Patricia's Ponderings
By Patricia Travers
By Patricia Travers
At the May 20th board meeting it was decided by the board that we need to address the following:
The changes in the FFI in Atlanta, especially in regard to our travel arrangements, necessitate that we examine, among other issues, the arrangement we wish to implement regarding recompense for our exchange directors. Thus, the Board submits the following proposals:
Or
Please give these proposals careful consideration. They will be voted upon on July 20th during the business portion (4:30 p. m.) of our picnic.
As you may already know Tweed Valley has cancelled their exchange as the result of a diminished number of their club ambassadors committed to the exchange.
Regarding future travel agencies, since we now handle our own International bookings, Cheryl Kasper researched the matter of travel agencies at my request. She submitted a report to the Board. The board decided to let future ED try their choice of one of the three agencies Cheryl interviewed before considering making a decision to use one permanently. It was noted that Frank Saurman represents one of the companies and certainly would understand our needs from being an active member for years.
Raleigh, NC, on November 14-16, 2003, will host the Atlantic Regional Leadership Conference.
The slate for next year's officers will be submitted in July.
See you in July at the picnic,
In friendship,
We thank the many people who volunteered to host International students at the JAG school in various different activities around the community. The activities list has been sent to the officials there and we can expect responses beginning when their next class begins in July. LeRoy Moyer has agreed to coordinate this program from our end and he may be calling you soon.
We have invited representatives from the school to speak at our September meeting to tell us what the school does, particularly in their international program. This will give all of us a chance to meet some truly interesting people from the far corners of the earth.
The meeting of the membership on Tuesday, September 2 will be held in a new location - the Judge Advocate General (JAG) School near the U VA campus. This is a one time trial but if it works well and is popular with the membership, we plan to schedule some of our future meetings at this facility.
The JAG school is located on Massie Road, next to the U VA Law School. You can get there by turning off Emmet Street onto Arlington Blvd. at the south end of the Barracks Road shopping center (by McDonalds). Go to the stop sign at the end and turn right onto Massie Road. The JAG school will be on your left. There is parking in front of or on the right side of the building. Check in with the guard at the desk as you enter and he will direct you to the meeting room. We plan to start the meeting at about 6:45.
There will be no food served at the meeting but for those of you who would like to gather for dinner, we suggest that we meet at Wild Greens in the North Wing of the Barracks Road shopping center at about 5:15. If you have the Hospice of the Piedmont dining coupon book for 2002-2003, there is a 'twofer' for Wild Greens that can be used on Tuesday evenings. Reservations are suggested.
Regretfully I have today cancelled the proposed exchange from Tweed Valley to Charlottesville Va., Missoula Western MA. and Penticton B.C. Canada.
My potential ambassadors numbers have continued to drop and now is three. As both president and exchange director I am extremely sorry and disappointed that the involvement of this club in international exchanges has reached such a low level.
Perhaps we will meet when there is more peace in the world. Until then all I can say is I am sorry. Yours in friendship, Alistair.
We have some FFC cookbooks left, and they are looking for someone to market them. They make great gifts.
If you have any ideas on how we can sell them, and interest in doing so, please call me. -- Patricia
Plans are really shaping up for our outbound exchange to sunny California. We presently have (21) Ambassadors signed up to go. Current plans call for the home stay portion in San Diego to take place on October 8 - 14, 2003. In addition there is unanimous agreement for extending our stay in California another week with a tour through San Francisco and on to the wine country finishing up in Lake Tahoe and home from Reno Nevada. All-in-all, it will be an exciting trip.
Our San Diego hosts can accommodate up to (24) Ambassadors. If there is any interest on the part of other club members, please contact me.
Muriel Badler, Exchange Director 2 Laguna Road, Palmyra, VA. 22963 Phone # 434 589-9286 E-Mail: HiHi@Cstone.net
* Oct 1- 17 Curitiba and Engenheiro, Brazil. Contact FF of Raleigh, NC, SusanCAnderson@webtv.net
* Friendship Force.27th International Conference Budapest, Hungary...
October 30-November 2, 2003
Contact via email ...
conf@friendshipforce.org
* October 13 to 28, 2003.New Zealand Exchange. Two weeks on North Island in the cities of Hawera (costal in dairy /farming area) and Taupo on a lake. ..Contact FF of Greater Harrisburg. Application due July 1, 2003. gidgegee@aol.com; Glenda Geegee (171) 737-4639.
The Blue Ridge English As A Second Language (BRESL) organization is a non-profit, totally volunteer-run enterprise targeting the immigrant population living in this area. The organization engages in three main activities: (1) Tutoring adults in the acquisition and/or better mastery of the English language; (2) Running a 3-week day camp for youngsters ages 6-12 in Charlottesville; (3) Co-sponsoring a 6-week family literacy program for ESL families.
The adult tutoring program is a year-around program. Instruction is given by volunteers trained in the Laubach method. Training consists of 18 hours of instruction in the use of the Laubach method. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 16 tutoring hours once they have completed the training program
This summer marks the third year of the camp's existence. It began as a 1-week program and has been expanded to cover 3 weeks this summer. The camp is designed to expose and enrich the youngsters' awareness of the cultural, social and civic aspects of our society. The camp is located here in Charlottesville and runs Monday through Friday, 9-4 pm. The cost for each youngster is $105 for 3 weeks, $35 for 1 week, and $7 for 1 day. The FF Board voted to sponsor one child for the three weeks at $105.
I have spoken with the Executive Director, the Chairman of the Board, a Lake Monticello volunteer, and attended BRESL's Board meeting on June 7th. I feel that this is a worthwhile organization from having researched it as stated. They do very much welcome any contributions - money and/or time!
I shall be happy to try to address any questions you may have or you may contact them directly at: Blue Ridge ESL, 214 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903; Tel: 977-7988.
We covered soft drink sales at the Friday After Five on May 2nd and June 6th. On May 2nd, we earned $159.37, and expect to earn the same for the June 6th outing. With three more dates to work, the Club stands to earn about $800.
Unfortunately, the sale of soft drinks for the Point of Fork celebration was rained out by 11 AM. This of course, was a major disappointment.
Many thanks are expressed to those members who worked at these events. It is much appreciated.
Ideas for future fund raisers are always welcome. Call me at 434 974-9985
The FF general meeting, held on May 6th at the Ponderosa Steak House, was called to order by Patricia Travers at 6:30 p.m. The meeting opened with a welcome back home to the Devon-Norderstedt ambassadors. Visitors Bobby Rawlson, Nancy McAdams and Maud Henne were introduced and welcomed.
Two corrections to the Minutes of the March 4th meeting were noted. The Minutes were otherwise approved as written.
Patricia thanked Ken Smith for his work on the Newsletter. The deadline for the next issue is June 12th.
Treasurer's Report
Expenses: Food Lion Mailing $20.27 Newsletter postage 17.39 Dues to Atlanta 70.00 Total Expenses $107.66 Receivables Dues $254.00 VA Books 28.50 Cook Books 81.00 Pins 18.00 50/50 41.50 Total Received $423.00 As of May 3, 2003 Bank Balance is $3,420.17
Sue announced that she will be away for several weeks beginning August 7th. Anyone anticipating needing a cash advance during that period should settle with her before August 7th.
Fundraising - Ann Farwell
Fridays After Five & Point of Fork
A sheet listing names and on-duty times of volunteers was circulated for participants in both After Five and Point-of Fork events. Volunteers will receive a letter of instructions from Ann prior to the events.
Volunteers for After Five may park for free at Lexis Nexis. Although an entrance fee of $3.00 is being charged for this event this year, volunteers are not required to pay. For security reasons, volunteers must wear Coca-Cola tee-shirts which will be provided. Point-of Fork volunteers are requested to wear FF shirts and identification badges.
Social - The annual picnic will be held July 19th at the home of Don and Babs Fickes.
Website - LeRoy Moyer requested news and pictures of the recent exchange for the Website.
Cookbooks - Someone is needed to take over the responsibility for overseeing the sale of the cookbooks.
Exchanges
Tweed Valley - Australia -- Betsy Edgecomb -- Ten ambassadors are scheduled to arrive on August 17th for one week. Volunteers for various aspects of this visit are needed. A sign-up sheet was circulated for those interested in participating in this event.
San Diego, California -- Muriel Badler -- This exchange is scheduled for next October. We have been told that California can host 20 to 24 ambassadors. A sign-up sheet is posted for interested in going.
The San Diego club has expressed interest in coming to Charlottesville next spring during the garden tours. If interested in serving as Director for this exchange, contact Patricia Travers or Chuck Johnson.
Devon-Norderstedt Exchange -- Bob Schwagerl -- This exchange appeared to be a successful one for everyone. Expenses did not necessitate using the $150 designated for outbound exchanges, despite the following gifts/donations: plant(s) to both Devon and Norderstedt, a $100 donation to the Lutheran church in Norderstedt and wine for the farewell dinner in Norderstedt.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference -- Bob Schwagerl -- Bob reported that the conference was a big success on multiple fronts:
Those members of our club who worked for 14 months to put the conference together were individually recognized by Bob.
Proceeds from the conference totaled $1,100 after expenses, including the following gifts: $500 to Atlanta; $200 to Women's Rights in Afghanistan (presented to Mrs. Ramazani); $100 to the Fluvanna Community Singers for their Choraleers Singers' performance at the conference.
JAG Connection -- Chuck Johnson
JAG students will be invited to the October 19th 'mystery dinners" in addition to one-on-one exchanges with FF members during the fall.
The FF September meeting will be held at the JAG facilities.
Correspondence -- Patricia Travers -- A letter to the FF from Rosalyn Carter which was in response to our letter to her was read.
Other -- Troxie Harding was welcomed back after an absence.
Ann Harding of the Devon, England club is heading an exchange to Vietnam November 12-28. If interested, contact her.
50-50 -- George Travers -- Patricia Travers won $41, half of the $82 collected.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Bearden , Secretary
As Americans, we have much for which to be thankful. As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, let's be mindful of the men and women serving in the armed forces around the world.
We are often reminded that our freedom was bought for a extremely high price. The cost of maintaining that freedom can also be high. Take a moment today to express your appreciation to some member of the armed forces community.
The Friendship Force of Charlottesville Club's effort to reach out to the JAG School attendees is an opportunity to demonstrate our pride by a person to person FFC relationship with a service woman or man on duty at the JAG School.
The Place is at the Fickes': 51 Out of Bounds Road, Lake Monticello
Please bring a dish to share and your own alcoholic beverages. FFC will furnish soft drinks.
A dish to share should be:
Let's meet 2:00 - 4:00 for social, boat rides, and swiming, etc. (the water is great this year).
Annual meeting 4:00-5:00
Dinner and finishing the evening with more socializing:5:30PM until.
The nominating committee of Cheryl Kasper, Hy Badler and Chuck Johnson propose the following as the 2004 slate of officers:
For President.........Chuck Johnson For President-Elect...John Webster For Vice President....Rita Stoll For Treasurer.........Sue Corney For Secretary.........Ann Beardon
Congratulations and thanks to these members willing to serve in these important
positions. The Club also thanks the nominating committee for its service.
Please note: Ken Smith's new e-mail address is: kgsa@peken.org
The Ambassador Friendship Force of Charlottesville, Virginia Kenneth G. Smith, Editor 9 Leisure Court Lake Monticello, VA 22963