What Friendship Force offers...

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1 F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F O L Y M P I A N E W S L E T T E R August September 2016 Gwen Harfst, Newsletter Editor What Friendship Force offers... Check out the great social activities planned for F.F.O. members and friends Friendship Force of Olympia seeks new leadership Plan to attend free leadership training in Spokane Aug. 26,27 F.F.O. is going to New Zealand, November There s room for you F.F.O. planning for outbound exchange to Japan March Limited spaces INSIDE THIS ISSUE: August 5th at 5 is 2 Join us for a day trip to 2 Sept. s 5th at 5 2 Leadership Training in 4 New Zealand is calling 5 Let s Go To Japan 6 You can t miss the news unless you're off the grid. Every news report tells of another event in the world where people are lashing out against others. Some politicians would have us believe that it's every man, woman and child for themselves, close the borders and protect what's ours. Many people in our own country are uncomfortable, anxious, afraid, resentful, angry or indifferent to "others" who are different than they are. They turn inward seeking the company of people like themselves. When Friendship Force was founded by Jimmy Carter and Wayne Smith, in 1977, there was distrust, prejudice, and turmoil in the United States and the world. Cont. pg.3 N E W L E A D E R S H I P S O U G H T F O R F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F O L Y M P I A This December three of the four elected officers are stepping down from their position. Don t panic there s lots of help from the current officers as they hand over their jobs to new folks. This is a great opportunity for Friendship Force of Olympia to become infused with new ideas and fresh approaches. There are many ways you can step forward to help keep our club strong and growing. In the past there have been: Co- Presidents, shared duties, committees to share the work etc. If you re a new member, no worries, all of us were new members when we stepped into our roles. The offices available are: President, Vice President and Secretary. The nominating committee are the current officers; Gwen Harfst, Leslie True and Pat McLachlan. Please, please consider taking a position if a member of the nominating committee contacts you.

2 F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F O L Y M P I A N E W S L E T T E R Page 2 THE 5TH AT 5:00 HIT S T H E ROAD...AND MEETING ON S A T U R D A Y 5th at 5:00 for September is Labor Day. We ll meet at South Bay Dickerson s Barbeque. 619 Legion Way SE Olympia. Where? Brown s Point Lighthouse.. is our destination. Why? One of our members, Diane Malone, a trustee for the Brown s Point Lighthouse historical site invited us to their annual Salmon Bake Fundraiser. The Brown s Point area of east Tacoma is a unique neighborhood centered near the historical lighthouse. Let s go enjoy a delicious meal and explore the lighthouse and the restored keepers cottage. We ll drive up together, carpooling, Let s meet at the Park and Ride on Martin Way in Lacey at 5:00 PM. Please call or me if you plan to join us that afternoon: gwenharfst@hotmail.com Directions to Salmon Bake, if you want to drive on your own Take I-5 Northbound to exit 133 (on the right side). Take City Center/ North 750 follow to the bridge. Turn right on N 509 (toward Port of Tacoma) follow for 10 miles. At the STOP sign (just past the Cliff House Restaurant) Turn right, going up the hill to Brown s Point Elementary School. Park at school Phone: (360) It s the restaurant with the Pink Pig sign T H U R S D A Y A U G U S T 1 8 T H J O I N U S O N A D A Y T R I P T O W E S T P O R T W I N E R Y A N D G A R D E N THE DAY WILL INCLUDE A DELICIOUS LUNCH (DUTCH TREAT) MEETING TIMES AND CAR- POOLING INFORMATION TBA WINE TASTING VISITS TO THE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS (SCULPTURE, DISPLAY & LAVENDER), * ORCHARD GOLF, CHESS, & HORSE- SHOES, PETANQUE & A MUSICAL FENCE AND OF COURSE A GOOD TIME WITH FRIENDS! PLEASE RSVP to Karen Sweeney klansweeney@gmail.com or Jo Ann Young drjo.annyoung@gmail.co m

3 Page 3 G W E N H A R F S T, N E W S L E T T E R E D I T O R O U R M E M B E R S K N O W H O W T O H A V E F U N... A N D E R S O N I S L A N D S U M M E R P I C N I C The F.F. of Olympia summer picnic, June 25th was a great fun. The ferry to Anderson Island set the stage for amazing weather and fun conversation. While at the picnic we enjoyed walks on the beach, sharing food and drink, awesome croquet and lots of great conversations. Some of our new members commented what a great introduction to the friendliness of Friendship Force. Dave and Dee Milne, our hosts extraordinaire were as always gracious in sharing Dee s family s island home. Thanks to Dee and Dave and all of you who helped make it a memorable day. G A M E NI G H T AT T H E A L B E E S Thursday July 21st, accompanied by committee for or- F.F.O. Game Nightwas a solid laughter and friendly chatter. ganizing this opportunity. Special. success. Twenty-six members shared delicious finger food while playing assorted games We all agreed we should make Game Night an annual event. Thanks to our awesome social Thanks to our hosts; Bob and Marty Albee for sharing their beautiful home. What Friendship Force Offers.. Cont. Friendship Force was founded on this truth; peace can and will begin with one friendship at a time. For almost 40 years, members of Friendship Force all over the world have reaffirmed in large and small ways this founding truth. With each exchange, we learn again that even though people are "different" in their languages, cultures, customs, religions or ways of living; we all share the same core values. We all want our children to grow up in a better world, we all want shelter and enough food to keep us nourished and healthy. We all want peace in our community and the world. Most important we all seek to know and respect each other, valuing each other's differences while embracing our humanity. Every smile, handshake, hug, shared meal and sad farewell helps erase the unconscious "caricatures" we have of "others". Once again teaching me that peace begins with me as I reach out in friendship.

4 R E G I O N A L T R A I N I N G M E E T I N G, A U G U S T 2 6 & 2 7, S P O K A N E, W A To attend in person, please RSVP to deljanlil@aol.com ASAP registration deadline has been extended Coffee, Tea and Cookies will be served. Boxed lunches with SFCC Signature Sandwiches will be available for $12.00 with choices of Roast Beef, Buffet Ham or Oven Roasted Turkey; and including Fresh Fruit Salad, a Large Brownie and Bottled Water. Please specify your lunch choice when you RSVP. The EWNI Friendship Force members will provide limited Home- Hosting on August 25 & 26. When you RSVP please indicate if you are requesting Home- Hosting, the number of people in your party and the dates request- The Friendship Forces of Eastern Washington/ Northern Idaho and Missoula, MT invite all the members of the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia and Alberta Friendship Force clubs to join in the Regional Training Meeting on August 26 & 27, Topics to be presented are: Developing and Improving Club Leadership; Managing Club Finances; Organizing and Managing Outbound and Inbound Exchanges; and Accessing and Using the FFI Website. The Training Meeting will be held at Spokane Falls Community College, Student Union Building #17, 3410 Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA. Parking is available in Lot # 9, $3.00 all- day. (Lot #9 is on the SW corner of campus, second entrance off Fort Wright Drive.) The Training Sessions will begin at 8:30 AM. All Friday sessions will be Webcast for viewing and listening over the internet for members that elect to listen from home. The login address is: ccs.hosted.panopto.com/panopto/pages/home.aspx click on the video labeled "FF Training, recording now" 8:30 AM- 10:00 Guest Speaker, Dave Klan Leadership 10:00AM-11:00 Peter Guthrie Club Finances 11:00AM-12:00 Pamela Joyner Outbound Exchanges 12:00PM-1:30 Lunch Break 1:30PM--3:00 Dave Kalan & Panel FFI Website and Question & Answer Time Saturday, 9:00AM -Noon We will meet at Riverview Retirement Community Building for a Question & Answer Discussion time with the Presenters. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the discussion time.

5 Page 5 New Zealand Here We Come Friendship Force of Olympia s exchange to New Zealand is scheduled for November 3-26, We ll travel together combining two weeks of home hosting, with the Thames- Coromandel and Whangarei Friendship Force clubs and a tour New Zealand s North Island. This exchange is planned to allow ambassadors flexibility arriving and departing New Zealand. Prior to November 3rd and following November 26th, each ambassador is encouraged to plan their own adventures in this amazing region of the world. Meeting in Auckland November 3rd, we ll have three days touring beautiful Auckland area 1 day via a Hop on Hop Off Bus and a wine and food tour of the beautiful harbor islands. area. Our first home stay week begins November 6th, with Thames-Coromandel Friendship Force. They are located on north island s beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. During our stay we ll experience unique and beautiful beaches, learn about local history and culture, while becoming friends with our hosts. Beginning November 13; we ll spend 7 days exploring the north island via Inter- City tour bus. This tour will include: 2 nights in Napier, 2 nights in Taupo and 3 nights in Rotorua Napier features Art Deco architecture, beautiful beach promenades. The nearby Hawkes Bay region is New Zealand s second largest wine producing area. We ll have an audio walking Art-Deco tour of Napier and a half day winery tour with chef s plate dinner. In Taupo we ll take a sailing cruise to view amazing Maori Cliff carvings, while enjoying beautiful Lake Taupo. Powerful Huka Falls is also a must view site. (Optional Kayak or Canoe tour available on Waikeke River.) While staying in Rotorua, famous for geological hot springs, we ll enjoy a half day Discover Rotorua Tour including lunch with a view after a scenic gondola ride. Whakarwarewa The Living Maori Village visit will include a traditional cultural dance performance and a Hangi feast prepared over geothermal steam. While in Rotorua you may choose 1 of 2 tours: Visit Hobbiton Village the location for many scenes in The Hobbit and the Lord of the Ring series. OR Tour amazing glow-worm filled Waimoto Caverns, a Lonely Planet not too be missed North Island site. You may also choose to remain in Rotorua to enjoy the steam spas or explore on your own. Sunday morning, November 20th we ll travel via inter-city bus north to Whangarei which is located north of Auckland. The Whangerei Friendship Force will showcase their regions agricultural, historical and culture, as well as a warm Kiwi welcome. Many of the Whangarei F.F. had an exchange with Olympia s Friendship Force, they are looking forward to welcoming us. At the conclusion of the Whangarei home stay, the group will return to Auckland where each ambassador is free to plan an extension of their trip. Intrigued by this opportunity to explore New Zealand? Contact, Gwen Harfst, Exchange Director: gwenharfst@hotmail.com, , to learn more and reserve your place. Do you have friends who might be interested in this exchange/trip? Encourage them to contact me. Approximate Cost: including home hosting and F.F. I. fees, all hotel stays, bus transportation and cost of scheduled tours. $2093. Seattle Auckland air fares vary between $1,300 $2,000 depending on date of purchase etc.

6 Let s Go To JAPAN!! Who: Friendship Force Olympia and Whidbey Island What: Cherry blossoms, culture, nature, hot springs When: March 29 April 13, 2017 Where: Tokyo and Oita Japan Why: Explore a culture vastly different from our own How: Home stays at each location Tokyo: Spend a week amid the hustle and bustle of this cosmopolitan city. We will be there during the predicted height of the Cherry Blossom bloom. Experience the traditions of another culture. Travel by train to: Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, a subtropical area with April temperatures averaging from 49 to 66 F. Known as the hot spa prefecture, points of interest also include Takasaki mountain, famous for wild monkeys. This exchange is not suitable for those with any mobility issues, requiring much walking, stairs, and various modes of transportation and the requirement to handle our own baggage when changing cities. Cost estimate ranges from $ 3154 to $ 4026, depending upon the airfare cost at the time of booking. This reflects all costs including airfare, FFI fees, host fees, trains, buses and predeparture overnight in Tokyo. Please call or Anne Gabriel 360/ or 360anne@gmail.com with any questions or for additional information. Exchange applications are due April 15 and should be ed or regular mailed to: Shirley Hauck 7903 Possession Rd Clinton, WA vhauck@whitbey.net To access ambassador applications please go to Choose the tab Exchange Documents near the top of the page. Open the PDF entitled Ambassador Application and Agreement. Fill it out and send it to the appropriate reviewer(s).

7 About FFI/ FFO Friendship Force International (FFI), a nonprofit international cultural exchange organization, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded with a single mission to promote peace, understanding and friendship on a one-to-one personal basis around the world. A 1992 nominee for THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE, it has 367 clubs active in 55 countries promoting friendship and goodwill through an extensive program of home stay exchanges. Supported by membership and exchange fees, donations and foundation grants, FFI was founded in 1977 by it s first president, Dr Wayne Smith and was announced on March 1, 1977 by President Jimmy Carter at a White House gathering of state governors. Today s CEO/ President is Jeremy Snook. The web site of FFI is The Friendship Force of Olympia was officially chartered in The Board of Directors and interested members meet at 6:30 PM on the 3rd Monday of the month except for March, June September, December when official quarterly meetings for all the membership are held. The quarterly meetings are held in various locations which are designated prior to each meeting. To attend board meetings contact the president to check on the location of the next meeting. The web site of the Olympia club is: Any news articles, photos for newsletter publication should be submitted to acting editor, Gwen Harfst, gwenharfst@hotmail.com President Gwen Harfst Vice President Leslie True Secretary Pat McLachlan Treasurer Sharon Ruhl Exchange Treasurer Anne Gabriel Past President Rocky Perrott Community Events Vacant Historian Vacant Membership Vacant Newsletter (acting) Gwen Harfst Phone Tree Libby Penny Publicity Hillary Joseph Social JoAnn Young Karen Sweeney Sunshine Karen Langlois Web Masters Mikel Young Jim Sweeney