Rambling Rita
September is just around the corner. It always seems to me, September is a time to shift gears. This is the last chance to make the year really count.
We certainly have the opportunity to make this year stand out. Our Annual Meeting this year will be a first. Never before has the President of the organization been available to us. President, George Brown has set a personal goal to make an appearance at all the clubs. I must say that is quite a goal. It will certainly be an event we can use to our advantage. If you are asking, what can I bring to the table? I have a couple of suggestions, enthusiasm, interest in the future of the organization, and a friend. If possible I will try to work in a question and answer period after the President speaks.
We will be laying a foundation for the future by presenting a slate of officers for the coming year…I am very optimistic about this new Board of Directors. They will bring new ideas, new energy, new direction and new faces into the fold. We are presenting a truly great mix. I am very pleased with the work of the nominating committee. It is a job well done. Please take a moment to thank John Webster and Mark Dryer for the time and thought they put into this endeavor.
We have another opportunity to make this year stand out. This is due mainly to the hard work and devotion of the fund raising committee. Cheryl Kasper has led her group on a new path with the concept of the Photo Contest. This project has now moved from the conception phase to the finalization process. The committee has selected a Date, a Venue, and a Theme. They have their advertising strategy planned in great detail. This group now needs HELP.
This is where you "Enter the Picture". Yes, you. Every member of the club has something to offer to this campaign. I dare say everyone that has taken pictures truly believes they have a picture somewhere in their archive that would win a prize. Folks here is your chance: get it out, dust it off, and enter it in the First Friendship Force Photo contest. Do you know someone who is a great photographer? Give them a call. Let them know we need a few nice pictures.
OK, say you don't take pictures; you don't know anyone that takes pictures. So, come to the event. Invite your friends to the event. Tickets will be on sale at the Annual Meeting. Buy a few to pass out to your friends. Tickets will also be available at the door. Participate.
The International Conference for 2006 in Ireland still has space. The International Conference for 2007 will be in Ashville, North Carolina, April 27thru 29. More information to come later.
See you at the Annual Meeting
Nominations
The nominating committee for the 2007 Board positions will be nominating the following members:
President Mark Dryer President-elect Arlene Bandy Vice President Brian Bouton Treasurer Beverly Hankins Secretary Barbara Kelshaw.
If any other member wishes to be considered for one of these positions they will have an opportunity to put their name forward at the meeting on September 7th, prior to the vote.
John Webster
Social Events
The Summer Picnic was held at the Dryer's home on July 16th and was a great success, with a good turnout. Thank you Margaret and Mark for being such great hosts. Thanks also to Dee and Bob Schwagerl for the excellent barbecue, and to everyone who brought the delicious side dishes, salads and desserts.
Our Christmas Party will be held in the Falconer Room at Lake Monticello clubhouse on Monday December 4th. Please make a note of the date. Further details will be forthcoming.
The Social Committee.
Fund Raising
The Photo Committee is gearing up for our Sept. 9 meeting! We will have a table set up where you can pick up application blanks to enter our contest, flyers to distribute to friends and business establishments, and advance tickets for sale at $6.00 to our gala Photo Show on Oct. 27. If you are an early bird, you can also drop off your matted photos that evening. We hope everyone will participate fully and invite their friends and neighbors to enter the contest and come to our show. You will find our flyer and an application blank in this newsletter. Please feel free to make and distribute copies.
FFC worked a total of five Fridays this season, netting our club $1085. Many thanks to the numerous members who helped out at Fridays After Five. We would not have had successful participation without you!By and large, our FFC members seemed to enjoy doing the ID checking while greeting those attending the concerts. It was a very friendly atmosphere. If you have not participated, please consider it for 2007.
Cheryl Kasper, fundraising co-chair
Minutes for Bi-monthly Meeting -- July 16, 2006
Members and guests enjoyed a picnic at Margaret and Mark Dryers. The meeting was called to order by Rita Stoll, President. Pictures of various exchanges were on display; thanks to Darrell Stoll for the presentation.
Welcome and Introduction of Visitors: Kathy and Frank Saurman brought guests, George and Gale Robertson. Ginny and Ted Mullinnix were accompanied by their daughter, Kellee Goldmann.
Disclaimer: Please let me know if I accidentally left off any names.
Several new members were introduced.
Treasurer's Report ($5161.44 Balance) approved.
May Minutes approved.
Barbara Kelshaw, fund raising committee, announced that we have been given two additional evenings for Fridays after 5. (August 8 and Sept. 1) Volunteers needed
Barbara Kelshaw, Arlene Bandy, and Peter Almonte explained the juried photo activity planned for October 27, 2006--application examples were distributed. Full participation is encouraged. Peter also mentioned that the Friendship Force Club will be the theme of his water color exhibits at the Senior Center (August 16) and Gallery Crawl on the mall, August 4, 2006
Rita expressed the Club's thanks to the social committee, Doni Ahearn and Shirley
Webster for the picnic and Christmas party planning. The Christmas activity will be held
at the Lake Monticello Clubhouse early December.
Outbound (France) 2006
Brian and Maryam Bouton, gave interesting details and humor about the tours, host(s), food,
and parties. Brian and Maryam will have guests in their home from France July 30 to
August 6 and will be planning some activities if anyone would like to join them. (This
is not an official Friendship Force activity).
Frank Saurman expressed the feeling about the friendship and love expressed between the U.S. and French people during the exchange. Frank had stepped in to serve as ED after the illness of Bob Schwagerl.
Inbound (Australia) 2006
Thanks were expressed by the club to Rita and Darrell for the fantastic Farewell Party.
Mark Dryer stated how much they had enjoyed hosting two of the Australian ambassadors.
Others expressed how much they had enjoyed the ambassadors and activities.
Outbound (England) 2007
Frank Saurman is currently working on the exchange to England. His early concern is that
they may not be able to host any more than 15 people. He is not accepting ambassador
applications until he ties down more details which will be forthcoming.
Inbound (France) 2007
Bob Schwagerl is working on these plans. Louisa Dixon, a member who now resides in
Staunton (from France) will be traveling to France August 4. Their club is not yet
officially established-it is the hope that Louisa will be helpful with the organizing of
the new club. If the France exchange is not able to be launched in time to plan an
outbound exchange, Bob is of the opinion that Atlanta will offer us another inbound. If,
for any reason, we do not have an international inbound for 2007, we can plan a domestic
exchange.
Members Can Join In With Other Exchanges
Bob also explained there is still another way to travel (this is new): Atlanta International exchanges run by Atlanta to three different locations: Jordan, Chile, and Norway. It was also mentioned that the International Meeting in Dublin, October 2006, is still available. Arlene and Richard Bandy, Dee and Bob Schwagerl are attending.
President's Dinner: September 7, 2006 at the Jefferson Heights complex at Pantops. This is an attractive facility which they are offering for our use at no cost. Plans are to use a caterer often used by Jefferson Heights. Final details to come soon.
George Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Friendship Force will be our guest and speaker. George received his Masters and Ph.D from UVA's School of International Studies. Bob Schwagerl has written the Provost offering a speaking opportunity to the students. Members were encouraged to bring guests to this very special occasion; Mr. Brown is an excellent speaker so it could potentially be a great membership boost. He will be attending the UVA football game with Bob and Dee; hopefully an acknowledgement on the scoreboard welcoming him will put FFI in front of 60,000 people.
50/50: $70 collected - winner Harold Kelshaw
Submitted by Arlene Bandy