Well the year is rapidly drawing to a close; time to see just what we did during the year and what we hope to do next year!!
We had a fun filled exchange with the Niagara Region of Canada just a few weeks ago. 14 of our members journeyed north and we were joined there by 5 others (family members of Jerry Gilbert and Bobbi Hess). The weather was lovely and the hospitality wonderful. This area is perfect for growing grapes and there were more wineries in the region than one could possibly visit in one trip. We saw Niagara Falls from the Canadian side and even got to orchestrate the colored lights that entertain folks each evening.
We have started meeting each month for dinner at area restaurants (our Let’s Eat Out event...). On the 5th of the month at 5pm we meet to share a meal and get to know each other better. It is working out well…the last two dinners have had over twenty of us gathering for food and fun.
We held a successful World Friendship Day event in March…a wonderful international wine tasting and foreign travels souvenir sharing afternoon. Two folks became members because of this event.
And for 2011…we have Exchange Directors in place for both exchanges and a slate of officers to be voted on at our annual meeting. More details later in the newsletter. We could use some ideas for the March 2011 World Friendship Day event…give it a thought and let me know. We want to plan an event that will help the community know just what Friendship Force is all about!
In Friendship,
Jan
PS You can reach me at forgreen@suddenlink.net or 304-744-5755, if you have questions or comments about our activities for the next few months.
EVENTS SCHEDULE:
2010 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP FORCE CONFERENCE
Three of our members attended this conference over the 10/16/10 weekend. We will have a short report from them in the next newsletter.
ANNUAL DINNER: NOVEMBER 12, 2010
The annual dinner will be held on November 12, 2010 at the Dunbar Women’s Club, located at 323 14th Street , Dunbar , WV . The cocktail hour starts at 6pm and dinner will be served at 6:45pm. Please contact Eleanor Byrnes at 304-343-6478 by November 6th to make your reservations. Meals are $16 per person. We will have a brief business meeting to elect officers and discuss our exchanges for 2011. Then Jerry Gilbert will give us a slide show about his trips to New Zealand .
December 5. ‘Let’s Eat Out’…The 5th at 5 to be held at Little India RestaurantInc.,located at 1604 Washington St E Charleston, WV 25311 Call Jan at 304-744-5755 or email her at forgreen@suddenlink.net to make a reservation.
OUTBOUND EXCHANGES:
October 2011- Marlborough and Howick , New Zealand
Mary Adams and Bobbi Hess are co-exchange directors for our 2011 outbound exchange to New Zealand . The trip will take place probably the first 3 weeks in November. The ED’s are in place for the New Zealand clubs too, so set the dates aside and start saving your quarters!
INBOUND EXCHANGES:
June 2011 Devon , United Kingdom
Jerry Gilbert has offered to be the exchange director for our early June 2011 inbound exchange from Devon , England . The club will be visiting us and then traveling on to visit the Friendship Force club in Binghamton , NY . More information will be coming soon.
NEW BUSINESS:
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 , WV 25303 , 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).
Officer and Director Nominees for 2011:
Jan Green …President
Bobbi Hess…Vice President
Eleanor Byrnes… Treasurer
Board Members:
Mary Adams
Sandra Willis
Jarve Currence
Janet Lucas
Jerry Gilbert
Karen Brimhall
Friendship ForceMembership Form for 2011
Dues for 2011 are due by January 1, 2011. You may send a check for membership (address below) or pay at the Annual Meeting, November 12, 2010.
Name______________________________ member status: renewing _____new_____
