Friendship Connections

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Friendship Connections The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley June 2016 JUNE GATHERING BY KATHY BUTLER The June general meeting will be part of the Taiwan Exchange Welcome lunch to be

1 Friendship Connections The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley June 2016 JUNE GATHERING BY KATHY BUTLER The June general meeting will be part of the Taiwan Exchange Welcome lunch to be held at Louise Claassen's home at 329 NW Green Acres Lane, Albany, on June 16, a Thursday, at 12 noon. Please bring a potluck salad or side dish and a water bottle. The main dish of bbq pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches will be provided, as will be dessert: fresh strawberry shortcake! Those of you who have room in your cars (hosts will need to save room for ambassadors and their luggage) are asked to bring lawn chairs to supplement the lunch seating. Please join us as we give a warm welcome to our guests from Taiwan. There will be no general meeting on the third Sunday of June. MAY BOARD MEETING BY KATHY BUTLER Due to the various activities related to the Taiwan Exchange in mid-june, and our need to conduct some club business before they arrive, the June Board meeting has been moved to June 2, to be held at Cidicci s Pizza near LBCC, at approximately 1 pm, or shortly thereafter, following the work shop meeting for the Taiwan exchange. All board members have been notified by . As usual, all members of FFMWV are welcome to attend. OKLAHOMA EXCHANGE JULY BY KATHY BUTLER All members, please take a look at the following outline of activities planned for the Oklahoma exchange. We re asking you to check your schedules to see if you can help out in any way with this incoming exchange. Day hosts are especially needed. A sign-up list for activities will come out soon. Our ambassadors will arrive at the Portland airport by 1:30 pm on July 19, Tuesday. Ted Powell is planning to bring nine of them down in his red bus, and will need someone else to transport two more. Three ambassadors from the Western Montana club are driving. A few more may need to take the Hut Shuttle to Salem and have hosts drive them from there. Rita and Ted Powell are hosting the Welcome Party at their house in Dallas. The main dish will be provided. Ted is planning to grill brats! Members are asked to provide side dishes and desserts. Lunch at the Thyme Garden near Alsea is planned on Wednesday, July 20. Then we go on to the coast, spending the night at the Shilo Inn in Newport. On Thursday we will visit the Hatfield Marine Science Center and have the rest of the day for hosts to show our guests the beauty of our coast. Friday will be an Albany day with visits to Talking Waters and the Carousel. Small dinners will be Wednesday evening. Saturday is a free day, with no activities planned until Sunday evening with a Farewell Dinner, tentatively planned for the Albany Senior Center. We re looking forward to showing these ambassadors a good time in our beautiful part of the world. Join us! 1 P a g e

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S PRESIDENT S MESSAGE BY JOHN WOLCOTT JUNE 2, 1PM, BOARD MEETING CIDICCI S PIZZA NEAR LBCC, ALBANY JUNE 16, 12 NOON, JUNE GATHERING AT LOUISE CLAASSEN S, 329 NW GREEN

We have a special interest in China, having toured there in 2008 and having had a Chinese graduate student live in our home for two years.

2 C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S PRESIDENT S MESSAGE BY JOHN WOLCOTT JUNE 2, 1PM, BOARD MEETING CIDICCI S PIZZA NEAR LBCC, ALBANY JUNE 16, 12 NOON, JUNE GATHERING AT LOUISE CLAASSEN S, 329 NW GREEN ACRES LN, ALBANY S U N S H I N E N EWS Contact Sue Stein, , with news. Our first exchange of the year is almost upon us. Gail and I are excited to be one of the host families. We have a special interest in China, having toured there in 2008 and having had a Chinese graduate student live in our home for two years. After returning to China, he married and brought his new bride back to visit us. We Skype with him about twice a month and check on the progress of his new baby. He is also Gail s friend on Facebook, as are the three other families with whom we have had Friendship Force exchanges. We are now looking forward to having two more international friends from the Taiwan club. It is truly a small world when we make these connections. FFI WORLD CONFERENCE MARRAKESH 2016 JOIN US! I know many of you will be hosting and giving small group dinners. We are especially grateful for the work the Exchange Directors, Juanita Weigel, Pat Byers, and Chris Duval have done to make this all come together. Thanks to you all, this will be another memorable exchange. We will not have our regular membership meeting in June. Instead we are encouraging you all to come to our welcome brunch for our Taiwanese visitors. You can meet the Ambassadors and also get to better know your fellow club members. Just remember that our Asian guests just got off a 15 hour plane trip and are dealing with jet lag. We expect they will all speak some English, but this will probably be the first English immersion experience for many of them. So be gentle with them as good friends would. As our song says, With friendship as our mission, family all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. In Friendship, John Friendship Force Pledge As a member of the Friendship Force, I recognize that I can make a difference. I recognize that I have a mission. That mission is to be a friend to the people of the world. As I embark upon this adventure, I know that others will be watching me. I know that through my example to my fellow citizens and the people of other nations, the cause of friendship, love and peace can be furthered. I can make a difference. This Issue of Connections, and more information about our club, may be found on our website: Contact us at: fforegon@comcast.net or PO Box 1703, Albany, Oregon P a g e

3 FFMWV BOARD MEETING MINUTES MARCH 10 BY NANCYE BALLARD Present: John Wolcott, Gail Wolcott, Rita Powell, Pat Byers, Marilyn Peterson, Kathy Butler, Shirley Karstens, Van Nichols, Peter Harr, Juanita Weigel, and Nancye Ballard. Guests: Kay Macpherson and Jim Ballard. President John Wolcott called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. President s report John said we finally got the banking straightened out. He suggests that a procedure be adopted so that next time, the changeover won t be so complicated. MSP (Pat/Juanita). Treasurer s report Van distributed copies income, expenditures, and balances. Exchange Treasurer Peter had nothing to report. He and Van will discuss auditing each other s records. Kathy will send a requisition form to all board members. Members who spend money on exchanges need to complete the form and send it to the ED, who can then better track expenditures. The ED will submit the form to the Exchange Treasurer. Newsletter editor not present, no report. Before the EDs reported, John observed that FFI recommends ED duties be performed within a particular time frame and has a form to facilitate. Hsinchu, Taiwan Juanita reported that, after one meeting, the committee is almost on track, and hope to be on track by the April board meeting. Pat has exchanged with the ED in Taiwan. At this point, 16 ambassadors have signed up to come here. Rita suggested that other clubs in Taiwan be consulted about filling the quota before the exchange is posted by FFI. Oklahoma Kathy reported that, after difficulties, she has communicated with the ED, and he said 12 from that club want to come. Pat suggested that Western Montana be consulted to complete the exchange. Old Business At the January general meeting, the membership provided suggestions for attracting new members. Kathy said nothing earthshaking resulted from that discussion. Van noted that the club has spent more than it s taken in for several years. Fund-raisers in provided a cushion for the club to drawn on. The budget he put together does not balance, and the Board will need to decide either to balance it by cutting expenditures or to maintain a deficit budget which will then be augmented by drawing on reserve funds. Lively discussion ensued. John suggested that a balanced budget be prepared before the next board meeting, with the understanding that extras can be funded from reserves. MSP (Rita/Kathy) that John be given $100 to help with expenses at the Regional Conference in Olympia next month. Membership Chair discussed at last meeting. John read a list of duties associated with that office (formerly part of the vice president s portfolio). MSP (Shirley/Juanita) that the list of duties be accepted, but that the maintaining a phone tree be eliminated as now obsolete and that maintaining updating the photo directory be added. Later, maintaining an Excel spread sheet of the membership was added to the duties. [Board members who opposed this motion did so because they either questioned the need for it or whether a member could be found to accept the position.] John asked for suggestions about who should be asked to fill this role. Members will send names to him. Non-renewal follow up Kathy and Rita reported on the former members they d contacted about renewing. Shirley will make her calls. John mentioned the issue of how to handle an exchange participant host or ambassador - who behaves inappropriately. He prefers not to discuss such matters in public; Kay thought a committee consisting of president and vice president(s) should deal with badly behaving members. Pat suggested that the relevant ED be included. Marilyn thought first-hand reports should be preferred to hearsay. March membership meeting a potluck at the Weigels home. Program-EDs from this year s three exchanges will speak for ten minutes or less each. Members will report on recent trips they ve taken: Juanita and Lloyd (India), Rita (Mexico), and John Francis and Caye Poe (Canada). Kay noted that the board had approved working on a list of acceptable behavior for any person on an exchange. Specific items are to be checked off by the applicant. Kay thinks this check list makes expectations evident. Many of the same points are on the ambassador application. MS (Rita/Pat) that we adopt this document as policy. Board members will vote on this motion at next board meeting. New Business MSP Rita/Pat) that we accept the minor corrections Rita made to the by-laws when she reviewed them recently. MSP (Marilyn/Kathy) that the board accept Sharon Harr s application to serve as intern for the Oklahoma exchange. Outbound exchange, 2017 Pat reported that we have been approved for an outbound exchange to Indonesia, lasting two weeks and involving two clubs there. Possibly in September. MSP (Rita/Van) that we accept this arrangement. Kay hopes that agendas for the board meeting can be sent to all members of the clubs; if members knew the business to be covered, they would be more likely to attend board meetings. Marilyn offered to send the board agenda with the weekly e-news. Because of the Regional Conference in April, the board will not meet that month, nor will the general membership. Our next board meeting will be in the Santiam Room of the Albany City Hall on May 12. The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nancye Ballard 3 P a g e

4 SAVE THE DATE BY MARILYN PETERSON At the Regional Conference those present expressed a desire to collaborate on club training. The Friendship Force of Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho will host a regional training event August 26 and 27 in Spokane. The training will cover club finances, club leadership and organization, and ED (exchange director) training. If you won t be in Romania at this time, please plan to attend the training. It s a Friendship Force event so there will be fun. Don t want to travel to Spokane? The organizers will have virtual/video conference arrangements for some members. You ll get far more out of the training if you attend in person. Questions? Contact Shawn Decareaux at sdecareaux14@gmail.com or NEWS FLASH: HOTELS FILLING UP FAST! BY MARILYN PETERSON Why are the news media reporting that lodgings in parts of Oregon are already sold out for August 21, 2017? What does this news have to do with Friendship Force? Our international inbound for 2017 will be a global solar eclipse exchange in collaboration with the Columbia Cascade club (Portland/Vancouver area). The exchange will be advertised worldwide to encourage travelers from outside North America to travel to Oregon to see this once in a lifetime event. People travel long distances to experience these events. As a global inbound, we will select the ambassadors from those who apply to participate. EDs (exchange directors) Marilyn Peterson, Mary Ellen Lind and Dennis Murphy plan a moderately active exchange celebrating not only the eclipse but also the natural beauty and lifestyle of the Willamette Valley. Please put the week of August 16 August 21, 2017 on your calendar now to join us as hosts, day hosts and dinner hosts during the exchange and prior to the exchange to help prepare for our visitors. Visit for more information. You can also follow this page on Facebook. Fred Espenak who contributes to this page is known as Mr. Eclipse to eclipse chasers around the world. WHY BE AN ED EXCHANGE DIRECTOR BY MARILYN PETERSON Being an ED is work, but it s rewarding in many ways. When the exchange has ended and you look back and see what your work (and the work of your team) accomplished, the new friends made, the bridges built and the feeling of satisfaction that comes from a job well done, you ll know that in spite of the work, being an ED is worth the effort. But, wait there s more There are tangible rewards. On an outbound exchange both the FFI policy and our club s policy is to pay part or even all of the ED s airfare based on the number of ambassadors traveling. Also the FFI fee is reduced for the ED, based on the number of ambassadors traveling. Sometimes the exchange director is the lucky beneficiary of a little extra attention and might get to meet someone special during the exchange. At this point you might be thinking, I don t know how to be an ED. There are several ways to help you gain the knowledge needed. Visit the FFI website to read the FFI ED manual Volunteer to help with the planning of any of the current inbound exchanges Volunteer as an ED or ED intern for one 2017 exchanges Attend the August training which will include ED training in Spokane or attend virtually by computer or phone If you have questions about these policies or want to know more about being an ED, please contact Pat Byers who is our club s Exchange Coordinator and who finds exchange directors (EDs) for our exchanges. Thank you, Pat. When she asks you to be an ED, please consider saying yes. 4 P a g e

E X C H A N G E S A N D C O N F E R E N C E S 2016 CONFERENCES: September 15-19: World Conference, Marrakesh, Morocco 2016 INBOUND: June 16-22: Hsinchu, Taiwan July 19-25: Oklahoma with Missoula,

5 E X C H A N G E S A N D C O N F E R E N C E S 2016 CONFERENCES: September 15-19: World Conference, Marrakesh, Morocco 2016 INBOUND: June 16-22: Hsinchu, Taiwan July 19-25: Oklahoma with Missoula, Montana 2016 OUTBOUND: August 24-September 8: Brasov, Romania 2017 INBOUND: Spring: Big Canoe, Georgia USA August: Solar Eclipse Exchange 2017 OUTBOUND Fall: Big Canoe, Georgia USA Note: If you see any factual errors in this newsletter, please let the editor know so that we may correct them in a future to members. Thanks! Deadline for July Friendship Connections is June 25. Send copy to duval15@comcast.net Thanks! Chris Duval, Editor Our club is on Facebook. Please LIKE us at: The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley. Membership Application or Renewal Annual dues cover the cost of the monthly newsletter and expenses for exchanges and activities of the Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid- Willamette Valley, as well as membership in Friendship Force International, which provides discounted prices on exchange travel and other benefits. Memberships expire on December 31, Please PRINT clearly. Annual dues: Individual: $27.00 Couple: $50 This is a NEW or a RENEWAL Application Name: Name: Address: City: State ZIP Dues enclosed: ($27.00 individual or $50.00 per couple) $ Phone: Cell: Mail To: Friendship Force, PO Box 1703, Albany, OR SAVE THE DATE! WORLD FRIENDSHIP DAY MARCH 1, 2017 BY MARILYN PETERSON Happy 40th birthday to Friendship Force! Who is interested in planning a really big event to celebrate this milestone? Wouldn t this be a great way to introduce new people to Friendship Force? Using this event to celebrate our organization in a public event could help get some media attention. Spreading the word about this amazing organization is up to all of us. Let s put our heads together. If you have ideas how we could use World Friendship Day (or some other method) to get the word out (and have some fun doing it) and recruit new ambassadors to this amazing organization, please contact Marilyn Peterson at or Peterson.marilyn@comcast.net. 5 P a g e

Thank you to the Olympia Club for doing a great job.

6 REGIONAL CONFERENCE BY MARILYN PETERSON The Regional Conference hosted by the Olympia club was excellent. This conference was a good mix of fun, opportunity for cultural events, leadership training and information sharing. Those who attended enjoyed the experience. Thank you to the Olympia Club for doing a great job. Matthew Nidek from the FFI staff attended and CEO Jeremi Snook send a video he made to communicate Board of Directors 2016 Elected Officers: President: John Wolcott, Corvallis johnwolcott@mail.com Vice Presidents: Shirley Karstens, Albany svkarstens@comcast.net Kathy Butler, Albany butlerkw@comcast.net Secretary: Nancye Ballard, Corvallis ballardjn@gmail.com Treasurer: Van Nichols, Salem vpncheer@comcast.net Appointed Chairpersons: Newsletter Editor Chris Duval, Salem duval15@comcast.net Membership: (Currently unfilled) Exchange Coordinator: Pat Byers, Shedd pmac@proaxis.com Exchange Treasurer: Peter Harr, Corvallis harrhaus3@comcast.net Exchange Directors: Outbound: September, 2016 Brasov, Romania EDs Rita Powell and Marilyn Peterson; Intern Tricia Thompson Inbound: June, 2016 Hsinchu, Taiwan EDs Pat Byers and Juanita Weigel; Intern Chris Duval July, 2016 Oklahoma EDs Kathy Butler & Shirley Karstens; Intern Sharon Harr Ex-Officio Member: Immediate Past President: Juanita Weigel, Salem rufus2000@comcast.net ===================================================================================== Other Leadership Positions: Field Rep. for PNW/NW Marilyn Peterson, Albany peterson.marilyn@comcast.net Website: Marilyn Peterson, Albany peterson.marilyn@comcast.net Membership Out-reach: Caye Poe, Dayton johnfrancis4444@comcast.net John Francis, Dayton ladycaye001@comcast.net Inventory & Merchandise Rita Powell, Dallas deerpathrita@gmail.com Sunshine: Sue Stein, Albany sstein12345@comcast.net Historian: Kathy Butler, Albany butlerkw@comcast.net Archivist: Rosella Workinger, Albany rworkinger@comcast.net Friendship Shared: Van Nichols, Salem vpncheer@comcast.net Navigators Barb Callner, Albany smilecall@hotmail.com Meet, Eat & Get Acquainted: Mary Ellen Lind, Corvallis melind@peak.org 6 P a g e

Friendship Connections

Friendship Connections The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley April 2017 APRIL GATHERING BY KATHY BUTLER Due to the Easter Holiday falling on our usual gathering day, there will be no gathering