Capital Connections Newsletter of the Friendship Force of Ottawa, Canada

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1 Capital Connections Newsletter of the Friendship Force of Ottawa, Canada June Meetings June 23 September 22 November 10 (AGM) FFO Board 2014 President Donna Nicholson VP, Exchanges Kathy Hatherill VP, Membership Jean Farrell Treasurer Ulysse Nevraumont Secretary Janet Wilkinson Directors: Bob Brett (Publicity) Mary Cajka (Social) John Cooke (Mbr Engagement) Brian Ingham (Media Equip.) Tania Kamienski (Projects) Ian Wilson (Archives) Past President Pierrette Benoit FFO Webmaster Conrad Gregoire CapCon Editor Joanne Lee Message from your President June finds us half-way through the year and by the time you read this, we will already have successfully completed 4 exchanges: 2 outbound (Baton Rouge and Albania) and 2 inbound (Perth, Australia and Cornwall/Devon, UK). Our exchanges are truly the heartbeat of the club and it s good to see so many enthusiastic participants involved in both inbound and outbound exchange activities. In the past few months you have received information regarding the goals and priorities for FFO during 2014/2015, based on our ongoing Vitalization initiative. Since member engagement and recruitment have been designated a top priority, the Vitalization Committee developed a brief survey that will help us increase our knowledge of our club membership and track activities. If you have not yet completed and submitted your survey, please do so as soon as possible. Information from this survey will help us to determine the characteristics of our club and be instrumental in the development of future recruitment, retention and exchange strategies. FFI has announced that they will soon be sending a survey to all members, designed to ask you what you want out of FFI, what your individual interests are, how you like to travel with FF, and when. The Global Membership Survey and Club Leaders Survey being distributed this June will go directly to all individuals who are registered with FFI or be delivered through their club president. I will be distributing it as soon as I receive it from FFI. You are strongly encouraged to thoughtfully complete it since by responding, you will have a voice that will help shape the future of FFI and in turn, our own FFO club. The information collected will form part of FFI's strategic plan for the future and for the next generation by gauging your opinions. We are excited to report that our Matching process for the 2015 exchanges is nearing completion with just one match yet to be confirmed. We are hoping for an earlier registration this year, to allow more time for planning and appointing EDs. Please attend the June 23rd General Meeting for more news on exchanges. You won't want to miss this meeting since we will have a guest speaker, Cecile Latour, who will share her experience living in Vietnam, preparing us for our Inbound Vietnam Exchange in September. She will also bring us the latest news from FFI regarding new initiatives and the forming of the international strategic plan plus provide some insight regarding the new Next Generations project she will be leading. I will look forward to seeing you there. Donna Upcoming General Meeting Themes and Speakers June 23, 2014 Vietnam, Speaker: Cecile Latour, Vice Chair FFI Board of Directors. FFI website friendshipforce.org FFO Capital Connections June 2014 Page 1

FFO Membership Jean Farrell, VP Membership Since the last report I have had one info session in May that resulted in one new member, Enid Page, joining and another info session booked for Tuesday,

It is everyone s responsibility to keep the club viable. I am also in need of volunteers to be mentors. We are trying to ensure that every new member has a mentor to help them through the first year.

Comm from Queen s, an MBA from Michigan and qualified as a CA in Manitoba where he met Eve. Bob has worked in Treasury Board and at CMHC.

He is an active model railroader. Leonard Bonnet and Joan Kinnie: Joan Kinnie is a semi-retired civil servant.

2 FFO Membership Jean Farrell, VP Membership Since the last report I have had one info session in May that resulted in one new member, Enid Page, joining and another info session booked for Tuesday, June 3. I have exhausted all the names that were on file as potential new members. Therefore we need all FFO members to try to recruit some new members. It is everyone s responsibility to keep the club viable. I am also in need of volunteers to be mentors. We are trying to ensure that every new member has a mentor to help them through the first year. Looking forward to lots of new names coming forward. Bob Elliott (partner of Eve) was born in the UK to a Canadian RN and British CA and has been in Canada since He has a B.Comm from Queen s, an MBA from Michigan and qualified as a CA in Manitoba where he met Eve. Bob has worked in Treasury Board and at CMHC. He has been collecting a pension since 1998 but has also worked in southern Ontario in the family restaurant business, the furniture business in Ottawa and with the City of Iqaluit. He is an active model railroader. Leonard Bonnet and Joan Kinnie: Joan Kinnie is a semi-retired civil servant. During her career, she managed various corporate support areas, including departmental facilities and information technology. Joan continues to take on some work assignments and contracts. She also enjoys mentoring and coaching junior staff and colleagues. Leonard continues to work as an internal auditor in the Federal Civil Service. He enjoys camping and hobbies and hopes to retire soon. Both Joan and Leonard have been focused on the major renovation of their old home in Ottawa. As such, Leonard has become quite a DIY expert' on many aspects of house construction. Joan and Leonard have three children and one grandson. They enjoy travelling and plan to add many new places to their list of travels Bill Collins is a retired marketing specialist having spent 14 years as a professor of marketing and creative writing at Algonquin College and then 16 years as CEO Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI). His interests include fitness, golf, swimming and travel. He volunteers at the Catholic Immigration Services tutoring new immigrants. He is a widower with 5 children all living in Ottawa. Chilean Friends are Safe by Tim Traynor FFO visited Vina del Mar, Chile in Tim inquired on their safety after the Valparaiso fire in April. Hello Tim: Fortunately, all the FF members are well, as the majority live in the city of Vina del Mar. The fire was in the upper part of Valparaiso, where are located the least well-off people and where the houses were small and wooden, which is why so many houses burned. In any case, we are grateful for the concern you have shown toward us; once again is demonstrated the love and companionship typical of the great Friendship Force family. Thanks and a big hug, Viviana Orrego (ED) What happened was the greatest fire in the history of Valparaiso houses have been burnt and about persons are directly or indirectly affected. Unfortunately it happened to the poorest of the poor. Most of them lived in extreme poverty, some without electricity, some without water. And that was the problem. There was no water to extinguish the fire. And for the fire engines it was extremely hard to get there. The fire extended so quickly that 15 people died, alas! For years many young people had come from the country to look for better work and built a little hut in the hills of Valparaiso, without permission of the municipality. I am sure, in a hundred of years it would have been the same. So something useful will be done now with the help of the government and everything will be legal. At the moment they found shelter in different schools. Entire Chile is helping with clothes, blankets, food and everything they need, especially psychological treatment. With regard to our FF-club nobody suffered damages, but we try to help the poor. Please, tell your people we are well and send our greetings to everybody of your club, in friendship Marie-Helene Dubusc FFO Capital Connections June 2014 Page 2

2014 EXCHANGES OUTBOUND Louisiana April 23 30 Albania May 30 June 6 Brazil & Argentina Sept. 12 - Oct.

Auckland, New Zealand October 14-16, 2014 Vancouver, BC September 11-14, 2015 See www.canffex.

3 2014 EXCHANGES OUTBOUND Louisiana April Albania May 30 June 6 Brazil & Argentina Sept Oct. 1 Nepal October INBOUND Australia Perth Winter Exchange February 3 10 Cornwall & Devon June Vietnam September Germany Gelsenkirchen & Schwerin October 3 10 FFI World Conferences Auckland, New Zealand October 14-16, 2014 Vancouver, BC September 11-14, 2015 See for details VP Exchanges: Kathy Hatherill The Outbound Exchange to Albania has now been completed, with 4 of the 22 ambassadors still enjoying some post-exchange travel to the island of Corfu. Preexchange travel included a wide variety of destinations including Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Malta and an Adriatic cruise. Tickets will be on sale at the June 23 General Meeting for the incoming Vietnam (Sept 10-17) and Germany (Oct 3-10) exchanges. Plans are progressing well for the 2015 Exchanges and we are still waiting for more information from FFI. Thank you to everyone who indicated their tentative plans on the signup sheets at the last meeting. If all the exchange matching is confirmed, we hope to have signup sheets at the June meeting. Will keep you posted. There is lots of time to volunteer to be an ED, please let me know. ED training will be planned when we have confirmation of all the exchanges for FFO OUTBOUND EXCHANGES 2014 Baton Rouge, Louisiana April EDs: Pat Cianfaglione and Heather Pettipas Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, and New Orleans was a blast, from the time of arrival. The club ED in Baton Rouge, was a firsttimer, and had never even been on an exchange. She had us rock and rolling for 7 straight days! There were plantations to see, museums, wild hair-raising music festivals, crawfish boils where 80 pounds of crawfish met their match in a sea of spices and "slap ya mama" Cajun sauce. The "slap 'ya mama" is so popular down there, that I bought all my family a supply. I asked where the term came from, and it apparently is an affectionate term meaning that "your mama should have told you how to cook it". Twenty of us, including the Moore s, a couple from the Toronto club, were wined and dined by the Baton Rouge club, and spent the days in a flurry of activities. One of the highlights had to be the "swamp tour". We boarded a boat in the Bayou, and the driver was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. First he told us about the gators, and then promptly grabbed some chicken pieces, and had the gators sitting up in the water begging for more. The hour and a half was fun, and one of the Baton Rouge members, Bob Duncan, brought along some praline liqueur to make sure we were happy. All in all, the seven days passed in a flash, and the experience was a totally positive one. FFO Capital Connections June 2014 Page 3

Visiting the museums, churches, cafes, and attractions Tirana had to offer certainly gave us a great introduction to the city...including two great concerts.

4 Tirana, Albania May 30 June 6 ED: Claire Fortin Incredible! Energetic! Flexible! Resilient! Fun Loving! The list continues... This describes the members who participated on the Albanian exchange from May 29-June 6th. Visiting the museums, churches, cafes, and attractions Tirana had to offer certainly gave us a great introduction to the city...including two great concerts. We ventured to the surrounding area of Kruja, where we visited an old bazaar, an Ethnographic Museum, and had lunch in the castle. Walking on the steep, cobbled stone alleys was a challenge for many but we all managed very well. Another day we visited the Roman Amphitheatre in the ancient town of Durres plus a foot "dip" in the Adriatic with wonderful soft sand. The welcome dinner with many traditional dishes was enjoyed by our hosts as well as by us and dancing, dressing in traditional costumes and singing (a big hit) was a delightful evening for all. Our laughter and fun really 'broke the ice' and everyone had a fun time. We also toured Berat castle and again had traditional Albanian food and other Mediterranean dishes. Going to Dajti Mountain by a 15 min. cable car after a fun local bus ride and a long walk was a great way to end our stay. The trip was enjoyed by everyone, the Albanians were eager to know and learn more about the club and we had many a laugh...including "icon" memories. The journeys that most of us took before the exchange were varied and memorable to say the least. Florianopolis, Brazil & Villa Maria, Argentina September 12 - October 1 EDs: Tim Traynor (Brazil) and Richard Hatherill (Argentina) Florianopolis, Brazil September Our FFO contingent is eagerly looking forward to Brazil with its many attractions. An early stop is planned for Rio de Janeiro, en route to meet our Florianopolis exchange hosts. We will be following in the footsteps of an earlier group of FFO emissaries; we will even have a repeat of their stay at a Rio B & B run by friendly Canadian expatriates. It's called sticking with the tried and true! In Florianopolis, doors will open to new friendships with lots of opportunity learn about a fascinating coastal culture at the southern tip of South America's largest country. Villa Maria, Argentina September 26 - October 1 Planning for the September Villa Maria exchange for 15 ambassadors is going well and a draft itinerary for the postexchange travel to Buenos Aires has been agreed on. This includes a bus tour and a walking tour of Buenos Aires with a local guide, a visit to Colonia, Uruguay, and exploring the older area of Buenos Aires to experience the architecture and local culture including music, tango, and dining. Kathmandu, Nepal October ED: Ruth Kirk Our exchange to Nepal is now full with 20 ambassadors, 14 from our Ottawa club and 6 from four other clubs in Canada and the United States. Our flights have been booked for some months, and ambassadors have selected pre- and postexchange travels to Bhutan, India or Nepal. As well a few will be trekking in the Himalayas after the exchange. At our recent planning meeting we were privileged to have Tim Farr as our guest. Tim has travelled to Nepal three times, and he is a fount of useful knowledge. His wide ranging talk with us included the recent history of Nepal, sights in Kathmandu and other areas of Nepal, Nepalese customs and culture and advice regarding drinking water. (Be very, very careful!) Like so many people we have talked to, Tim was very taken with the character of the Nepalese people, describing them as gentle and forgiving. FFO Capital Connections June 2014 Page 4

The week included a VIP tour of Parliament and the Dominion carillon concert, Vanier Sugar Shack evening, bike rides along the canal, picnics, BBQs, museum visits and an Ottawa River boat tour.

5 FFO INBOUND EXCHANGES 2014 Cornwall & Devon, UK June 10 17, 2014 ED: Diane McIntyre FFO greeted 14 ambassadors to Ottawa on Tuesday, June 10th. The Welcome party provided views of the Ottawa River and Parliament from beautiful Victoria Island where we enjoyed native dancing and food provided by Aboriginal Experience A Taste of Native Spirit. The week included a VIP tour of Parliament and the Dominion carillon concert, Vanier Sugar Shack evening, bike rides along the canal, picnics, BBQs, museum visits and an Ottawa River boat tour. The exchange wrapped up with a farewell dinner at the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club on Monday, June 16th where all enjoyed the fun, toe-tapping entertainment provided by the Barrhaven Fiddleheads. Thanks to all those who helped to make this a very successful exchange! EDs at Aboriginal Experiences Welcome Event Sandra & Martin Buck with Diane McIntyre Vietnam September 10-17, 2014 ED Barb Smith We looking forward to welcoming between 7 and 10 ambassadors from Vietnam. Our programme as it is now looks like this: Wednesday September 10 arrival Thursday September 11. Ambassadors will depart from their night hosts homes by car for an around the town Car rally/scavenger hunt. We are working on the details but plan to give the Ambassadors a look at various places in Ottawa. They will be expected to find certain information, pick up something and or take photo's of certain things. They will have a picnic lunch and then meet at the venue for the Welcome party later in the afternoon. Price for the Welcome party will be $20 Details to be confirmed Friday September 12th, Tour of Parliament. We will be meeting at 9:30 for security clearance. Lunch will be on our own at the Rideau Centre. We will depart for an afternoon cruise on the Rideau Canal. Cost will be $18 if we have over 10 people attending, $20 if not. Saturday September 13th Visit to Tatlock Marble Quarry with brunch at Wheeler's pancake house. Our guests will learn about the making of Maple Syrup, visit the museum displays as well as the animals and of course enjoy a sample of maple syrup. Cost for brunch is approx. $15. If time they can visit the Farmers Market nearby and take in some of a Dragon Boat festival in Carleton Place. Friendship Dinners in the evening round out the day Sunday September 14th, Flex time in the morning with a Farewell event in the afternoon at Aboriginals Experience. Cost is $20. Monday September 15th and Tuesday September 16th, Ambassadors will attend meetings as they arrange. Wednesday September 17th, our night hosts will take the Ambassadors to their departure point. We will have tickets available for purchase at the June 23rd meeting as this will be the only opportunity to do so. I ask that the night, day and dinner host volunteers please be patient with us as we are still waiting a list of ambassadors from Vietnam as well as confirmation of arrival and departure details. They are currently busy with an incoming exchange in June and an outbound exchange in early July. I will contact you as soon as I have some information for you. Thank you. Gelsenkirchen and Schwerin, Germany October 3 10, 2014 ED Gail Nevraumont Planning is well underway. We are expecting up to 23 Ambassadors on Oct 3-10, most of whom will continue on to Hudson Valley. We will have several activties where club members can welcome and meet our guests: a Brunch Buffet Welcome at "Buster's" in Lincoln Fields ($10), a Gatineau Park Thanksgiving type picnic for around $10; a trip to Omega Park (costs TBD) a Farewell at the Aboriginal Experiences (price TBD) Tickets will be available at the June meeting. We still have room for volunteers. FFO Capital Connections June 2014 Page 5

6 Social Activity Committee: Social Director Mary Cajka Art Study Group Laura Légare Bridge Club: John/Lucy Nelms Dinner Club: Jessica Sullivan Gail Nevraumont Friendship Force Day Mary Cajka Friendly Wanderers Anna Rochon Golf: Rheo Brunet Many of our club activities are winding down for the summer season and will ramp up again in the fall. Since the last summer newsletter and general meeting are in June before the autumn, it is wise to make your intentions for the next season known now. Mary Cajka, Art Appreciation Convener: Laura Légare Charles Edenshaw, the acclaimed 19th-century Haida artist, was the subject of the last meeting. Members enjoyed the work of this most creative artist and who leaves such an incredible legacy. Laura Légare will be organizing this activity again, so contact her if you are interested in being part of the group next fall. Remember, space is limited Bridge Group Conveners: John and Louise DuVernet Lucy and John Nelms are retiring as co-ordinators after a long and productive term organizing this popular activity. We thank them heartily for their patience and effort. John and Louise DuVernet have agreed to take over this task starting in September. Players are reminded to have their games completed by mid-august and details of the wind up for this season will be announced in mid-july. Walking Club: Fay McNeil Jane Rau Golf Day Convener: Rheo Brunet Details will follow at a later date. Rheo Brunet has again reserved a time at Irish Hills, 3248 Carp Road, for our annual golf tournament. So mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 9, tentative starting time is 1:30 pm. The format is 9 holes, best ball. All levels are welcome This is truly a fun event, with prizes for everyone, juicy hamburgers, cold beer and the best french fries in Ottawa. Rheo needs at least two weeks lead time, so make your intentions known soon. Dinner and Supper Clubs Dinner Convener: Jessica Sullivan Supper Convener: Gail Nevraumont A dinner club is one of the best ways to get to know members of our club, we have added the 6 member 'small dinner club' this past year. This works for those who have room for only a small gathering or travel so often that finding 3 evenings for 'dinner' is easier than 4. One can sign up with a partner, or as a single and we will set up 6 member 'matches' for the next year. You will work out the dates, and organization of your match at your first gathering. Think about it and let us know by August 31, 2014 for the following year. Dinner groups are progressing well, with barbeques and cottage get togethers as a great way to finish off the season. Gayle Nevramont (3 suppers/social season) and Jessica Sullivan (4 dinners/social season) want to remind everyone to sign up for the next season. Although accommodations can sometimes be made at a later date, it is to be part of the original assignments posted in early September. If you do not have a partner, the conveners will try their best to find you one. Newer members are especially encouraged to participate in this activity. Bon appetit! FFO Capital Connections June 2014 Page 6

Malo, home of Jacques Cartier, and probed its links to the golden age of the cod fishery off Canada's east coast.

7 Friendly Wanderers Convener: Anna Rochon At the May 28th gathering of the Friendly Wanderers, Tim Traynor acted as guide for a visit to France. We followed some fascinating trails along the Atlantic Coast, starting in Brittany. We revisited St. Malo, home of Jacques Cartier, and probed its links to the golden age of the cod fishery off Canada's east coast. We strolled through fields of upright stones that conceal the secrets of prehistoric residents of Brittany. Then it was off to the Gironde, for travels through vine yard country with lots of time to sample local lore about some other names connected with the origins of European settlement in Canada. The Friendly Wanderers will not be doing presentations during the summer. Hope everyone has a wonderful summer. Walking Group Conveners: Fay McNeil and Jane Rau Arboretum walk, May 28, 2014 On a rather cloudy and cool day, we walked through the Fletcher Wild Life garden, along the canal and then through the Arboretum. Some of the trees were still in blossom and the small back yard garden at the Fletcher site contained some interesting and unfamiliar plants. We had a pleasant lunch at Malone s, Dows Lake. FFO Capital Connections June 2014 Page 7

Capital Connections Newsletter of the Friendship Force of Ottawa, Canada

Capital Connections Newsletter of the Friendship Force of Ottawa, Canada April 2014 www.friendshipforceottawa.ca 2014 Meetings April 14 June 23 September 22 November 10 (AGM) FFO Board 2014 President Donna