About the Club
The Friendship Force of Knoxville was chartered on May 16, 1981. We have approximately 40 members who live in Knoxville. We welcome at least two incoming journeys each year and go on at least one outgoing journey.
See below for a list of officers, journey coordinators, a summary of our Journey activities and club PDF documents.
2025 Club Officers & Board
2025 Club Officers & Board
2025 Club Officers & Board
Officers
President: Karen Scott
Vice President: Barbara Elder
Secretary: Carol Ann Johnson
Treasurer: Marsha Mitchell
Chairpersons
Journey Coordinator: Open Position
Membership Chairperson: Barbara Elder
Program Chairperson: Open Position
Communication Chairperson: Janis Robinson
Member Concerns: Paulette Anderson
Historian: Karen Swander
Hospitality Chairperson: Open Position
See Journeys page for Host & Ambassador Coordinators
Past Club Presidents
2025 Club Officers & Board
2025 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
2024: Betsy Tonkin
2025 Karen Scott
About the Journey
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.
Our theme for inbound journeys is “Mountains and Music”. Typical activities will include a welcome dinner and a farewell party where all FFK members also join in the festivities. Other activities may include visiting museums, learning about the history of the area, hiking in the mountains, shopping for local crafts, exploring the Knoxville downtown area, enjoying live music 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.
FFK Board Meeting Minutes
Monthly FFK Board meeting minutes are available to members upon request. Send an e-mail to Janis Robinson at friendshipforceknoxville@gmail.com to obtain a copy.