Rambling Rita

We now have two very successful exchanges under our belts for 2006. I am saddened by the fact that the Australia out bound had to be canceled. I want to thank Frank Saurman for stepping in at the last minute for Bob for the France Exchange. It was wonderful to have someone like Frank in the wings.

Peggy Smith did a great job with the inbound from Australia. So, also a big "Thank You" to Peggy and her helpers.

We now have two big events to go, The Presidents visit in September and our Fund Raiser in October. The board is busy working on the President's visit. We have a venue lined up, (Jefferson Heights Apartments Dining Hall) and a caterer (Chef Scott) has agreed to cater the event.

The Fund Raising committee has also been working on the Photo Contest. They have spent a great deal of time and effort. They will need a great deal more help from the membership. You will hear more from them at the July meeting.

The July meeting will be held at the Dryer's Home. The date is July 16 and the time is 3PM. We are asking all members to bring a friend. We are so happy with our new members however we need more. This is a great time for us to show the community what we are about, having just completed two great exchanges. So be sure to bring a friend and bring your stories and photos to share.

This brings me to a subject about sharing. It seems to me that is what we are doing. We are sharing our selves with the rest of the world. But are we?? Are we bringing what is important to the table? Or are we bringing our judgments? Do we listen when our guest or host talk? Do we hear the pride in their voices? Do we hear the love in their hearts? Or are their words drowned out by the comparisons we are making?

I have learned a good bit from my friends in Friendship Force. One of those things is what to leave at home. Jewelry stays at home, fancy clothes, and shoes that hurt your feet. Most of the time you won't need a hair dryer, and if you do you can borrow one. The superiority complex should definitely stay home. You will not need the picture of your grandson wearing his tux on a cruise ship in Alaska. But you could take the picture of him playing in a mud puddle with the little stick of wood he calls a boat.

I have also learned what we show our guest matters also. One of the first inbound that Darrell and I hosted was for an Australian couple. We were so proud to show off our beautiful area. And we really thought we had done a good job. But, toward the end of the stay the couple asks us where "The Projects" were. I must admit we did not know what they were talking about. They made it clear to us we had not shown them where the poor people lived. So, we quickly took a detour through "The Projects". So, now when we home host I always ask, do you want to see "The Projects".

When you really share you open the door all the way.

See you in July
Rita

The Social Committee plans on calling all members after July 1 about the picnic. They will be asking for the number of people attending and the food contribution they are planning to bring. We are asking that everyone bring a friend or two. If you have questions, please call Doni Ahern or Shirley Webster.

Directions to Mark & Margaret Dryer's home, 830 Charter Oaks Drive, Charlottesville, VA Ph. 434-978-7021

From Pantops, take 250 West to Park Street exit. Right at top of ramp. Park Street, turns into E. Rio Road, Right into Dunlore estate. Second Right onto Charter Oaks Drive, to end house.

From Fashio Square Mall take E. Rio Road (East) (north of Mall). Left into Dunlora estate, second Right onto Charter Oaks Drive, to end house.

Funding Raising
            Cheryl Kasper

Photography Show - FFC will be sponsoring a photography show on Friday, October 27, 6:30-8:30 pm, at the Charlottesville Convention Bureau Meeting Room on the East end on the Downtown Mall. We urge all of you to submit your best photos for the show. You may submit up to five photos for a $5.00 entry fee. Categories are: Friendship Moments, People, Landscapes, Nature Close-ups, Architecture, and Eclectic. Photos must be matted, not larger than 11x14. Application forms and details will be available at the picnic. Application deadline is October 2. Beryl Solla, chair of the PVCC Dept. of Art, will jury the show. Ribbons will be awarded for first, second, and third prizes in each of the six categories.

The evening will include wine and cheese, projector pictures of FFC Exchanges, and recorded music from the Lobethal, Australian Harmony Club. Admission will be $6.00. We hope that all our members will participate in this event.

Fridays After Five - Thus far FFC has volunteered doing ID checking on April 21 and June 2. FFC will staff the Bottled Beer and Wine booth and Starr Hill Trailer Station on July 21. These three events will net FFC $685. We were commended by Pavilion for our outstanding service during inclement weather on June 2. It is a lot of fun as you meet and greet your Charlottesville neighbors! There should be more opportunities to serve during the rest of the summer.

If you wish to work on the Photography Show or volunteer for Fridays After Five, please phone Barbara Kelshaw (589-8075) or Cheryl Kasper (589-6148).

Dublin, Ireland

The friendliness of the Irish is world-renowned! The locals welcome visitors and are keen to help or just while the time with you in a pub or on a park bench. The history and culture of thousands of years are evident from the sites of Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the beautiful Georgian architecture--- but time has not stood still here. This is a modern, well-designed city that is very easy to navigate by foot or on the excellent public transport system. Come and experience all that Dublin has to offer at this year's International Conference.

Conference Highlights: This year our conference takes place at the new conference facility, Crowne Plaza - Dublin Airport. This is a unique facility that has two hotel properties adjacent to the conference complex: the 3-star Express by Holiday Inn (the official conference hotel) or the 4-star Crowne Plaza (available for those who would like to upgrade). The facility is situated in a wooded park 2km (1.2 miles) from Dublin Airport and 8km (5miles) from the city center. On Friday afternoon, October 13 th, we have an optional leadership seminar for the 2007 club leaders - Presidents and Exchange Directors. That evening we officially kick-off the conference with an opening banquet at the Crown Plaza - Dublin Airport. Workshops begin on Saturday morning. In addition to the workshops that are pertinent to Friendship Force leaders and members, we also have workshops on the local culture and history of Ireland. All the workshops end Saturday in time for dinner on your own or with friends at the optional Taylor's Irish Night. The conference concludes Sunday morning, October 15th.

FFI General Meeting Minutes May 2, 2006

The Friendship Force of Charlottesville meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm at the Ponderosa Restaurant by President Rita Stoll.

She welcomed guest, Pat Wolf and new but previous member, Betsy Edgecomb.

The minutes were not read since they appeared in the last "Ambassador" issue.

Treasurer's report: Dave Ahearn has resigned due to his personal workload and Bev Hankins has volunteered to be our treasurer. She was not present. However, Rita reported that we have a balance of $5640 in the treasury.

Fundraising: Barbara Kelshaw announced that we are working at Fridays after Five again this year. We will have a tent over our heads and chairs to sit on, making it a pleasanter experience. She is looking for volunteers to sign up to oversee soda sales and ID checking on Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30. We will be holding a juried photography show, called "Visions of Friendship and Peace" on Oct. 20th at the Charlottesville Tourism and Convention Center on the Mall. Wine and cheese will be served from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Arlene Bandy and she encourages everyone to participate.

Arlene Bandy reported on the new projector that FF of C has purchased. It is an LP600, for use with digital photos. She is asking for volunteers to learn how to operate it and to supervise its use. The next Mid -Atlantic Conference organizers are looking for photos of our group activities to project with the new equipment.

Bob Schwagerl reported on the Mid-Atlantic President's Roundtable that was held here in late March. He noted that in the FFI Annual Report for 2005, Charlottesville was mentioned as one of the top financial donors to National for the year. A letter sent to Bob and Dee from a girl in Brazil regarding the importance of our organization was reprinted in the report. He thanked all of those who hosted the attendees during the conference, that had representatives from 12 of the 14 clubs in our region. 47 people attended the final dinner.

Frank Saurman commended Bob on the organization of the meeting and how worthwhile it was for the participants. Bob thanked Patricia Travers and Chuck Johnson for getting him involved in the original plans for the conference.

Outbound Exchange- Bob Schwagrl repoted that all was well and some of the participants had already left for Europe. He showed off the FFI banner that we will be presenting to the Besencon club.

At our next regular meeting which will be on Sep 7, George Brown, President of FFI will be our guest. The next International Conference will be in Ireland, Oct. 13-15, 2006. There will be a pre- and post-conference tour available to the participants.

There is a new exchange process within our region which asks clubs to open up their exchanges to members of other clubs. This is to encourage the full complement of participants taking advantage of exchanges.

JAG School activities: Chuck Johnson reported on the cocktail party/picnic/boat ride event that was held at Lake Monticello last Sunday. The 3 JAG students plus one spouse attended with 14 members who live at the lake. He especially thanked Ann Bearden and Peter Almonte for hosting the picnic for the group as well as Peter and the Kaspers for the boat rides. The students graduate the end of May and a new group will arrive this summer.

Social Events: Shirley Webster announced that the annual picnic will be at the Dryer's home on July 16th at 3:00. Guests who are interested in Friendship Force are welcome.

Inbound Exchange, Murray Bridge: Peggy Smith gave an update regarding the exchange. All hosts, day hosts, dinner parties and activities are in place. Babs Fickes reported on what will be included in their gift bags. Rita is having the Farewell Dinner at her home and the theme will be a hobo dinner.

Exchanges, 2007:Outbound-Leistershire England: Frank Saurman has volunteered to the E.D. Inbound- Besencon: Bob Schwegerl has volunteered to be the ED Dates are not set as yet.

It was announced that on May 13 there will be an International Festival in Lee Park.

Derrell Stoll showed photos of the trip Rita and he took to Egypt recently. Excellent photos and interesting presentation.

Rita adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.

            Respectfully Submitted,
            Lynda Johnson, Secretary

The Ambassador
Friendship Force of Charlottesville
LeRoy Moyer, Editor
1863 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
Charlottesville, VA 22902-7520