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Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
Contents
President's
Message / World Friendship Day Celebration
Australia
Incoming Exchange / Area Group Meetings and Outings Updates on FFI and FFSFBA Websites Remembering Our Wales Exchange
|
Vol.
23 No. 1 SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA NEWSLETTER PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE I am proud to take the reins of an organization that has been building a steady stream of great travel, social awareness, and peace in the world. The strength of our Friendship Force club lies in the core of the membership and the new folks that have joined in the past two years. Karen and I have not been members long, joining in 2002, but we became instant supporters of the concept that peace one person at a time through face to face contact can make a more peaceful planet. In our few years with the Force, we have been part of five outgoing exchanges—Australia twice, Japan, New Zealand, Chile and Brazil. On each exchange we have made friends that we will always be in contact with, and some we have already seen a second time. While the new board has been serving for only a short time, some significant changes have taken place in the club. A new exchange director policy has finally been put into place. New ways of implementing elections have already passed the board. The standing rules are being examined for change and update. During the next year or two other changes will transpire to make FFSFBA a more outstanding club. We now have an exchange for 2006: the PHILIPPINES, for two weeks or more in November, has just been finalized by Atlanta. Homestays in Manila and Baguio have been assigned to us. I am also looking into a domestic exchange before the end of the year. We are looking forward to an incoming exchange from Australia, June 5–12. I have been blessed with an executive board of Ron Greenwald, VP; Don Pelland, Treasurer; and Karen McCready, Secretary; as well as a board of seasoned and new members who want to take our club to new places with better communications. One of the new directions the club will go is better contacts through email and the newsletter. Our first chance to meet and greet each other this year will be at the World Friendship Day gathering in Fremont on Saturday, March 11, from 2 to 6:00. I will be looking for you all to be there as a support for the new year. In
Friendship,
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS By now you will have received your membership renewal requests by mail. Thank you to those of you who responded quickly. Don’t forget that if you respond before March 15, you will save $5.00. You can send the form and a check (payable to FFSFBA) to Louise Heiduk. —Louise Heiduk, Membership Chair
NOMINATIONS
FOR OFFICERS I am representing the board to organize a nominating committee for next year’s officers. It is early, but the sooner the committee is organized, the more time they will have to become acquainted with the members they do not know, so that they can make good decisions in choosing a slate of officers to be presented in September. If you are interested, or if you would like to suggest someone that you feel would be a good member of this committee, please let me know. —Louise Heiduk, Membership Chair INTERNATIONAL
CELEBRATION This year our club will be celebrating our international festival World Friendship Day on March 11, 2006, from 2–6 p.m., at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1301 Mowry Ave., in Fremont. Playing off the exciting success of the first World Friendship Day in 2005, more than 300 Friendship Force International clubs, in 56 countries circling the globe, will host dinner parties and other gatherings featuring international food, dress, music and customs to celebrate the occasion in 2006. It is time again to dig in your closets, drawers, attic, and basement for that garment, hat, shoes, or treasure found on an exchange with Friendship Force. Oh, yes, club members are always on the go, so do not forget to check those suitcases that you haven’t unpacked yet! This is a chance to adorn yourself with those found treasures. SPECIAL request: if you would like to share letters from the friends you have made around the world, please bring a copy to be placed in a ScrapBook. This book will be on display at meetings for new and future members to view. Now as tradition would have it, we are going to have a POTLUCK EARLY BIRD DINNER!! Please bring your favorite international dish or dessert to serve ten people; drinks will be provided. Those of you who attended last year all won the International Chefs Gold Ribbon, which will be given out at this year’s event. Dr. George T. Brown Jr., president of Friendship Force International, said the World Friendship Day 2006 theme, “Welcome to our World,” is an invitation for people to join the local Friendship Force club in celebrating the special day—and also a call for people everywhere to consider becoming a member of a local Friendship Force club. Please bring friends and family to share in the festivities on March 11 in Fremont. For reservations, call Gail Boyd and leave a message with the number that will be attending in your party. There is no charge for this year’s event. Looking forward to seeing you on March 11. —Gail Boyd & Ron Greenwald, co-chairs Directions
for the World Friendship Day Celebration on
March 11: The meeting is at the Christ the King Lutheran Church in Fremont, 1301 Mowry Avenue, 2–6 p.m. AUSTRALIA
INCOMING EXCHANGE Thirteen Ambassadors are coming from Canberra, Australia. The Welcome Party will be held at the home of Agnes Ashmore in Oakland on Tuesday, June 6, at 11:30 a.m. The Farewell Party is scheduled for Sunday, June 11 at Chef Chu’s in Los Altos at 5 p.m. In between, there will be a San Francisco Tour, pot luck dinners to meet the ambassadors, opportunities for day hosting, and tree planting in Prusch Park. Please mark these dates on your calendars and plan to attend the events. Please consider participating as a Home Host, Day Host or Potluck Host. Contact Katharine Kleinke, Exchange Director. —Katharine Kleinke, Exchange Director
DECEMBER 4 LUNCHEON The Holiday Luncheon was a festive occasion with about 70 members and friends in attendance. Kudos to activities chair Gail Boyd and her team who organized the event. The colorful table centerpieces were created by Frances Reid. Holiday carols were led by Mary Lynn Pelican and Norm Crane, who accompanied the songs on his guitar. The slate of officers was presented, and unanimously approved. Joy Hewett displayed her beautifully handcrafted quilted FF map of the world, a creation that took many hours of work. Barry Rader and Karen McCready presented a slide show describing highlights of their recent Friendship Force exchange to Argentina, Brazil, and Chile with the Seattle Club. Steve and Lois Smallwood were travelers on the same exchange and reported their experiences. Joy Hillman described her two Friendship Force homestays in Brazil, and a sidetrip to Rio. She enjoyed traveling with some of her new friends in the Manitoba, Canada club. —Dee Gustavson AREA COORDINATOR'S MEETING JANUARY 23, 2006 A meeting of the Area Coordinators was held Monday, January 23 at 10:00 a.m.at the home of Margaret Kingery in Fremont. Plans for the coming year were made and suggestions for activities discussed. Rosters were updated and activity reports were presented by area chairs. The next meeting is scheduled for April 6 at Dee Gustavson’s home in Los Altos. The meeting was followed by a salad luncheon provided by the East Bay members. —June Nielson-Cademartori, Regional Coordinator
SILENT MOVIE OUTING Spend an afternoon with the East Bay Friendship Force groups at a Silent Movie Comedy Film Festival in Fremont. See old time movie stars Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Harry Langdon and Laurel and Hardy in silent movies from the 1920’s, before the talkies era began. Piano music will accompany the films. Place:
Edison Theater at the Essanay Silent
Film
Museum, 37417 Niles Blvd., Fremont Popcorn, candy, and soft drinks are available at extra cost. Visit the silent movie museum before or after the films begin. RSVP by Feb. 10 to Rita & Dick Hammer.
AREAS 4, 5, 6,and 7 EVENT All club members are invited to join our group to attend a travelog film on Thailand on February 13 at 2 p.m. at the Mountain View Performing Arts Center, 500 Castro Street. The cost is $12. Phone the box office to order tickets with a credit card (650-903-6000). Prior to the movie, we’ll meet for lunch at 12 noon at the Amarin Thai Restaurant at 174 Castro Street in Mountain View. Email me or call me if you’re joining us for lunch, have questions, or want directions. You’re welcome to join us for either the lunch or the film or both! —Dee Gustavson, Area 5 & 6 Coordinator
MISSION
SAN JOSE, FREMONT On November 28 our group had an impromptu gathering. The Saturday before, a friend asked if I could help gather some people for a cocktail party and free dinner at a Fremont restaurant. A new Indian Spice Company was to be there to make a presentation of their product. Trusting this friend, I called all the people in our FF area group. Ed and Gerry Shannon, Mary and Don Pelland, Steve Cooper and Mary Alice vanDoorn, and Pat and Margaret Kingery were all able to attend. We were just the right number for the round tables and had a glorious time. Well prepared food flavored with their spices was served at stations representing different ethnic groups of the world. We helped ourselves to whatever we wanted at each station. Three members of their board had flown in from India; the door prize was a round trip ticket to India. It was a very comfortable evening. Needless to say, this was much more than we expected for helping out a friend! —Margaret Kingery (standing in for Ruth Edwards) PUBLICITY Word is getting out about FriendshipForce. Rita Hammer reported reading a short article promoting Friendship Force homestays in the Jan.–Feb. ’06 issue of AARP’s magazine, page 16. We will request permission to post the article for your convenience. Congrats to Gayle Keck for authoring the article! (Gayle is a former member of our club and went on several F.F. exchanges.) Barry
Rader and Karen McCready found an excellent article
about Friendship Force in the Sacramento Bee’s
travel section on January 8, 2006. Reporter Janet
Fullwood interviewed several Sacramento Club members,
including the Phelans, a couple from Carmichael,
who have been members for several years and traveled
on numerous exchanges and also homehosted. Their
club was founded in 1988 and now has 75 members.
They have two incoming and one outgoing exchanges
each year. [Ed’s note: A carload of members from
our club attended their introductory meeting
to help start their club.] To quote the Phelans, “It’s
not just about making friends with people in other
countries; lasting bonds also are forged within
the local membership.” (If you’re interested in
reading this article, you can search for it at http://www.sacbee.com/fullwood
or
go directly to it at http://www.sacbee.com/content/travel/fullwood/story/14047000p-14878359c.html
At the Nov. ’05 F.F. International Conference, George Brown mentioned that F.F. might try to link up with Sister Cities. It makes sense, because our purposes are similar: to make friends and to promote peace and understanding through homestay visits. Our club needs new members, especially younger ones. If any of you have ideas for membership recruitment, publicity, or know of an organization that would like a speaker at an event, please contact President Barry Rader by telephone or email him , or contact any F.F. board member listed on the last page. —Dee Gustavson INFORMATION
UPDATES FFI
Website: If you’ve visited the FFI website, you
know that it includes contact lists for all the
FF clubs around the world and lists of exchanges
and contact information. (Remember, if any USA club
needs more outgoing ambassadors, you may contact
the club and apply to join its exchange.) You can
learn about FF international conferences and festivals,
and special FFI programs in which you can participate,
such as the U.S./Russia Teacher Exchange. Now you
can even read sample articles from the FFI magazine
on the website. FFSFBA Website: The 2006 membership application/renewal form is now posted on the FFSFBA website (an update of the 2005 posted application). Thanks to Dave Gustavson, FFSFBA has a new website host, a company called 1 and 1. The FFSFBA website will no longer be hosted on my personal Earthlink web space. The hosting company charges the club about $10 a month and offers many useful features. As one benefit of using 1 and 1, there will be much more space available for posting past newsletters, photos, and other content. Another benefit of using a website host company is that the website now “belongs” to the club rather than to one individual, and it will be easier for future webmasters to take over management of the website. Because
there is now more space available, I’d like to know
what you’d like to have on the website. So far,
there are suggestions for
adding past newsletters, a photo gallery of exchanges
and other club activities, and a map of the bay
area showing where club members live. Since the
website tells much of the world about FFSFBA, it
seems to me that it should show interesting
and
socially valuable activities that reflect well on
us. —Geri Bechtle, Webmaster
REMEMBERING
OUR 1992 I firmly believe that an organization is only as fun as we make it. My husband and I have been members since 1986 and have thoroughly enjoyed the many adventures we have had and the wonderful people we have met. I have two large scrapbooks that include pictures of people we have hosted or day hosted. I would send copies and a note to those I had taken pictures of. Some replied with a note. This often started a correspondence that continued each year at Christmas. This year in particular we had a special greeting. In 1992 we hosted a couple from Wales. When we were at the exchange workshop, Margaret Ahrendt noted that there was not a potluck planned. I suggested that we could plan a progressive dinner with three hosts that all lived in close proximity. The committee had planned a Fremont Day that started at the Fremont Library, on to Don Dillon’s one-of-a-kind dwarf citrus nursery, then a free lunch at McDonald’s and on to Mission San Jose. Each stop had a FF member leading the tour. My ambassador wanted to go to a craft shop. I told her that there would be time to go if I first went home to prepare the main course to put in the oven. The Ahrendt’s ambassador, Freda Salway, asked if she could join us. We had a delightful time browsing in a craft shop before returning to the Ahrendt’s for the first course of the dinner. By the end of the evening we really knew six ambassadors and they had seen three homes and knew six hosts. (Martha and Tom DeHart had the dessert at their home.) Freda told me she was on the Council for the city of Cardiff. When I asked her role on the council, she said, “It is very different here as we have about 80 members.” This year our card from Freda had a change of address: she now lives in the Manor House and is the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, and her husband Ron is the Lord Mayor’s Consort. She writes, “We are both very proud to have this honour bestowed on us especially as it is 100 years since Cardiff became a city, and 50 years since we became a capital . . . We have been very busy with our engagements, some of which entailed meeting members of The Royal Family; last Friday for example, I was a guest at the United Services Mess, the first female to have been invited in their 90 year history, and Prince Andrew was the guest speaker. We have met Princess Anne on a number of occasions, as well as Charles and his new wife . . . . On November 21 The Royal Variety Command Performance was held here in Cardiff. This is only the second time that it has been held outside London, and Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh were both there, a truly memorable occasion” . . . . After receiving her letter and photo, I looked at the wonderful exchange booklet that George Anderson had prepared and found that most of the hosts had died or moved away. Only Howard and Frances Reid are still members and I shared the story with them. There was a long list of Day Hosts, so some of you may remember the Salways. I returned my Christmas greeting to her, and after congratulating her, I told her she was just like milk, the cream came to the top. The first thing we did for that 1992 exchange was sign up to host; the committee planned a good agenda, which we followed, and we added our efforts for the progressive dinner. We had fun and made lasting friends. —Margaret
Kingery
THANKS The newsletter editors gratefully acknowledge Joy Hewett, John and June Cademartori, and Louise Heiduk for their enthusiastic, faithful assistance in folding, stamping, and stapling the newsletters the past few years.
2006 FFSFBA COMMITTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President:
Barry Rader
STANDING COMMITTEES Activities
Chair: Gail Boyd EXCHANGE DIRECTORS Inbound Outbound SUPPORT COMMITTEES Domestic
Exchange Coordinator: Lori English
2006 CALENDAR
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