We now have WV pins available for sale.They are made of pewter, are in the shape of WV with mountains and a sun in the center.They attach with two pins.We are selling them for $2 each or 3 for $5, 6 for $10, etc.This is a fund raiser for the club.Pins are an easy gift to carry and are usually well received.Get in touch with Jan Green if you are interested in purchasing some of these pins.
NEW EXCHANGE DIRECTORS
2011 would be a great opportunity to begin to learn to become an exchange director (ED).Volunteer to work with one of the experienced exchange directors on any of these upcoming exchanges to learn the ropes and reap the rewards. Jan also has new materials from FFI about being an exchange director and if folks are interested, a meeting could be scheduled to talk and learn about this very important job in Friendship Force.
CLUB NEWS:
Policy Changes from Friendship Force International:
Dues: FFI has raised membership dues to $10 for singles and $17 for families. Therefore our board recommends that we raise our dues to $25 for singles and $30 per family. These dues need to be received by January 1, 2011. Send them to Eleanor Byrnes, 2008 Weberwood Drive , South Charleston , WV25303 , or pay at the Annual Dinner. The form for renewing membership will be at the end of the newsletter.
FFI Exchange Fees:
For International Outbound Exchanges, the FFI ambassador fee has been raised to $150 / person/week. All fees are due 60 days before the exchange begins.
For Domestic Outbound Exchanges of over 3days, the FFI fee has been raised to $50/person.
Host Club Program fees remain the same at $100/person/week.
For Stopover Hospitality (1 to 3 night stays provided by a host club to an exchange delegation traveling from one exchange to another), FFI program fees will be $20/person/night.
Additional Changes:
Ambassador Program Fees are not refundable if an ambassador cancels less than 60 days before an exchange (a change from 45 days).
At the above mentioned conference George Brown, CEO of Friendship Force International,reported that FFI is working with Peggy Judkins, CPA specialist with Non-Profit Accounting, to develop an option for US clubs to organize themselves as tax exempt organizations [(501) (c) (3) for all you accounting types] though a joint application with FFI. Individual clubs who obtain this non-profit tax exempt status would continue to be responsible to file annual tax returns. Local clubs would not be a branch of FFI. Clubs would not be able to use FFI’s tax status to offer tax deductions for donations made to the club for club purposes and local clubs could not use FFI’s Tax ID # for tax exemptions on purchases.Our Charleston, WV organization is not a tax exempt organization at this time.
Also within the next two weeks FFI plans to launch a statement to club presidents concerning FFI’s general liability insurance coverage that would extend to local club events.
Check out the Friendship Force International web site at theFriendshipForce.org.It is quite easy to navigate and you will find lots of information there about many upcoming exchanges.And watching the world make the circle of hands (our new logo) is neat!
Club Project:
The board has decided on new project to connect us with our past. The Charleston club is one of the first clubs to travel with FF over 30 years ago and we plan to interview long time members of our club, recording their memories of those first trips and how FF has been a factor in their lives. Our aim is to preserve their unique experiences with FF. Of course this will require developing a list of questions for interviews and arranging at least audio and possibly video recordings of these interviews. Anyone interested in helping with this project should contact Bobbi Hess at bobbi.friendship.force@gmail.com or 304-988-2876.
Current Club Status and One Year Goals:
Using a Strategic Planning Worksheet, our board determined:
Current state of our club: Shrinking membership. Inbound exchanges for 2010 and 2011 were cancelled. 2011 outbound exchange is under committed by our members.
Strengths: Dedicated core of active members. WV is a great state with lots to offer…many outdoor activities in a green, mountainous state. Club is financially sound.
Where do we want to be? Encourage membership growth, have more group activities, provide improved ED training.
1 year Goals:
Maintain one inbound and one outbound exchange per year.
Interview long time members to learn their stories and pass this information on to new members.
In 2012, have a second general meeting to honor long term members.
Plan new activities to strengthen ties between current members and attract new members.
