By Patricia Travers
Our Mid Atlantic Regional meeting went very well. We are all delighted with our new FFI President, Susie Smith. She is young, articulate and an excellent communicator. Everyone left the meeting, I thought, on a very up-beat note. "We can do something to make a difference." We also had Dr. Ramazani speak on the Middle East. 130 people where hanging on every word he said. All in all, I thought a very good meeting.
Our committees did an excellent job. Hats off to Bob Schwagerl, Chuck Barbour, Hy Badler, and Lynda Johnson. The conference committee members, Chuck Johnson, Cheryl Kasper and Gary Ziemer, the moderators did an exceptional job. I heard nothing but good comments from attendees. Muriel Badler did a very good job on the publicity. She was successful in getting good coverage by Channel 29 TV. Everyone appreciated Cheryl Kasper's table decorations and Dom Starsia's sign. It definitely let the world know who we where. Ken Haverstromn, Jim Swartz, Frank Saurman, Dee Schwagerl, Kathy Saurman (hospitality chairperson) Cel Ziemer, Ruth Campopiano, Pat Barbour and Kathy Wallace helped to make the welcoming and activities run smoothly. I for one heard no complaints from anyone. . .just appreciation.
THANK YOU ONE AND ALL. The Mid Atlantic Region knows who FFC is and what we can do.
BRAVO!!!
Raleigh, NC has agreed to hold the Leadership conference this fall, and Lancaster & Harrisburg, PA will hold the next Mid Atlantic Regional in two years. This activity all bodes well for better communications between our clubs. Susie Smith went away from the meeting with several constructive suggestions. There will be a more informative report on the Regional at our May meeting.
By Ann Beardon
The meeting was called to order by Patricia Travers shortly after 6:30 P.M. at the Ponderosa Restaurant. Minutes of the January 7th meeting were approved as written.
Patricia Travers distributed lists of possible exchanges for 2003-2004, both foreign and domestic. She requested members select three countries of preference for the 2004 outbound exchange. The lists will be picked up, the votes tabulated, and the results announced at the end of the meeting.
Mary Pat Searls introduced two visitors, Patsy Tuffy and Marie Moriarty, both of whom were welcomed.
Patricia Travers read a letter addressed to President Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Chip Carter. The letter was written in behalf of the club and expressed members' appreciation to the Caters for their leadership within the Friendship Force program. The letter was approved and signed by those present.
Cheryl Kasper introduced two guest speakers, Antje Kohrs Waxman and Helga Hleiss, both native Germans. The focus of their talk was Germany, with particular emphasis placed upon Hamburg and environs, the locale of the upcoming outbound exchange to take place in April. Included in their presentation were special places of interest, historic facts relative to Hamburg, weather, local food and customs, and useful German words and phrases.
Following the speakers, the remainder of the meeting followed the usual format.
Treasurer's Report: Sue Corney presented a detailed budget for 2003. At the present time, projected net expenses are $3,050 with a profit of $26.
Exchanges: Tweed Valley - Betsy has expressed to the Exchange Director the importance of a visit to Washington, DC during their U.S. visit. The exchange committee is: Cathy Wallace, Day Hosting; Darrell and Rita Stoll, Gifts; Babs Fickes, Social Activities; and Treasurer, Dee Schwagerl. Betsy is looking for a Welcoming Committee chair and a Home Hosting chair.
Devon - Norderstadt: Departure is March 31st. Ambassadors met with Bob immediately after the business was completed to get their German hosts' names. A book about Virginia and FF pins were available after the meeting. Both are suggested gifts for host families.
Regional Conference: Bob Schwagerl reported the Conference will be held at the Emmet Road Holiday Inn March 27-29, 2003. Additional registration forms are available. To date, 23 members of the Charlottesville Club have signed up. It is hoped that more members will participate in this event. Susie Smith, President of FFI, is to be the keynote speaker on Saturday at 9:00 AM. Also present at the conference will be Mary Mwanby, Program Services Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region. To date, 133 representatives from other clubs in the region are expected.
Correspondence: Patricia Travers shared a thank you note from Cheryl Kasper for the gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. Cheryl purchased a book, proceeds of which are to go towards helping combat AIDS in Africa.
Communication:
Public Relations: Muriel Badler reported that publicity for the Regional Conference will be placed on the website and provided to eight news publications.
Newsletter: Ken reported that the deadline for submitting material for the Newsletter is April 4th.
Website: LeRoy Moyer urged members to give him feedback as to what the primary focus of the Website should be.
Membership: May circulated a sheet for names of possible new members. She will contact those submitted by sending information about the FF to them.
Greeter: Ruth asked for ideas regarding items to be placed in the "goody bags" to be given to representatives attending the Regional Conference.
Sunshine: Olive asked to be contacted her with information regarding members or their family when it would be appropriate she send a card.
Fundraising: Ann reported we will need 12 workers from the Club to sell sodas June 7th and 8th at the Point of Fork Columbia celebration. We will purchase sodas and sell them as a fundraiser. More details at the May meeting. Food Lion's "Shop and Share" program will need members sign up by March 20th if we intend to participate. To register, one must show an MVP card and ask that credit for purchases be given to the Charlottesville FF. The annual minimum the Club can earn is $50. The maximum is $350.
Social: No report. The following still apply: The annual picnic is proposed to be held Sunday, July 20th at the Fickes.
A "mystery dinner" will be held either October 11th or 26th.
A date for the holiday dinner has not been determined.
Correspondence with other clubs: Mark and Margaret Dryer hosted a couple from the Great Falls, Montana club in their home. The couple was here recording the Lewis & Clark celebration. Mark reports that the visit was a "wonderful one."
Chuck Johnson reported he has been in contact with the JAG School, an international law school for the military justice system, regarding a possible meeting space but no food facilities. Most of the groups that meet there have a military connection. However, the school has some foreign students whom it would like to introduce into the community. A possible "quid pro qua" was suggested by Chuck: JAG provides the space for us and we, in turn, invite the foreign students to gatherings, such as for example, our "mystery dinners" and/or our picnic. A show of hands indicated enthusiasm for this idea. Chuck will pursue a possible trial for the September meeting to be there.
50-50: George Travers conducted the 50-50 raffle. Total taken in was $83. Eleanor Brant was the winner for $41.50.
The tally of votes for the 2004 exchange was: 1st choice - Costa Rica; 2nd choice - South Africa; and 3rd choice - Scotland.
After reciting the FE Pledge, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held on May 6th at the Ponderosa Restaurant at 6:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ann Bearden, Secretary
Board of Directors
President Patricia Travers
President- Elect Chuck Johnson
Vice President John Webster
Secretary Ann Bearden
Treasurer Sue Corney
* *** ** * ** *** * ** * * ** ** **** ** *
Committees
Exchange Directors -
Bob Schwagerl - Devonl/Norderstedt
Betsy Edgecomb - Tweed Valley
Visitors Book - John Webster
Board liaison - Patricia Travers
Membership-May Gnenin
External-Speakers' Bureau
Newcomers' Club of Charlottesville Coffee
Greeter (gen. mtg.) - Ruth Campopiano
Sunshine (internal) - Olive Kasinoff
Board liaison - John Webster
Communications
Newsletter Editor & Roster - Ken Smith
Newsletter Publication - Arleen Bandy
Website - Leroy Moyer
Photographer - John Webster
Communications/Public Relations - Muriel Badler
Board Liaison - Patricia Travers
Fundraising - Ann Farweli
(Friday after Five, Holiday wrapping. etc)
Cookbook Marketing - Joanne Rawls
50/50 - George Travers
Board Liaison - Chuck Johnson
Social Babs Pickes
(Mystery dinner. Annual picnic, Christmas patty)
Board liaison - Anne Bearden
Nominating - Cheryl Kasper
Board liaison - Chuck Johnson
Historian Lila Mait
Board liaison - John Webster
Scholarship
Board liaison - Sue Corney
Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference 2003 - Bob Schwagerl
By Ann Farwell
The Club has five dates for working the soft drink concession at "Fridays After Five:" May 2, June 6, July 18, August 22, and September 26. With five or six people working each time, the Club needs 25-30 volunteer days. Those that did this event last year had fun and recommend doing it. The pay is good. The Club can earn over $700 - a goodly sum. Please call me to volunteer.
On June 7-8, the Club will sell soft drinks at The Point of Fork Reenactment at Columbia, VA (about 18 miles from Palmyra. Volunteers are needed for two hour shifts beginning at 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. Please contact me with your interest.
Many thanks to those who are participating in the Food Lion Shop and Share program. Those wishing to join in on this program should call 1-800-2 10-9569. Call me with questions at 1-434-974-9985.
By Muriel Badler
It takes a tenacious effort of FAX and telephone calls right up to the day of an event in order to get a message across to the print and electronic media. Success! For the Friendship Force Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting, CH 29-TV aired a news program Saturday March 29 at 6:00 and 11:00 PM. The Club has a video tape copy of the segment for our Club Historian. The Fluvanna Review included a very nice article by Arlene Prince about the meeting.
FFI Magazine - Susie Smith has assured President Patricia Travers the new FFI Magazine will have a different look. Members are reminded they now choose to subscribe to the magazine. It is no longer a part of the dues structure. To subscribe, send your name and address, along with $15 to:
FFI
34 Peachtree Street, Suite 900
Atlanta, GA 30303
To all who expressed an interest in a California domestic exchange, and interested members! We have one to San Diego, California for Fall 2003. This was the number one choice by the Club. San Diego can accommodate 20-25 people. Their president says they can host us any where from the last two weeks of September through October. We will need an exchange director to start working on the details. Please let me know before the May membership meeting if you are interested in being the ED. We would like to make the announcement at the May meeting. The Board will select the exchange director from the applicant names received. San Diego would like to be hosted in Spring 2004.
By Bob Schwagerl
Never have so many accomplished so much. In the history of our club we have never had a more demanding and long term challenge than this Mid-Atlantic Conference. In fourteen months of planning over twenty club members participated on the committee. The fact that we accomplished so many of our original goals is a tribute to each of these volunteers.
Susie Smith, President of Friendship Force International, graced the conference with her presence and shared her vision for the future. The question and answer period provided many with the opportunity to participate and share with her their thoughts. On behalf of the Charlottesville Club, the committee presented FFI with a check for five hundred dollars.
A highlight of Saturday night was a presentation by Dr. Ruhi Ramazani, Professor Emeritus of Politics, University of Virginia. Following his insightful remarks a gift of two-hundred dollars was presented to Mrs. Ramazani on behalf of her efforts for women's rights in Afghanistan.
Sunday morning gave us a touch of spring in Virginia with four inches of snow. However, even the snow could not dampen the warmth of our Sunday offering of prayer.
Raleigh, NC will host this fall's Mid-Atlantic Leadership Conference. Harrisburg and Lancaster, Pa. will co-host the next Regional Meeting. The dates for both are yet to be announced.
Come to the May meeting when a final financial report will be made. Again, thanks to all of you! We all have much to take pride in'
The Ambassador Friendship Force of Charlottesville, Virginia Kenneth G. Smith, Editor 9 Leisure Court Lake Monticello, VA 22963