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Contents President's Message: "Changing the Way You See the World"
Exchanges:
Annual
Picnic and Friendship Forest Celebration
Regional
Group Activities: Curious About How an Exchange is Run?: Exchange Director Training FFI President Visits FFSFBA and Introduces New Logo and Website
Contents President's Message: "Changing the Way You See the World"
Exchanges:
Annual
Picnic and Friendship Forest Celebration
Regional
Group Activities: Curious About How an Exchange is Run?: Exchange Director Training FFI President Visits FFSFBA and Introduces New Logo and Website
Contents President's Message: "Changing the Way You See the World"
Exchanges:
Annual
Picnic and Friendship Forest Celebration
Regional
Group Activities: Curious About How an Exchange is Run?: Exchange Director Training FFI President Visits FFSFBA and Introduces New Logo and Website
Contents President's Message: "Changing the Way You See the World"
Exchanges:
Annual
Picnic and Friendship Forest Celebration
Regional
Group Activities: Curious About How an Exchange is Run?: Exchange Director Training FFI President Visits FFSFBA and Introduces New Logo and Website
Contents President's Message: "Changing the Way You See the World"
Exchanges:
Annual
Picnic and Friendship Forest Celebration
Regional
Group Activities: Curious About How an Exchange is Run?: Exchange Director Training FFI President Visits FFSFBA and Introduces New Logo and Website
Contents President's Message: "Changing the Way You See the World"
Exchanges:
Annual
Picnic and Friendship Forest Celebration
Regional
Group Activities: Curious About How an Exchange is Run?: Exchange Director Training FFI President Visits FFSFBA and Introduces New Logo and Website
Contents President's Message: "Changing the Way You See the World"
Exchanges:
Annual
Picnic and Friendship Forest Celebration
Regional
Group Activities: Curious About How an Exchange is Run?: Exchange Director Training FFI President Visits FFSFBA and Introduces New Logo and Website
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Vol.
25 No. 3 SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA NEWSLETTER "CHANGING THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD" A catchy slogan, you say? FFI thinks so, and I hope that a bunch of new retirees do, too. Since launching their new “strategic plan” at last year’s International Conference, FFI’s Board of Directors have reaffirmed our enduring goals and explored new ways to promote them to the world. As President George Brown says in his latest leadership communiqué, “For too long, we have been a best-kept secret. Few people outside our membership are aware of Friendship Force.” By the time you read this, some of us will have had the opportunity to discuss Friendship Force’s changes with George Brown himself when he and his wife dropped in to the Farewell Party at the Greenwalds’ in San Francisco. After 31 years of growth without getting the attention we deserve, our organization is appealing to the post-Cold War world with a new look, a new slogan, even a new logo. All of this was due to be unveiled on June 16th on the FFI website. Those of us who attended the 2007 conference in Atlanta were taken with the above slogan when we saw it on one of the club’s banners—so much so that we started using it in our Speakers’ Bureau presentations. We like the double meaning of “changing the way,” which seems to express both our unique style of travel and the new insights we gain through our cultural exchanges. And speaking of exchanges, I want to compliment all the members who were involved in making the North Moreton incoming exchange so successful. Louise Heiduk, ED, tirelessly met with all the committee members and hosts in several separate small sessions, painstakingly tending to everyone’s special needs. Her dedicated committee members were a well synchronized team. It was gratifying to see several new members involved in the hosting and other exchange activities. The Cloughs and the Greenwalds lent special warmth and comfort to the welcome and farewell parties by opening their homes to us. As much as we all like to travel, there’s something so special about these “down home” experiences that we provide for our guests. I like to think that these exchanges bring out the best in all of us. So, FFSFBA, are you ready for a new look and for more recognition from the outside world? Ready or not . . . . Check out the new website at www.thefriendshipforce.org . At the Annual Picnic at Prusch Park on July 13th, we may be looking backward more than forward as we celebrate the 13+ years of hard work and devotion that have gone into creating our Friendship Forest, one tree and visiting club friendship at a time. A major reason we are celebrating now is to rejoice in having tied up the loose ends of installing memorial benches, placing permanent tree posts and markers, and setting up a message board to explain the purpose of our club. What has made all of this possible now is that the park completed its new structures and hardscaping, and they now have a particularly attentive staff to maintain all that we have invested there. We hope that many of those who helped to make all of this possible will be our special guests at the Friendship Forest Celebration following lunch and the business meeting. Looking forward to seeing many of you, —Karen McCready, President
The
Ambassadors
from North Moreton, Australia and their FFSFBA hosts
FFSFBA is taking 19 members to the Maritimes, Hamilton and Winnipeg. There will be two home stays and a wonderful, fun filled trip to scenic Nova Scotia on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean. At this time one opening exists for the trip. The member can do the whole three parts or a subset of the exchange. Full itinerary and costs can be had by calling Barry Rader, ED or emailing him. —Barry Rader, Exchange Director TEXAS IN THE SPRING—2009 At least 7 spaces remain on the sign-up list for our outbound exchange to San Antonio and Dallas, Texas in April 2009. Now realizing that Easter falls on April 12th next year, with all the complications of Spring Break that that involves, we probably will depart the Bay Area on April 16th or 17th and return on April 26th or 27th. We want to time it so that we can enjoy 5 days of the famous 10-day San Antonio Fiesta and then see what "Big D-Dallas” has to offer. Although FFI won’t hold us to the usual requirement for a cultural orientation before we experience the Texas lifestyle, it might be a good excuse to brush up on the birds and wildflowers of that region. We’ll just have to figure out the people when we get there. Is there a Texan dialect coach in our group? As of this printing, the board has not met to approve the ED for this venture, but expect such an announcement soon. In the meantime, if you want to represent us in Texas in ’09, call Karen or email her. —Karen McCready
DON'T MISS OUR ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC The picnic lunch, general meeting and entertainment will begin at 12:00, and will be held in the meeting room near the parking lot. Then we will walk to the Friendship Forest for a dedication ceremony for the memorial benches, the new message board, tree markers and a Friendship Force sign. Lemonade and ice water will be provided. Come meet with old and new friends, and enjoy good food at this fun annual event! Directions: From the East Bay, take 680 south to the King Road exit. Turn left onto South King Road and right into the Prusch Park parking lot. (Or take 880 to merge with 101 and continue with directions below.) From the Peninsula, take 280 south, nearly to 680. Exit turning right onto S. King Road. Turn right into park at about 697 S. King Road. From the West Bay, take 101 south to Santa Clara Street exit toward San Jose State/CA-130/Alum Rock Avenue. Turn left onto E. Santa Clara Street. East Santa Clara becomes Alum Rock Avenue. Turn right onto S. King Road. Turn right into park at about 697 South King Road.
Since 1995, our club has planted trees to commemorate the visits of our international visitors. At this year's Annual Picnic, we will dedicate the permanent elements in our Friendship Forest, including memorial benches, message board, tree markers, and a Friendship Force sign. Join us as we celebrate the culmination of 13+ years of planning, hard work, and friendship. If you haven't already seen the many new, creatively designed structures and attractive hardscaping around Prusch Park, you'll want to see how all of these improvements complement each other. We want to take this occasion to honor and thank everyone associated with our club and the City of San Jose who helped to develop Friendship Forest.
NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR FRIENDSHIP FOREST
SAN FRANCISCO
MISSION MURAL WALK Our SF North Bay members have planned a day in San Francisco and are extending an invitation to all members of FFSFBA. Have you been curious but never had the chance to visit the Mission District’s famous murals? This is your opportunity to reserve a place for a pleasant stroll viewing the murals, and an experienced muralist will be our guide for the tour. Spaces are limited and reservations are required. Deadline for reservations is July 16th.
RAIN WILL CANCEL THE TOUR! Watch the weather report for the day! —Gail Boyd, Area Chairperson
EAST BAY AREA PLANNING SESSION BAR-B-QUE After much delay, our first organizational meeting for East Bay members was held Saturday, June 21st at Bill & Martha Crowe’s Fremont home. Everyone enjoyed grilled hamburgers and bratwurst while exchanging ideas for future group outings. With gas approaching $5 a gallon, we’re fortunate to have BART nearby and will use it as much as possible. —Martha Crowe SOUTH BAY AREA Janis Maurry’s Los Gatos home was the site of a potluck brunch for 24 South Bay Area attendees on June 7th. Exchange Director Louise Heiduk gave us information about the upcoming Australia incoming exchange from North Moreton, including potlucks, welcome and farewell parties. The South Bay group’s next event will be a potluck lunch at Mike and Melody Spradlin’s home in San Jose on Saturday, August 23d at 12 noon.
NORTH BAY AREA DELANCY STREET RESTAURANT GATHERING On June 6th, by way of BART, ferry, Muni, and auto, the SF North Bay Area members gathered for a “Dine on the Town” luncheon at Delancy Street Restaurant, located between the SF Ferry Building and PacBell Park on the Embarcadero at Brennan. A great view of the SF Bay, and a few delicacies of the day that included: Granny Dena’s Chicken Matzoh Ball Soup, Orange Avocado & Jicama Salad, Pt. Reyes Virginia Oysters, Fried Cheese and Grits Loaf, Crab Cakes, Miso Stew, “Desserts to Die For” (nothing like Sweet Potato Pie—Southern Style of course—and Decadence Chocolate Cake). Including the fine linen and great service, a real Bon Appetit atmosphere was created. Seasoned members Ron Greenwald, Joy Hillman, Elizabeth Shumway, Nina Davidson and Gail Boyd welcomed new members Luree and Scott Miller and returning member Alyce Zahorsky. Stories were shared of past experiences with FFSFBA exchanges and plans for future area outings. A special addition at the dining table was Louise Heiduk. Louise discussed the Australian Inbound Exchange, as many of our members are participating in that exchange. The next outing planned is the Mission District Mural Tour, Saturday, July 26th, in San Francisco, which is sponsored by the Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitor Center. As area chairperson, I extend my thanks for the support of Elizabeth and Joy for organizing our “Dine on the Town” luncheon. —Gail Boyd, Area Chairperson CURIOUS ABOUT HOW AN EXCHANGE IS RUN? Here’s your chance to find out more and give our leadership team some valuable input:
Plans for next year’s two outbound and one incoming exchange are already underway. We try to start preparations at least a year in advance. While we have appointed EDs for each of these exchanges, we would like to find an assistant to work with each of them. If you haven’t directed an exchange and would be willing to assist under the mentorship of an experienced ED, please sign up for this training session. Even if you won’t be able to get involved this year, we urge you to become part of our trained support group for future exchanges. Everyone will benefit greatly from having experienced EDs in attendance, also. We will have all new training materials from FFI, designed to interface incoming and outbound ED information. FFI’s philosophy is that much understanding is generated if the incoming and outbound EDs know about each other’s respective responsibilities. RSVP by July 12th, and let us know what you’d like to bring. —Barry Rader and Karen McCready FFI
PRESIDENT VISITS FFSFBA AND
FFI President George Brown and his wife Jill, of Atlanta, and daughter Beth and husband Ira Marlowe of Oakland, attended our Club’s North Moreton exchange’s Farewell Party at Gloria and Ron Greenwalds’ in San Francisco. George described the new FFI website that’s just now coming online, at http://thefriendshipforce.org, and gave each of us his card, showing the new logo. The logo does require color to be appreciated—it is 6 persons in different colors, with their heads together in the center. You can see it in color in our online edition. 2008 FFSFBA COMMITTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President:
Karen McCready President@ffsfba.org STANDING COMMITTEES Activities
Co-Chairs: Lois
Smallwood and Natalie Heling Activities@ffsfba.org EXCHANGE DIRECTORS Inbound Outbound SUPPORT COMMITTEES Exchange
Banker: Don
Pelland ExchangeBanker@ffsfba.org 2008 CALENDAR
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