Cheryl Kasper
The Russian Leadership Program is over and what a wonderful success it was. Our Russian doctors were so warm and appreciative, loved their program, the USA and us. It was a fabulous opportunity for learning, growth, understanding, and friendship on both sides.
Mariya, one of the Russian facilitators, wrote the following email after their return:
"We miss Charlottesville, bus rides with Smilla, your great program and hosts. Thank you once again for a lovely farewell dinner, picnic and EVERYTHING!!! It was one of my favorite trips to the US. Thank you for your warm and kind patience with us! Looking forward to seeing you in Russia! With love, Mariya"
Dr. Kryzhanovski, Director of the Office of International Health at UVA, who also participated in the program, wrote the following: "Congratulations! The program was a great success. The Russian doctors enjoyed their stay in Charlottesville immensely. Please send kind regards and best wishes to all your members. In friendship, Vladimir"
We know that our future exchanges will bring us the same warmth, love, understanding, and friendship as this one. As we reach across miles, language and cultural barriers, we learn anew that "a world of friends is a world of peace."
October 16-23 - Inbound Exchange from Cornwall, England (ED: LeRoy and Helen Ida Moyer)
November 5 - General Meeting
November 7-10 - FFI Conference in Dallas (Cheryl and Mel Kasper will be attending)
December 2 - New/Old Board Transition Meeting
December 14 - Christmas Party (Darrell and Rita Stoll)
March 27-30, 2003 - Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting (Bob Schwagerl)
April/May 2003 - Outbound Exchange to Devon, UK and Norderstedt,
Germany (ED: Bob Schwagerl)
General Meeting
Tuesday, November 5, Ponderosa Steak House; Dinner-5:30 pm; Meeting-6: 30 pm
Christmas Boutique, Discussion and vote on revised By-Laws, Recaps of Russian Leadership Program, and Cornwall Inbound Exchange Recognition of members
Last chance to sign up for the Farewell Potluck Dinner for Cornwall exchange October 22 at 6:00 pm in activity center of Incarnation Church. Located on Incarnation Drive in Charlottesville. Please call Patricia Travers at 977-3506 to let her know what you are bringing: Wine, Appetizer, entrée or dessert. REMEMBER to double your recipe.
Why not bring a friend to a Friendship Force Party?? Be sure to let Patricia know if you do intend to bring a guest. Remember to increase your recipe accordingly.
Bob Schwagerl, Exchange Director
I want to publicly thank Cheryl Kasper, our President and the Board of Officers, for their appointment as Exchange Director for the trip to Devon, England and Norderstedt, Germany in April or May of 2003. With the Regional Conference coming to Charlottesville the end of March, 2003 we are requesting a May date. Atlanta has recommended April based on the Devon's Club schedule. I've e-mailed England and hope for success in making the change.
Of course, it is much too early to be able to suggest a cost for the exchange. We will have to await that number before opening the exchange to reservations. However, we do expect a lot of interest and support in making this trip. Our top number of Ambassadors is twenty-four (24). Currently, our plans call for announcing the cost and opening reservations via The Ambassador, with reservations being on a first come basis. Reservations will be by mail only with the postmark being the defining factor. I would welcome other suggestions based on a fair opportunity for all club members.
A little about Devon: Devon is the second largest county in England situated in the southwest corner and enjoys a moderate climate year round. Spring will be mild, but wet. History wise Sir Francis Drake waited in Plymouth for the weather to finish the Spanish Armada. Sir Walter Raleigh was born locally and received his knighthood for throwing his clothes across a puddle. So be ye knight or pirate England begins! More to come!
Cheryl Kasper called the meeting to order. Approximately 56 Friendship Force members were in attendance.
It was announced that the Friendship Force T-shirts were sold out; pins and cookbooks were available for purchase (a nice gift for incoming ambassadors).
Jim Hart spoke about the upcoming Russian Ambassadors who will be here Sept. 15th-- 27th. The Library of Congress as part of the "Over World Russian Leadership Program" sponsors this group. The focus of this group is health care. Medical and other health-related facilities are to be included in their Charlottesville itinerary. In addition to the planned health-related functions, other activities will include a picnic at Mclntire Park, farewell dinner at the Lake Monticello Clubhouse, and informal dinner parties on Monday and Tuesday evenings, On Friday, 9/20, the delegation will attend a welcoming ceremony at the Charlottesville Mayor's office.
Prior to the Russians' arrival, there will be a Dinner/Cultural Awareness Night at the Immigrant Soul Restaurant in Charlottesville on 9/11. Jim Hart and Yuri Urbanovitch will be the speakers.
Treasurer Trudy Baroncelli announced that as of 8/31/02 there was $1,854.94 in the treasury. In addition, we have been accorded $4,500. by the Library of Congress to help defray expenses incurred during the Russian visit.
It was reported that public relations endeavors include "Old Farm Day", "After- Five" booth at the Downtown Mall, and Barnes & Noble gift-wrapping.
Dee Schwagerl spoke about the Mystery Dinner to be held on Oct. 6th at 5:00 PM. Participants will receive instructions as the date nears.
Bob Schwagerl presented the 2003 candidates for office and asked for any
additional nominees. No new names were submitted. Therefore the officers were
approved as follows:
President - Patricia Travers Pres. Elect - Chuck Johnson Vice Pres. - John Webster Secretary - Ann Bearden Treasurer - Sue Carney
Chuck Johnson reported that the Ottawa, Canada trip was a glowing success. A plaque was donated by the Friendship Force to commemorate a one-meter section of the Trans-Canada Trail in Quebec. The Charlottesville F. F. has a copy of the plaque for its archives. Chuck also noted that the Ottawa F. E plans to send ambassadors here in the spring of 2004, hopefully to coincide with our spring garden tour events.
Helen Ida Moyer spoke about the October Cornwall ambassadors visit. A list of planned activities was given to the hosts. John & Shirley Webster and Mark & Margaret Dryer informed us of Cornwall's history, customs, and language (some which differ from ours).
Bob Schwagerl spoke again about the Regional Friendship Force Conference to be held in March 2003 here in Charlottesville. An expected number of 250 to 300 people will be housed at the Holiday Inn. An open meeting for volunteers to help out during the conference will be held Sept. 4th at the Lake Monticello Clubhouse. Additional volunteers would be welcomed.
The next Friendship Force meeting will be November 5th at Ponderosa Restaurant at 5:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Ann Bearden
Ann Farwell
Having participated in Fridays After Five on May 31st and October 4th, and Old Farm Day on October 5th, our next project is being organized. We will be wrapping Christmas gifts at Barnes & Noble (and we keep the tips). I have been told this can be quite remunerative.
Our assigned times are: November 29th from 1:00 to 6:00PM; December 9th from 11:00AM to 4:00PM; December 18th from 9:00AM to 1:00PM; and December 20th from 9:00AM to 1:00PM, a total of 18 hours. We will need 22 people to cover the assigned hours including several back-ups. Please consider doing this. It should be fun. Call me at 974-9985 to volunteer. As always, ideas for fund-raising events are most welcome.
Included with The Ambassador this issue are two versions of the membership roster. One is sorted by last name, and one is sorted by first name. As our club grows, it will be tougher to remember all of the names. Hope this helps. (note: this is not included in the WEB versions.)
2002 Mystery Dinners: The Spring dinner was a complete success. Five host families entertained 34 Friendship Force members. The event was a quite popular way of getting to know our fellow ambassadors.
The Fall dinner: Scheduled as this article is being written (early October), and will have even more FFC members participating.
Picnic: Our annual picnic was graciously hosted by LeRoy and Helen Ida Moyers. We had a great turnout.
Christmas Party: The annual Christmas Party is scheduled for December 14th at Lake Monticello Club House. It will be a sit down dinner with cash bar.
Fund Raising
Ann Farwell
Fridays After Five: The Club provided staff for a soft drink stand on May 31st and October 4th.
Old Farm Day: A stand at the Old Farm Day celebration in Fluvanna was staffed by FFC. Cookbooks were on sale, and lots of FF literature and information was dispensed.
Gift Wrapping: FFC people will staff the wrapping center at Barnes & Noble on four days during the holidays. The dates are include in the article in the left column of this page.
Thanks to John Webster for these wonderful photos. He has several more I am sure he will be happy for all to see. They are available on the web.
The Ambassador Friendship Force of Charlottesville, Virginia Kenneth G. Smith, Editor 9 Leisure Court Lake Monticello, VA 22963