So after Labor Day the weather cools down and the rains begin - right? It doesn't seem so but we have weathered the worse of the summer heat hopefully. This month we won't have a leadership meeting because we are going to have a quarterly meeting/party at Mitzi's beautiful home. And we are pretty sure it will be warm enough to take a swim, so bring your bathing suit if you are game. Her home is located at 8109 Cardin Drive, Austin. We sure hope you can attend the party as we discuss the upcoming activities and about running the club. Look for an Evite from the club. Please respond so we know how many members and guests will come. Bring a friend that you feel may want to be part of the Friendship Force.
Here is the 2023 Leadership Council and we are looking to fill the 2024 positions soon.
Leadership Coordinator - Carol Blanchard
Treasurer - Karen Jackson
General Meeting Coordinator - Mitz McGlone
Journey Coordinator - Judy Ratliff
Membership Committee - Lauren Barrett
Secretary - Darlene Sugarek
Newsletter - Lisa Judge
We hosted the Tuxla Mexico Club in June and yes, it was hot, but they live in a hot environment so it worked out well. With a fun welcome party at Mitzi and a festive farewell party at the Lakewood Clubhouse, our members also had a good time. A visit to downtown, Barton Springs, and San Marcos for the springs and shopping made for a nice visit. Thank you to our hosts, day hosts, and non-host dinners. But now they would love for us to come to their homes in January and the spectacular Fiesta Grande de Chiapa Corzo.
If you have not renewed your membership for 2022 send your check for $40 made out to Austin Friendship Force to our treasurer Karen Jackson at 1015 E Yeager Lane, Unit 133, Austin, Texas 78753 For new members it is $45 which includes a club badge - see application
To find out more about International and Austin Friendship Force look at our New Members Welcome Brochure.
Thanks to committee leaders for 2023:
Sunshine Communications Kay Binder
Website/Google Groups Joseph Hunt
Facebook Still open and looking for an owner
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 Winter 2023 newsletter 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.
2023-24 Journeys and coordinators:
October 2-5 International Conference in Croatia with extension trips for several members
Tuxla, Chiapas, Mexico - January 15 - 23 - with an extension to Palenque Archeological site
Don't forget to check out Friendship Force International for open Journeys with other clubs.
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.
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.
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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 joshunt@sbcglobal.net or download this link
Learn more about Friendship Force International at http://www.thefriendshipforce.org