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.
2021 Club Officers & Board
2021 Club Officers & Board
2021 Club Officers & Board
President: Jayne Raparelli
Vice-President: Betsy Tonkin
Secretary: Barbara Elder
Treasurer: Bruce Robinson
Past President: Kaye Bultemeier
Communications Committee Chair: Janis Robinson
Newsletter Editor: Janis Robinson
Webmasters: Jonathan Hash and Ray Simko
Hospitality Chair: Sandy Kehne
Program/Membership Chair: Betsy Tonkin,
Program/Membership Co-Chair Helen Bacharach
Club Concerns: Renee Ioannides
Historian: Jonathan Hash
Co-Chair Journey Directors: Diana Lopez & Leslie Badaines
Napa/Sonoma, CA , Outbound Jayne Raparelli and /Mike McDonough
Inbound Des Moines, Mike McDounough
Outbound San Antonio, TX Leslie Badaines
Outbound Romania, Diana Lopez
Inbound San Antonio, TX Jayne Raparelli/Mike McDonough
Inbound St. Louis, Phyllis Driver
Open World Uzbekistan, Betsy Tonkin
Journey Coordinator Australia: Leslie Badaines
Past Club Presidents
2021 Club Officers & Board
2021 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
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
2021 Board Meeting Minutes
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