Friendship Force is an international, non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit organisation with 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 377 clubs worldwide in over 60 countries.
FRIENDSHIP FORCE CLUBS IN AUSTRALIA
Gold Coast, QldPhotograph taken from Observation Deck ‘Q1 Building’ - 77th floor
(Mount Warning, NSW visible top right hand of photo)
Each of the 25 Australian clubs has an elected board. Gold Coast Board Members 2014
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.
Gold Coast Friendship Force has a current membership of approx. 70, was founded in 1992, & is one of 25 Australian
clubs in Friendship Force International.
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 Mayor of the Gold Coast is our club patron. The Mayor
enthusiastically embraces Friendship Force & is always willing to host official meetings with Ambassadors.
The meeting & exchange of greetings between dignitaries is followed by a sumptuous morning tea provided by Council.
Ambassadors then enjoy planting a commemorative tree in “Friendship Force Avenue”, a special area allocated by Council
in the Botanic Gardens to honour inbound exchanges from visiting overseas clubs.
FRIENDSHIP FORCE AVENUE
FIRST TREE PLANTED - 2003 -
SOME OF THE TREES PLANTED BY VISITING CLUBS
(GOLD COAST REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS)
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”
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.
WHAT DOES FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF THE GOLD COAST DO?
We participate in an active programme of international Friendship Force club EXCHANGES
& periodic EXCHANGES to & from other Australian Friendship Force clubs.
We also enjoy a wide variety of interesting social activities.
WHAT IS AN EXCHANGE.....?An EXCHANGE is a one week visit by a group
of club members to another ‘host’ club.
This usually consists of 20 to 25 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.
On an INBOUND EXCHANGE 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.
WHAT MAKES UP AN OUTBOUND EXCHANGE....?Our club usually includes 3 x 1 week phases (of
home hosting) on our annual overseas exchange.
We also include pre & post tours & short stop-overs between the three phases...
SOUTH AMERICA AUSTRIA
WHERE DO WE VISIT.....?We travel the world as ambassadors of our
club and our country...
BRAZIL
BELGIUM
NOUMEA
BRATISLAVA
Many new friends from different places & cultures.
WHO DO WE MEET.....?
THAILANDTURKEY
USA
NEW ZEALAND
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 exchanges many private visits occur as lifelong
friendships are created......your Christmas card list grows longer.....
WHY DO WE DO IT.....?
COSTS (current as at January 2014)
MEMBERSHIPGold Coast Friendship Force annual fees are $35 per member, plus $20 for a name badge.
EXCHANGESExchange costs are US$140 per person paid to Head Office in Atlanta for each club visited.
A fee of US$100 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.
MORE ON 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.
As many exchange activities include travel in your hosts’ vehicle, offering to contribute to fuel costs is suggested.A general “rule” during an exchange 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.
During an exchange Ambassadors areexpected, 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 exchange.
This is always at the discretion of the Exchange Director.
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 Exchange Director who will liaise with the host club Exchange Director to settle the matter to the satisfaction of both parties.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE.....?
Monthly club meetings
Social events throughout the year
Inbound exchanges throughout the year
Outbound exchange once per year
District meeting once per year
Australian conference once per year
Join any other club in the world on an exchange
Join a discovery program
Take an active role in your club by serving on the Board or on a committee
Volunteer to be an Exchange Director
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 exchange can be involved by dinner/day-hosting & by joining in the organised activities during the week.
MEMBER INVOLVEMENTMembers 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 activities.
... participate ... contribute ... enjoy ...
Our monthly newsletter “The Golden Coastline” is available via the Members Area of our Club website.
Members without internet receive their newsletter in the post prior to club meetings.
Club website:friendshipforcegoldcoast.org.au
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 exchange..?
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 ....
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 exchanges, photos, links to FFI & other FF clubs & much more.
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 $30 + $20 for name badge.
You will be inducted at a General Club meeting & be presented with your name badge.
FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF THE GOLD COAST OFFERS YOU:
Travel New friendships Social activities
.. You Can Make a Difference ..
WELCOME TO OUR GREAT CLUB
