By Chuck Johnson, President
The exchange matches for 2005 promise some very interesting and exciting events for Friendship Force of Charlottesville. The inbound exchange from Arequipa, Peru, will be the first from that country to Charlottesville and, to the best of my recollection, the first from a South American country. Speaking for myself, this is an area of the globe that we ought to know much better than we do and here is a ready-made opportunity.
As for the outbound exchange to Russia, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to visit a country and get to know people who were out of reach not too many years ago. Was it foresight or were we just prescient to have speakers talk about visiting Russia at our last general meeting. I think it was some of each.
I hope the Club will participate to the fullest in both of these exchanges.
We received an analysis of the exchange matching results from Atlanta. It included the number of weeks of hosting available and the number of weeks requested for each country. At one extreme, Norway and Sweden, each with only one week of available hosting, had requests for 56 and 51 weeks respectively. At the other extreme, The United States with 196 weeks available had requests for only 71. It is not surprising that we were not matched with one of the Skandinavian clubs but we were fortunate to receive one of the inbound exchanges.
Russia and Peru are both popular exchange destinations. Russia had 41 requests for its 18 available weeks and Peru had 57 requests for 9 weeks. Perhaps we could look toward a reciprocal exchange with Arequipa Peru in a future year.
I call your attention to the article by new FFI President George Brown. Not surprisingly, he has been on the go for much of his first weeks in his new post.
I was pleased to see the request for nominations for the FFI Board of Directors. Only a couple of years back, selection of Directors seemed to be a mystery along with other matters such as budgets and financial reports. All this seems to have changed, and in the right direction, in my opinion. The new openness can only be a plus for an organization that is striving to maintain its direction and identity.
The Annual Picnic: Sunday July 18 is the date for the annual Friendship Force picnic. It will be held at the Moyer estate, better known as Ducky Oaks, starting at 3:00 PM. Ducky Oaks is located on the south side of Route 53 about midway between Monticello and the intersection with route 711. Look for the driveway which is opposite the unique Ducky Oaks mailbox on the north side of route 53.
Social Chairman Joan Sours asks that you call her and let her know what you will bring in the way of food. Choices are salad, an entree or dessert. As for beverages, the club and Moyers will provide soft drinks. If you want something stronger, you will have to bring your own. We hope to see you all there.
Friendship Force Mid-Atlantic Conference: Mark your calendars for the next Friendship Force Mid-Atlantic Conference to be hosted by the Lancaster/ Harrisburg Clubs April 8-10, 2005, at the Best Western Inn, Harrisburg, PA. It promises to be a weekend filled with fun and friendship. Entertainment featuring several cultures will be part of the weekend, including the dancing of the Tamburitzens from Steelton, PA.
After the conference, a home stay is being offered by members of the Greater Harrisburg and Lancaster Clubs from Sunday, April 10 through Thursday, April 14. It will begin with an afternoon in Hershey with Friendship Force member Doris Coyne as tour director. Tuesday, Inge Coulter is organizing a day in Harrisburg which will include tours of the Governor's mansion and the Capitol. Beverly Headly (717) 8403) and Karen Smith (717) 236-0430 will be co-exchange directors. Conference coordinator will be Vicki Inscho (717) 938-1041 or vinscho@epix.net.
Check future issues of The Ambassador for more details and registration information.
General Meeting, September 7: The next general meeting of Friendship Force of Charlottesville will be on Tuesday, September 7, at the JAG School. We will begin this meting with a "social hour", dessert and coffee beginning at 6:30 PM with the meeting itself to begin at 7:00. The speaker that evening will be Rebecca Brown, Director of the International Studies Office at U Va. Ms Brown lived in Costa Rica for several years and will give us a briefing on what we can expect to find during our exchange there. To whet your appetite, she tells me that Turrialba is in the most beautiful part of the country. A number of us will meet for dinner at Wild Greens, restaurant in the north wing of Barracks Road Shopping Center at about 5:00 PM. We welcome you to join us.
The JAG School is located on Massie Road just past the UVA Law School. Parking is available to the right of the JAG School building.
Exchanges for 2005: Exciting news; we have been assigned two exchanges for 2005, an inbound exchange from Arequipa, Peru, in June and an outbound exchange to Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, in September. The Board of Directors has voted to accept both of these exchange offers. The Board is now soliciting Exchange Directors for both and there should be an announcement soon.
Immediately after receiving notice of the exchange matches, Chuck Johnson sent a notice to all of the members on the e-mail list to determine the level of interest in the Russian outbound exchange. Members were asked to respond in one of three ways; I (we) are definitely interested in participating in the Russian exchange; I (we) may be interested in participating in the Russian exchange; or I (we) are definitely not interested in the Russian exchange. It appears that there are enough people definitely interested to justify going ahead with the planning. No doubt we will include a post-exchange trip of some sort for those interested. Also, remember that we will now be making our own travel arrangements. This means that you can split off from the group following the exchange and travel somewhere else in Europe if that is your preference.
A number of members have not yet responded to Chuck's e-mail including, of course, those who don't have e-mail. He asks that all members who have not responded as yet call him with their choice. His phone number is 589-5245.
In April 2004, I was advised that a tumor had been detected on my right kidney, and that surgery would be required. On May 4th, the tumor, my right kidney, and the adrenal gland were removed. I was placed on "house arrest" upon release from UVA Medical Center on May 8th. Please know that Peggy and I appreciate each phone call, card, flower and inquiry received during my recovery. Your prayers are especially important to us.
On Wednesday June 16th, the doctor released me to my normal duties. There is no indication of residual malignancy (although I will get semi-annual CT Scans to monitor the situation). Peggy and I thank you.
By Ann Farwell
FFC can expect another busy, opportunity-loaded summer. Throughout the summer, we will be selling soft drinks at the Friday After Five events on the Down Town Mall. The remaining dates are July 16, August 6, August 27, and September17. This is an excellent fund raiser - people enjoy doing this because it is lots of fun and the Club earns considerable money. Call me at 434 974-9985 to volunteer or ask questions.
One fund raising opportunity we have not utilized with any volume is the Food Lion Sharing program. One needs only to register with the local store. When making purchases from any Food Lion, the Club receives a portion of the sales. The proceeds are tracked by Food Lion based on your MVP card.
2004 Exchanges: I'm pleased to report that our exchanges in 2004 are going quite well. Despite the usual number of cancellations and small exchanges, overall our numbers are improved from a year ago. Keep up the good work!
Matching Process for 2005: The deadline for responding to the 2005 proposed is rapidly approaching. If you haven't already done so, please complete and return the matching forms to FFI not later than Tuesday, June 15. The staff will then begin working to let you know as soon as possible regarding your confirmed exchanges for 2005.
FFI Atlanta Reorganization: As part of our goal of making our office in Atlanta more efficient, we are in the process of restructuring the staff assignments. An important element in this process is a restructuring of the Program Services Department, which provides our basic exchange and club support services to the clubs. I'm pleased to announce that two experienced FFI staff, Debbie Powell and Kathy Thomas, will now head this department. Debbie and Kathy have been promoted to "Managers of Program Services" and each will supervise a three-person staff team. For a listing of the Program Services staff members and their geographic responsibilities, please click here. I know you will join me in congratulating Kathy and Debbie on their new positions. This represents just part of our staff realignment, and I'll keep you posted as the new structure is completed.
International Conference: You have received the registration packets for the LA conference, November 4-7, 2004. We will be sending a similar announcement to our entire email list within the next few days. We are looking forward to a good turnout, and I hope you'll make plans now to ensure that your club is fully represented. For more information, please visit our website at www.friendshipforce.org
Fall FFI Board Meeting: It has now been announced that the fall meeting of the FFI Board of Trustees will be held in Atlanta on September 27 and 28, 2004. An important item on the agenda will be election of trustees and officers for 2005. Don't forget to let us know your suggestions for election to the FFI Board of Trustees. The nomination process is as follows: Any club or person has the opportunity to nominate (or apply) for vacant Board positions. New Trustees, whose terms will begin on January 1, 2005, will be elected at the September, 2004 FFI board meeting. All nominations must be received at FFI not later than July 15, 2004. Nominations should be accompanied by a resume along with the candidate's written expression of desire to serve on the Board. You may send nominations to FFI, Attention: Nominations Committee 34, Peachtree St., Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30303 or by e-mail to ffiboard@friendshipforce.org. Detailed information on the position as well as the procedures for selection can be found here.
The first month on the job as President of FFI has been hectic, but very rewarding. It has been my privilege to participate in regional meetings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Missoula, Montana; Hamburg, Germany; and tomorrow I will travel to Tokyo, Japan for the all-Japan annual meeting. Congratulations to the host clubs for all these conferences. I've been very impressed and gratified by the excellent programs and the enthusiastic participation by our leaders. I've shared my ideas for the future, and I've also been listening to our leaders-hearing their hopes for the Friendship Force, as well as the challenges that they face. Through all the meetings, receptions, meals, and parties, my faith in our organization and the dedication of our leaders has been strongly reinforced.
In the months ahead I'll be spending most of my time at the office in Atlanta, working with the staff as we complete this year's exchanges and plan for next year. I'll also be looking for new opportunities for Friendship Force International as together we seek to fulfill our vision that "a world of friends is a world of peace."
By Ann Beardon
The General Meeting of the Friendship Force of Charlottesville was held at the Ponderosa Steak House on May 3, 2004. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chuck Johnson, President. Guests were introduced: Beverly Dean and Josina Bakker.
Chuck Johnson introduced the two speakers for the evening: Alex Malnikov, a UVA student from Russia and Katya Bowers, also a UVA student who has lived and studied in Russia. Both spoke about aspects of life in Russia as experienced by them and answered questions posed by members of the attending group.
President's Report: Ken Smith is undergoing surgery for a stomach tumor; Joan Czarniak is well after a bout of pneumonia; all reports indicate that the Calgary-San Diego Exchange was quite successful.
Fund Raising: Ann Farwell has secured seven dates for Fridays-After-Fine during May 14-September 7. A sign-up list was circulated. Ann explained the duties of volunteers for these events.
Friendship Force Tee-Shirts: Gary Ziemer will order shirts for those needing one.
JAG School Meeting Facilities: Chuck Johnson asked for a show of hands for those people who do not wish to continue to use the JAG School as an alternate meeting facility during the year. There was no one against continuing this arrangement. Chuck proposed that we have dessert and coffee catered in order to build in a social time for the members when the School is used.
Treasurer's Report: Sue Corney gave the following report: as of May 4t, Total Received - $8.52; Expenses (scholarship donation) - $150.00; Current Balance - $5,436.06.
Social Events: The Richmond Club has invited our club to a picnic on June 6th; The Charlottesville Club's annual picnic will be held on July 18th at LeRoy and Helen Ida Moyer's home. A sign-up sheet for food to be brought was circulated.
Library in Ghana Report: Cheryl Kasper reported that land has been donated for a library in Winneba, Ghana and that $150,000 to be used for equipment, shipping costs, etc. has been sent to Ghana in the creation of the library.
John Webster, in charge of the club's participation in the Point 'O Fork, Columbia celebration on June 5th and 6th, reported that volunteers will be selling sodas and water in two shifts: 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM both days.
50-50: Peter Almonte won $34 of the $68 collected from raffle ticket sales.
The next meeting will be on July 18th during the picnic at the Moyer's home.
The Ambassador Friendship Force of Charlottesville, Virginia Kenneth G. Smith, Editor 9 Leisure Court Lake Monticello, VA 22963