Dear Friends,

Dear Friends, As we complete our 4th month in this strange new world, I know we are all missing friends, travel, meetings and so many other ordinary day to day activities. With Zoom meetings, games, and the possibility of some small get-togethers, your club is working hard to keep connections, communication, and interest high and club spirit intact.

You recently received a survey regarding the possibility of additional activities. Please respond soon so we know what you are comfortable doing during this time of Covid-19. Friendship Force International is well aware of this, as well, and they are reaching out as they can with virtual journeys, webinars and messages.

Jeremi Snook, President and CEO, will speak to us via Zoom on July 16th at 1:00 to let us know about the future as FFI sees it. He will explain the criteria FFI will use to determine when to offer new journeys and what cities/countries are safe. He will also address the financial status and future plans for the organization as a whole. There will be time for questions. You will get an email with more information and the meeting link soon.

“Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect. We take what we get and are thankful it’s no worse than it is". - Margaret Mitchell.

In Friendship,

Carolyn McMurray, President

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Meetings coordinator – Paula Rose: paularose2000@hotmail.com

Another two months of physical distancing……. However, it’s been good seeing folks during our online meetings - I hope that everyone is staying healthy, safe, and upbeat in your physical distancing!

In May, we had 27 members attend either a phone conference call and our first-ever online meeting using our new Zoom account. Congratulations to our door prize winners Sandy Stromberg and Leyla Akgerman - each winning a box of FF Dallas wine.

On July, 11 members played two games of "Friendship Force Bingo" and well as catching up with each other and sharing news. Congrats to our game winners Patti Pierce and Beth Tetzlaff - each winning a little plaque w/ the phrase : "Friendship is like a garden - it keeps growing"

We also had 22 members at our first-ever online monthly meeting with Sandy Kaiser, Isabella Iverson, and Leyla Akgerman telling us about their experiences in making and maintaining friendships during outbound journeys. You can see their videos at the links below. If you'd like to see the entire meeting, contact edward perez (erperez54@gmail.com) and he'll send you a link.

Sandy Kaiser	Isabella Iveson	Leyla Akgerman

 
• Here is Sandy's story about what she does before, during, and after a journey (trip) so that the friendships she makes with other FF members are deep and long-lasting. .
... https://tinyurl.com/FFD-Sandy-MakingFriends

• Here is Isabella's story about some of the friendships she's made with other FF members.
....https://tinyurl.com/FFD-Isabella-MakingFriends

• Here is Leyla's story about her friendship with Magdy from FF Madison, Wisconsin.
.... https://tinyurl.com/FFD-Leyla-MakingFriends

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2020 Festival at Sea Cruise
September 27, 2020 – October 12, 2020
This Journey has been cancelled by FFI.

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2020 Domestic Journeys
Domestic Journey Coordinator – Julia Cooper, acjc1804@hotmail.com

Dayton, Ohio - June 28 – July 5  joining 3-5 Ambassadors from Russia.
This Journey has been cancelled by the Dayton Club due to virus shutdowns and cancellations by the Russian ambassadors.

Super Regional Conference - Sept 18-20, 2020 in Minneapolis
This conference and pre-trip to Lake Superior have been cancelled due to virus shutdowns. See more details on Southwest Conference page.

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Journeys 2021

International

Inbound – May, 2021 – Central Israel to Dallas and San Antonio TX
UPDATE: This Journey has cancelled by Central Israel club as of June 15, 2020.

Outbound – October, 2021 - Dallas TX to Coatepec, Mexico

These dates seem a long way off but Sandy will soon be soliciting Journey Coordinators for both Journeys so she’d welcome volunteers. You can read more about what a Coordinator does on P. 38–39 in your 2020 FFD Yearbook.

Domestic

Inbound - Wisconsin-Madison to Dallas - May, 2021

Outbound - Dallas to Charleston SC - Dates TBA

Julia Cooper will soon be soliciting Journey Coordinators for both Journeys so she’d welcome volunteers. You can read more about this on P. 38 – 39 in your 2020 FFD Yearbook.

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

For those of you still doing some traveling, 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 aurora487@sbcglobal.net for more info.

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/

However, remember Facebook rules: Anyone may post comments or photos on our page, but only posts about FF are acceptable. The club can get in trouble with the IRS for posts that advertise or endorse commercial products or businesses, so please do not do that.

Board Meetings

Board meetings are being held via Zoom. All members are welcome to attend. Please contact our president, Carolyn McMurray for dates, times and a link to Zoom should you wish to attend any meeting. The July Board meeting is on Monday July 13 at 1:30 pm. Contact edward perez if you would like to come as a guest.

Sunshine News
Chair Cathy Ignatin, cignatin@hotmail.com

Our long time member, Jim Bourn, passed away April 22, 2020. He had been in rehab since, at least, February, when I sent him a get well card. Jim was a longtime donor to the charity Trinity River Mission. He used to give gigantic Christmas Parties before I became a member and the only ticket to be admitted was a child’s toy. A $25.00 donation to the Trinity River Mission was sent in memory of Jim in the name of Friendship Force.

Kathy Morris, who introduced me to Friendship Force Dallas, passed away on June 24, 2020. There was service recently at Restland. Kathy joined FF Dallas in 2003 and for many years hosted our June picnic in her backyard. More info about her and a "tribute wall" (where you can read and/or leave a comment) are on this Restland webpage: https://www.restlandfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Kathryn-Morris-3/

Jody Reed, a member from awhile back, died this past weekend. Obituary was in the Saturday July 11th paper.

May they rest in peace. We will miss you.

Sandy Sontag had eye surgery in June and July and is seeing better now.

Felix Madrigal had hip replacement and had to miss our Bingo game, but Edward filled his Bingo card and lost anyway. I guess staying inside has had a good effect on our members.
No reports of illness recently.

Betty Mayeur is trotting around the house on her walker and is putting weight on her leg now. She even joined our last meeting for a while. Go Betty! Stay well everyone and wear your masks. Cathy
Membership News and Updates
Membership Chairman: edward perez - erperez54@acm.org

If you know of anyone who needs anything from Sunshine, please give me a call: sometimes I don’t hear of a need until they are well. Thanks.

Culture Pass

For arts lovers – the Dallas Public Library now has a Culture Pass available to members to enable them to obtain free, or greatly reduced, tickets for local performances. Further information can be obtained at https://culturepass.dallasculture.org

Useful Covid-19 Information

from the Texas Medical Association - "What’s More Risky, Going to a Bar or Opening the Mail?" "The levels are based on input from the physician members of the task force and the committee, who worked from the assumption that – no matter the activity – participants were taking as many safety precautions as they can."

https://www.texmed.org/TexasMedicineDetail.aspx?Pageid=46106&id=53977
 
a great chart linked from the article: https://www.texmed.org/uploadedFiles/Current/2016_Public_Health/Infectious_Diseases/309193%20Risk%20Assessment%20Chart%20V2_FINAL.pdf

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by Vice-President Membership - edward perez, erperez54@gmail.com
 
With no meetings, we do not have any new members. However, do continue to share with your friends about Friendship Force and invite them to our online meetings.

Gathering with Friends

Per State of Texas and local county government declarations, no gatherings for now. So, Felicity, Paula and I are conducting a membership survey about meeting options - where/what you feel comfortable & safe doing and not doing.

Survey

If you have not already done so, please respond to the survey sent to all members so we'll know the kinds of meetings and gatherings we can plan. You can respond online by going to https://tinyurl.com/FFD-Meeting-Survey-2020

Based on answers so far, members are okay with online meetings and small groups in homes or outside. I'll work with folks to setup some small group meetings - giving us time to visit & catch up with other FFD members as well as an opportunity to introduce your friends to FF. Dates, times, and costs to be announced.
 
• Meals with Friends - enjoy visiting with your friends while enjoying a delicious meal.
• Tastings with Friends - enjoy sampling wines, beer, or beverages along with savory and sweet appetizers/snacks.
• Exploring with Friends - check out a new small business, visit nature preserves/gardens, learn some local history. If you would like to host or organize a "Gathering with Friends," please get in touch with me! Wishing you a safe, healthy, and bright summer!

Let people know about FF of Dallas!

THANKS to those members who have invited your friends and family to meetings and events. Word of mouth is one of our best ways to attract new members! So, invite your friends and family to attend an upcoming monthly meeting, an event, or an inbound or outbound journey. Just forward our emails to them about an upcoming meeting and/or our newsletters.

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/

If you know of a group or organization to which we can present info about Friendship Force of Dallas or if you know of any advertising media where we can get out the word on Friendship Force, please let me know (see contact info below).

Changes and Updates

If you move or change your contact information (phone number, email address(es), etc.), let me know I'll distribute a directory update in March.

Replacement Badges

Need 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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