The Friendship Force of Knoxville was chartered on May 16, 1981. We have approximately 50 members who live in Knoxville. We welcome at least two incoming journeys each year and send out at least one outgoing journey.
See below for a list of officers, journey coordinators, club PDF documents and board meeting minutes.
President: Betsy Tonkin
Vice President: Tammy Enix
Secretary: Karen Scott
Treasurer: Bill Cherry
Journey Coordinator: Leslie Badaines
Journey Co-Coordinator: Manfred Grote
Membership Chairperson: Tammy Enix
Program Chairperson: Marsha Mitchell
Communication Chairperson: Janis Robinson
Member Concerns: Paulette Anderson
Historian: Karen Swander
2024 Journeys
Ambassador (Outbound} Coordinators:
Outbound FF Central North Carolina
April 4-7, 2024
Leslie Badaines
Outbound Germany (2 clubs):
FF Hamburg, Aug. 13-20
FF Metropole Ruhr, Aug. 20-27
Barbara Elder
Host (Inbound) Coordinators:
Inbound Manitoba, Canada, May 1-8
Leslie Badaines & Karen Scott
Open World: Mayors from Poland, Sept. 27-Oct. 5
Courtney Shea
St. Louis, MO, Oct. 24-29
Leslie Badaines
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
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.
Copyright © 2024 Friendship Force Knoxville - All Rights Reserved.