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  • Home/Contact Us
  • About Us
  • About Knoxville
  • Events/News
  • Journeys
  • Calendar
  • History

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.

Read, print or download Club Documents

2025 Member Renewal & New Member Application (pdf)Download
2024 Revised Covid-19 Policy for Journeys (pdf)Download
Instructions for MyFF (pdf)Download
FFK Bylaws Approved Nov 26, 2024 (pdf)Download
Policies & Procedures Approved June 8, 2021 (pdf)Download

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.

Copyright © 2025 

Friendship Force Knoxville

All Rights Reserved. 

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