The years is coming to a close as we had our annual Luncheon/General Meeting with 29 members and guests at Freda's Seafood Restaurant. We had a good old time with a little business and election of the 2025 Leadership Team. We also added new roles for members like LEOs (Let's Eat Out) and Quarterly Programs, and Digital Consultant. Below is the accepted slate:
Here is the 2025 Leadership Council members.
Leadership Coordinator - Carol Blanchard
Treasurer - Judy Ratliff
General Meeting Coordinator - Mitzi McGlone
Journey Coordinator - Carol Parsonage
Membership Committee - Sam Blango
Secretary - Joseph Hunt
Newsletter - Lisa Judge
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
Help Wanted: Please participate in the membership committee as it will be fun and creative to find new members. The upcoming incoming Journey from the Gold Coast needs our members to help and participate. Also, send your club information to Lisa Judge for the next newsletter.
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
Are you getting our communications?
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 Latest Newsletter is here
The Summer 2025 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.
2025 Journeys and coordinators:
February 13- 26 - Sri Lanka - Lauren Barrett and Kay Binder
Incoming Northern Colorado - Judy Ratliff and Carol Blanchard
Fall Outbound to Dayton, Ohio - Ambassador Coordinator - TBD
Don't forget to check out Friendship Force International for open Journeys with other clubs.
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