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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.

2020 Club Officers & Board

President :  Kaye Bultemeier

Vice- President & Membership:  Jayne Raparelli

Secretary: Barbara Elder

Treasurer:  Bruce Robinson

Past President: Diana Lopez

 

Communications Committee Chair: Don Dougall

Newsletter Editor: Don Dougall

Webmasters: Jonathan Hash  and  Ray Simko

Activity Chair: Sandy Kehne

Program Chair: Janis Robinson

Club Concerns: Renee Ioannides 

​Interim Club Journey Director: Ron Mayer

Host Coordinator Des Moines - Diana Lopez

Journey Coordinators: Jayne Raparelli

 and Mike McDonough

Host Coordinator: Open World:

 Uzbekistan Judicial: Betsy Tonkin

Journey Coordinator Australia: Leslie Badaines

Public Relations Chair: Carolyn Dougall

Publicity Committee Chair: Carolyn Dougall

Historian: Jonathan Hash


Past Club Presidents

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

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.