Welcome to Friendship Force of Austin - January 2020

Image may contain: 10 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoorNow we are back from our fall Journeys to Turkey and Costa Rica. We a big thank you for Ambassador coordinators, Kay Binder and Judy Ratliff. We had our Holiday Party at the Olive Garden with 35 attendees and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Thank you to Errol Olson so setting it up and coordinating our toy gift program for the children being protected at SAFE Austin (formally Safehouse). Thank you members for being generous with your gifts. Here's to our 2019 Leadership Council for keeping the wheels of Friendship Force in motion and preparing for a fantastic 2020.  

The January Leadership Council meeting with be meeting on the SECOND Tuesday of January instead of the third. It is for this month only. It will be at the North Village Branch of the Austin Library - 2505 Steck Ave. Everyone is invited to come and be a part of the planning and discussion. For this month only we have a special happy hour but we are limited to 20-23 people.  It will be at Common Interest - 8440 Burnet Road. It is much discussed Singing happy hour. Seats are limited so you need to RSVP to Judy ratliff - judyrat@swbell.net

Below is the 2020 Leadership Council slate you all voted for at the holiday luncheon. 
Leadership Council Members - 2020
  • Joseph Hunt ----Head of the Leadership Council
  • Louann Sledge (with help from Sally Scott) ----Membership Coordinator and Publicity
  • Linda Buelhmann (with help from Carol Blanchard) ----Journey Director Coordinator
  • Zosia Hunt ----General Meeting Coordinator
  • Judy Ratliff (witrh help from Trisha Davis) ----Treasurer
  • Carol Parsonage ----Secretary and Historian
  • Anita Knight -----Past Head of Leadership Council
Thanks to committee leaders for 2020:
  • Happy Hours                     Kathleen Girard
  • Publicity                             Audrey Baker
  • Newsletter                         Lin Hughes
  • Policies                              Zosia Hunt
  • Website/facebook             Joseph Hunt


FF Austin Communications will  be coming from Google Groups where they used to be from Yahoo Groups. If you are not receiving notes, contact Joseph Hunt (joshunt@sbcglobal.net)

The November 2019 newsletter was distributed  by email and it is also found here. Press this link to download or view. The Spring Newsletter will be available soon.  The deadline for articles for the Spring newsletter is February 1. Thank you Lin Hughes 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 Lin at laurel819@yahoo.com for her consideration. 


2020 Journeys and coordinators:
  •            February 24- 29         InBound from Southington Connecticut -  Karen Hamm
  •            April 1-7                   Outbound to Baton Rouge - Anita Knight
  •            June 17-30              Outbound to Brazil - Carol Parsonage
  •            September 26-30   Inbound from Montreal - Gloria Mungia
  •           November 3-8         Inbound from Lower Colombia River, Washington - Lin Hughes
If you are a member and not receiving our Google Group communications, please send a note to Joseph Hunt - joshunt@sbcglobal.net and you will be added.




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Interested in getting more involved? Contact any board 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.






 







Can't wait for our next trip? Visit Friendship Force International and join another club on their trip.  http://catalog.thefriendshipforce.org/


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.

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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 sallyscott33@gmail.com or download this link

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



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