Friendship Force January 12 luncheon

Happy New Year, Friends! Eliseo Torres, known to everyone as “Cheo,” has been fascinated by the folk traditions and folkways of Mexico and of his Mexican American roots. Both of his parents were versed in aspects of herbal lore and healing, and as he matured he learned from them a love and respect for the history and folk knowledge of the ancient art of curanderismo, or Mexican folk healing. “Cheo” received three degrees from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He is currently the vice president for student affairs and a member of the faculty of the College of Education at the University of New Mexico, where he teaches three classes on traditional medicine and regularly lectures and gives presentations on the history and lore of curanderismo. His presentation will cover the revival of traditional medicine in the Southwest and Mexico through a brief discussion of its history from Mayan to Aztec to modern curanderos(as)/healers. In addition, some of the common rituals will be addressed, including: energetic cleansings (limpias), magical fright (susto), intestinal blockage (empacho) and a brief demonstration on laugh therapy (risa terapia). He has had four books published on his life and research in traditional medicine emphasizing medicinal plant and rituals. Published literature will be available for review and purchase if desired. Please bring a friend(s). This is sure to be an incredible presentation! Please make your reservations no later than Tuesday, January 8, 2019, by calling or texting Berta Wagstaff at 710-4448 or emailing her at vets4vets@aol.com. PLACE: Ramada Midtown (formerly Hotel Eleganté ) ADDRESS: 2020 Menaul Blvd. NE DATE: Saturday, January 12, 2019 TIME: 11:30 am COST: $15.00 per person (Checks, made out to FFNM, are preferred) NOTE: The Club must pay the hotel for all reservations. If you make a reservation and do not attend, you will be billed $15.00 for each reservation. Berta Wagstaff Membership Development Chair

Who made 2017 and 2018 great for FFI?

Award nomination deadline is January 15!

As we enter into a new year, we reflect on all of the positive memories, accomplishments, and friendships we created in the previous ones. What a wonderful time to consider Friendship Force individuals or clubs who you felt truly achieved excellence in 2017 and 2018. Was it a club whose unique programming efforts created a renewed interest or boosted participation? Or maybe an individual member who went above and beyond to make you feel welcome in a foreign country? Perhaps you have just an overall outstanding example of the Friendship Force mission in action. Send in your nomination to recognize those who made the past two years with Friendship Force wonderful! In our lead-up to the 2019 World Conference in Boulder, Colorado, we invite you to nominate yourself or others to be recognized. Nominees and award recipients are not required to attend the World Conference to receive any awards. You may nominate yourself, your club, someone else, or another club. If your nomination doesn’t fit neatly in a category — just tell us about the club, person, or experience you believe is deserving of recognition, and our team of volunteers will take it from there! Here are links to a blog post about the awards process revision, a Frequently Asked Questions document, and the 2019 Award Nomination Form. Please consider this opportunity to celebrate the past two years of Friendship Force accomplishments and successes with us. We want to hear your stories, and are confident others do as well!

Don’t forget – the deadline for nominations is January 15!

FFI Quarterly eNewsletter

IN THIS EDITION > How Do You Host a Successful Fundraiser? Ask FF Mt. Barker! > 2018’s Two New Wayne Smith Medal Winners > Help Us Recognize Outstanding Service
Leadership Training in Nebraska and Germany “I am glad to get a new network for exchanging questions and experiences.” Most Friendship Force Journeys have a few leaders involved as Journey Coordinators, but for these Featured Journeys of the Quarter, all participants were either experienced or aspiring leaders!
Discover More
FEATURED CLUB OF THE QUARTER FF Mt. Barker has the right answer for how to host a successful fundraiser! Learn More >
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS! Thank you for your Giving Tuesday contributions that totaled $9580 USD. Learn More >

Two New Wayne Smith Medal Recipients Honored in 2018 Marj Stanton, FF Bundaberg, Australia, and Donna Baldwin-Haut, FF Greater Milwaukee, USA, are the recipients of the 99th and 100th Wayne Smith Medals! Learn More >
FFI Institutes New Awards Process for 2019
Friendship Force wants to ensure that our members and clubs are recognized for their year-round outstanding service to the FFI mission. Learn More >
Staff Changes at FFI Headquarters FFI faces staff changes that leave us happy for those moving on and excited about new growth within the organization. Learn More >
Feeling inspired by all of the good Friendship Force news?
Donate to the Annual Fund!