July shocked us with so much unexpected rain which cooled the temperatures for a while. Our Friendship force is active during the summer with the Leadership Meeting on Tuesday, July 8th at the Yarborough library at 2:15. It will be followed with a social hour at 5280 Burger at 4:3.It is located at 7032 Wood Hollow Drive. It i nar Far West Blvd.

LEO (Let's Eat Out) had a great get-together luncheon at Hot Pot Alley in May. Patrizi’s on June 1. In July we are meeting at Milano Cafe located at 4601 SW Parkway on June 22 at 11:30. Meet host Pam Douglas and be sure to RSVP to the Evite you will receive.

For more details see our July's Newsletter here. Do you have questions about Austin Friendship Force - send us an email - austinfriendshipforce@gmail.com and ask away.

Here is the Leadership team for 2025

Leadership Coordinator - Carol Blanchard
Treasurer - Judy Ratliff
General Meeting Coordinator - Mitzi McGlone
Journey Coordinator - Carol Parsonage
Membership Committee - Sam Blango
Secretary - Joseph Hunt
Newsletter - Carol Blanchard

Thanks to committee leaders for 2025:

Sunshine Communications Kay Binder
Website/Google Groups Joseph Hunt
Quarterly Programs Anita Knight
LEOs ( Let's Eat Out) Lauren Barrett and Pam Douglas
DGITAL Consultant Jacklyn Arthur
Happy Hour Assistant Virginia Dorsett
Directory Jacklyn Arthur

Joining one of our committees is a great way to get involved. Perhaps you have a fresh idea on how to make Friendship Force of Austin more fun.

Have a friend who would like to be a member?

If you have not renewed your membership for 2024 send your check for $45 made out to Austin Friendship Force to our treasurer Judy Ratliff 1322 Nightingale Dr, Cedar Park, Tx 78613 For new members it is $45 plus $10 for a badge. - see application

To find out more about International and Austin Friendship Force look at our

New Members Welcome Brochure.

Are you getting our communications?

FF Austin Communications will be coming from Google Groups. If you are not receiving notes, contact Joseph Hunt (joshunt@sbcglobal.net). And if you have questions send us an email - austinfriendshipforce@gmail.com

The Latest Newsletter is here

The July 2025 Newsletter (June 2025) (May 2025) (April 2025) (March2025 ) (Feb2025) can be found here. Press this link to view. The deadline for articles for the Spring newsletter is March 10. Thank you Lisa Judge for preparing this for us. Please think about contributing your travel and Friendship Force items of interest to the next newsletter. Send a note to our editor Lisa at lisaclarej@gmail.com for her consideration.

2025 Journeys and coordinators:

Incoming Northern Colorado - Post-poned until Spring 2026
Fall Outbound to Dayton, Ohio - Ambassador Coordinator - Carol Parsonage
Looks like outbound to Germany is in the works for November 2026.
Need to travel now to get out of the heat? Check out Friendship Force International for hundreds of opportunities,

Interested in getting more involved? Contact any Leadership team member to see how you can help. Also, we are actively seeking new members, so talk it up with your friends, neighbors, and social clubs.

The Ten Commandments of Ambassadors - a must read - touch this link

Can't wait for our next trip? Visit Friendship Force International and join another club on their trip.

We are the Austin chapter of Friendship Force International. We join others around the world who believe that "a world of friends is a world of peace". This is a people to people program to learn about each other and strengthen ties of friendship. We hope you will join us!!

Click to enlarge the picture (use Back button to return here)!!! (3 MB)

CLUB PROFILE

Our club was established in 1984. Our mission is to sow the seeds of friendship across the nations of the world. Since 1985 our active members have participated in Friendship Force sponsored trips to Australia, Africa, Cuba, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and South America. In addition, Friendship Force clubs from Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, and some within the United States, have visited us to have the Austin Experience.

Our members are adventurers who enjoy forging new friendships as we explore places around the world. We live, work and play in Austin and the surrounding communities when we aren’t traveling.

A typical inbound/outbound exchange.

Travel to the exchange location is usually arranged by the member. Exchanges are typically one week at each club and some exchanges may go to two clubs on an exchange. The exchange begins with a welcoming party for the arriving ambassadors. Ambassadors are hosted at club member homes during their visit. During the visit ambassadors see sites of interest in the area. The exchange concludes with a farewell dinner with our new friends. Often an exchange will include an optional after exchange tour.

http://catalog.thefriendshipforce.org/

We are committed to the following 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 own example to my own fellow citizens and the people of other countries, the cause of friendship and peace can be furthered. I can make a difference.

For more information on the Austin Club or to receive a membership application

eMail us at joshunt@sbcglobal.net or download this link

Learn more about Friendship Force International at http://www.thefriendshipforce.org

Contact Information

Welcome to Friendship Force of Austin