1. What do you mean by the term “Journey?”
Answer: A “Journey” is a visit to or from a club in another
part of the world or another state. This involves home hospitality, the
heart of a Friendship Force exchange, which provides the opportunity for
people of different countries and cultures to connect at a personal
level. We refer to it as an “Outbound Journey” when we visit another
club. Often an optional tour of the area follows an exchange. An
“Inbound Journey” occurs when a club visits us. We usually have one-two
outbound and one-two inbound journeys per year that are arranged by our
International organization. (Though in some years we may host three or
more incoming clubs.) We may also schedule some Domestic Journeys -
Journeys within the United States. More information is on our
Journeys page. The term
"Journey" is anew one.
These trips were previously called Exchanges and you may see the term
throughout back pages of this website. Originally one club that visited
another was in turn visited the next year - hence the term Exchange. The
focus today is more on a club offering a trip to their location to
feature the unique characteristics of that area or club, inviting
members of many clubs or clubs of the world to participate. There is not
necessarily a direct 1-1 exchange between clubs.
2. Do you travel as a group?
Answer: Yes and no; the group usually consists of 15 to 25
individuals, known as “Ambassadors.” Travel arrangements vary from
departing the local airport as a group to some, or all, of the
individuals making their own travel arrangements and meeting in the host
city at a specific time and place. The latter provides the most
flexibility, but group travel can contribute to a more rewarding
experience. The method of travel is a decision made by the Journey
Coordinator but is usually flexible enough to accommodate those who are
adding on other travel or using frequent-flyer tickets.
3. What are "Host Coordinators" and "Ambassador Coordinators?”
Answer: A
Host Coordinator (HC) is an individual who plans,
organizes and coordinates the Journey of an incoming group. This position is open to anyone who has the
desired leadership qualities and can make the commitment of time needed
for adequate planning. An
Ambassador Coordinator
recruits Ambassadors to go on a Journey with a 9 to 12 month
lead-time and works with his/her counterpart in another club. Our club has some great experienced Coordinators who are more than willing to mentor a first time
Coordinator. In addition, there
is a Coordinator video and handbook available, and the club
occasionally conducts a Coordinator Workshop; all interested
individuals may participate.
4. What is involved in becoming a member of The Friendship
Force?
Answer: Join The Friendship Force IF you believe in the goals
and mission of the organization; you like the challenge and excitement
of new people, places and experiences; you believe that friendship among
people of different countries and cultures can make the world more
peaceful; and you have a curiosity about the world and enjoy learning
about other cultures and ways of life. Contact the Membership Chair;
complete the Membership Form and mail with your check to Membership
Chair -
edward perez.
5. How do I find out what is happening in the club?
Answer: When you join you will receive a membership packet, and
then bi-monthly newsletters and frequent bulletins by mail or e-mail about
activities, new members, and exchanges. Check out the local club’s
website: www.friendshipforcedallas.org. On the international level, go
to:
www.thefriendshipforce.org or
www.friendshipforce.org.
The Dallas club also has a Facebook page. If you go to
FriendshipForceDallas and LIKE us there, you will receive notices about
what events and opportunities are coming up.
6. I don’t see myself traveling in the next year or so; should I
still join?
Answer: Certainly, Friendship Force is not a travel club; there
are many other aspects of involvement. The mission of Friendship Force
is building global goodwill through personal friendships. This can be
accomplished in other ways. You might consider being a home host, a day
host, a small group dinner host, or someone who attends social
activities to build friendships with individuals who have an interest in
the goals of Friendship Force International.
7. What do you mean by the term “home host?”
Answer: You agree to share your home for five-seven days and
nights with someone from another country or state. You can learn about
another culture without leaving home. You have the opportunity to
participate in a number of group/club outings so you won’t have to plan
everything for you and your guest. There will still be time to share
your special interests and places with your guest. The cost of events,
admissions and outside meals is paid for our visitors by our club, using
the fees the visitors have paid in advance. But as you would host a
friend in your home, you host without compensation for meals at home and
transportation in your car.
8. Since I am a single woman, would I be matched with another
woman?
Answer: Yes, that is usually the situation, while couples
normally host another couple. There are exceptions, but it is your
decision. Frequently, the number of bedrooms and type of bed(s)
available play a part in matching hosts and ambassadors (guests) as do
interests and occupations. Also, traveling as a single woman is easier
when you are with a group and a family; you are not alone.
9. Will I have the opportunity to communicate with my host or
guest prior to the Journey?
Answer: Usually that is the case. It is amazing how many
foreign guests and hosts have e-mail. Important: As soon as possible,
contact your host/ ambassador by e-mail, letter, or phone. For many,
friendships, communications, and private visits continue for years and
even a lifetime.
10. What are the responsibilities of a “home host?”
Answer: A home host invites his/her guest to be a part of the
family for the time the exchange is in your community. Involve your
guest in the activities of your family. Participate in all official
functions that are planned and attend all scheduled workshops. If you
have an obligation during the exchange that is of such a nature that you
are unable to take your guest, inform the Journey Coordinator and a “day
host” will be arranged to accompany/entertain your guest on your busy
day.
11. Exactly what is a “day host?”
Answer: It is someone who wants to participate in the exchange
but, for whatever reason, is unable to host an ambassador in his.her home. This individual
volunteers to escort an ambassador for one or more days to a scheduled
activity or, if it is a day when no group activity is planned, decides
how and where to spend the day with the guest. It would be a good idea
to discuss this with the guest so the activity you plan is something of
interest to both of you.
12. What would be expected of me if I volunteer to be a “small
group dinner host?”
Answer: You decide how many guests, in addition to the number
in your family, you feel comfortable having for dinner on an evening
specified by the Exchange Committee or Program Coordinator. The menu is
your choice and generally you provide the main course and arrange for
your Dallas guests to bring a salad, dessert, appetizer, or wine. It is
entirely up to you. The evening is for you to plan whether you play a
game or just visit. The whole idea is to share the culture and
experiences of your guests and give them the opportunity to visit
another home and meet others. When space allows, members, new and
potential members are included as guests. Of course, the guest’s host
family accompanies them to your dinner. Sharing, fun, laughter and
conversation are the goals for the evening.
13. Do you plan visits to clubs in the United States?
Answer: Yes, many of the clubs in the United States arrange
what are called “Domestic Journeys” or “Inter-club Journeys” with
another club where there is a mutual interest in such a visit and the
international exchange schedule permits it. In past years the Dallas
club has visited Chicago IL, Lake Hartwell GA, Asheville NC, Sacramento
CA,
Harrisburg PA, Great Falls MT, Northern Colorado, San Francisco Bay
Area CA, Cincinnati OH, Morganton NC, Birmingham AL, Reno/Lake Tahoe NV,
Portland OR, Olympia WA, Georgetown TX, Southern New Jersey, Madison WI, Cedar Rapids IA and Fort Worth TX and has hosted
many of these clubs in return. We are looking for clubs we can visit for
next year and welcome visits from other clubs.
14. What types of social activities does the club have?
Answer: The club normally meets once a month all year round on
the second Saturday or Sunday of the month for lunch or early evening.
Exceptions are when we are hosting an incoming club; then the social
events associated with that Journey are our meeting for the month.
Meetings feature speakers or parties. (Since most of our meetings also
include a dinner at a restaurant, please let us know you are coming. We
usually need reservations by check in advance so that the restaurant can
prepare the proper amount of food and set up the places we need.) Topics
include places we are visiting or hosting, world events, cultures of
other countries and topics of interest to those who enjoy international
culture, travel and friendship. During the year we may also have an
outing to a local sight, small group dinners in homes, small group
meetings in restaurants, lunches or wine tastings, and a holiday party.
Other events may be planned as well. We hold business meetings four
times a year and Board meetings once a month, usually the Monday
following a regular club meeting. Anyone may attend a Board meeting;
place and time are posted in the Newsletters.
15. What should I expect financially when I go on an Outbound
Journey?
Answer: On an Outbound Journey, we who are ambassadors pay one
fee and have all
or most of our expenses paid by the host club and its members; we pay
for our own transportation to the host city. Our fee goes in
part to Friendship
Force International; and some of that fee is paid to the
hosting club to entertain us. If there is an optional tour following the exchange,
you would pay the cost of the tour if you choose to go. Generally, we
take our hosts out to dinner one night while we are their guest. You may
pay for a few of your own meals while eating out, depending on the
circumstances. It is customary to bring your hosts a gift or gifts
(especially Texan if possible), just as you would if you were visiting a
friend. If you don't bring a gift with you, you may be able to buy
something for your host when you determine their interests or needs
while you are there, or treat them in some way.
16. What are Discover Journeys and Global Journeys?
Answer: Discover Journeys typically do not include a homestay,
or a very short one, if any. The purpose is to meet people in an area
who are interested in forming a new Friendship Force club. They have the
opportunity to meet members and talk about what it is like to form a
club and what benefits and responsibilities they would have.
Participants stay in hotels, making these a more expensive way to travel
with Friendship Force.
Global Journeys are a new way to get people with similar interests
around the world together. Instead of one club visiting another club,
anyone who is interested in the topic or activities of the Journeys may
apply to attend. There may be homestays all or part of the time, or may
involve travel between different clubs or points of interest. A Global
Journey might focus on artists, or gardens, or history or architecture
of the area. It may appeal to more active participants who like to bike,
hike in the wilderness, or participate in a volunteer project - called a
Friendship in Action Journey .
17. Am I required to host or go on Outbound Journeys if I am a
member?
Answer: There is no requirement by our club for members to host
visitors or go on Outbound Journeys . We hope though, that those joining
would want to actively participate in these events, as they are how we
can best learn about people in other cultures. If you cannot host or
travel, you can still day host or participate in other ways.
18. What if I am not able to go or don’t care to go on the
Outbound Journeys you have scheduled? Are there other ways for me to
travel with the organization?
Answer: There are a number of other ways to travel. You may
travel with another club if they have room for you.
There are Discover and Global Journeys that include people from several
countries where the Ambassadors travel somewhere and stay mostly in
hotels but meet people from that country. Several Festivals are held each year in
different parts of the world where all are welcome to come to stay in a
hotel but meet people from the area; there may or may not be home stays
offered after the Festival. Regional and International Conferences are
held alternate years, and they are usually followed by an optional short
homestay. There are sometimes long weekend trips available and volunteer
opportunities as well. See the list of Journeys and events on the
Journeys and
Other Clubs
pages and the
Friendship
Force International website.
19. How much are membership dues?
Answer: Dues are for the calendar year and a portion of your
fee goes to Friendship Force International, our parent organization.
Annual dues are $35 per member for 2023. Members of other Friendship Force clubs
(Secondary Members) may join the Friendship Force of Dallas for an
annual fee of $15 (for 2023 only; regularly $20.). Dues are payable by December 15th for the following
calendar year. Contact the Membership chairperson (
edward
perez) for a Membership Form or click
here for a form.
.
During the year, dues are prorated for new members:
Joining the club Jan 1 - June 30 shall pay the full amount or $35 (2023
only)
Joining the club July 1 - Sept 30 shall pay $15 per individual
.
Joining the club Oct 1 - Dec 31 shall pay the full amount which will be
for the last three months of the current year and a full membership for
the following year.
20. Does your club help people in other countries?
Answer: For several years, the Friendship Force of Dallas
club donated refurbished computers fitted with sound cards to
schools for the blind in Peru, Chile, Romania, Turkey and Palestine. We
call this our BridgeBuilder Project. The latest computers were donated
to Schools for the Visually Deficient in Brasov, Romania and in Izmir,
Turkey. Other supplies for the blind have been donated in Bogota,
Colombia and in Paraguay. The Brasov and Sibiu, Romania clubs visited
Dallas in April 2007 and brought back additional computers to Brasov.
See photos on our Computers to Romania page. See additional articles about this project and computers
for the blind on our
Articles
page. We do not have an active program right now, as computers have
become much more available.
21. How can I find out more about the international
organization?
Answer: Check out the Friendship Force International website:
www.friendshipforce.org or
www.thefriendshipforce.org.
There is information about the history, organization, mission, goals,
meetings and projects; about the Board members; about the exchanges
available; about how to arrange exchanges, recruit members, and start or
run a club. There is a monthly magazine called
Friendship Online
available on this website. Exchanges that have room for more people are
listed in
The Catalog.
22. How big is your club? How many can you host?
Answer: Including our Emeritus members, Associate members
(members of other clubs) and members who live in other cities - we have
about 90 members as of November 2019. We are able to host up to 15 Ambassadors
on an Inbound Journey.
23. How can I get involved in the Dallas club?
Answer: We have lots of opportunities for involvement in
Journeys - to travel. We also need helpers to put on Inbound Journeys - as hosts, day hosts and dinner hosts; planners for a day's activities
or parties; or as an Journey Coordinator (you may want to be an assistant
JC first to see how it's done). Volunteers are always welcome on the
membership/welcoming team or telephone tree; or as hosts or helpers for
small group events. If you have skills in the computer field, writing,
design, publicity fields - we can use your help. Check the Committee
Chair list above to see where some OPEN spots are. Tell the president or
any Board member what you are interested in doing. We welcome your ideas
and enthusiasm. Many of our present leaders have been in the club only a
short time and have become active and valued contributors.
For additional information about the Dallas club, contact edward perez, the
Membership
Chair or a Board member.
Our purpose is to be a multi-cultural group that promotes peace and
friendship in the world by building global good will through personal
friendships and exchanges.
Our mission is building world understanding through personal
friendships.
Our vision is to be an outstanding model as a diverse and actively
involved Friendship Club representing Dallas, Texas to the world.
Committee Chairs
and Helpers
- Ways and Means - coming up with ideas for one-time or ongoing fund raisers for our club.
Need a chair for this committee.
- Communication - preparing information about our meetings for our
members and other community organizations. [email experience required]
- Treasurer and Journey Treasurer - keeping track of revenue and expenses associated w/ our
Journeys. [bookkeeping experience required, experience w/Quicken a plus; FFD has a licensed copy that can be installed on your Windows based computer]
- Membership database manager - keeping track of membership and generating labels for mailing newsletters and announcements [computer experience required; FFD has a licensed copy of a program that can be installed on your Windows based computer or you can use the club's computer]
- Sunshine - sending card\s to members with health problems or whom have lost a family member. [no experience required]
- Presentation equipment keeper - storing our microphone/speaker, computer projector and screen; having them at meetings when they're needed. [no experience required]
- Merchandise keeper - storing our lapel pins and pen sets; making them
available for sales - we sell several hundred dollars in items (make
great exchange gifts). [no experience required]
- Banner keeper - storing our new FFD Banner; have it at meetings or to
welcome inbound exchanges when it's needed. [no experience required]
- Newsletter Editor - write a newsletter every other month from collected articles and photos; publish in Word or Publisher with pdf file. [writing ability, knowledge of computer, e-mail and Word, attention to formatting and detail needed]
- Shuttle Drive List Manager - manage an e-mail group list coordinating
driver volunteers and those wishing a ride to the airport. edward perez
will help a new volunteer on how to manage the list. [Need e-mail /
Internet, no experience]
Contact the
President or
Membership Chairperson for more details.
You can reach us by mail at: 
