Dear Friends,

Happy New Year to my fellow Goodwill Ambassadors:

We all hope that the pandemic is winding down - it’s has been difficult for all of us. This is especially true with regards to Friendship Force; making carrying out our mission, ‘Promoting global understanding across the barriers that separate people, with each individual making a contribution to global goodwill’ challenging to say the least. I am excited to be your new president. As we start the New Year, let’s pause and review the past year with Friendship Force Dallas.

Even with our COVID restrictions, we’ve had virtual and in person gatherings throughout most of the year. This is due, to a great extent, to Edward Perez, our membership chair, who arranged numerous events which enabled us to get together both virtually and in person. We also give thanks to Paula Rose, our program director, who arranged our monthly meetings and Holiday party which was a big success with more than 40 people in attendance. As with all our events we have tried to maintain a safe environment by following CDC guidelines. Thanks to all the members who have continued to participate, support the club and renewed their membership.

As we focus on the New Year, we are hoping to see more travel and hosting. Julie Cooper, our journey coordinator, tells me that she will be contacting clubs, especially in the U.S. to arrange journeys, both inbound and outbound, and you will see the fruits of her labors below. We ask our members for suggestions of places to visit, especially if they have contacts with other clubs.

Friendship Force International, has been busy making our organization a stronger and better club; we will be even better equipped to fulfill our goal of service, ‘Exploration leads to understanding. Understanding leads to an acceptance of our common humanity and the desire to serve our global village–with words and actions.’

With our mission and goal of service in mind, I would like to invite each of our members who have traveled as ambassadors or hosts to contact some of the international friends you have made through Friendship Force and renew your friendship with a note. Remember, our job as ambassadors of goodwill is not complete with the end of the journey. It’s actually only beginning. And remember - a World of Friends is a World of Peace.

Sandy Kaiser, President

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Following up on information sent in a previous newsletter, we’re presenting a short bio about each Board member in ensuing publications.

I present our President, Sandy Kaiser …

Sandy Kaiser and her husband Roger have been members of Friendship Force Dallas since 2002. Sandy says that what attracted them to Friendship Force was the unique idea of an international service organization that allowed one to really make a difference in the world by creating friendship. And on top of all of this, it was a heck of a lot of fun!

The Kaisers have lived and worked abroad for more than 20 years. On returning to the U.S. she saw how the impression of this country changed when their international friends started to visit them, and the same was true when they visited friends in other countries, seeing these other countries from a whole new perspective. Sandy said that she remembers when she first heard about Friendship Force, she thought – ‘this is the group for us, they turn travel and fun into ambassadorship’ and after more than 40 journeys as either ambassador or host this feeling has only grown and increased.

Sandy has served on the Board of Directors for Friendship Force Dallas a number of times during the last 19 years, and participated in some way in most of the club’s Journeys. They have enjoyed traveling with other clubs and, at one point, were even associate members of the Whitby Island Club in Washington State.

She is mostly retired but still does a small amount of life coaching. The Kaisers have one daughter who lives in Dallas. They live in an active adult community in Fairview and have introduced FFD to a number of their community who have joined the club.

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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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November – Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Edward perez gave a fascinating talk about Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm in Cambodia. Of particular interest is the engineering skills used for the construction as the whole area was built on a swamp using hydraulics. Engineers still go there to study the building techniques.

Following the presentation, there was a good deal of discussion among the group as several members had, also, visited the area. Of some interest is the fact that ‘Laura Croft Tomb Raider’ was filmed in Angkor Wat.

                                                            
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December – Holiday Party

The Holiday party was attended by about 40 people and entertainment was provided by the talented Johnny Tincher.



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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

Like our page and follow what is going on with FF Dallas.

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? WE NEED MORE DRIVERS! 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.

Board

Board meetings are being held via Zoom. All members are welcome to attend. Please contact our president, Sandy Kaiser (coachsandykaiser@gmail.com) for dates, times and a link to Zoom if you wish to attend. In January, the Board meets on Jan 10 at 1:30 pm.

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

Our November book was Neither Here nor There by Bill Bryson. Paula Rose was our book discussion leader. We had a shorter discussion than usual as not everyone enjoyed this book as much as the first Bryson book we read. General opinion was that Bill complained a lot about the people in the different countries he was visiting. We enjoyed a lot of his humor but scattered along were mean comments. This is not what we want to convey through Friendship Force. Overall, it was probably about a C+. Thanks to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts.

Don’t forget our January 25, 2022 meeting with How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith. Julia Cooper will be our presenter.

For those who read ahead, I will be our February discussion leader for The Rent Collector by Camron Wright. It’s the story of a family who survive by picking through a garbage dump in Cambodia, their sickly son and a chain of events that change their lives. It is a side of life which we here in the U.S. are not very aware but is seen in many parts of the world. The February meeting will be on the 22nd.

Remember, FOURTH Tuesday of the month at NOON. Great reading ahead!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TITLE	AUTHOR	LEADER	DATE
How to Raise an Elephant	Alexander McCall Smith	Julia Cooper	25-Jan
The Rent Collector	Camron Wright	Barbara Taylor	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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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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(Since Friendship Force is about keeping in contact):
The ‘FFD Club West’ (the informal name of FFD members who moved to Albuquerque) sent us this photo of them at their Albuquerque Holiday party.

In the photo are (L to R) Cheryl Lehmbert, Joan and Al Mirabal and Jackie and Michael Wald. By the way, Michael is now President of the Albuquerque club

Here’s a note from Mary Williams about Yvonne Klusman a former FFD member some of you may remember: Yvonne was a Dutch lady who hosted Erich Geissler when the Hanover club came because she spoke German and Erich didn't speak English. He enjoyed his visit here and came back a month later to visit Yvonne. Then she went to visit him. They married and she lived in Burgdorf, Germany with him until he died about 2 years ago. I traveled with Yvonne and we were both vegetarians; I kept up with her and visited them after the Romania Journey in 2009. They took me to see Celle and the Windmill Museum that were in my Gems of Central Europe presentation. Yvonne now lives in Boynton Beach, FL


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

January - the cycle begins again as we enter 2022 (tho, there are other annual cycles around the world). I hope your winter holiday season has been going well. Just remember, the days are getting longer (sunlight wise)!! Thanks to the 59 members who have renewed for 2022 (as of 12/31). If you haven't renewed, please send or email your membership form and check to me as soon as you can. Or let me or any Board member know if you have decided not to renew. See below for winners of the free membership drawing.

Another way to assist our club and get to know other members is by joining any of our committees (they're actually more fun than work). Based on committees you indicated on your renewal form, I will pass along your name to the committee chair. If you did not indicate any committees, please review the list in the annual yearbook and contact the chair. If you have any questions about our club or committees, please talk with any board member. Wishing you a safe and healthy winter!

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2022 FF of Dallas Yearbooks

I will have printed hard copies of the 2022 yearbooks available for pickup at the Jan 8th meeting. If you won’t be able to attend, I will get your copy to you in the next few weeks.

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!!!!!! 2022 Membership Fee Drawing !!!!!!

Twenty-seven (27) members renewed their membership and signed up for my.friendshipforce.org. I put their names in my trusty Blue Bunny box for a club-paid 2022 FF Dallas membership. I then scrambled them around, drew one name, then scrambled them again and drew a second name. CONGRATULATIONS to the winners!!


===> Leyla Akgerman
===> Jian Li

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New Members

Two more folks joined FF of Dallas in 2021:
Eade Wang - associate member, member of FF Taipei Taiwan who is presenting this month
Jian Li – anthropologist and Mandarin teacher

Say HELLO to them when you see them at our next meeting or gathering!! And, please continue to share about Friendship Force with your friends and associates - invite them to our meetings and events.

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 their FF experiences.

==> 25 yrs	==> 20 yrs
1997 Mary Jane Wilson	2002 Betty Mayeur
	2002 Diana & Marty BeHannesey
	2002 Dr. Ava Vorosmarty Rowe
	2002 Mary Latham
	2002 Sandy and Roger Kaiser

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Membership Connections

On Nov 18, 12 members met in-person at Lezzet Restaurant in North Dallas. Lots of conversations and catching up as well as delicious Turkish/Mediterranean foods. Look for announcements in your email for upcoming "3rd Thursdays".

Know of a great restaurant for lunch or a great place we can visit? Have ideas for Membership Connections topics and/or locations? Like to volunteer to organize and/or host a gathering, field trip, picnic, tasting, etc.? 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/Events.

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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.


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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

Do you 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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In case you missed the Holiday Greetings from Friendship Force International, which was written by Jeremi Snook, our CEO, here’s a copy.

Holiday Greetings from FFI

From all of us at Friendship Force International, thank you. We are grateful for your support, your commitment to the mission, your resilience during this pandemic, your thoughtful notes and letters of encouragement, and for keeping your eyes on the future with all of us. Friendship Force International is here today because of you, and will be here tomorrow because we stood together. May this season be filled with joy, good memories and, most of all, friendship. Happy holidays and happy New Year.

Jeremi Snook, CEO

        

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Friendship Connection

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

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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