FRIENDSHIP FORCE CLUBS IN AUSTRALIA

2. Friendship Force is an international, non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit organisationwith headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. It was started in March 1977 by founder Wayne Smith and his friend US President Jimmy Carter. There are now 377clubs worldwide in over 60countries.

3. FRIENDSHIP FORCE CLUBS IN AUSTRALIA

4. Gold Coast, Qld Photograph taken from Observation Deck ‘Q1 Building’ - 77th floor(Mount Warning, NSW visible top right hand of photo)

5. Each of the 24 Australian clubs has an elected board. Gold Coast Board Members 2019 • President • Vice-president • Secretary • Treasurer • Committee Each club is chartered annually to Friendship Force International in Atlanta; is bound by FFI’s by-laws & reports directly to the head office. All clubs meet regularly to conduct business, keep members informed & for social activities.

6. Gold Coast Friendship Force has a current membership of approx. 44, was founded in 1992, & is one of 24 Australian clubs in Friendship Force International.

7. THE FRIENDSHIP FORCE MISSION To promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people by means of personal contacts & shared experiences achieved through a programme of home hosting. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Local Councillors & Australian members of Parliament enthusiastically support Friendship Force of the Gold Coast when plans are being made for both Inbound & Outbound Journeys. This involvement includes provision to the club of Australian books, information & memorabilia to present to our Hosts & Ambassadors. Ambassadors also enjoy planting a commemorative tree in “Friendship Force Avenue”, a special area allocated by Council in the Botanic Gardens to honour inbound exchanges (now known as journeys) from visiting overseas clubs.

8. FRIENDSHIP FORCE AVENUE (GOLD COAST REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS) SOME OF THE TREES PLANTED BY VISITING CLUBS The original area pictured above now has the allotted number of trees & a number of plantings have already taken place in the new zone known as “FRIENDSHIP GROVE” FIRST TREE PLANTED - 2003 - As at 2017, the space allocated in the new area has been filled and the tradition of planting trees to commemorate the visits of Friendship Force clubs from around the world has come to an end.

9. WHO JOINS FRIENDSHIP FORCE....? Our membership comprises a broad spectrum of ages that includes working, semi-retired & fully retired couples & single people. All have a common purpose to promote peace, friendship & cultural understanding via “home stay” exchanges (now known as journeys).

10. WHAT DOES FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF THE GOLD COAST DO? We participate in an active programmeof international Friendship Force club JOURNEYS & periodic JOURNEYS to & from other Australian Friendship Force clubs. (Journeys were previously known as Exchanges) We also enjoy a wide variety of interesting social activities.

11. WHAT IS A JOURNEY.....? (Journeys were previously known as Exchanges) A JOURNEY is a one week visit by a group of club members to another ‘host’ club. This usually consists of around 14 visitors known as “ambassadors” who will live as guests in the homes of host club members & enjoy with their “hosts” a program of activities arranged by the host club.

12. On an INBOUNDJOURNEY ambassadors are home hosted by club members for (usually) 7 days. A programme is organised for the week when the ambassador group is involved in activities with Gold Coast club members & each other. The remainder of the time is spent with the home host family & their friends – with time for socialising (& for shopping ...!) This way ambassadors get to know our area as a group yet, because each host family has different interests, each visitor has a unique cultural experience.

13. WHAT MAKES UP AN OUTBOUND JOURNEY....? Our club usually includes 3 x 1 week phases (of home hosting) on our annual overseas journey. (Journeys were previously known as Exchanges) We also include pre & post tours & short stop-overs between the three phases... AUSTRIA SOUTH AMERICA

14. WHERE DO WE VISIT.....? We travel the world as ambassadors of our club and our country... BRAZIL BELGIUM

15. BRATISLAVA NOUMEA

16. WHO DO WE MEET.....? Many new friends from different places & cultures. THAILAND TURKEY

17. USA NEW ZEALAND

18. WHY DO WE DO IT.....? It’s a great way to make new friends, learn about other cultures & promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people. Following both in & outbound journeys many private visits occur as lifelongfriendships are created. .....your Christmas card list grows longer.....

19. COSTS(current as at December 2018) MEMBERSHIP Gold Coast Friendship Force annual fees are $40 per member, plus approx. $23 for a name badge. JOURNEYS Journey costs are US$140 per person paid to Head Office in Atlanta for each club visited. A fee of US$150 per person is paid to each host club; this money is spent on visitors for the week’s program costs. Each week’s home hosting is free. Hosts are not paid. Naturally all other travel costs – air fares, additional trips, insurance etc., are borne by the ambassador.

20. MORE ON JOURNEYS.......... (Previously known as Exchanges) • Ambassadors are expected to be able to handle their own luggage. (This is important if you have been accustomed to travelling on commercially organised tours where everything is done for you....) • Customs differ from country to country – always remember you are a guest & behave accordingly. • While you pay nothing to your hosts for the week of home hosting it is a nice gesture to present them with a “thank you” gift.

21. As many journey activities include travel in your hosts’ vehicle, offering to contribute to fuel costs is suggested. • A general “rule” during a journey is that Ambassadors offer to take their hosts out for a meal as a way of saying “thank you” for their hospitality. A small gift for dinner & day hosts should also be offered. • During your stay the Friendship Force experience will be enhanced if you do your best to become “one of the family” by helping out whenever possible.

22. During a journey Ambassadors are • expected, whenever possible, to take part in • ALL ARRANGED ACTIVITIES. • In situations where Ambassadors who for personal reasons do not adhere to the program or in any way cause disruption to the group, they may be asked to leave the journey. • This is always at the discretion of the Exchange Director (now known as Ambassador/Host Co-ordinator).

23. In the unlikely event of any kind of unfortunate situation with your hosts PLEASE do not “whinge” to your friends, but discuss it with your Host/Ambassador Co-ordinator who will liaise with the host club Host/Ambassador Co-ordinator to settle the matter to the satisfaction of both parties.

24. HOW DO I PARTICIPATE.....? • Monthly club meetings • Social events throughout the year • Inbound exchanges (now known as journeys) • throughout the year • Outbound exchange (journey) once per year • District meeting once per year • Australian conference once per year • Join any other club in the world on a journey • Join a discovery program

25. Take an active role in your club by serving • on the Board or on a committee • Volunteer to be an Exchange Director (Host/Ambassador • Co-ordinator) • Enjoy theatre parties, dinners, lunches – all kinds • of social outings • All members are encouraged to participate in club • activities in order to benefit from the interaction • of new friendships & cultural experiences • Those unable to host during a particular journey • can be involved by dinner/day-hosting & by • joining in the organised activities during the • week.

26. MEMBERINVOLVEMENT Members can be involved as much or as little as they like though most club members are very committed. Remember - Friendship Force is not a social club - we have a serious mission -but in achieving our goals we socialise a lot . . . All members are encouraged to home host, day host, dinner host & generally become involved in our exchange (journey) activities. ... participate ... contribute ... enjoy ...

27. Our monthly newsletter “The Golden Coastline”is available via the Members Area of our Club website. Members without internet receive their newsletter when attending club meetings. Club website: friendshipforcegoldcoast.org.au

28. ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS..... • Do I enjoy seeing new places & meeting new friends..? • Am I able (& willing) to host ambassador/s in my home..? • Would I enjoy being a guest in the home of a “stranger”..? • Would I enjoy having a “stranger” as a guest in my home..? • Am I able (& willing) to use my car when required to transport • my guests during an inbound journey..? • If you have answered “yes” to all the above questions • you will be sure to enjoy Friendship Force. .... remember, a “stranger” is a friend you are yet to meet ....

29. HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER.....? • Attend one or two general meetings to see what we do. • Attend some activities. • Discuss Friendship Force with club members. • Ask as many questions as you wish. • Look at our website - • www.friendshipforcegoldcoast.org.au • - it contains information, reports & diaries of journeys, • photos, links to FFI & other FF clubs & much more.

30. Obtain an Application Form from Membership Director. • Complete & return Form. • Application will be referred to the Board for approval. • Upon approval Membership Director will ask you to • pay your membership fee of $40 + approx. $22 for name • badge. • You will be inducted at a General Club meeting & be • presented with your name badge.

31. FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF THE GOLD COAST OFFERS YOU: • Travel • New friendships • Social activities .. You Can Make a Difference ..

32. WELCOME TO OUR GREAT CLUB