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  • Home
  • About Us
  • About Knoxville
  • Contact
  • Club News
  • Journeys
  • Calendar
  • Photos
  • History

About the Club

The Friendship Force of Knoxville was chartered on May 16, 1981.  We have approximately 50 members who live in Knoxville, and in surrounding communities (Farragut, Maryville and Oak Ridge.)  We welcome at least two incoming journeys each year and send out at least one outgoing journey. 


See below for a list of officers, club PDF documents and board meeting minutes.

2023 Club Officers & Board

2023 Club Officers & Board

2023 Club Officers & Board

President:  Jayne Raparelli

Vice-President: Betsy Tonkin

Secretary: Mike McDonough

Treasurer: Bill Cherry

 

Communications Committee Chair: Janis Robinson

Webmaster: Ray Simko

Newsletter Editor: Janis Robinson

Hospitality Chair: Barbara Elder

Program Chair: Marsha Mitchell

Membership Chair: Betsy Tonkin

Club Concerns: Paulette Anderson

Historian: Betsy Tonkin


Ambassador (Outbound} Coordinators:


FF Western Colorado June 11-17, 2023

Janis and Bruce Robinson


Tuxla-Gutierrerz, Mexico November 1-8, 2023

Leslie Badaines



Host (Inbound) Coordinators:


FF Western Colorado April 23-29, 2023

Leslie Badaines and Betsy Tonkin


FF Spokane, Washington September 13-18, 2023

Diana Lopez


Past Club Presidents

2023 Club Officers & Board

2023 Club Officers & Board

1981-82: Aileen Caldwell

1983: Claude Haws 

1984: William Grieve

1985-86: Robert Ebinger 

1986-88: Robert Young

1988-89: Gordon Ford 

1990-91: Byrl Logan 

1992: Letha Dixon 

1993: Betty Rose 

1994: Hugh Sells 

1995: William Grieve 

1996-97: Fritzie Logan 

1998: Thomas Bush 

1999-00: James Dennis 

2001-02: Roger Frye 

2003-04: Grant Stradley 

2005-07: Joanne Schuetz 

2008-09: Phyllis Driver 

2010-13: Joanne Schuetz 

2014 -15: Panos Ioannides  

2016-19: Diana Lopez

2020: Kaye Bultemeier

2020 -2023 Jayne Raparelli

About the Journeys

Our primary emphasis is for the Host Family and Ambassadors to get to know each other and share cultures. We take pride in giving our Ambassadors a chance to enjoy our Southern hospitality, picturesque countryside, mountains and friendly people.  


A typical "Journey" will include an opening reception hosted by our Mayor and a gala farewell party. Non-hosting FFK members also join in the festivities. Each stay is tailored to the Ambassadors' interests.  These activities may include visiting museums, hiking in the mountains, shopping for local crafts, attending sporting events, exploring the Civil War sites, and participating in local festivals. 


Through such activities, we bond with our Ambassadors, establishing long and lasting friendships, and hope they take a fond memory of our beautiful East Tennessee and friendly people back home with them.

Read, print or download Club Documents

2023 FFK New Member Appl & Member Renewal (docx)Download
XWord Puzzle ANSWERS 2022 (pdf)Download
Coronavirus Policy Update for Future Journeys (pdf)Download
Instructions for MyFF (pdf)Download
Bylaws approved Nov 24 2020 (pdf)Download
Bylaws_approved_Nov 19, 2019- (pdf)Download
By-Laws (Revised Oct 14, 2013 & Effective Jan 1, 2014) (pdf)Download
Policies & Procedures-(approved by Board June 8, 2021) (pdf)Download
Policies & Procedures-(approved by Board Oct. 26, 2020) (pdf)Download
Policies & Procedures-(approved by Board Oct 9, 2019) (pdf)Download

2023 Board Meeting Minutes

FFK Board Meeting January 10, 2023 (pdf)Download
FFK Board Meeting February. 14, 2023 (pdf)Download
FFK Boar Meeting March 14, 2023 (pdf)Download
FFK Board Meeting April 11, 2023 (pdf)Download
FFK Board Meeting May9, 2023 (pdf)Download
FFK Board Meeting July 11, 2023 (pdf)Download
Link to Previous Years' Board Minutes

Copyright © 2023 Friendship Force Knoxville - All Rights Reserved.