Friendship Force of Baton Rouge



Southwest Conference – Houston, 2015Notes: Mary Williams – mwilliamstxtravel@Opening Session and Leadership WorkshopAna Smulski and Cinda Clark40767002247900187325-63531115 Joy Huntington Cinda Clark Charles Bennett and Cinda ClarkWayne Smith service medal –awarded to Baton Rouge member presented by President Keith Corkern to Charles Bennett (with Frances – a previous winner)Ana Smulski9 year with FFI – from Brazil. Speaks Portuguese, Spanish, English.Promo movie for FFI. 2 minutesLeadership – Overview365 clubs – concentration in US16,000 members. 5000 travel every year. What are the rest of the people doing? Hosting, other activities with the clubs.Not as many requests for the US – more domestic, global, themed exchanges here.Looking at new ways to have exchanges.In the US there are 97 active clubs, 6031 FF members, Strong field rep system119 weeks of hosting offered, with 44 requestsSome new exchanges:Explore IndiaExplore Taiwan For this fall – need EDs for these exchangesOther proposals welcomed – need EDsSW Conference 10 clubs, 612 membersJohn Heard field rep; list of field reps in other regionsField Rep Volunteer for experienced FF leaderSupport and assist clubs in the regions withCommunication with FFI. ClubsExchangesClub development – training for clubs and exchange directorsRegional conferences / president’s meetingNew ideasGood leaders propose new ideas - get help from FFI, field repsHow to do various things – budgets, training, etc. Will set up video calls, for discussion, dialogueHave videos online availableNews from FFINew fee for 2016: $10 per night for domestic exchangesDeveloping cruise programs with Grand Circle – river cruises in Europe / educational; FFI may get own cruise shipPioneer Exchanges – with 6 people to explore possibilitiesDiscover exchanges (to develop a club; 5 nights in hotel, 2 in homes)Want club in Italy; 6-10 people will meet with contacts we already have (who has additional contacts) – in Rome, Milan and VeniceAnniversary Exchanges Ex: 30 year anniversary – invite other clubs we have ties with – visit themLanguage Learning ExchangesGuadaloupe – Global exchange in FrenchSpanish – ColumbiaQuebec – FrenchHome stays for 2-3 weeks Want more language opportunities to complement our exchangesFFI in Action – service projects/ humanitarianJamaica – more opportunities in JuneNew club in Georgetown TX – May 30 kickoffNew partners: – headquarters in Dublin (2 years) 30,000 membersPurpose is to Increase host capacity, especially in Europe, bring their members to usBook hotel for extra people who want to go on an exchange – do the day activitiesWith – book homestay for you if extra people want to go52% of requests are to Europe; would complement what we offer for extra families Additional fee if they stay with these people; less than hotel, but extra feeVancouver conference – FULL – 400; more capacity may open upBoard of Directors Nominations (deadline May 15)2015-2018 Strategic Plan (Jan 29)Fill the Seat Policy – 100 days out – put under-subscribed exchanges on FFI catalog e-mail9/9 - OK to Somerset and Leuven10/6 - KS to Cairns, North Moreton, Tweed Valley and MelbourneAustin to Sao Paulo and Maringa, BrazilVetting Process – not automatic to become member/host – need to interview, recommendationsNew website to take e-membershipsVetting committee – Laurie Ann Scott; will report in VancouverBrainstorming Ideas of success from your clubChairs for various activities – exchanges, meetings, President only conducts Board meetingsMembershipMore Presentations, bring a friendMembership recruitmentHave a meeting with interesting program – invite people to attend. Ex: Dr. Matthew Perry – FW. Great-great-grandfather was Matthew Perry who opened up Japan to West. Donations received from interested people to pay for transportation to bring him; sister cities gave him 2 free nights in hotel; home dinner with members; breakfast to member party. Invited those groups – some attended, exposed to FF.Bento Box dinner - $5 – Japanese presenter (FW) – invite Japanese/American clubChair should be outgoing, leader, proactiveGet information when they visit – send meeting flyer for next 3 monthsList new members’ info in next newsletter; supplement to yearbookGet them involved soonHave someone take new member or guest around to meet people at meetingsNew member luncheon-orientation – Dallas / dessert reception KSInvite everyone new since last one (one per year in spring)Invite new members, interested guests – those who have visited, suggestions of interested people from membersAsk people to joinTravel section announcement of meetings (Dallas)Get attention in the newspaper from trips; put contact in newspaper (Dallas)Officers recruitmentBigger pool of members (DLS)Incentives – Farewell dinner for hosts free; gas card to drive to FW (Dallas)Ask: How would you like to help out our club? (Dallas)Exchange Director recruitmentTraining every few years for being an ED; be an incoming ED before an outbound ED (some experience working with FFI, manuals, forms)Reimburse ED (NM - $1500 toward outbound expenses; OK – airfare or inbound – credit for a net fee $500 from club/$250 from ambassadors)Domestic exchange with San Francisco Bay Area. Do something different in SF because we have all been there – went to biker bar, Mission District – murals (Dallas) Two places back to back: Columbia Cascade and Olympia – 2 weeks; had 20 people for each (Dallas)How to get people to go on exchanges:Endowment – for a scholarship with some talent – musical, perform, artist, etc. (Baton Rouge)Save an ExchangeInvited Cincinnati who didn’t have an exchange – had only 8 from Australia, added 8 from Cincinnati (Dallas)Invited SW clubs – had 8 from SW clubs / 8 from Gold Coast club (Dallas)What Does FFI Do?Ana Smulski and Cinda ClarkSee handout.What is FF?A philosophy and a way of lifeNetwork of 365 clubs across 60 yearsDepends on local and central organizationClubs are chartered by FF InternationalWe are all members of FFStrong international organizationDevelops, maintains and supports global club system and its exchangesDevelops new programsConducts partnership programsPromotes FF globally38 years of continuity – Wayne Smith founder5 presidentsOnce up to 25 staff, now 16 FFI structureBoard of Directors: not a representative body; does not act like a parliament, rather represents the global interests of or ourganization; support politics; don’t represent clubs; continuity, new programs, integrate globally;Joy – CEOStaff listFinance – Ebony Rogers, Joy Fitzgerald, Hap PettyPrograms/planning – most staffCommunications – Jillian Walters, Maggie SmithConferences – Pallie SavoieClubs - 1980 Clubs, FFI develops, maintains and supports the global club system and its exchanges.Charter for each club – own officers and activitiesMembersFF exchangesAmbassadors and hostsCommunity at largeField RepsRegional cooperationFFI organizationSupports clubs and partnerships.Create more partnerships to grow; make contact with like-minded organizations – increase variety, ability to host, new experiences. Ex: In China, Myanmar FF doesn’t work with culture – have partnerships there.New clubs: newest is Georgetown TXTaipei, TaiwanVictoria/Vancouver IslandSao Luis, BrazilOsher Life Long Learning Institute - FLSochi, RussiaExchangesSurveys all clubsExchange matchingExchange monitoring / support (dates not established, problems, canceling)Techniques to prevent cancellationEvaluation - followupDomestic Exchanges – contact Kristin Harrison to tell you when your exchanges will take place so you can plan when to have domestic exchangesCommunicationsInternational FFI StaffMonthly FFI Communique – feature 4 exchangesExchanges Catalog Email alertsClub Resource Website– information about clubsSocial MediaLeadership Development and TrainingParticipation in National and regional ConferencesGlobal field rep system:BrazilJapanEuropeAustraliaNZCanadaUSField Rep – volunteer position for experience FF leaders. Each region unique in terms of geographic challenges and number of clubs. Field Rep brings personal strengths and styles to the program to help, support, and assist clubs in their region. No direct link to Board members.Develop New ProgramsFriendship in ActionNextGen – younger participants, more freedomPioneerAnniversariesLeadership – Dave Kalan (how to become leaders, some cultural activities)ExploreDiscoverLanguageProfessional – teachers, hospitals – doctors, nursesPartnership programsCruisesFF languagesF in ActionNextGen ExchangesPioneerLeadershipPromotes FF GloballyBranding and MarketingInternational PaintPalsMeetupFacebook pageCatalogSignupGoogle – help to choose key words to promote FF so when Homestay put into Search – Friendship Force comes up (now it doesn’t or is way back); when we get these inquiries, we don’t know who is applying; we need to get references when someone applies for an exchangeSpecial Exchanges Panel edward perez, Dallas Geneva Hancock, Oklahoma Judith Mead, New MexicoGeneva Hancock – Planning and conducting one – already done one, planning another with one more club Judith Mead– Considering having one, planning one, and conducting one – for next yearedward perez– participant’s experience in attending oneTypes:Themed – shared interests, education, humanitarian, languageGlobal – specific theme or cultural understandingDiscovery – short homestay with travel – help to form new clubPartnership and Contract – cruise, tour, etc.Participate or have your club do one – reasons:Homestays going down, special exchanges going upBig revenue getters for FFIGeneva - Taming America’s Great Plains – overall titleUnique topic; activities depicted what was happening in early American history; Did one similar in 2013 – but only Omaha in Neb; Won Club of the Year award This exchange had an Executive ED – who was in charge of organizing a global themed exchange with 3 states and 4 clubs; each club also had an ED to arrange activities/hosts for that segment.Participants in new exchange: 2 clubs in Neb – Omaha and Lincoln, 1 club in OK, 1 club in KSDifferent locations/clubs - topics included:OK – Cowboys and IndiansKS - Home on the RangeLincoln – Neb territory, new land, new peopleOmaha – Iron horse on the Plains“Doubtful Handshake” painting – shows homesteader making friends with Indians who lived there.Choose something unique in your area to showcase.Very popular – 30 ambassadors and waiting listPlanning: Each club appointed an ED and a treasurerExecutive Committee treasurer collected exchange fees and distributed money to clubsActivities planned early for advertising and avoiding duplicationOne person arranged all bus transportationExecutive ED represented all ambassadors during exchangeOpening – ice cream social, cakewalk. Successes – TipsBegan planning early – 1 ? years First night in a hotel in 2013Deciding which club would focus on whatTrains came in to move beef. Cattle drives through Indian Territory – built trains, cattle walked to rail – Abilene KS.Start with the trains – Omaha; fly into Omaha.Each club had ED and treasurer.Stay with theme so activities not repeated in another club. Coordinate activities. 4 nights in each club + one extra night on arrival day.Advertised exchange at FF ConferenceSent special invitation via FFI’s e-mail listAdvertised in Catalogue – 1st of Aug for spring trip Set max # of ambassadors at capacity +2 in case of cancellations - 21 ambassadorsTreasurer handles all the money in and out. FFI handles all exchange fees. Not regular application form – special form sent to ambassadors. Follow FFI guidelines; applicants need recommendation from person (usually President) in their club. Did not put them on ambassador list until fee paid.300 brochures printed. People took them from Intl Conf and back to clubs. Respond promptly to inquiriesSpecial invitation on email from FFI – received 39 requests for applications; 5 countries represented: 5; also inquiries from other places.Now maximum 20-21 ambassadors booked this year.Conference call once a month for clubs involved – every club represented; discuss progress and any problems.DifficultiesPlanning 8 months out hard – get it ready for International Conference – necessary.Things happen – be Flexible Force.Local event changed their date to one week before the exchange started – found comparable replacement. Fort Sill – (Geronimo kept there) changed the rules about visiting there – needed special approval for each person. Had to have an application with an original signature – mailed back.Treasurer put all budgets together to determine exchange fee.edward perez – participant in Jamaica Friendship Force in Action service projectBuilt greenhouse, bathroom With partner One Love One Foundation at Montego Bay Director there knew Joy diBenedetto – partnering; goal listed specific needs.Survey show need for new opportunities – Friendship in ActionThemed – humanitarianOne Love mission:Peace, Prosperity, Understanding – Soil, Soul, SocietyGet young adults back to gardening and farming – grow food, chickens, get produce and feed people. Feed 800 kids a day with produce from their farm in Africa.Teach their culture – videos of their own culture, singing, dancing. DrummingFarm has contract to deliver food to nearby resort. Accommodations at Highland House – Oscar Hammerstein owned the houseBrenda Isaac and Tonya Moses – owners; Mary Mwambay, EDCanadian and US AmbassadorsOLOF Farm - view of Montego BayGardening: 7 acres of 20 acres owned for vegetables and trees (banana, palm, etc.)Lead farmer – hired to work the farm, also going to college, learning about business, live there and work there.Insecticides – organic; learningSeeds had been out in the open - disappeared in elementsBuilt greenhouse, signs, place to put seedlings.Two guys live in a treehouse; no storageFramed bathroom/shower; can go there and not to top of the hill to the houseCanadians bought a fridge for themEdward, Dale Klosterman, Paula Rose bought a lawnmower for them, drillSchool visit: Ivy Hall Basic SchoolLot of kids there; bring supplies to kids – personalize with their name on the book.Pre-K – coloring books.Drumming with the kids – energy building.Kids dancing, involved. Talked to little kids. People/drumming: Mama Ita, daughter. Mama Ita and daughter Dale participated in drumming. Learned about that culture.One young man taught the other boys drumming; dancing; singing. All learned gardening.Like an exchange, a holiday, a service project.New exchanges coming up: June 10-16; sign up now – or it will cancel. Only 3 signed up so far. Need 20. Need to be physically fit to do manual labor.Judith Mead – Ancestral Puebloan and Contemporary Pueblo Societies – New Mexico Asked - what could we do in our area that is unique – old pueblos, abandonment, resettlement; Compare Anasazi / Ancestral Pueblo to contemporary. Ex: Kiva at Chaco Canyon - outliers; grinding stone – at yucca house. Lowery ruin – was a great house; moved when drought set in. Chaco Canyon – great ruins. Petroglyphs.Now working on it for 2017Plan:Global exchange or NextGen exchangeTwo weeks longInclude significant travel within NMRequires overnights away from hostActivities (with lead archeologist):Intro to theme of exchange – schedule of activitiesLectures by local archeologist – with expert on Field trips – Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Aztec and Salmon ruins, Salinas Pueblo Missions – Abo, Gran quivera, QuaraiLectures by Contemporary Pueblo leadersVisits to Contemporary pueblos – Taos, Acoma, Jemez – tribes migrated to the pueblos; visits to someJemez Visitor Center – one will be visited. (one of NM members has a family she sponsors there)Help ambassadors understand the cultures of the ancestral Pueblo people and how the cultures related to contemporary PuebloAppreciate artIndian Pueblo Cultural Center – Albuquerque – art and history along Rio Grande + 2 othersIssues – Status as sovereign nationEducation, youth and demographicsAssimilation into general population Problems with drugs and alcoholCasinos and gamblingEmploymentPlan details:Set date – no summer – 2 weeks – early May or late SeptemberDetermine number of ambassadors – how many can be accommodated; not more than 20Put the word outScreen applicants according to FFI guidelinesSelect speakers – both ancestral and contemporaryLogistics for field tripsVisit venues for art and artisansHome and day hosts – 2 weeksArrange for venues for lectures and activitiesMap of New Mexico – itinerary:Albuquerque Indian Pueblo Cultural CenterAcoma Contemporary Pueblo Chaco Canyon lecture (stay in Grants)Chaco canyon National Historic park – lecture/guideHike; visit pueblos there – Chaco CanyonJulia Garrett – archeologist for CCBack to Albuquerque and Petroglyph National Monument – ties stories togetherSanta Fe – Palace of the Governors, NM History Museum; stay a night in SF – tie in 1500sBandelier Natl Monument – Tsankawi Ruins – not as old; self guided tourPuye ruins and Santa Clara Cont Pueblo – old/new same peopleContemporary Pueblo Leaders lectureCoronado State Monument – Jemez – contact with conquistadors – mission church – influx of SpanishSalinas Natl Monument Contemporary Pueblo visit – mission churches – may be IsletaFree day and Farewell dinnerOther languages? May be Spanish/EnglishHandout of contacts – for questions, ideas, commentsWill offer instruction, specialty of the regionGet information out on FFI list.Other special exchanges:Anniversary of Wright Brothers in DaytonBaton Rouge – Pick Your Passion global exchange to New Orleans - April 6-18, 2016 – French Quarter festival, entertainment hotel room – on your own, but people as supportRiver cruise – to Chalmette – Andrew JacksonVoodoo, above ground burial, what to see in NO - architecture, Cajuns, Creole Day of gospel spiritual musicCrawfish and rice – crawfish boilDance hall – dance Zydeco – Cajun culturePetroleum – 30% comes in through LA – oil platform (30 years old – working real platform)Canoe Bayou Teche, or boat. First entry into bywaters designationCotton plantation, tour of plantation (computerized cotton gin)Understand wetland areasJoseph from Austin – led an exchange to bird watching in central Texas. Mainly US ambassadors, one from Canada. Trained Austin hosts – state parks and different places. Also cultural activities in Austin. Spring migration a good time. Not too strenuous.Houston – quilters – Hosting ambassadors after quilt show.Strategic PlanAna Smulski - ana@See handout for specifics for each point. (at end of this document)Enrich FF ExchangesMaximize Exchange participants and hosting capacityNextGen for everyoneLeadership DevelopmentBranding and MarketingLeverage Modern TechnologyInitiate PartnershipsEnhance and Secure revenue streamsFor next 3 yearsWork in progressSeparate items but integratedNextGen component in every pieceGoal – increase participation by 10% in all activitiesMore people going on exchangesGlobal survey – membersSetting FFI on a sustainable courseDiversity, new clubs, thematic, partnershipsMeaning – Friendship in Action – humanitarian projectsLearning: professional development, education – more Road Scholar programs, Cuba, language schools where there are clubs. SERVAS (member based, no clubs). – more hostingFill the Seat Policy to fill under-subscribed exchanges – post 100 days beforeAverage 5000 ambassadors a year – not growing. 70% not traveling; exchanges not full.Accept good ambassadors, get references52% requests to go to Europe. Maximize Europe.NextGen – for active people who want active component, more freedomTarget active, existing FF participants as well as soon-to-be retirees and younger generationDave Kalan – head of this outreachNewsletter for NextGen – what it is about, understand how to get involvedLaura – 10 NextGen exchanges – with Youth council. Want flexibility, interesting activities, activeLeadership Development – ask clubs for ideas. 7 ideas:add field repscreate task forces on a variety of topicsencourage clubs to embrace a goal and report progressOffer frequent and accessible training – new models, toolsBranding/marketingNew promotional videoGlobal friendship campaignInclude clubs and members in fun global and local community projects and events – like photo contests and exhibitsLeverage Modern TechBuild information database – better member servicesDevelop global online community platform and websiteImprove usability of websitePartnershipIncrease program variety and participation with partnerships withLike minded orComplimentary missionsEnhance revenueFundraising – purpose – diverse donorsDigital fundraising - more FFI exposureExplore potential for funding through grantsEndowment fundArtwork projectsMy Dream of PeaceMember declineVideo: Friendshippromo – on YouTubeMorocco – Isabella Iverson and Gerry ArensI did not attend this; ask for her notes. They went to Morocco with FF last year.Iiverson12@ ................
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