Dear friends;

As your immediate past president (almost) I wish you all Seasons Greetings and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. I am certain that the Friendship Force Club of Charlottesville is due for a wonderful year under the capable leadership of Arlene. I take this opportunity of thanking you all for your support during the past year.

You are all aware that one of the events for the ensuing year is the outbound exchange to Calgary, Canada. As your ED for this exchange I ask that all those wishing to go on the exchange should bring their checkbooks to the January Meeting for the payment of the initial deposit of $150.00 per person. Since the exchange is open ONLY to those members in good standing (who have paid their dues); if you have not yet paid your dues, then you should pay them at the Meeting (or before) if you wish to go to Calgary. At this time of writing I understand that the Calgary club can host no more than 24/25 ambassadors, so we can accommodate only the first 24/25 people who pay their deposits. If more members wish to go, I will have to let you know if openings become available.

The agreed date(s) of the exchange is June 18 to June 25, 2008.

At the last meeting of the potential ambassadors a number of proposals were considered for "add-on" trips. One of the most favored proposals was a bus or train tour of the Rockies. I have been investigating this possibility and have found a number of attractive-looking tours commencing in Calgary and covering the Rockies and glaciers. These tours vary from 4days/3nights to 8days/7nights and cost from $809.00 to $1,470.00 per person.

I will bring the brochure to the next meeting (of the ambassadors) and I suggest that the majority should decide which trip should be chosen so that we may make the necessary reservations as soon as possible. We can also discuss other options.

I further propose that we have a meeting of the ambassadors after the next club meeting (January). Further meeting dates can also be decided then.

Furthermore, I ask that ALL prospective ambassadors bring along not only their checkbooks, but also their written profiles, including a photograph. Anyone who has been an ambassador should know the nature of the "profile" and a profile used for a past exchange should be sufficient. New members who are not familiar with this item may check with any "old" member (including myself).

Also, please remember that a valid passport is required for Canada.

In conclusion, I again wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year.

              In friendship;
              Mark.

Annual Fundraising Report for 2007

              By Cheryl Kasper

Fridays After Five Concerts ID Checking on Five Fridays - $1020

Sales : Cookbooks - $95

              Pins - $93

              Pens - $8

Total raised for Fundraising 2007 - $1216

Notes from Arlene

As we come to the end of 2007, I want to begin by wishing all of you a very heartfelt Happy New Year-we certainly have a lot to be thankful for and much to celebrate.

The annual holiday brunch was held on December 1 from 1 to 3 pm at the Lake Monticello clubhouse; excellent food, a white elephant gift exchange, and donations for the International Rescue Committee of Charlottesville rounded out the event. A special thanks to Dee Schwagerl for her work as social chairperson for 2007.

Mark Dryer, FFC President, was presented with a thank you gift card for Barnes and Noble as tribute for his three plus years of service on the board.

Bob Schwagerl, Inbound Exchange Director, for Hamburg, Germany (September 20, 2008 arrival date) reported that he expects about 24 guests.

Bob Schwagerl gave a report regarding "The Pilgrimage Project." Bob will be the contact person if anyone is interested in additional information. This is a serious endeavor; FFC does have individuals with the skills required for such an important project if anyone is willing to dedicate the time.

From printed brochure:
"Friendship Force International invites Muslims, Christians and Jews to journey together to places that have special significance for each tradition. In sharing this pilgrimage, we deepen our own faith while learning to understand and appreciate others' faith. We increase our understanding of the shared elements of the three faiths as well as learning about and respecting their differences. And we establish friendships with the people who share the journey, relationships that will endure long after the trip ends.

Interfaith groups of pilgrims will travel to Turkey, Jordan, Morocco, Spain or other destinations with sacred sites important to Christians, Muslims and Jews."

The C. F. Foundation of Atlanta, GA has provided funding to expand the Pilgrimage Project-approximately $440,000. Ten U.S. clubs will participate with 24 members each (8 Muslim/8 Jewish/8 Christian-three faith leaders selected). About 1/3 to 1/2 of expenses will be paid from Foundation funds. Participants will be disciplined in following the design and will actively strive to place the interests of the group above that of the individual.

On the topic of membership: Recently the Board was discussing/brainstorming through e-mail some ideas on the topic of membership numbers. We would appreciate hearing ideas from everyone. I tend to agree with the comments as expressed by Walt O'Connell, VP, in an e-mail to my box.: (Reprinted with Permission)

"My personal opinion is that we aren't going to recruit many members by way of mass events. Perhaps it was you who suggested that the best new members come from personal invitations. I agree.

Taking a marketing approach, let's identify the target market for new members. People with both the time and interest in traveling and hosting; people who subscribe to the mission of FFI; you can continue on with other characteristics here.

These people are likely to be professional people, educated, have control over their time, financially comfortable, have a "joining" propensity, be comfortable in new and adventurous situations and with new people, ... and you can continue on here as well.

So, how do you reach these folks?

Here is one way... make it a challenge for each member to recruit one new member--if successful the size of the club doubles.

Here is another... develop a small presentation along with a nice flyer (dressed up version of yours) and try to get engagements to speak at other organization's meetings. Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, church social groups, etc. Have the presentation brief, entertaining, interesting and well delivered; pass out a flyer, collect names, addresses, phone, email and begin to follow up with invitations to the next meeting, newsletters, etc.

It is probably worthwhile placing the flyers in document display cases in the right places but somehow I think we need to get a follow-up name, email etc. so someone can get back to the person interested. Otherwise, we end up with no-shows even though they express an interest. Best is if someone picked them up and brought them to the first meeting. Or maybe arrange an informal social (dessert, coffee, etc.) for a few people, some members some prospects, so they can ask questions, get a better feeling of the members, etc."

Thanks to Lee Moyer, who did some desktop publishing fine tuning to our tri-fold, we do have an attractive handout. If any of you would like copies, just let me know and I will mail you a few-could also be e-mailed but printing can be tricky. We also have (business-size cards) and bookmarks for distribution. We have these materials-now we need to develop an effective distribution method to get the FFC message to new friends.

Your participation in the Friendship Force mission is greatly appreciated-let's have a great new year.

              In Friendship,
              Arlene Bandy

Friendship Force Charlottesville
Annual Meeting Minutes - November 6, 2007

The annual meeting, held at the Ponderosa restaurant, was called to order at 6:50 p.m. by President Mark Dryer. Following the Friendship Force Pledge, Mark welcomed guests Elva Hart and young Wade Stoll (members' grandson). Twenty nine members and guests were present.

The minutes of the September 24 general meeting were approved.

Next on the agenda was the annual report from the officers.

President:

              Mark Dryer thanked the officers that served under him for the past year. He said that it had been a wonderful year with three exchanges. The one outbound exchange to Leicestershire, England was led by Helen Ida and LeRoy Moyer. The inbound cultural program from Russia was led by Babs Fickes and John Webster. The inbound exchange directors for Sarasota, Florida and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma were Ellen and Walter Lindenmann. He thanks everyone for their service. President Elect:

              Arlene Bandy, President Elect, presented the annual report. In addition to exchanges discussed by Mark Dryer, she stated that several members had participated in the 30th. Anniversary Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, March 1-3 (Mark Dryer was honored to receive a carved walking stick from a Kenya ambassador). Eight members attended the Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting April 27-29 hosted by Western NC Club. Bob Schwagerl acquired new training documents and conducted exchange director training. Fund raising for the year was successful; the 2007 club balance as of September 2007 was $5,451.99. Secretary:

              David Lea, Secretary, thanked Mark and Margaret Dryer, Arlene Bandy, Dee and Bob Schwagerl for their assistance in learning the secretary's duties.

Committee Reports:

Gary Zeimer, of the Audit Committee, reported that he and George Travers had audited the books. The period audited was through September 2007 and everything is in order.

Margaret Dryer, of the By-Laws Committee, reported that the By-Laws were in the last newsletter. A motion was made and seconded to accept the revisions of the By-Laws. The members present thanked Margaret Dryer and the committee for their work on the By-Laws.

Chuck Johnson reported that were seven new foreign students at the JAG School. Several Friendship Force members attended a dinner at the facility. They thanked the Friendship Force for hosting the international students. He said that the international students go to San Antonio, Texas for immersion in English, before coming to the JAG School in Charlottesville. The Friendship Force outings help the international students to better understanding American culture and American English. Chuck made a last pitch for hosting these students for Thanksgiving dinner. Frank Saurman related how much the students appreciate the work of the Club.

Dee Schwagerl reported that the holiday brunch will be held at the Lake Monticello Club House from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. She will send out an email requesting a reply regarding attendance. There will a new twist in the holiday gift exchange. The International Rescue Committee said there were around 150 refugees per year coming to this area. These people need hats, gloves; scarves and single bed blankets. She is asking each person attending the brunch to bring one of the above items (new and unwrapped please).

The officers on the slate for 2008 were elected unanimously. President Mark Dryer thanked Rite Stoll for work on the slate of officers. The officers elected for the coming 2008 year are:

       President:            Arlene Bandy
       President Elect:      LeRoy Moyer
       Vice President:       Walt O'Connell
       Secretary:            David Lea
       Treasurer:            Betsy Edgecomb

Exchanges:

Mark has been contacted by Hamilton/Burlington, Canada about an inbound exchange in April 2008. (Garden Week - probably only 3 days). Mark reminded everyone about the Friendship Force International 2008 Conference in Gold Coast, Australia from October 2-5, 2008. Registration will begin on January 7, 2008. Any member can register on line @ www.thefriendshipforce.org. Mark said the officers at the board meeting selected the following preferences for the 2009 outbound exchange: South Africa, Japan, Romania, Kenya and Mexico. This is only a request and it does not mean that we will get any of these sites. (The procedure for exchange locations is now more controlled by the Atlanta office; local clubs are given only large regional selections).

Gary Zeimer made a motion to thank the officers for the work of the past year.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

              Respectfully Submitted,
              David Lea, Secretary