Dear Friends,

Countdown to the end of another “Journey less” year. Even though we haven’t “physically” journeyed this year, Friendship Force Dallas was able to view past journeys taken by members of our club. If you missed any of the monthly meetings, Edward Perez has given us links to view the programs. Thank you, Edward.

The Holiday Season is fast approaching, and one place to gift some of our “Extra Journey Money” (not spent on trips) is to give a gift to Friendship Force International. The mission and goal of FFI are very important and we want to see the organization continue and thrive for many years.

Also, see below for the slate of nominated officers for 2022. You’ll be asked to present alternatives and/or vote at the upcoming meeting on Saturday, November 13th.

Isabella Iverson, President

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Meetings coordinator – Paula Rose, paularose2000@hotmail.com

Past Meetings Viewable Online

Were you unable to attend a past meeting? Want to "re-attend" a past meeting? You can view recordings of our prior meetings at our club's YouTube webpage (click on "Videos" or "Playlists"). Recordings run between 50 minutes and just over an hour. You can always "rewind" or "fast forward" sections. You can watch them on your computer, tablet, smartphone or smart TV. .... FF Dallas' YouTube Channel at https://tinyurl.com/FFD-YouTubeChannel
... Or search YouTube for "FFDallas Texas" (include the quotation marks!)

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September Meeting - The South Island of New Zealand
presented by Gerry Arens

Jerry and Isabella took this independent trip around South Island with the Intercity Bus Company staying in hostels after being in Nelson, New Zealand for a Friendship Force Journey.
 



                                                                
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October Meeting – Budapest
presented by Mary Williams

(This was the second part of the Hidden Gems of Europe program)
Mary stayed with FFD member Ava Rowe who was able to give her much historical information which Mary passed on to us during the presentation. A very illuminating presentation featuring architecture and monuments in this beautiful city!

 
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New Slate of Officers for 2022

The Nominating Committee consisting of Paula Rose, Patti Pierce and Julia Cooper presented the following slate for officers:

President: Sandy Kaiser
Vice-president: Randy Tetzlaff
Membership: edward perez
Secretary: Barbara Taylor
Treasurer: Leslie Parker

These nominees have agreed to hold these offices. Elections will be held at the November meeting on Saturday November 13 where additional nominees may be suggested (with their knowledge and acceptance) and a vote will be taken.

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Fort Worth Club Pays Dallas a Visit

On Oct 1, 11 members of the Fort Worth club traveled to Dallas via the TRA and DART. Paula & edward met them at the Mockingbird Station where we rode a DART shuttle to the Meadows Museum (two great exhibits - Spanish clothing from 1800s and 1900s; photos from Mexico from 1900s). Leyla Akgerman met us there. Afterwards, we shuttled back to Mockingbird Station for lunch at the Dallas Grilled Cheese Co. for more
conversations and delicious lunch.



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The Travel Book Club
Chair: Barbara Taylor - be_taylor@verizon.net

Our October book was The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. Many thanks to Cathy Ignatin for being our discussion leader! Those in attendance had read other of Tan’s books and thought this was one of her weakest. For the most part, it was the “yin eyes” - seeing ghosts, and the character of the half-sister, Kwan, that a few members said were confusing or uninteresting.

Amy Tan herself is an interesting character study. Many of her books are intertwined with the history of her own family. There is an interesting PBS documentary on her life which is available on PBS Passport and You Tube TV: https://www.pbs.org/video/amy-tan-unintended-memoir-nwt3tq
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YgMPgtovxI

Also, if you search on her name, you can find other interviews and information.

November’s book moves us from the U.S. and China over to Europe where we are prepared to, as Paula says, laugh out loud at some of Bill Bryson’s humor in Neither Here Nor There. We all enjoyed the previous book club selection from Bryson so I am really looking forward to this one. Below is the list for future books if you would like to read ahead.

Change in date and time!!! Meetings are now FOURTH TUESDAY of the month at NOON (12 PM) except November - Nov. 30. No December meeting.

TITLE	AUTHOR	LEADER	DATE
My Life in France	Julia Child	Felicity Sentance	28-Sep
The Hundred Secret Senses	Amy Tan	Cathy Ignatin	26-Oct
Neither Here Nor There	Bill Bryson	Paula Rose	30-Nov
1st Ladies Detective Agency (new selection)	Alexander McCall Smith	Julia Cooper	25-Jan
TBD	TBD	TBD	22-Feb
Notes from a Small Island	Bill Bryson	Sandy Kaiser	22-Mar
Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane	Lisa See	Diana Behannesey	26-Apr
Come, Tell Me How You Live	Agatha Christie	Mary Williams	26-May
The Geat Railway Bazaar	Paul Theroux	Janis Robinson	28 Jun
TBD			26 Jul

We’d love you to join us at one of our Zoom meetings (even if you haven’t read the book for that month). If you’re not on the email list to receive the link, simply contact Barb Taylor at the above email address.

Thanks, Barb Taylor

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Dues

Your board recently approved to keep membership dues sufficient to pay our FFI Membership dues but not collect any dues for our club.

Membership Chair edward perez recently emailed FFD membership renewal forms to all members. Please send your membership form and check for $25 per person to edward. This form can be downloaded from several places on this website, including here: Member Renewal Form 2022.

Due to limited activities this year, your board has approved a reduction in 2022 membership dues. 2022 Membership dues are $25 per person [FFI dues only]. Secondary membership is $10.

- Please complete and return the renewal form (with your check payable to "Friendship Force of Dallas")
  by DECEMBER 15, 2021.
- When you fill out your form, let us know how you can help your club with your skills, time, and energy.
- Mail it to Friendship Force of Dallas - edward perez (address on form)

*** If you have decided NOT to renew your membership, please let edward perez know.

If you have any questions about your membership, our club, or FFI, reply to edward perez at erperez54@gmail.com  or any board member. Your support and generosity helps FF Dallas and FF International now and in the future to further the cause of peace, friendship, and understanding.

NEW! Also, if you renew your membership AND you signup for FFI's new website, https;//my.friendshipforce.org, by Dec 31, you will be entered into a drawing. Two members will have their 2021 FFD membership dues covered by the club.


In Friendship,
edward perez
Vice-President, Membership
FF of Dallas

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Shuttle Rides
Shuttle Coordinator Aurora Madrigal - aurora487@sbcglobal.net

For those of you still doing some traveling, or for running errands, remember, use our volunteer shuttle service (see page 45 in your yearbook). Make a new friend or learn about a friend's journey/trip during that ride to/from the airport. Send an email to ffdallas-shuttle@googlegroups.com with info on date, time, and place for pickup and/or drop-off.

Want to become a shuttle driver? Send an email to Aurora Madrigal for more info.

Remember to send a donation to the club [treasurer] after your ride, and pay your driver $5 for his/her expenses.

Business Cards

Remember - you can order your own FFD business cards from Mary Williams. Give them to people who ask about Friendship Force. This service is free.

Facebook

You can also let your friends and family know about Friendship Force by sharing yours experiences on your social media account(s). Invite them to attend an upcoming monthly meeting, an event or an inbound or outbound journey. FF of Dallas has a Facebook page that you can like and follow as well as share with your other FB friends. https://www.facebook.com/FriendshipForceDallas/.

Board

Board meetings are being held via Zoom. All members are welcome to attend. Please contact our president, Isabella Iverson ( Iiverson12@sbcglobal.net ) for dates, times and a link to Zoom if you wish to attend. In July the Board meets on November 15 at 1:30 pm.

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Newsletter Apprentice Wanted

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP FRIENDSHIP FORCE DALLAS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CLUB FROM YOUR HOME? DO YOU HAVE WRITING, COMPUTER AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS?

Then you might like to apprentice with Felicity as editor of this newsletter sent to members every other month. The role of editor involves:

- Attend the board meeting each month via Zoom
- Keep up to date with club activities
- Obtain email updates for the upcoming newsletter
- Transfer this information to the newsletter template

If you’re interested in learning more please contact Felicity Sentance at fsentance@gmail.com.

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Some of you may remember Mary Suther and her husband Dean Morgenthaler who, regrettably, died recently. Mary may be contacted at mary.suther@sbcglobal.net.

Some members may have known Keith Corkern of the Baton Rouge club who passed away in September of a heart attack.

It was with great sadness we learnt of Keith's passing - as our host through Friendship Force April 6-18, 2016, friendships remained strong with communication running hot while watching baseball, or during the NFL season. Sept 2016, prior to Gold Coast FF journey, we showed him Brisbane in brief!!! With another visit in mind with Kat, we were looking forward to showing them both more of Brisbane, the Olympic city for 2032! May it help you to know, even though the distance is great, you are close in thought and heart as this very sad time.

Roy & Marlene Fennell, Brisbane, Australia

Mary Latham shared a link for free e-books:
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-read-e-books-for-free-without-pirating-them-1847187739
.

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by Vice-President Membership - edward perez, erperez54@gmail.com
 
News and Updates

I recently emailed FFD membership renewal forms. Your board recently approved to keep membership dues sufficient to pay our FFI membership dues but not collect any dues for our club. Please send or email your membership form and check for $25 per person [FFI dues only] to me. Or let me or any board member know if you have decided not to renew. This form can be downloaded from several places on our
website – including here: Member Renewal Form 2022.

Another way you can assist our club is joining any of our committees. Review the list on the renewal form and indicate how you can help. If you have any questions about our club or committees, please talk with any board member.

Finally, please attend our November meeting where the Nominating Committee will present a slate for board officer elections for member approval. (See Club News for list.)

Wishing you a safe and healthy fall.
erperez54@gmail.com

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New Members

We have one new associate member, bringing our member count to 71 members (including one Emeritus) in 56 households. .... Eade Wang - a member of FF of Taipei, Taiwan. He is temporarily living with his son in northeast Plano. Say hello to him when you see him at our next meeting or gathering!! And, please share about Friendship Force with your friends - invite them to our meetings and events.

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Membership Connections

On Sep 16, nine members met online to discuss autumn activities, memories, and more.

On Oct 21, seven members met in-person at Haggard Park in Downtown Plano. We met Eade Wang. I met him via a FFI tech advisory group back in August and invited him to meet club members. Although he has only been a FF Taipei Taiwan member for 3 years, his wife Fenny Gee is the Field Rep for Taiwan. Sandy Kaiser suggested that he become an associate member and, voila, we had a new associate member!! Lots of
conversations about his stay here in Plano and life in Taiwan.

Roger & Sandy Kaiser, Julia Cooper, Diana & Marty Behannesey, Cathy Ignatin, Eade Wang (left to right in the photo). Eade is on the right in both photos sitting on the gazebo floor.

From last newsletter: Quick Member Quiz: Who traveled from their home state to California on a motorcycle?
Who traveled from their home state to California on Route 66?
Who traveled from their home state to Washington and back in a little 2 door hatchback?
Answers to September's Quick Member Quiz: Kathy Jacobs traveled from her home state of Missouri to California on a motorcycle.
Isabella Iverson traveled from Illinois to California on Route 66.
edward perez & Paula Rose traveled from Dallas to Washington and back in a little 2 door hatchback.

Have ideas for Member Connections topics and/or locations?

Look for announcements in your email for upcoming "3rd Thursdays". Have ideas for Membership Connections topics and/or locations? Like to volunteer to organize and/or host a gathering, field trip, picnic, tasting, etc.? Know of a great restaurant for lunch or a great place we can visit? If so, let me know so we can plan a Membership Connections event!!

Member Connections meet the third Thursday of each month at 3 pm. Email sent to members and posted in Meetings.

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Membership Anniversaries

The following members are celebrating a membership anniversary this year. Next time you see them, congratulate them on their anniversary - and ask them about some of their FF experiences.

10 yrs
2011 - Al Currie 2016 - Barbara Taylor
2011 - Jackie & Michael Wald

5 yrs
2016 - Camille & Jerry Daugherty
2011 - Felicity Sentance

1yr
2020 - Radwan Dalu

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Let People Know About FFDallas!

If you know of a group that might be interested in learning about FF, please contact me. THANKS to those members who have invited your friends, family, and members of other clubs to our meetings and events. Please continue to share with your friends about Friendship Force and invite them to our meetings and events - just forward club emails to them.

Who is ready for a trip to Fort Worth?? Let edward know.

FF of Dallas has a Facebook page that you can like and follow as well as share with your other FB friends.
https://www.facebook.com/FriendshipForceDallas/



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Changes and Updates

If you move or change your contact information (phone number, email address(es), etc.), let eward perez know.

Replacement Badges

to replace a lost or damaged badge? Need a replacement magnet? If so, please contact edward perez who will order a new one. Replacement badges are $14 (mailed to your home) or $11 (pickup in Richardson). Magnets are free.
    
edward perez
vice president, membership:
erperez54@gmail.com

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Zoom

I've helped several members get Zoom installed on their computer, get Zoom running, and learn how to share their desktop or a program. If you would like some assistance in anything Zoom, please contact me. I hope that everyone is staying healthy, safe, and upbeat in your physical distancing! It’s been good seeing folks during our online meetings. edward perez

                              
                    

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If you’re are not receiving it or other emails from FFI, you can go to the FFI home page
https://www.thefriendshipforce.org/  then go to the bottom, put your email address in the "email address" box under "Newsletter", then click Subscribe.

FFI VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES Remember, FFI hosts Virtual Experiences presented by FFI staff and members of clubs around the world. There are several "Faces and Places" events. You can see all upcoming events at the following webpage. Toward the bottom of that page is a list of previously recorded events. .... https://blog.friendshipforce.org/virtual-experiences/

Check the FFI website for other possible adventures for 2021-2022 as travel begins to open up. Go to the FFI home page https://www.thefriendshipforce.org/ and click on "News & Updates" for the Blog page and "Virtual Experiences" for the Virtual Experiences page.

Here's a direct link to the FFI Blog which has links to the Friendship Connection newsletters.
https://blog.friendshipforce.org/.

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Sign up for NEW international website: https://my.friendshipforce.org

Join Friendship Force International's website:

Friendship Force Intl has launched a members-only website https://my.friendshipforce.org (myFF.org) with security and privacy built-in.

Currently, each myFF.org registered user has a profile (name, email, country, club, contact info, journeys, etc.). In addition, each FFI club also has a profile (info, photos, founding date, location, and contact details, journey history). FFI has and will be publishing organizational, club, member, and journey news items ONLY to myFF.org (public items will be distributed via a separate email distribution list).

Overtime, users will be able to view information about other clubs and users; view & send messages to other clubs and users (helpful for JCs as well as allow journey participants to keep in touch); and view a personal and global event calendar. Journey coordinators will be able to publicize and manage journeys, while users will be able to apply for and pay for journeys that they've been accepted on.

Other features under consideration include "interest groups" (groups of users who can discuss various topics, hobbies, etc.), virtual experiences and member resources (both being moved from the public websites), communications for your region, and payments for various items.

See the link to the document for signup instructions. You'll need to provide your name, email address, and indicate which club you're a member of. There is other optional information that you can supply.

As an incentive to signing up for my.friendshipforce.org, if you renew your 2022 FFD membership AND you signup at myFF.org by Dec 31 (instructions on the link), you will be entered into a drawing. Two members will have their 2022 FFD membership dues covered by the club.

See the  step by step instructions for signing up for http://my.friendshipforce.org

Let me know if you run into any obstacles or need assistance. Edward perez will be holding some Zoom meetings to walk you through the process. If you do not have access to a computer or tablet, he can help you get signed up. ereperez43@gmail.com

edward perez
vp, membership
ff of dallas

So, please take some time to signup for my.friendshipforce.org - you might be a winner in the drawing!!

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