that your club members can stay in-the-know even if the club leadership is in transition or the club leader is unavailable.

How to send your list:
Send your list, with names and email addresses, as an Excel spreadsheet or CSV to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by January 30th.

Dear Clubs,

We are excited to announce plans for celebrating World Friendship Day on March 1, 2011. This special day, recognized by the United States Senate, is a great opportunity for Friendship Force clubs everywhere to get the world’s attention with special events in the name of global friendship. It’s also a great time to reach out to your community, to the Press, to individuals and to other clubs, in the spirit of forming new connections.

Our theme for the 2011 celebration of World Friendship Day is “Make a Difference.” The Friendship Force has always believed that each and every person can make an important contribution to international goodwill. As members of the Friendship Force, we serve our global village, we serve the cause of friendship, and we serve our organization with our time and effort. We believe that through our example the cause of friendship and peace can be advanced. This World Friendship Day, we invite you to make a difference – to the world, to your community, to just a few people – because we believe we can change the world, one friendship at a time.

Below are some suggestions that you may find useful in creating your World Friendship Day activities. The opportunities are limitless. We look forward to hearing your club’s plans!

More information will follow. If you have questions, please contact Communications Coordinator Jillian Walters at (404) 965-4359 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

In friendship,
George Brown

——————————————————————————————————————-

World Friendship Day 2011

Date: March 1, 2011

Theme: Make a Difference

Challenge: FFI encourages Friendship Force clubs around the world to celebrate World Friendship Day 2011 by putting the Friendship Force mission into action, participating in club activities or public events that will:
- promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people
- increase public awareness for the Friendship Force
- provide a platform for gaining new members

Your Friendship Force club can make a difference by promoting friendship and understanding in the world and in your community at home. Here are some examples:

Make a difference to a child or young person
- By reading or giving a presentation to children at the library, school, hospital or other children’s organization.
- By hosting a “home away from home” dinner for foreign exchange students.
- Volunteer at an international school or for an English language class.

Make a difference to a refugee
- Reach out to refugee organizations in your community.
- Volunteer at a refugee center or donate clothes, food or supplies.

Make a difference to a person of another faith
- Arrange for local religious leaders to give a public speech or round table discussion on religious tolerance and world peace.
- Invite members of a religious organization to discuss understanding across religions with your club members, either at a club meeting or special dinner.

Make a difference to your community
- Host a World Friendship Day dinner or party for a cultural organization in your community.
- Bring together diverse cultural organizations to put on a World Friendship Day event for the public.
- Participate in a community event such as a festival or parade by giving a performance or demonstration or carrying a banner.
- Put together a cultural display for your public library or local schools.
- Donate a floral display to a community building, such as a house of worship or government building, in honor of “our hope for a more peaceful world.”

Make a difference to your members and potential members
- Attend a cultural event or performance together, or try out a new cuisine.
- Reach out to a club you haven’t visited and agree to exchange letters and photographs, or even arrange for the two clubs to talk over Skype.
- Invite a teacher, student group or cultural organization to give your club a language lesson or cultural demonstration.
- Have a special meeting to make up a list of Friendship Resolutions – these will be your club’s goals for 2011.
- Get online! Update your website and create a Facebook page where your members can share comments and photos and invite others to join.

Make a difference to your global organization
- Offer to be a mentor club to a younger or smaller club – your field representative or program services coordinator at FFI can advise you.
- Make a donation to the Legacy Fund to support new club and program development.
- Invite other Friendship Force clubs in your area to join your World Friendship Day activities.
- Send World Friendship Day greeting cards to clubs who have hosted you.

Make a difference to your global community
- Donate supplies to a humanitarian organization.
- Raise awareness of a humanitarian cause.
- Team up on a project with other local organizations that share the Friendship Force mission.

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

• Spread the word – Offer up a homestay, use of a time-share, use of a holiday house, etc., for bidding to raise money for the Legacy Fund, and retain ONE THIRD of the funds for your own club!

• Don’t delay! Contact Board Member Andrew Stirling at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to put your travel opportunity up for auction!

Dear friends,

Each year, your personal and club donations to the Legacy Fund help us expand your network of Friendship Force Clubs.  Most recently, activity in Indonesia, Morocco, Argentina and Albania has expanded, funded in part by the Legacy Fund.  Wouldn’t it be great if every club could make a contribution to the Legacy Fund so we advance the mission of the Friendship Force, and we all get new opportunities to make friends?

Last year the Board of Directors instituted an on-line and silent auction as a trial run. This was very successful and added $13,000 to the Legacy Fund.  The 35 auction items were given by board members themselves, by past members, field reps and some clubs that “got into the swing” early enough. 

The trial run showed that if we start earlier and get many more clubs involved we can probably raise considerably more…and in a very painless way.  The auction also had some unexpected benefits.  Winning bidders and donors have made new friendships and are excited to meet each other. And ambassadors on pre-existing exchanges have been able to add short home-stays in nearby cities.

We have also learned that in 2011 we should have both an online and a silent auction component, because attendees at the World Conference often outbid the online bidders who were unaware of the higher bid.

To maximize the benefit for the work involved it is necessary to start early in 2011.  The sooner the offers are listed, the earlier we can advise outbound ambassadors of the chance to bid on them.  This is necessary because people make plans to travel and buy tickets many months before travelling.

It would be really helpful if clubs and individuals could consider making an offering to the Auction at their February or March meeting so that the items can get listed early.  But if not, later offerings will be welcomed, of course.

What can you offer?  Homestays, use of a time-share, use of a chalet, holiday house etc. were very popular last year and drew multiple bidders and strong bids.  Though many of the bidders are in North America, offers from other countries are really valuable and particularly if made early.  Last year’s offer to “Climb Mt Fuji and stay a week in Tokyo” and “Stay a week in Yogyakarta, Indonesia” were good examples of these offers. 

Please put this request for help on the agenda of your next board meeting AND spread it among members for individual offers as soon as you get this letter.  Send your offer to FFI Board Member and Auction Coordinator, Andrew Stirling, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  The Auction can really help expand Friendship Force if every club and every member thinks of what they can give.  (As per last year, clubs may retain one third of the funds raised for club development purposes.)

In friendship,
Andrew Stirling, FFI Board of Directors
George Brown, FFI President

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Friendship Force is off to a great start in 2011. The first exchanges of the year departed on January 11.  Twenty ambassadors from Southern Connecticut were hosted by Bogotá, Colombia, and 21 ambassadors from Haliburton Highlands, Canada, were hosted by Heredia, Costa Rica – just the first of approximately 275 groups that will travel this year.

1. FFI Board of Directors
There are four new members joining the FFI Board of Directors in 2011:

Cuqui Ardila of Bogotá, Colombia:  Cuqui is well known by the Friendship Force family, having been active in the Bogotá club since its founding in 1982. Read more.

Jack Mullen of Western North Carolina, USA: Jack is a retired accountant (CPA).  During his career he lived and worked in various countries, including Venezuela, Spain and Chile. Read more.

Mark Rebstock of Washington, DC, USA:  Mark is vice president of the National Council for International Visitors in Washington, DC. Read more.

Çiçek Sensan of Karsiyaka, Turkey: Çiçek was one of the first members of the Friendship Force of Izmir in 1994 and later worked to establish her current club in Karsiyaka. Read more.

These new members will join the ten returning members in Atlanta, GA, March 11-14, 2011 for the first of two scheduled meetings. This year’s board has members from ten different countries: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Turkey and the USA.

2. 2012 Planning
Proposals for 2012 exchanges were sent out on January 24th. We sent out 285 proposals for regular club exchanges and proposed 15 global exchanges as well. Please respond to your club’s proposals by March 15th.

Clubs that request to change their proposals should expect a waiting period before receiving any changes: we must wait until we have received responses from most clubs in order to know what will be available.

3. Conference
Registration is well underway for the Friendship Force International 2011 World Conference in historic Hamburg, Germany. Visit http://www.regonline.com/2011worldconf to find out more and register today!

4. Health and Mobility
FFI will soon be sending a survey to all club presidents regarding the policy on health and mobility of ambassadors. This is part of a policy review process to determine if changes are needed in order to avoid situations where people are accepted as ambassadors who may not be able to carry out the physical requirements of the host program. All clubs are encouraged to return the survey by March 1 so the results can be considered by the Board of Directors.

5. Email Marketing Lists
Thank you to all the clubs who have sent us their email lists. We’ve received almost 1,000 email addresses so far! These people now have direct access to all the latest opportunities from the Friendship Force. Thanks to the great response we’ve gotten, we will continue to accept email lists – send yours to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To read the previous Communiqué about why and how to send your list, click here.

6. World Friendship Day - March 1st, 2011
The theme for this year’s World Friendship Day is “Make a Difference.” For ideas on how to “make a difference” this World Friendship Day, see below.

The new chairman of the FFI Board of Directors is Alan Milne of Kapiti Coast, New Zealand. He follows Thomas Dortch, who has completed his two years as chairman.

Milne is just the second person from outside the USA to serve as the board chairman in the 34-year history of the Friendship Force. His election, along with the record number of countries represented on the board (10), is an indication of how diverse the board has become.

Responsible for the formation of The Friendship Force of Kapiti Coast, Alan and his wife, Mary, have been on exchanges to the United States, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

His professional experience includes economic and community development and local government. Between 2001 and 2007 he served two terms as the mayor of the Kapiti Coast. Alan has also taken a leading role in concern for climate change and protection and was New Zealand’s official local authority representative at the 2005 UN climate conference in Montréal.

In addition to volunteer and civic leadership, he also brings extensive business experience to the Board. Alan believes that “life is about people,” and during his first two years on the Board of Directors, he has already done much to secure a bright future for the Friendship Force. Click here to read more about Alan.

Milne is joined by the following three other officers for 2011:

Sandra Larson, Vice Chairperson, of Kern County, California
Boya Marshall, Secretary, of Nurenburg, Germany
Andrew Stirling, Treasurer, of Ottawa, Canada

The FFI Board of Directors will have its first meeting of 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia, March 11-14. In addition to overseeing the regular operations of FFI, in 2011 the Board will continue to push forward with the implementation of the strategic plan that was adopted in 2008.

Congratulations, officers of 2011! We’re looking forward to an exciting year.

In friendship,
George T. Brown, Jr.
President, FFI

Monday, February 21, 2011

World Friendship Day (March 1) is almost here! In honor of this special day, we invite your club to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, big or small, this March!

Read ideas for how your club can Make a Difference this March.

See ideas in this photo presentation of FF Sacramento’s famous 2010 World Friendship Day festival.

Consider a “Diversity Dinner” like the ones FF Milwaukee puts on.

Use a press release to publicize your club’s activities. Download our samples as a Word document or PDF.

Keep in mind the opportunity to fundraise for the Legacy Fund. We appreciate your contributions that help us expand the Friendship Force. 

Tell us your plans! Write to Jillian Walters at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The Friendship Force International Online and Silent Auction is back by popular demand!

Spread the word – Offer up a homestay, use of a time-share, use of a holiday house, etc., for bidding to raise money for the Legacy Fund, and retain ONE THIRD of the funds for your own club!

Last year the auction raised $13,000. It’s your chance to be a part of expanding the Friendship Force network around the globe.

Don’t delay! Contact Board Member Andrew Stirling at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to put your travel opportunity up for auction!

Click here to learn more.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Friendship Force of Western Colorado hosts World Friendship Day Open House
KREX-TV NewsChannel 5, a western Colorado news station

Friendship Force of Western Colorado is celebrating “World Friendship Day” on Saturday March 12 with an open house. It will feature informational displays on each of the 20 countries that their Friendship Force chapter has visited or hosted. Friendship Force members will be there to answer questions and serve refreshments from each of the countries displayed.

Click here to read the article.

International Brotherhood for World Friendship Day
The Oakland Tribune, news of the Bay Area

The Bay Area Friendship Force will celebrate World Friendship Day with an event focused on Pakistan and international brotherhood. The free event will feature guest speaker Sahar Ghazi, an American-born journalist of Pakistani descent who worked in Pakistan for several years. She will be sharing her experiences and thoughts about the nation where she helped launch the country’s first English-language television station and produced a documentary on U.S.-Pakistan relations called “The Disposable Ally.”

In addition, the World Friendship Day event will feature Johannes and Anna Maria Brodel performing works by Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. The event is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at the First United Methodist Church.

Click here to read the article.

Friendship Force of Sacramento invites you to World Friendship Day
accesssacramento.org, a Sacramento, California event calendar

The Friendship Force of Sacramento will be hosting a community event for World Friendship Day on March 6, 2011 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Fair Oaks Community Center Auditorium in Fair Oaks, California. Stop by to enjoy cultural displays, crafts, and entertainment.

Click here to read the article.

Making Friends in Bundaberg
Bundaberg NewsMail, community news of Bundaberg, Australia

When the Australian national Friendship Force conference came to Bundaberg, it inspired many new friendships.

The three day conference, attended by close to 220 members, brought together people from across the country to learn about the exchange process. Members shared stories, listened to local representatives, and celebrated the 20th birthday of the Bundaberg Friendship Force Branch.

Click here to read the article.

Make a Difference on World Friendship Day
dBusinessNews.com, business newsletter of Atlanta, Georgia

World Friendship Day 2011 is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the world — right in your own backyard.

The theme of World Friendship Day 2011, which will be observed around the world on March 1, is “Make a Difference.” Created five years ago by Friendship Force International, World Friendship Day is celebrated as citizens of the world organize special events in the name of global friendship. Celebrate the day by organizing an event that will have a positive impact on your community. 

Click here to read the article.

Flooded Brazilian town close to the hearts of Friendship Force Greater Manchester
Messenger Newspapers, local news of Manchester, England

Greater Manchester Friendship Force members from Trafford, England were especially concerned when they learned of the terrible flooding in Teresopolis, Brazil in January.

The English club has a long history with the affected region, having both visited the Rio club and hosted an exchange for them as well. Their visit to the area took place four years ago when they stayed in the now flooded and landslide-ravaged town of Teresopolis. As guests of the Rio de Janeiro Friendship Force, they attended a party there at the holiday home of Anna Maria Endler, president of the Rio Club. Fortunately, they were able to learn via email that Endler and her home were safe.

Click here to read the article.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Great news, everyone. Friendship Force International now has its own “Page” on Facebook! This means better ways to share and learn about all the latest opportunities from FFI. It also means better ways for you to connect with us at FFI headquarters and with your friends around the world. You won’t want to miss out.

Here’s what you do: Click here to see our new Page! At the top of the page, you’ll see the title “Friendship Force International” and next to it, there will be a small button that says “Like.” Click on the button!

“Liking” our “Page” is just like joining the group – only better! “Groups” (like the Friendship Force “group” we have had for years) were one of the original features of Facebook. But as Facebook grew, “Pages” were developed as a better way for you to stay connected to the organizations that mean something to you.

The new Page is better than the old group because:

1. Pages are easier to find when you search on Facebook.

2. Posts from Friendship Force International will appear on your News Feed, just like posts from your friends (We’re all friends here, after all!) This way you can get updates from FFI without having to remember to visit the group.

3. Pages make it easier for you to share updates from FFI with all your friends – this means better visibility for the Friendship Force and better recruiting for your club and exchanges!

4. You can use the Page to do all the same things as the group – write on the wall, upload photos, and share links. But on the Page, your posts are much more likely to be seen!

You can still belong to the Friendship Force Facebook group – it’s not going anywhere. But here at FFI headquarters we’ll be using the new Friendship Force page to share the latest news. See you there!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Dear friends,

Just as our friends in Christchurch, New Zealand, began trying to recover from the earthquake there, the terrible disaster struck Japan. Our hearts go out to all the people in the areas affected by the earthquakes.

This is a devastating tragedy for Japan. The Friendship Force family in Japan stretches across the entire nation and includes the Friendship Force of Miyagi, which is located in and around the area of Sendai – the area that has been hit hardest by the earthquake, the tsunami and now the radiation leak from the nuclear power plant.

The most recent reports we have received from our leaders in Japan indicate that the Friendship Force members in the area are safe, but some have suffered damage and all are in shock over the devastation.

Now the entire Japanese nation is not only mourning the destruction of the earthquake and tsunami, but they are also living with the unknown outcome of the damage to the nuclear power plant. We are all hoping and praying that this problem is quickly solved without any more damage.

We understand that the months ahead will be difficult ones for our Japanese members. The staff of FFI is already working directly with all clubs that have exchanges to or from Japan in the weeks ahead, and we will make any necessary adjustments.

Many people around the world are asking how they can help. We encourage those people who want to provide financial support to make donations to organizations like the Red Cross that are already organizing major relief efforts. We know those donations will be well spent. In the long run there may be other ways for Friendship Force members to get personally involved with the recovery process, but that will come later.

Please click here to read the Friendship Force International policy statement regarding financial assistance to disaster areas. Please let us hear from you via email if you have questions or suggestions.

In friendship,

George Brown
President, FFI

Friday, March 18, 2011

The following letter was sent to club presidents and vice presidents on March 15, 2011.

Dear friends,

Just as our friends in Christchurch, New Zealand, began trying to recover from the earthquake there, the terrible disaster struck Japan. Our hearts go out to all the people in the areas affected by the earthquakes.

This is a devastating tragedy for Japan. The Friendship Force family in Japan stretches across the entire nation and includes the Friendship Force of Miyagi, which is located in and around the area of Sendai – the area that has been hit hardest by the earthquake, the tsunami and now the radiation leak from the nuclear power plant.

The most recent reports we have received from our leaders in Japan indicate that the Friendship Force members in the area are safe, but some have suffered damage and all are in shock over the devastation.

Now the entire Japanese nation is not only mourning the destruction of the earthquake and tsunami, but they are also living with the unknown outcome of the damage to the nuclear power plant. We are all hoping and praying that this problem is quickly solved without any more damage.

We understand that the months ahead will be difficult ones for our Japanese members. The staff of FFI is already working directly with all clubs that have exchanges to or from Japan in the weeks ahead, and we will make any necessary adjustments.

Many people around the world are asking how they can help. We encourage those people who want to provide financial support to make donations to organizations like the Red Cross that are already organizing major relief efforts. We know those donations will be well spent. In the long run there may be other ways for Friendship Force members to get personally involved with the recovery process, but that will come later.

Please click here to read the Friendship Force International policy statement regarding financial assistance to disaster areas. Please let us hear from you via email if you have questions or suggestions.

In friendship,

George Brown
President, FFI

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

1. Japan Update: All Friendship Force members continue to be saddened by the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. FFI is working with our Japanese leaders to make adjustments in exchanges as needed. Some exchanges will need to be cancelled or postponed, but we are hopeful that many will be conducted as planned.

2. FFI Board of Directors Meeting:  All members were present at the FFI board meeting in Atlanta, including the four new board members: Jack Mullen (USA), Çiçek Sensan (Turkey), Beatriz “Cuqui” Gamboa de Ardila (Colombia), and Mark Rebstock (USA). Alan Milne from Kapiti Coast, New Zealand, is the new board chairman.

At the meeting the following actions were taken:

a) The fees for 2012 will be the same as 2011 – there will be no fee increase.
b) The FFI budget was approved for 2011 with little change from 2010. FFI was very pleased to have a net operating gain in 2010 after two years of losses.
c) The 2012 exchange policies, which will be issued in June, will include stronger guidelines on health and mobility.
d) The board approved the Trailblazer Project (see below).

3. Trailblazer Project: Clubs are invited to review the new Trailblazer Project proposal – click here to download. The purpose of the Trailblazer Project is to encourage clubs to create innovative strategies for growth that can be shared with other clubs. For more information please contact George Brown ( .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) or Debbie Powell ( .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).

4. 2012 Exchange Assignments:  By the March 15 deadline FFI had received responses from about 85% of the clubs regarding their 2012 assignments. This is excellent. Thank you for helping us remain on schedule. The “It’s a Match” exchange confirmations will be sent during April as planned. If your club is one of the few that hasn’t responded, please do so now so your 2012 exchange assignment will not be delayed. If you have any questions send your email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

ATLANTA – Students from the Dunwoody High School band and the Decatur High School band in Georgia, USA, are going abroad April 1st on cultural exchanges for spring break.

The trips are coordinated by Friendship Force International, an Atlanta-based organization promoting friendship and goodwill through exchanges in more than 50 countries.

Fifty-eight students from the Dunwoody High School band will visit a local high school band in Bavaria, Germany. The bands will play music together, and the Dunwoody High School band will perform for the mayor. The Dunwoody students will explore the ancient Roman town of Regensburg and the historic village of Bamberg. In addition, they will visit the document center that houses historical information about the Nuremberg Trials.

“They will have great musical experiences and form life-time friendships, and they will get to know on a personal level about a part of the world that none of them is familiar with,” said Will Henderson, band director at Dunwoody High School.

The Decatur High School band will visit a local high school band in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas, Mexico. They will perform in a parade together, and the Decatur band will put on a performance attended by the governor. The 40 students from Decatur will also enjoy a reception at City Hall hosted by the mayor, as well as visits to museums, monuments and Indian villages.

“The Chiapas trip is a great opportunity for our students to see music and culture in a place very unlike what they experience every day in Decatur,” said Megan Williams, band director at Decatur High School. “The students will have a life-changing trip and come home with a renewed perspective on the world around us.”

Friendship Force International has been coordinating band exchanges for Decatur High School for more than 10 years. The band has been to Japan, Germany, England, Slovakia and Belgium.

This unique program gives American high school band students the opportunity to spend a week with band students in another country. The visiting students (ambassadors) are paired with local host families who introduce them to their culture, school and daily life. They tour places of cultural relevance together, and the bands may perform together.

The exchange allows students to experience different kinds of music and meet other musicians. On a deeper level, it provides a unique opportunity for teenagers to experience another culture, said Jillian Walters, communications coordinator for Friendship Force International.

“These teenage ambassadors and hosts may be very different from each other, but the band, the practicing, the joy of performance and the love of music — these are things they all have in common,” said Walters. “By meeting and becoming friends with the student musicians of another country, they see that their differences don’t divide them.”

Founded in 1977, Friendship Force International organizes an extensive program of home hosting or exchanges in more than 50 countries.

In addition to exchanges between established Friendship Force clubs, Friendship Force International conducts a variety of specialized travel programs. These include the “discover” series that introduces Friendship Force members to new countries and cultures; humanitarian and educational exchanges; and Friendship Festivals that include participants from many countries.

The Friendship Force believes that each and every person can make an important contribution to the world. To learn more, visit http://www.thefriendshipforce.org.

For more information on high school band exchanges, please contact Jillian Walters at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (404) 965-4359.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Indonesian Students Visit FF Western North Carolina
BlueRidgeNow.com, community news of Blue Ridge, Georgia

Top students from SMA No. 8, a public school in Indonesia, are visiting Western North Carolina this week. The trip, arranged by Friendship Force International, is an opportunity for the students to explore a different culture and make life-long friends. While staying with local families, the students will spend several days visiting schools and partaking in local activities before moving on to Tampa, Fl for the remainder of their trip.

Click here to read the article.

Friendship Force of Marlborough Hosts Brazilians for a Wine Tasting Trip
The Marlborough Express, newspaper of Wellington, New Zealand

Friendship Force of Marlborough recently welcomed nine Brazilian visitors for an eight-day wine-lovers trip. Members of the Florianopolis chapter of Friendship Force visited many wineries around the region from April 4th to 11th. The Brazilians then left on a five-day South Island bus tour.

Click here to read the article.

East Coast Regional Conference Spreads the Friendship Force Message
The Daily Progress, local news of Charlottesville, VA

Members of various Friendship Force chapters from New England through the Mid-Atlantic met in Charlottesville last weekend for a regional conference.

They told the newspaper that Friendship Force exchanges are an inexpensive way to travel, meet people from other cultures, form lasting friendships and build relationships between countries. In 2007, about 6,000 Friendship Force ambassadors traveled between 58 countries and thousands more served as hosts.

Click here to read the article.

Rex Farrow, a Club President, Shares his Experiences Traveling with the Friendship Force
Bay of Plenty Times, a newspaper of Tauranga, New Zealand

A feature on the Western Bay of Plenty Friendship Force — a group of intrepid travelers who love immersing themselves in other countries’ cultures and customs. This local New Zealand chapter was founded in 1989 and has 55 members.

Rex Farrow, the group’s president, said it’s a great experience to travel overseas and live with people in their own homes to gain a better understanding of how they live. He added that it creates lasting friendships around the world.

Click here to read the article.

Friendship Force of Big Canoe Hosts Photographer Randy Lewis for Club Meeting
Bigcanoenews.com, community news of Big Canoe, Georgia

Award-winning photographer Randy Lewis will be the guest speaker at the April 17th meeting of the Friendship Force of Big Canoe/North Georgia. Everyone is invited to hear Randy speak about photography and learn about travel opportunities and experiences offered by Friendship Force.

Click here to read the article.

Friendship Force Hiroshima President to Speak as Atomic Bomb Survivor
Berkshires.com, local news of North Adams, Massachusetts

The president of the Friendship Force Hiroshima Club will speak at the Koussevitzky Arts Center at Berkshire Community College in Massachusetts on April 5th at 12:15 p.m.

Hiroshima survivor Takaaki Morikawa will share his personal history of the event and show “The Lost Generation,” a film about the effects of the atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Morikawa was six years old when the bomb exploded about five miles away from him, and he still carries vivid memories of that day.

Morikawa, who had a long career in the automotive industry, has worked overseas and traveled to 45 countries.

Click here to read article.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

1) Nominations

Board of Directors: In October 2011, four new board members will be elected to a four-year term on the FFI Board of Directors that will begin in January 2012. The Board invites Friendship Force club leaders and members to submit nominations for these important leadership positions. You may nominate yourself or someone you know by reviewing the attached information and completing the attached nomination form. Submit the completed form to Nominating Committee Chair David Meyer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) no later than June 15, 2011. Click here for more information and the nomination form.

Outstanding Clubs and Volunteers of the Year: At the World Conference in Hamburg, FFI will recognize two clubs and two volunteers that have achieved excellence in 2010 and 2011 in such areas as exchange programs, public relations, service and specific achievements. Please send your nominations to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by June 1, 2011. Include the name and a brief explanation of why that club or volunteer deserves to be recognized. (For volunteers, include the person’s club affiliation). Don’t be shy – feel free to nominate your own club. For more information on nominating clubs and volunteers, click here.

2) 2011 World Conference – Register today!

Post-conference homestay opportunities are filling up fast – tell your members to act now to reserve their spots! Click here to register.

3) Japan Update

Our field representative coordinator for Japan, Tsuguyo Ishii, has written a letter to all the Friendship Force leaders on behalf of the Friendship Force in Japan. Click here to read it.

Most spring exchanges to Japan have been cancelled for this year, but our Japanese leaders are confident they will be able to host again in autumn 2011 or in 2012. We strongly urge our clubs around the world to continue planning their future exchanges with Japan. We will be closely tracking the recovery process in Japan, and we expect that many of the travel warnings currently in effect may be revoked by next year. We are continuing to plan the 2012 World Conference in Hiroshima.

It is premature to cancel any 2012 exchanges to Japan at this time. If a club cancels their exchange to Japan for 2012, they cannot get it back, and we cannot guarantee a good substitute. Please consult with FFI regarding any questions or concerns you may have.

4) FFI Staff Update

Program Services Coordinator Erin Zingales is now taking over the Middle East region in addition to Australia and New Zealand. We know you will all enjoy working with Erin on your Middle East exchanges. This region includes clubs in Egypt, Israel, Morocco and Turkey.

We are thrilled to announce that our colleague and friend, Conference Director Debbie Powell, is expecting her first child in August. We are sorry to say that she will not be able to join us in Hamburg for the World Conference, but we know you will all join us in wishing Debbie and Blake all the best.

5) Online Payment Options for Club Dues and Exchange Fees

You now have the option to pay all your FFI fees online by credit card. Go to http://www.thefriendshipforce.org and click on Support FFI in the blue bar. Select Legacy Fund, Exchange Payments or Club Dues.

Paying online is simple, convenient and safe.

6) “Like” the Friendship Force on Facebook!

Friendship Force International now has a Page on Facebook! By “liking” it, you’ll have access to all the latest announcements from FFI. Plus, you’ll find Friendship Force members from around the world there – you can share messages, photos and more… even promote your exchange! Just go to http://www.facebook.com/friendshipforce and click “Like.” If you’re not a Facebook user already, it’s free to join and easy to create your online profile.

To read more about what Facebook can do for the Friendship Force, or why the new Facebook Page is better than the old Facebook Group, click here.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Forty enthusiastic members are representing Friendship Force International on a cultural cruise through Central America and the Panama Canal – President George Brown among them! The cruise is operated by Enrichment Voyages, a program that offers educational, cultural programs and excursions as the 700-passenger cruise ship journeys to diverse ports around the world.

Will Enrichment Voyages and the Friendship Force be a good match? Can we successfully pair cultural cruises with home stays? Will other Enrichment Voyages participants want to join the Friendship Force? We will find out!

George will be blogging from the ship over the next two weeks. Read about his impressions and experiences at http://GeorgesWorldofFriends.blogspot.com. We’ll also be posting each of George’s blog entries on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/friendshipforce, and we’ll be encouraging other participants to post their thoughts and photos there as well.

I hope you’ll enjoy following this adventure online. Cultural cruises, blogging and social media… this could be the beginning of something big for the Friendship Force!

Email Jillian Walters (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) if you have questions.