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EXPERIENCEDIFFERENTVIEWS.DISCOVERCOMMONGROUND.AUG./SEPT.2017

LOOKWHATRICKSTEVESHASTOSAYABOUTUS!!

Well-knownAmerican travel author andexpert,RickSteves,wroteablogpostonMarch 15 listing organizations herecommends that provide educationaltoursandexperiences to travelers–andFriendshipForcemadehisshortlist!AsRickwrites,After takingseveral tripswithorganizationsoffering “educational” or “reality” tours, I’velearnedthatgettingthemostoutofatriptoacomplicatedcornerofourworldiseasierwitha guide and in the care of an organizationthat’s well-connected locally…The newedition ofmy Travel as a Political Act bookwill contain a list of organizations offeringeducationaltourexperiencestothebroadertravelingpublic.

Travelexpertandauthor,RickStevesPleasecheckoutmylistandletmeknowifyouhaveanyexperiencewiththesegroups,orifthereareothersyou’drecommend.Thankyou!Accordingtohispost,wewillbelistedalongwithotherorganizationspromotingeducational,locally-basedtravelexperiencesintheupcomingsecondeditiontohispopularTravelAsaPoliticalActbook,settobepublishedinearly2018.Rickcapturedtheheartofourorganizationandmission,describingusasfollows:FriendshipForceInternational,anonprofitorganization,focusesonperson-to-personexchanges,withlocalswelcomingtravelersintotheirhomesandintroducingtheirvisitorstotheircultures.Ineachdestination,a“FriendshipForce”clubledbyvolunteersoffershomestaysandsocialactivities,givingvisitorsthechancetogetintimatelyacquaintedwiththeirhosts.Eachone-tothree-weekprogramincludesculturalexperiences,suchas learning tomake traditional lavashbread inArmenia,visitinghistoricBrazilian fishingvillages,ortobogganingonsandhillsinAustralia’sHunterValley.BesuretoviewRick’sblogpostonthetopicaswelltoshareyourexperienceswithFriendshipForce!Also check out a photo from Rick’s 2015 visit to Atlanta, Georgia’s local PBS station, where FFIDirector of Marketing and Communications, Kaitlyn Ranney, chatted with him about FriendshipForce!Excerpted from Friendship Force International website

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WORDSFROMOURPRESIDENT

By Rita Mays HonoringOurFriendshipsandRelationshipsFriendshipForceInternationalandourFriendshipForceofMinnesota-TwinCitieshavebeenaroundfor40years.Thereisalotofhistorytocelebrateforboth.Aswereflectoneachorganization,considerwhatcontributedtothesuccessesofeach.Inmyopinion,bothorganizationshavebuiltafoundationbasedonpersonalfriendshipsandrelationships.Relationshipsgiveourlivespurposeandmeaning.Theygiveusasenseofconnectiontoalargerworld.Theymakeusfeelalive!Takethistoapersonallevel:WhatrelationshipshaveyoucreatedthroughFriendshipForce?Howhavethesefriendshipsimpactedyourlifeandyourownlifeviews?Whathaveyoulearnedaboutyourselfandhowyourelatetoothers?HowhasyourinvolvementinFriendshipForcedeepenedyourunderstandingofyourselfandothers?Bybeinginvolved-attendingactivities,servingontheboard,participatinginjourneyplanningorhostingambassadors,webuildconnectionwithothers!IinviteyoutonurtureallyourrelationshipswithinFriendshipForceandcelebratemakingadifferenceintheworld–onepersonatatime!RitaMays,PresidentMitakuyeOyasin(Lakotaprayermeaning“AllMyRelations”,reflectingaworldviewofinterconnectednessandsacrednessofalllife.)

DEADLINEFOROCTOBER,NOVEMBER,DECEMBERISSUE:SEPTEMBER20THBOARDMEMBERS/CONTACTSPresident:RitaMaysVice-President:OpenTreasurer:KenScherberSecretary:AnneSheaPastPresident:LouiseAndersonCOMMITTEECHAIRPERSONSActivitiesCo-Chairs:CindyCaubleSherylGroverJourneyCoordinatorBarbEmerMemberatLargeBenSzyplinskiMembership:GregMcAndrewsWebmaster:MargeRunnakkoNewsletterEditorBarbEmerAmbassadorCoordinators:GeneSelchowandRosieForemanoutgoingtoWestAlajuela,CostaRicaSeeWebsitetoContactfriendshipforcetwincities.org

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OUTGOINGLETHBRIDGEJOURNEY

ATREEGROWSINLETHBRIDGE….In late May, Marge Runnakko,Journey Ambassador Coordi-nator,led13ambassadorsfromtheTwin Cities club on an outgoingjourneytoLethbridge,Canada.TheywerejoinedwithnineambassadorsfromtheGreatFalls,Montanaclub.Duringtheseven-daystay,theLethbridgeclubplannednumerousexcitingeventsstartingwiththewelcomeeventatCityHall,followedbybustours,asteakBBQ,UNESCOsitesaswellasmanyother

areasofinterest.Inadditiontothehome-stay,elevenclubmembersenjoyedatourtoLakeLouiseandtheColumbiaIceFieldsonathree-dayposttriptotheBaniffarea.Tosymbolizetheestablishmentofnewfriendshipsforged,atreewasplantedatHendersonPark’sFriendshipForceGrove.ThisisatraditionthattheLethbridgeclubcarriesouttohonorFriendshipForceclubstheyhost.ManythankstoAnneSheaandVickiePalmerforpromotingthisjourneyatourholidaypartythispastDecember.ThiswasmyfirstexperienceasanAmbassadorCoordinatoranditwasanexcellentandexcitingexperience!Submitted by Marge Runnakko

HeatherHalen&CanadianMountyCarolandMaxHarrisCarolKimball(L)Montana,HermanGom,LethbridgeCoordinator,MargeRunnakko,TwinCitiesCoordinator

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OUTGOINGJOURNEYTOWESTALAJUELA,COSTARICAWest Alajuela, Costa Rica (just northwest of SanJose) has offered to hostmembers of our club inJanuary 2018. Details are being confirmed fortwenty ambassadors to travel fromapproximatelyJanuary 10th to the 17th. Applications will bereviewed soon and accepted applicants will benotified.Wearealsoseekingadditionalpeopletobeconsidered for awaiting list. Aswe all know, “lifehappens,”andopeningsmaybecomeavailablelater

withshortnotice.WewanttorecruitthebestambassadorstofulfillthemissionofFriendshipForce.Thismeanswe’llbefollowingthenewguidelinessetbythenationalofficebyfollowinguponreferencesandconfirmingthatparticipantshavethephysicalstaminaforthisventure.CostaRicaissincerelyinterestedinconservingitsnaturalresourcesandinfosteringecotourism.TheCostaRicans(orTicosas theyprefer tocall themselves)willwelcomeus into their “puravida”or“pure life,”aneasy-going,relaxingapproachtotimeandplace.Thecountryisaconservationist’sdreamandwe’llgetapeekatit—frombirdstobugs,snakestomonkeys,waterfallstorainforestsandmore.Anoptionalweekextensiontoourhomestaywillfocusonvisitingtwoorthreenaturepreserveareas.Packsomemosquitospray,suntanlotionandgoodwalkingshoesandcomejoinus!Pleasenotethatjourneydetails,aswellastheoptionaltour,continuetobeworkedonasofpresstime.For further information please contact Gene Selchow at g.m.selchow@unique-software.com or Rosie Foreman atrafroseus@yahoo.comHELPFULAPPSFORTRAVELERS:Technology continues to become a bigger part of our lives, and there’s perhaps no bigger influence than our cellphones. Smartphones can provide a tremendous utility to users, especially as it relates to travel. Here are some favorite travel smartphone apps: Google Translate For international travelers, Google Translate is an incredibly simple resource for language translation. Just dictate your message, and Google translates for you. My favorite feature is the visual translation tool, which allows you to translate physical text and signage with the aid of your smartphone camera. The app supports more than 100 languages at various levels and is actually fun to play with, even if you have no plans to travel internationally. XE Currency Another app for international travelers, XE Currency is a free smartphone resource to access live exchange rates, view historical charts and calculate prices. Rates are regularly updated (you can determine how often you get updates), and the app stores the rate of currencies you’ve looked up so they’re available offline. If you plan to travel out of the country, this app is a must-have for your smartphone. Stay tuned for more helpful travel apps. Excerpted from AAA. Thanks to Cindy Cauble.

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OPPORTUNITIES!!IfyouhaveevertraveledasanAmbassador,yourealizetheimportance

ofeveryonegivingtheirtimeandtalentstoourclub.It’salsoagreatwaytoconnectwithotherclubmembersandlearnaboutFriendshipForce!AlthoughourelectionisheldinDecember,thenominationscommitteeisbusyfillingtheslateofcandidatesnow.Thefollowingopportunitiesareavailabletogetinvolvedwithinourclubin2018.Considervolunteeringforoneofthesepositions:

• VicePresident• Secretary• Activity/SocialTeamChair• JourneyCoordinator/Mentor• HostCoordinatororplanningteamfor

incomingjourneyfromRostov-on-Don,Russia(April-May2018)

ContactRitaMays,President,atritamnffi@yahoo.comorBarbaraWallace,NominationsChair,atbarbaraw6@gmail.comformoreinformation.LOOKINGAHEAD,WAYAHEADSavethedate!OnSaturday,September15,2018,ourclubwillcelebrate40yearsoffriendshipandmemories.Weknowyoulong-

termmembershavemarvelousstoriestotellsostartthinkingaboutthemaswellasdiggingupoldphotos.Storiesfrom“short-term”members

welcometoo!VickiPalmerischairoftheCommittee.vapindale@hotmail.com

LOOKINGTOTHEIMMEDIATE….LordFletchers–Monday,August7th,noonComeonouttooneofthemostbeautifullakes

inMinnesota,LakeMinnetonka,andenjoyahamburgeronthewharf.STILL$5.00

_______________________________________LOOKINGAHEADMonday,August7th,noon:LordFletchersAugust24-28:FFI’sInternationalConference,Manchester,UKSaturday,September30th,1:00:Quarterlyall-membermeetingatBarbaraandDonWallace’spartyroomat6115LincolnDrive,EdinaSaturday,December2nd,HolidaypartyJanuary,2018:OutgoingjourneytoWestAlajuela,CostaRicaSpring,2018:IncomingjourneyfromRostov-on-Don,RussiaWeneedahostcoordinatorfortheincomingjourneyfromRussiainthespringof2018.Itcouldbetwomembersworkingtogetherasco-coordinators.ContactRitaMaysforadditionalinformation.ritamnffi@yahoo.com_______________________________________PARTIALSOLARECLIPSE–MONDAY,AUG.21stBegins:11:43a.m.Maximum:1:06p.m.Ends:2:29p.m.PROTECTYOUREYES!_______________________________________

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The club's annual picnic was held on July 15th at Oak Hill Park in St. Louis Park. It was a beautiful sunshiny day but the temperature topped out in the 90's. Luckily, the picnic shelter offered plenty of shade. Approximately 50 people attended including long time members, new members, and prospective members. Everyone enjoyed socializing before sharing in a potluck lunch. The club arranged for hamburgers, hot dogs and brats. Hats off to our barbecue masters! Afterwards, there was a short meeting to update members. President Rita Mays started the meeting by reading the newly written Friendship Force International mission statement. Ken Scherber gave the treasurer's report. The activities committee announced the next get together on August 7th at Lord Fletchers for lunch at noon. (The time was adjusted to allow for the board meeting to precede lunch.) The membership committee gave a report and distributed a questionnaire to collect information. Members were given an opportunity to rate choices for the next outbound journey, as well as information on their talents and resources. The journey leaders for the 2018 outbound journey to Costa Rica were introduced and they explained some of the challenges in finalizing dates and itinerary details for this journey. All in all everyone had a good time and didn't go home hungry! Submitted by Cindy Cauble

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YOUAREINVITED!!!

TheFriendshipForceofGreaterDesMoinesWouldbeHonoredbyYourPresence

attheir

40thYearBirthdayBash

AND

FFI40thAnniversaryCelebration

Sunday,Oct.29,2017

4:00-7:00P.M.DesMoinesGolf&CountryClub

1600JordanCreekPkwy.W.DesMoines,IA--EXIT121OFFI-80

($35.Inclusive)

KeynoteSpeaker:JEREMISNOOK,President/CEO,FFI

RSVP:AdrienneMoen4800AspenDr.W.DesMoines,IA50265515-223-4129adriennemoen@gmail.com

Please“x”anypreferenceandsubmit$35.ToAdrienneOct.29homehosting?________

Entrée:HazelnutCrustedChicken____DietRestriction?____“EthnicAttireEncouraged”