Dear
Friends,
I hope this finds you safe and well and finding ways to keep busy and
productive during this time of sheltering in place. Our club’s donation
to FFI of $5,000 was greatly appreciated and they are working hard to
keep their doors open. Without journeys to provide income they have
appealed to all clubs and members to donate. FFI is trying to raise
$340,000 to stay operational until the end of the year. As of 5/2, they
have received $164,000 in donations. Members are being asked for a
$170.00 individual donation (the amount they receive from a one week
journey). Any donation in any amount, however, is very welcome and
needed.
As a reminder, here is a link to the video from Jeremi Snook along with
a quote from it: Jeremi Snook’s video:
https://vimeo.com/401115396/1c1cc9f634
I am asking everyone to step up and commit to donating one week worth of
a US outbound Journey fee to FFI; more, if you are able to do so. We
often talk about how “one week” on an FFI Journey can change your life.
During this crisis, “one week” can ensure that FFI will be here in 2021
and beyond, for you and for future generations. If we all come together
and give, even just a little, collectively we can ensure Friendship
Force’s future.’ If you have donated to FFI, THANK YOU! If you would
like to donate, you can donate by check or via this web page (incurs a
small fee):
https://www.kindest.com/campaign/we-need-help-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-ffi
(Note, according to the recently passed CARES Act, individuals will be
able to deduct up to $300 from their income on their 2020 tax return,
even if they do not itemize).
During one of our telephone check-ins, members said that they are
cooking, reading, dancing, taking on-line classes, cleaning closets,
sorting old photos and doing all those annoying tasks we all put off.
I'm taking a basic Spanish class in the hope that I'll be able to travel
before too long.
For opera fans, Mary Williams suggests you check out
https://www.metopera.org/user.../nightly-met-opera-streams/.
It’s free and offers an opportunity to see and hear some of the greatest
operas and stars from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. For armchair
travelers, check out some recently enhanced museum websites. Many of the
world’s greatest museums have created virtual tours. The Palace Museum
in Beijing allows you to explore the Forbidden City in high definition
and to see many areas that are not available to the public. The Vatican
Museum, the Uffizi, and our own Nasher have enhanced their websites to
show their collections on-line.
As you’ll see below there will be no meeting in May, but there will be
one in June via Zoom, so please try to attend. So, stay home, stay well
and be kind to yourself and each other.
In Friendship,
Carolyn McMurray, President
In Friendship,
Carolyn McMurray, President
Top
Meetings
coordinator – Paula Rose:
paularose2000@hotmail.com
Our March, April and May meetings
were cancelled due to the virus shutdown. We did a phone-in on two
days in April for members to touch base. Your Board met one time by
conference call.
Top
2020 Festival at Sea
Cruise
September 27, 2020 – October 12, 2020
This Journey has been
cancelled by FFI.
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.
Top
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 - Dates
TBA
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.
Top
by Vice-President Membership - edward perez,
erperez54@gmail.com
Our family thanks all of you for kind wishes, visits and support for
Lee and all of us during his illness and on his passing. We think of
Friendship Force for making new friends and working for world peace but
your kindness as we traveled this recent journey really showed the true
meaning of friendship as you were there for Lee and all of our family.
Thank you,
Mary Latham
What a difference a month makes!!! I hope that you
and your family are staying healthy, safe, and sane in your isolation
and physical distancing! As noted elsewhere in this newsletter, we have
cancelled all in-person meetings and gatherings.
Program Chair Paula Rose is looking into online meetings. Soon, this
will pass and we'll be able to meet, offer gratitude, and reconnect via
meeting and Gathering with Friends! I held phone conference calls in
early April to allow folks to check-in and reconnect. 15 members called
in and shared news and info.
* In May, I will schedule another phone conference as well as a video
conference - watch your emails and then JOIN IN to check-in and
reconnect!
* MEMBERSHIP UPDATES With no meetings, we do not have any new members.
Do continue to share with your friends about Friendship Force and bring
them to our "re-opening" meeting.
* GATHERING WITH FRIENDS Until the Dallas and Plano county
governments allow restaurants to open, no gatherings for now.
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
June
Date/Time:
Sunday June 14 - 3 pm 
Date/Time:
Saturday July 11 - 3 pm 
Date/Time:
Saturday August 8 - 3 pm
Last
March, Kay Binder contacted me about being the Southwest Region Field
Representative as Karen Vingiello was not able to continue her term. I
accepted and am now the field rep for the clubs in our region (Wichita,
Kansas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ft Worth, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio,
Houston, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana). 
In
friendship, 
Shuttle
Service 
FFD
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