At the end of March, John and I drove to Florence, S.C., for a meeting of presidents and vice-presidents from 11 of the 12 clubs in our region, which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia.  We had an excellent exchange of information and ideas, got to know FFI’s Manager of Program Services Kathy Thomas, and had a delightful
“pig-pickin’” at an equestrian center owned by one of Florence’s members.  (We loved that his equestrian center is named “Churchill Downs”!)

In a separate document on FFLK’s website is a two-page list of ideas from the clubs re membership recruitment and retention, publicity efforts, exchange ideas and opportunities, and fundraising, along with a summary of Kathy Thomas’ remarks. 
Click here for Detailed Meeting Notes.  Here are a few of those points:

From Kathy Thomas ~~

·  FFI has made dramatic cuts in staff while continuing to support a full range of programs. The 10 remaining staff members
     recently took a pay cut so they would not have to lay off one more person.

·  FFI has re-acquired www.friendshipforce.org and now you can reach International’s website with this first web address as
     well as the new one, www.thefriendshipforce.org. Please check the FFI website (and FFLK’s website) often for up-to-date
     information on exchanges and other policy changes.

·  In July, FFI is planning to publish an all-new ED manual with side-by-side policies for host and Ambassador EDs.

 Recruitment/Publicity/Fundraising Ideas ~~

·  Person-to-person recruitment is the most effective.

·  Always make meetings interesting and informative.

·  Answer phones as a group at public radio membership drives.

·  Create a short video of your club members on exchanges. Use this video to show FF in action when speaking to
     community, church, and other groups.

·  Hold a bottle/jar auction to raise funds for FFI’s foundation or your club’s special events. Members donate nicely wrapped
     bottles (i.e., wine, bubble bath, olive oil, etc.) which are then auctioned off.