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President's message

Published on 11/1/2017
HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING. The year of my presidency is fast coming to an end. It certainly has been rewarding, thanks to all the help from the Board and other members. On this note, I need to remind everyone that the Installation Luncheon for new officers will be held Saturday, November 18th at 11:30 AM at the Chula Vista Golf Club, in Bonita. More detailed information will be in this newsletter. Please sign up ASAP. A short board meeting will be held after the luncheon at the Golf Club.

We bade farewell to our Leuven and Friends ambassadors on October 2nd, (Thanks go to Tom Schulz for executing a successful week as journey coordinator.) On October 16th, the Board met at the home of Tom & Carrie Schulz where we discussed the evaluations of the last two incoming exchanges. Positive feedback was given for most activities. Even though the trip to Julian was on a weekend and very crowded, most ambassadors rated it the highlight of their week. The main tribute was to the home hosts who made all ambassadors very comfortable. The Austin and Leuven Clubs donated a total of $290.00 for Fr. Joe’s Villages.

For up to date news on all these activities, Bob Traber continues to encourage all members to access the club’s website. (Website address http://friendshipforcesandiego.org). Per Journey Coordinator for outbound Moscow, Russia, Mike Boyko, reports that the dates have not yet been secured, but hopefully it will be the end of May 2018. Mike has already researched extension tours before or after the visit to Moscow and is presently accepting $100.00 deposit for those interested.
Long Island, New York is the outbound domestic exchange (suggested month September 2018). Paula Traber and Jackie Portman are joint JDs for this “journey”. News on this “journey” will be forthcoming. For February 2018, the domestic incoming journey is Flathead Valley, Montana. Bob Stafford and Hal Herritt are accepting names for home hosts, day hosts, etc. Please consider participating in our 1st big event for 2018. Jo An Bryan is coordinating a Mexican Cruise for the Flathead Valley ambassadors, which is open to our San Diego Club. If interested, please contact Jo Ann. The international incoming journey of Gisborne, New Zealand (suggested date, August 2018), will have Carol Tatum and Kathy Velasco as co-JDs. Please mark your calendars and plan on entertaining the KIWIS. Finally, for the summer 2019, Sue Pasterkiewicz with Bob Stafford will be (JDs) for Outgoing Flathead Valley, Montana. Roger Walsh is presently working on 2019 outbound to Japan, and inbound exchanges from Long Island and Russia.

At our General Meeting October 21st, we enjoyed a presentation of the San Diego River Park Foundation, and welcomed new members and guests. Besides the Annual Installation Luncheon, November 18th, which will serve as our General Meeting for November, reservations and checks are requested for the Christmas/Holiday luncheon, Dec. 9th. Hope to see you all at the Installation Luncheon to welcome our 2018 officers..

In Friendship, 
Carol Babbitt
President