Time flies! My year as President of FFC is rapidly nearing its end. Our Club's September meeting is the annual meeting at which we reflect on the past year, receive reports from the outgoing officers and elect the new officers for the coming year. The report of the nominating committee headed by Patricia Travers is included in this issue of the Ambassador. I want to thank her and the committee but especially those who have agreed to serve. The Club cannot thrive unless we have members who are willing to take on the necessary responsibilities.
In addition to the new officer-nominees, John Webster will assume the role of
President and Rita Stoll will become president-elect. The new officers will officially
assume their positions on January 1, 2005.
Speaking of the September meeting, we will again be at the JAG School on Tuesday, September 7, but this time we will start with a social 'hour' beginning at 6:30, dessert and coffee served. Our speaker will be Tim Wojoski, Study Abroad Advisor at U Va. Tim has lead study groups to Costa Rica and will give us an idea of what will can enjoy during our exchange there later in the month. Again, those who wish to eat dinner together can gather informally at 5:15, this time at Carmelo's on Emmett Street across from the Barracks Road Shopping Center.
Chuck and Pat Barbour along with Lynda and I hosted six international JAG School students for refreshments, dinner and a boat ride on a beautiful Saturday evening in July. They were a remarkably homogeneous group considering that they came from such diverse countries as Moldova, Nepal, Thailand, and the U.K. and have been together for less than a month. It is really a pleasure to get to know some of these young officers and I urge you to participate in this unique program. There will be a new group of JAG students starting in September. Leroy Moyer will be providing the details.
Exchanges for 2005
I am also very pleased to announce the Exchange Directors for two of the 2005 exchanges. Helen Ida Moyer will take on the inbound exchange from Arequipa, Peru, tentatively scheduled for June. We had two volunteers for the September outbound exchange to Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Darrell Stoll and Babs Fickes. Considering that Babs did a lot of work on the double inbound exchange earlier this year we decided to ask Darrell to be the ED for Russia.
At last count we had 15 members who have expressed a definite interest in the Russian exchange. This would be enough to justify the exchange but it would be much better if the number were closer to the 25 that can be accommodated. At some point, we will open the registration to persons outside our club. If you are interested, contact Darrell.
Tee Shirts
We now have a new batch of Friendship Force tee shirts, sizes medium, large and extra large. The shirts are of excellent quality and are embroidered with the familiar green logo. These are worn on exchanges and other events where we are together as a club. They are for sale at our cost, $27 each. They will be available at the September meeting. Call Chuck Johnson or whoever he recruits to take on the sale of merchandize.
Social
Our next event will be the annual Mystery Dinner, scheduled for Sunday, October 14. Joan Sours will be reporting on this at the September meeting but in the meantime, be sure to mark that date on your calendars. Also, be sure you have marked the date of the Christmas party as well, Tuesday, December 7.
Fundraising
Ann Farwell reports that our Fridays-After-Five program is going very well. We have had only one date cancelled because of rain and we were able to make that up when another of the volunteer groups had to beg off for one of the events. Friday, August 6, was a gorgeous evening, clear, dry and comfortably cool. The crowd was enormous. Fortunately, we had five volunteers that evening so that one of us could catch a break now and then.
Hats off to Ann who does a terrific job in coordinating this activity and also to those who volunteer your time down on the mall.
The Nominating committee consisting of Patricia Travers and Kathy Saurman present the following slate of new officers for 2004-05:
Vice President Mark Dryer
Treasurer Dave Ahearn
Secretary Lynda Johnson
The Friendship Force of Charlottesville held its general meeting on July 18th at the home of Ida and LeRoy Moyer. Chuck Johnson, President, began the meeting at 4:30 pm.
Exchanges
Costa Rica - John Webster announced that there will be a meeting at the end of August for those ambassadors participating in this exchange.
Russia Exchange - Babs Fickes has volunteered to be the ED for this exchange in the fall of 2005. There will be a meeting after this general meeting for all interested in hearing about this exchange.
Peru In-bound Exchange - An ED is needed for this exchange in 2005.
Social Events - Joan Sours reported that the Mystery Dinners will be held sometime in October, the Christmas party on December 7th at the Holiday Inn.
Fridays-After-Five - Ann Farwell reported that these events have been successful and that rain-outs will be made up.
JAG students have been entertained thus far by the Barbours and the Johnsons.
Members are urged to contact these students as part of our outreach efforts to introduce
them to Charlottesville life. A new group of foreign students is scheduled to arrive
at the end of August.
Sue Corney, Treasurer, reported that as of May 4, 2004, the balance on hand was $5,827.34. Since that time, the following transactions have taken place: Receivables - $476.47; Expenses - $627.00; Current Balance on Hand - $5,676.81.
Miscellaneous
FF T-shirts are available at $27 each.
All FF members are invited to the International Conference to be held in November. The Schwagerls and the Stolls plan to attend.
The next meeting will be held at the JAG School at 7 pm with refreshments at 6:30 pm. There will be a speaker who will talk about Costa Rica.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Bearden, Secretary
It is now just less than a month before 19 ambassadors from Charlottesville together with 3 from other clubs in North Carolina and St Louis will set out on an exciting Exchange with the Friendship Force club of Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a small country in Central America between Panama and Nicaragua. It is a little smaller than West Virginia. The chain of mountains that form a backbone down the length of the country, together with the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, create a varying geography of incredible natural beauty that abounds with plant and animal species.
The country became independent from Spain in 1821 and we shall have the pleasure of enjoying and participating in their Independence Day celebrations on September 15th. The country claims more than a hundred years of democracy and has not had an army for more than half that time.
Costa Ricans call themselves "ticos", said to have come from a colonial saying, "we are all hermanticos (little brothers)", and the gracious people are disposed to peace, kindness and a generosity of spirit such that no one feels a stranger for long. Turrialba is our first destination after flying in to the capital, San Jose. Located in the Central Valley, east of the capital, Turrialba is the center of a rich agricultural region, a mecca for white-water rafters and kayakers but also ideal for those interested in archaeology, agriculture or nature.
After a week of activities with our hosts including visits to National Parks, beaches,
volcanoes, archaeological sites, the rain forest etc we shall say farewell, and board a coach
for a journey to Quepos on the Pacific coast where there are national and marine parks,
coastal mountains, and beautiful beaches. From our base at the Hotel California there will
be a variety of activities and excursions available for the energetic or enquiring minds,
while others may enjoy the beach and fantastic sea views.
Five days later we will move on to the North Central Area, to the Monte del Fuego Resort, within sight of one of the worlds most active volcanoes. Eruptions send clouds of ash and fiery materials into the sky. Lava flows, visible with binoculars in daytime are spectacular at night. Mountains, plains lakes rivers, forests, farms and cattle ranches form a colorful mosaic in this region. A palette of nature and adventure excursions will be available from the resort.
At the end of the second week I am sure we will be reluctant to make our way to San Jose for the return flight to the USA but we will bring back many memories of lovely people in a beautiful and exotic environment.
Chuck Johnson has edited Bob's message to club presidents so we only have to read the "god"
stuff. That message is included as an insert in this newsletter. On the back of Bob's message is
an updated membership roster. Please check your information and let Sue Corney know of any
corrections needed.
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Dear FF1 Presidents and members:
The major objective of every Regional Representative of FFI is to improve communication with the clubs in his or her area. This goal becomes increasingly more important as Atlanta continues to reshape its staffing to meet its financial constraints. It is hoped that every club in the region will open area of dialogue with each other by sharing news publications, exchange information and especially be encouraging member participation in both the International Conference and the 2005 Regional Meeting. More information on these two important dates is listed below.
NEW MID ATLANTIC PROGRAM COORDINATOR:
Kathy Thomas has replaced Mary Mwambay as coordinator for the Mid Atlantic Region. Kathy will take over club matters and outbound exchanges. Mary has moved on to helping the clubs in Western Europe. Kathy's e-mail is KThomas@friendshipforce.org or by phone 404-965-4332 or (1-800-554-9490 ext 332). Kathy's duties will encompass more than one region and has resulted in our establishing an ED assistance program.
EXCHANGE DIRECTOR ASSISTANCE AND TRAVEL ADVISOR:
As previously noted in a June memo to all club Presidents we have instituted a new avenue for exchange directors to obtain advice and information. Regional Representatives have been encouraged to seek out a experienced FFI and travel individuals to assist club ED'S. This can be especially helpful to a club that has obtained only a one-week exchange and is looking to options for the second week. We are fortunate to have such a qualified person in Frank Saurman of the Charlottesville Club who owns not only owns a travel agency but has been an ED and former club president.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE LOS ANGELES
Conference-date November 4-7, 2004. Registration has been extended to September 13, 2004. It is important that as many of our clubs be represented as possible. Please confirm your attendance to me. We are planning a wine and cheese gathering for all Mid Atlantic participants, it will provide an additional opportunity for us to gather and share the FFI experience
MID Atlantic 2005 CONFERENCE:
Mark Your calendars! April 8 to 10th, 2005, members of the Friendship Force Clubs in the Mid Atlantic will come together at the Best Western Inn, Harrisburg, PA to share ideas, renew friendship and relax over good food with a variety of speakers and entertainment. George Brown, FFI President has accepted an invitation as a main speaker. For any questions, topic suggestions please contact the chairperson. Victoria Inscho, 20 Vista Circle, Etters, PA 17319, phone: 717-938-1041, or e-mai1 vinscho@epix.net.
EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES:
Be a Bridgebuilder! An exciting exchange for antique collectors is being planned for Devon, England in March Of 2005, Want more information? Contact Kathy Thomas in Atlanta
Bob Schwagerl
Mid Atlantic Regional Representative
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The Ambassador Friendship Force of Charlottesville, Virginia Kenneth G. Smith, Editor 9 Leisure Court Lake Monticello, VA 22963