Rocky Mountain Region Campaign

Rocky Mountain Regional News — 4/22/2020
RE: FFI Fundraising Campaign in US
Greetings – I hope this finds you and your family well and safe.
The COVID-19 has affected every person all over the world. As FFI club members this has
created a terrible financial situation for the FFI organization.
Jeremi Snook CEO; the Board of Directors and Field Representatives are working on the
Friendship Force Campaign by contacting every club in the US.
The FFI Website is being updated daily with information regarding the Fundraising efforts;
there’s an on-going list of donations from individuals and clubs from all over the world. The
website includes a Blog that has been added for Jeremi to keep all clubs informed with updates.
Check it out: www.blog.friendshipforce.org
I held a President/Leaders Meeting in April and invited Marilyn Petersen, Vice Chair on the FFI
Board of Directors, to join us. FFI Board members have been appointed to provide regional
support. Marilyn is the support for the Rocky Mountain Region along with the other regional
clubs on the western part of the US.
Campaign Giving to reach GOAL of $340,000:
– $170 equivalent of FFI fees for one journey per individual
– Monthly recurring donations
– Any amount is appreciated from clubs and members
If you have questions — I’m available along with Marilyn Petersen and Jeremi Snook to answer
questions; and we would be happy to attend Virtual Meetings with clubs.
Thank you
—– In Friendship, Sue Palmer, Field Rep –Rocky Mountain Region
e-mail: alfshouse12@hotmail.com
“TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

Changes due to Covid-19

Notes from Bill Bertenshaw, president

As all of you are aware, the spread of the Coronavirus has made significant changes in all of our plans.

Following is the latest news regarding our club activities.

1. The March 14 luncheon was cancelled — The speaker has been re-scheduled for the Nov. 14th luncheon

2. FFI has cancelled ALL Journeys until after May 31

3. Cedar Rapids Journey to FFNM has been cancelled

4. The Wine and Cheese event scheduled for April 27 is cancelled

5. Penticton-Okanagan, Canada, club has cancelled our club planned Outbound Journey to them

6. Our Outbound Journey to Saskatoon, Canada, is scheduled for June 18-25. All preliminary arrangements have been made and Saskatoon is hoping that the threat of the virus will have passed and they can host us. Diane Rand, Phil Moskal and Lori Enright are our Journey Coordinators and are staying current with the situation and in contact with Saskatoon.

7. Nancy Galbraith is our Journey Coordinator to Bristol, England, September 9-16. No specific information on that trip at this time

8. Greater Hamilton – Burlington, Canada, is scheduled to visit us October 21-28 and go to Phoenix for their 2nd week. This is a firm trip and we NEED A JOURNEY COORDINATOR.

9. FFI has sent our club their Domestic Journey assignments for 2021. They are Outbound: Southern New Jersey, USA, and Inbound: National Capitol Area.USA

The club will be in touch when there is more news.

Stay Well

Bill Bertenshaw President

March luncheon

Friendship Force International was founded by Wayne Smith and introduced by President Jimmy Carter on March 1, 1977! FFI will be celebrating its 43rd year in March!

At our March luncheon, Ms. Camilla Dodson, a Chautauqua speaker, will be helping us celebrate with her African instruments. Ms. Dodson is the daughter of a Lesotho (South Africa) chief. For many years she lived in South Africa and Ireland. She was one of 5 people invited to speak when Nelson Mandela returned to Cape Town after 27 years in prison!
Drums are probably the earliest musical instrument, common to all cultures. Ms. Dodson’s presentation describes the role of music in traditional African society using drumming!
This program has been made possible by the New Mexico Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities for funding of the program.
Please help us celebrate 43 years of journeys and enjoy the entertainment, history, people and culture up close and personal!! Bring a guest!
Please make your reservations no later than Tuesday, March 10, 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, March 14 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