Outbound Journey May 18th – 25th, 2023

Dayton, 'Birthplace of Aviation', is the hometown of the Wright brothers and also home of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. It was named National Geographic's outdoor adventure capital of the Midwest in 2019 and the region has ranked within the top 10% in the nation in arts and culture.

Journey Activities: Explore aviation history starting with the Wright Brothers' museums and continuing to the current day at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Visit the Garst Historical Museum for Annie Oakley history, an art museum, a local garden and take a covered bridge driving tour. The welcome dinner is planned for the evening of May 18th. The full itinerary will be finalized and shared via email and website in January.

Journey Cost: $450 for 7 nights (includes $275 for FF Dayton, $175 for FF International).
Transportation to/from Dayton not included.

Applications: Due January 31st, 2023. Print and complete the attached application and agreement forms and send with a deposit check of $250 made out to Friendship Force Dallas and sent to Barbara Taylor. There is no need to attach the requested photo.

This journey is limited to 16 ambassadors and those who have been selected (see pp 35 - 36 in your 2022 yearbook for the selection process for over-subscribed Journeys) will be notified by February 7th. When selection is complete, your deposit checks will be forwarded to our treasurer. This is when those who need to purchase travel and/or medical insurance should consider doing so. The final $200 is due February 28th, 2023.

Barbara Taylor, Dayton Journey Coordinatorbr Questions: be_taylor@verizon.net

UPDATE: This Journey is a GO with 12 people registered. There is room for 4 more if you act promptly.
Contact Barbara.


From Cathy Barnes, FF Dayton Journey Coordinator:

Welcome to Dayton! We are going to have an interesting week exploring the area together.

The Dayton Ohio area is packed with inventors, museums, architecture and gardens. You will see and learn about the Wright Brothers’ home and the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Indian mounds and Annie Oakley. Nearby we’ll visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House and the National Afro American Museum. We’ll take a leisurely driving tour of covered bridges and eat plenty of local food. Sunday May 21 is Free Day.  

Optional is a Dayton Dragons baseball game, an evening at a local theater to see “Meet Me In St Louis” or a walk in the woods to see Thomas Dambo’s giant Trolls (*)   We hope this is enough to entice you to visit and make new friends in Dayton! 

(* The Trolls - they were in Maine, now near Dayton. https://thomasdambo.com/works/the-mountain-trolls/ https://www.npr.org/2021/05/06/992149491/far-from-the-internet-these-big-benevolent-trolls-lure-humans-to-nature https://gl.audubon.org/news/internationally-renowned-artist-thomas-dambo-debuts-new-troll-exhibit-aullwood-audubon-center )

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Cedar Rapids Inbound - COMPLETED
Host Coordinator: edward perez

September 21-27, 2022

Mary Stull (JC from FF Cedar Rapids-Iowa City) and 11 ambassadors from Cedar Rapids, Madison WI, Columbia MO and Casa Grande, AZ will be arriving on Wed Sep 21 for a journey of five full days and six nights. Back in fall 2019, they hosted seven of us for a wonderful week exploring eastern Iowa. So, let's introduce them to the Dallas area, show them our Texas hospitality, and form new friendships!

As Journey Coordinator, my task is to organize the schedule of events and coordinate Dallas club members in conducting /carrying out the journey experience. Helping with an inbound journey is a great way to learn about and work with other Dallas members, learn about journeys, and provide the ambassadors with a welcoming, friendly and Texas experience!

You can also participate by attending the welcome, small group, and farewell dinners and by attending the various day events and/or lunch gatherings. Again, you'll get to meet the ambassadors as well as other Dallas Members. Edward has emailed an event signup sheet listing all events and costs to members. Please return signup sheets with check to edward by September 2. If you would like to participate but did not get a signup sheet - contact edward perez.

For more info contact edward perez at erperez54@gmail.com.

Journey Schedule

     

Journey Volunteers

* Journey Treasurer -- Leslie Parker
* Home Hosting -- Paula Rose Coordinator /
   Home Hosts: Beth and Randy Tetzlaff, Barb Taylor, Roger and Sandy Kaiser, Leslie Parker,
   Art and Julia Cooper, Mary Williams, Mary Latham, edward perez and Paula Rose,
   Rebecca Fogel, Doris Rodriguez
* Day Hosting --Paula Rose Coordinator
   Day Hosts: Kathy Jacobs; Felicity Sentance; Rebecca Fogel; Anne and/or Jack Young;
   Barb Taylor; Mary Latham
* Small Group Dinners -- Cathy Ignatin Coordinator /
   Dinner Hosts: Mary Jane Wilson; Patti Pierce; Mary Latham; Anne & Jack Young; Kevin &
   Peggy Yard; Andy & Margaret Lepine
* Event signups -- edward perez
* Publicity -- Mary Williams
* Photo Cards - Sandy Kaiser, Beverly Webber
* Welcome Bags -- Kathy Jacobs Coordinator / Rebecca Fogel; Andy & Margaret Lepine
* General Volunteers -- Mary Latham; Art and Julia Cooper; Pat Moreno Fisher

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COVID Information

STEP Notifications
<00000002837efc59-dmarc-request@CALIST.STATE.GOV>
Friday, January 15, 2021

Health Alert - Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs (January 15, 2021)

Location: Worldwide:The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director has signed an order requiring all airline passengers traveling to the United States, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test or recovery from COVID-19.

Event: Effective January 26, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide either a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel or provide a positive test result and documentation from a licensed health care provider or public health official of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Passengers must also attest, under penalty of law, to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel.

See the CDC Proof of Negative Test Result page to view the order, complete the attestation, and to see FAQ's.

Airlines must deny boarding to passengers who do not meet these requirements.

U.S. citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should depart immediately or prepare to be unable to return to the United States until such time as they can meet the requirements.  

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SEE CURRENT REGULATIONS FOR TRAVEL

Actions to Take:

• Monitor the CDC website for latest guidance regarding testing requirements.
  

• Check with your air carriers or travel representative prior to departure for the United States.
   
• Check COVID-19 Country Specific Information updated information on COVID-19 related information including availability of testing.



• Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
  
  
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security's website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
  
  
• Click  here for our COVID FAQs Search Tool. 
  

Assistance:

State Department - Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

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See these pages for more information:

Completed Journeys (1999-2019)

List of All Inbound and Outbound Journeys (year and Journey Coordinator - scroll down)

FFI and Dallas Club Journey Policies

Journey Fees

Journey Info - details for current exchanges

Other Clubs' Journeys

2016 Club and Journey Policies

Health and Mobility Checklist

Download application forms:

Journey Application Form - International (pdf)

Journey Application Form - Domestic (pdf)

List of all Journeys: https://www.thefriendshipforce.org/journeys

Catalog of featured Journeys: https://www.thefriendshipforce.org/journeys-and-eflyers/

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By Ray Enstam, International Exchange Coordinator
Spring 2017

There has been a major change I want to alert you to on travel insurance. I include a few tips but want to make clear that neither I nor the Friendship Force of Dallas can give you any legal advice on this. You should be sure to read carefully any policy you buy.

Friendship Force International requires the purchase of travel insurance, but you are free to choose your own company. The following commentary applies only to the official sponsored insurance.
That said, Friendship Force International has now switched its sponsored insurer and links to this can be found on their website. You should be aware that the form of policy will vary from state to state and as a resident of Texas you should click through to get the proper form. To help you I include a direct link. Read the policy carefully:

http://www3.thefriendshipforce.org/downloads/Massachusetts_Oklahoma_Tennessee_Texas.pdf

In view of the current interest in “pre-existing conditions,” I have copied below some provisions of the policy. You should note that “pre-existing conditions” exclusion can apply not only to the Trip Cancellation, but can exclude payments for Medical Expenses. In view of the fact that Medicare does not apply to treatment outside of the US, travelers on international exchanges should pay close attention to this. And note in the last paragraph that you can get a waiver of these exclusions by early purchase of the policy.

The following exclusions apply to Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Emergency Evacuation, Repatriation of Remains and Missed Connection:
 
Loss caused by or resulting from:
1. Pre-Existing Conditions, as defined in the Definitions section (except Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains);

The following exclusions apply to Emergency Sickness Medical Expense and Emergency Accident Medical Expense:
Loss caused by or resulting from:

1. Pre-Existing Conditions, as defined in the Definitions;
Pre-Existing Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the sixty (60) day period immediately prior to the Effective Date for which You, a Traveling Companion or a Family Member booked to travel with You: 1) exhibited symptoms that would have caused one to seek care or treatment; or 2) received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment; or 3) took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (3) of this definition does not apply to a condition that is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the sixty (60) day period before the Effective Date.

The Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion is waived if You (a) purchased this Policy at the time You pay the deposit (to Friendship Force) for Your Trip (or within 15 days of the initial trip deposit); and (b) You are medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid.

A FEW COMMENTS:
I have spoken with Friendship Force International (FFI) and have some additional information about travel insurance and the question of covering “pre-existing conditions.” This only applies if you buy the official policy from FFI. You are on your own if you buy with a different company.

Deal With FFI not Insurance Company. If you buy the official travel policy you will buy from FFI and not deal directly with the company. You will make payments to FFI so they have more control over when you need to buy and when you get a refund.

Purchase Cut Off Date More Flexible. Even though the policy says you must buy within 15 days of the first payment to “Friendship Force” this is not clear which Friendship Force is referred to and if a refundable payment is a payment. The key time to buy insurance is when you make the first non-refundable payment. In the case of travel fee payments to FFI that is 60 days before departure. When you make a deposit to the Dallas club it is not a payment if it is refundable. The first payment date is the date the club makes a non-refundable payment and can no longer refund all your money (ie, payment to FFI or to a travel agency or such). But it also means that if you buy a plane ticket or pay some other travel expense to an outsider that is non-refundable, that is when you need to buy your insurance.

Insurance Premium Refundable. If you buy insurance when you make your first refundable deposit, such as to the club, and then cancel, you can also cancel the policy and get a refund of your premium. This is handled by FFI so you don’t have to deal with the insurance company.

Buy Insurance in Installments. It was also suggested that you can buy insurance in stages. When you make your first refundable payment to the club you can buy $1,000 worth of insurance for $38 (which is the minimum policy amount) and add on to this as you commit more money. And if you cancel, that first premium is refundable. If you buy insurance because you have made a non-refundable payment, it is not clear if you can cancel the policy. Of course, you cannot both make a claim and cancel.

If you have further questions on this you can call Allison Lindsey at Friendship Force International at 404-965-4342.

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From Lauren Tepley, Communications Coordinator, Friendship Force International:

There are two questions club leaders always seem to ask:
How can we get new members?
How can we fill our journeys?

FFI has worked with experienced volunteers to develop answers to these questions, answers that are practical and based on proven results. The purpose of the World Exchange Recruiter program is to begin to give concrete steps to expand membership AND fill exchanges. The goal is to fill 200 spaces on Jouneys through the World Exchange Recruiters and connect with 300 hosts in the Friendship Force community. 

How? World Exchange Recruiters will:
- Be up-to-date on all upcoming journeys 
- Actively recruit members from within their club to travel with other clubs
- Be responsible for distributing the monthly on-line FFI e-flyer to all members
- Be the contact for new and current members to discuss all journey opportunities available in the US
- Promote all outbound US journeys in whatever way your club authorizes

Want the early scoop on upcoming Friendship Force journeys? Want to help get these journeys filled so friendships can be formed around the world?

If you are interested in becoming FF Dallas' "World Exchange Recruiter," contact Paula Rose at paularose2000@hotmail.com.

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