Laurie Ann Scott Reports from Penticton, BC, Canada at Northern Rockies Conference

Report on the
Northern Rockies Regional Conference

April 27 – 29, 2007
Penticton, BC 

Wow! I was pleasantly surprised to find that nearly 100 healthy and vibrant souls were at this year’s Northern Rockies conference in
Penticton, Canada.  It was extremely well-planned with Marilyn Moriarty kepping the schedule moving.

An ample potluck got the ball rolling Friday evening at a church hall preceded with punch and people obviously enjoying seeing each other again.  Marilyn commented she knew she didn’t need a clean-up committee as people would automatically volunteer and they did.

The opening session began with a piper piping a procession of the clubs carrying flags or banners and then “O Canada” and “The Star Spangled Banner” were sung.  Eileen Tymm welcomed all and Jake Kimberley, the mayor, gave a nice message about
Penticton.  Laurie Ann was introduced and I told them I had invited the mayor to go on an exchange with them so he could really experience Friendship Force.  Marjorie Eckert and Mary Alice Rothweiler both spoke as field representatives, then all the clubs gave a short report.  Highlights follow:

• Langley stressed inviting your personal friends.

• 
  Lethbridge has a new website developed and has proclaimed finding YOUNGER members as their goal.

• 
  Edmonton was all ready with a table set up advertising their 2009 Anniversary Festival and Helmut talked about their sponsoring the next Global Youth Institute.

• 
  Helena – Kudos to Mary Alice for trying the Regional Exchanges.

• 
  Missoula – Eaters!  They spoke about their eating venues (you know, “if you feed them they will come!”)  Their club hosted visiting choir members – that’s reaching out into the community!  

•  Eastern
  Washington – Jim spoke about reviving the club. They helped with the public television fundraising this year!  They have a lovely wooden bridge of friendship with flags stuck in it for each country they have hosted or visited.

• 
  Penticton – praised Fran and Frank’s efforts as their founders.  What a handful hosting the All Canada PLUS the Regional Conference.
  

• Geoff and Ann Bradshaw did their workshop on “Creating a Positive Friendship Experience” enabling people to share positive and negative exchange experiences:

THE POSITIVE

1. Having a good and well organized ED
2. Friendships that will last a lifetime.
3. Seeing the country through the eyes of the natives.
4. Showing off your own area.
5. Learning interesting facts from locals.
6. Warm welcome, kindness, friendly conversations.
7. Learning from the different cultures and relationships.
8. Seeing your own country and area when you show your incoming group around.
9. Becoming interested in hosts’ culture and foods.
10. Feeling part of a family
11. Differences in the way people live.
12. Lifestyle differences.
13. Ease of interaction.
14. Accepting each other – Open-mindedness.
15. Seeing new industries and technology.
16. Comfortable accommodations.
17. Learning the other language a bit.
18. Dramatizing and acting out through the language barrier.
19. Great tours, such as the plywood factory or a banana plantation.
20. Hiking with a naturalist.
21. Falling in love (figuratively) with your host/hostess!
22. Different foods.
23. Dispelling the bias of the local news.
24. Getting to know your own club members.
25. Care and concern from host families when someone is ill.

Laurie Ann Scott
Leadership Development Consultant
Friendship Force International           

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