February 2016 - ffconnecticut.org

Footnotes
February 2016
Letter from the President
2016 Calendar
(meet our new president)
February open
March 4* Membership Dinner: Concetta’s Restaurant
Dear Friendship Force Connecticut Members,
I am a native New Yorker, born in the Bronx
many years ago. I am a 1985 graduate of CCNY
with a science major but my major occupation was
a salesman for a major drug wholesaler. My wife
Toby and I have been married for 52 years as of
Feb 15th. We have three grown children and proud
grandparents of three students one in high school
and two in college. I am starting my second term as
a Town Councilor in Bloomfield. Over the years I
have been an active member of the Rotary Club,
Toastmasters, Civitan International, Regents Mens’
Club and involved in other volunteer efforts. This
past June I created a project called Celebrate
Bloomfield, which consisted of 11 community
events intended to bring town residents together.
We have lived in Bloomfield for 50 years.
I am looking forward to leading our
Friendship Force Club to an enjoyable and
successful year
In Friendship, Joel Neuwirth
April 6 *
May 4
22 Mountain Rd, Bloomfield, CT. see P 4
Theatre- Playhouse on Park, W Hartford,
Dinner at Effie’s Place
P 5
Open World Program - Farewell dinner
More details forthcoming
P 6
June 2 to 9, 2016
July *
Inbound from Utah – ED Dave Austin
Summer picnic: Date and Place to be
determined
Open
August
September 8 to 13
P 3
Building of America Global Exchange
Directors-Martha Schwartz/Ray Chicoine
September 24, (note day) Saturday,
Annual meeting & Steak Roast
Sunrise Park, West Suffield
October Inbound exchange from Kapiti Coast, NZ
November Open
December Holiday party: Date and Place to be
determined
* Arranged by Activities Committee members
Bruce Wazorko
860-707-5639
Nancy Crandall
860-503-3353
Letter from the Past President
Friends,
It has been a privilege to serve as your
President for the previous 2 years. I appreciate the
wonderful support of the Board members that I
served with. I also want to thank the nonboard
members who were able to support our activities
and chose to support our activities. I look forward
to meeting other members who decide to become
active in supporting Friendship Force of
Connecticut. I encourage all members to read the
minutes from the Board Meetings and read our
current bylaws.
In Friendship, Dave Austin
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Useful Links
Friendship Force International
Web site
: www.thefriendshipforce.org
Address: Suite 501, 127 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 3030
Fax 404-522-9490
Phone: 404-688-6148
Friendship Force of Connecticut
Email
[email protected]
“ Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own”
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2016 Officers and Board
President Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership
Activities
Joel Neuwirth
vacant
Sally Kuras
Ray Chicoine
Martha Schwartz
Bruce Wazorko
Nancy Crandall
George Swenson
NewsletterLee Goodfriend
Publicity
Eunice Heinlein
Web Master
David Austin
Past President
Dave Austin
Domestic Exchange Coordinator
RoseAnne Austin
Inbound Exchanges
Open World from Ukraine 2016
Betty DeAngelis Director
Global Exchange 2016
“Building of America”
Exchange Directors
Martha Schwartz
Ray Chicoine
Tamworth, Australia 2015
Joel Neuwirth & Bruce Wazorko
Utah 2016 ED Dave Austin
Kapiti Coast, New Zealand
NEXT BOARD MEETING
GET WELL WISHES
February 9, 2016 @ 2:00 p.m.
Bloomfield Senior Center
330 Park Ave, Bloomfield,
Park in front of building
Enter bldg through front door
TO LARAINE WILSON
She is presently at Salmon Brook
Extended Care Facility
72 Salmon Brook Rd, Glastonbury
860-780-6411
Exchange News
OUTBOUND EXCHANGE
2/28/2016 to 3/15/
ADELAIDE and TAMWORTH AUSTRALIA
Outbound to Tamworth & Adelaide Australia has been cancelled. We did not get enough committed ambassadors to
satisfy the requirements of the hosting club. At the Board's direction, I have asked these clubs to reschedule for 2017.
We will let you know when they respond, via the Board minutes and future Newsletters.
INBOUND EXCHANGE FROM UTAH
The Utah club from Salt Lake City will bring 15 Ambassadors to Connecticut, arriving June 2, departing June 9, 2016.
Dave Austin is the Exchange Director. Would you like to get into the act? We need night hosts, day hosts, and dinner
hosts. Please contact Dave Austin, 860-830-5607, or [email protected], if you can help in any way.
We are planning a reciprocal two week outgoing exchange in 2017 which will include Western Colorado and Salt Lake
City.
INBOUND FROM KAPITI COAST, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
We will be the second leg of a 3 club tour, starting in Canada in early October & ending in VA.
We need an Exchange Director - New Zealanders are a joy to know
.If there is some place in the USA that you would like to visit, contact
Domestic Exchange Director Rose Anne Austin at 860-236-4492, or [email protected].
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Building of America - Global Exchange
Hosts needed for the Building of America Global Exchange
September 8-13, 2016
As you read this, the Building of America global exchange should already be posted on the
FFI website. We are very excited about our portion of the schedule, along with the activities
offered by both the New Hampshire and New Jersey clubs. Each club is offering unique
programs not usually included in our exchanges.
Twenty ambassadors are expected to participate, and we are calling now for hosts,
dinner hosts, and day hosts to step up and volunteer to make our exchange successful.
In planning our budget, we tried to include as much hosting expense as possible, including
many dinners, most lunches, and gas money for the drive to the Pequot Museum. Hosts
only need to provide breakfasts and possibly one lunch at home for their guests—
and a worm comfy bed, of course.
Did you know Benedict Arnold grew up in Norwich where he was a pharmacist apprentice?
Well… if you host, you can walk in his footsteps during our exchange . Have you ever watched
a fife and drum muster and meet a Minute Man at the Nathan Hale Homestead? If you host you
will.
Did you ever have tea with Abigail Adams? You will if you host an ambassador during this
exchange.
Please don’t tell our ambassadors, because this is to be a surprise for them.
Want to know more? Volunteer to host or day host an ambassador. Because many planned
activities have limits on the number of participants, many activities will only be open to
ambassadors and their hosts.
This exchange can only be as successful as our club volunteers make it. Please step up and do
your share to ensure it will be the best global exchange ever.
WE NEED YOU TO DO YOUR FAIR SHARE!
Ray Chicoine
([email protected]) Or
Martha Schwartz ([email protected])
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Open Membership Dinner
3/4/2016
Join us for our annual membership dinner where
board members will talk about their FF experiences.
Everyone is encouraged to invite friends and
acquaintances who have shown an interest in our
organization. In the next few weeks board members will be
speaking to various civic groups whose members will also
be invited to this dinner.
Site: Concetta’s Restaurant
22 Mountain Road
Bloomfield, CT.
Date and Time: 3/4/2016 @ 6:00 p.m.
Food Service:
Order off the menu
Program: Introduction of guests, history of the FF
Organization and procedure for hosting
and being hosted.
“Guests will be offered a free glass of wine”
The success of this event will be determined by your
participation. Please contact one of the following members
of the Activities Committee to show your support
on or before 2/26/2016
so we can obtain a definite head count.
Bruce Wazorko [email protected]
Nancy Crandall [email protected]
George Swenson [email protected]
Or call 860-707-5639
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Activity
For the Month of April
Theater Production
Place:
Playhouse on Park
244 Park Rd.
West Hartford, CT
Production:
“Superstition” - Song and dance show
Time:
April 6, 2016 at 7:30pm
Cost:
$15/person
Pre Show Activity: 6:00pm dinner ( Order off the menu)
Effies Place
99 Park Rd., W. Hartford, CT
(20% discount with theater tickets)
———————————————————————
Friendship Force of CT
Yes I (We) would like to attend the 4/6/16 Theater Production
at the Playhouse on Park and the pre Dinner Activity.
Name ————————————————————————————————
Address ———————————————————————————————
Number of people ( ) X $15/pers =
$________
Make checks payable to the “FF of Connecticut”
Send to Bruce Wazorko/Nancy Crandall 243 Olney Rd. Wethersfield, Ct. 06109.
Sign up date by 3/23/16 ONLY 20 Seats Have Been Reserved
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5555555p. 860.233.9653 • 91 Park Road • West Hartford, CT
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h something for everyone to enjoy, from Greek specialties, steaks and seafood to Effie's Place
We look
Open World from Ukraine
April 29 - May 7th.
E.D. Betty DeAngelis
http://www.openworld.gov/
FF members,
Friendship Force of Connecticut has accepted a request from FFI and Open World to
welcome a delegation from Ukraine. We were charged with the planning and
implementation of activities for a delegation from Serbia in 2014 and expect to repeat our
success.
Delegates (5) are selected by the American Ambassador in the Ukraine. They are here to
Witness Accountable Governance in Connecticut. They will be traveling with a facilitator
and translator. The delegates are sponsored by Open World Leadership Program,
funded by the United States Congress.
The Ukraine delegation will arrive in CT on Friday April 29th. Arrangements are being made
for them to meet with Senator Chris Murphy while in DC before arriving in CT. The
Connecticut General Assembly is in session at that time.
The goal is to have them meet with various member of the CT General Assembly.
Here is where FF members can help. Monday May 2, Tuesday May 3rd and Wednesday
May 4th. They will be at the State Capitol from 8:30 to 4:30 each day.
We ask that you contact your State Representatives from your respective towns. If you know
them personally, that would be a benefit. We will be asking them to be responsible for
1 -2 hours while at the General Assembly on May2, 3 or 4th, taking the delegates to his or her
committee meetings/caucus, etc. This will give the delegates a firsthand look at how our
State government works. We already have a positive response from Joel, Ray and
Sally Kuras who contacted there reps and they were all very willing to meet with the
delegation while at the State Capital . Looking for help from our FF members in the
Wallingford area. State Senator Len Fasano, Minority Leader is the Wallingford rep.
We ask that someone contact John Kissel Senate Chief Deputy Minority leader from the
Granby area. Congressman John Larson is also on board to meet the group.
At some point they will be introduced at the Assembly and welcomed and recognized
by the LT Governor Nancy Wyman.
And don’t forget, we will need home hosts and help with planning.
Please contact:
Betty DeAngelis
[email protected]
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860-523-4538
MEMBERSHIP DUES 2016
Friends
Our club is keeping up with the times. We have increased our membership dues. Please realize that this is the
first time in many years there has been a change.
Singles: $30
Family: $45.
This is a reminder that 2016 dues are due and payable
Doing this allows us to update our membership information,
and keep an accurate count of members’ status.
Name(s):
Address:
City/Town: ________________________
State/Zip:
Emai_____________________________
Phone: __________________ Cell Phone:
Newsletter preference: (Please check one)
Electronic E-Mail (in color)
Paper copy via U.S. Postal Service (black and white)
Membership:
FF Name Badge:
___ Family -$45
___ Single _
$30
$11.75 each
Claw back ____
or
Pin back
Please mail your check made out to “Friendship Force CT” to:
Martha Schwartz
65 Hickory Hill Rd.
Simsbury, CT 06070
860-658-0760
Martha [email protected]
************************************************************************************************
Ray Chicoine has done some shopping and discovered something he would like to share You too can be sporting a T shirt or polo shirt with our logo
1.) You supply the shirt - The shirt illustrated came from WalMart for $8
2.) The fabric should be cotton, denim or some type that doesn't stretch, your choice of color
3.) Cost of embroidery is $8.00 per shirt, payable in cash.
4.) The font of Friendship Force can be of any color but black or white does best
5.) Place money in envelope. Ray has offered to do the foot work, providing you get it to and from him.
The Company is\: ‘Schiller Sewing Center’, on Main St. Willimantic.
Ray Chicoine
860-742-3051
93 John Hand Drive
[email protected]
Coventry, CT 06238
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FRIENDSHIP FORCE INTERNATIONAL
NEW President and CEO Jeremi Snook
Jeremi Snook grew up in rural New Hampshire in the extreme northeastern part of the United States.
Eager to explore the country, Jeremi broke free from his deep New England roots to attend the University
of Florida from which he began his career working in nonprofit organizational development.
Prior to joining Friendship Force in November 2015, Jeremi has worked successfully with organizations to
enhance their mission through innovation and operational efficiency. Jeremi’s work includes the United
Way of Central Carolinas and the Uptown Emergency Shelter in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2008, he
took a short break from the nonprofit sector to help start a medical manufacturing company that earned
him and his partner the Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies award. Most recently, Jeremi served as Chief
Operating Officer with Spaulding Youth Center, a leading community-based provider of educational
services for children with neurological or behavioral challenges in Northfield, New Hampshire, USA.
With a love for travel, he enjoys exploring different cultures and has a personal appreciation for the
impact these experiences can have on an individual’s view of the world. Jeremi is excited to have found
the Friendship Force with a mission to encourage others in these very same experiences.
Jeremi holds a Masters in Business Administration from Queens University of Charlotte and resides in
Athens, Georgia, with his life-partner Sherry, and their two sons.
FFI World Conference 2016: Marrakesh, Morocco
September 16-19 (arrival and registration on Sep 15)
Join us for our very first FFI World Conference in Africa
See more information
http://thefriendshipforce.org/index.php/welcome_news
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wrap-up
AN INTERNATIONAL DINNER.
Sunday, November 8th, at 2PM
Pho* Boston Restaurant
144 Shield Street
West Hartford
Another enjoyable dinner
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(wrap up)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sans Souci Restaurant
Meriden, CT
LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE INTERESTING ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES IN THE NEW YEAR
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ETCETERA
January 6, 2016 “6 on 6”
Southern Connecticut FF invited us to their new program designed to bring members together
socially and inform them about all aspects of Friendship Force, while hopefully attracting new
members. The first gathering was at the Baltic Restaurant in Berlin, CT at
6:00 o’ clock, on the 6th day of the month.
Nina Lesiga, who is a new member discussed her experiences as a storyteller and travel coach.
A nice photo
Members having fun
“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and
Remember more than I have seen”
Benjamin Disraeli
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