0
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is involved in becoming a member of The Friendship Force?
You should join if you like the challenge and excitement of meeting new people, visiting new places in the U.S.
and abroad, and believe you can help promote peace by better understanding other cultures and ways of life.
Once you fill out a Membership form and submit a check ($50 for each individual) to the Treasurer, you will receive regular news briefs and announcements from the President by email.
By joining you make a commitment to participate in the activities of the club as described below.
The Baton Rouge club is part of Friendship Force International (FFI). There are 370+ clubs around the world. The FFI website has more information about the organization, mission, goals, and journeys.
2. What do Baton Rouge club members do?
The club usually sponsors two to four incoming and outbound "journeys" during the year as described below. During those events members participate by either hosting other clubs' members in their homes, serving as a day host/guide, providing transportation, or, at minimum, participating in the welcome and farewell events for visitors.
In addition to journeys, we have monthly meet-and-greet lunches at local restaurants, have quarterly membership meetings with food, speakers or other activities, and club business, and have a Christmas party. We also volunteer at different organizations or events such the local Food Bank, Gonzales Jambalaya Festival, Men's and Women's Health Summits, and World Friendship Day.
3. What do you mean by the term "Journey?"
An International Journey is a home visit by club members of one country to club members of another country. A Domestic Journey is a visit to another club in the same country. We further refer to an Outbound Journey when we visit another club and we are known as the Ambassadors. An Incoming Journey occurs when a club visits us and we are then known as the Hosts. Domestic journeys range from 3-7 days and international journeys from 7-14 days
Journeys are coordinated by FFI in Atlanta and locally coordinated by a Journey Coordinator or "JC." Narratives and photos of some past journeys can be viewed on the club's web page by clicking here and selecting the desired year and journey from the side menu. A quick list of all journeys in FFBR history can be viewed by clicking here.
.
4. What is a "Journey Coordinator" (JC)?
A JC from the host club and a JC from the visiting club are appointed by their clubs' Boards of Directors subject to the clubs' policies. The two JCs make a commitment to recruit ambassadors/hosts, plan events or travel preparations, and communicate with each other. They are responsible for maintaining budgets and submitting reports at the close of the journey.
5. How are Incoming Journey Ambassadors hosted?
A. Home hosts.
The JC assures that each incoming ambassador is assigned a home host from our club. That host invites the ambassador to be part of his/her household for the entire time of the journey in Baton Rouge. Hosts provide breakfasts and meals not provided as part of a club event, sleeping accommodations, and transportation to the scheduled events for that week. There is no or only token compensation to the host. Throughout the week a natural camaraderie between host and ambassador evolves. Home hosts usually initiate correspondence with their newly assigned ambassadors as soon as the 'match' is known. Some friendships last years after the journey is completed. Single women usually stay with single women, couples with couples, etc.
B. Day hosts.
This is an opportunity for someone who wants to participate in the journey but, for whatever reason, is unable to home host. This individual volunteers to escort an ambassador for a day, or part of a day, to a scheduled activity, or to entertain them on an 'options day.' This frees the home host to tend to other appointments, prepare dinner, etc. There usually is no compensation.
C. Small dinner hosts.
This is another way for a club member to participate in the journey without home or day hosting. Coordinating with the home host this individual either offers to prepare and serve a meal for the home host and the ambassadors at his/her home or offers to prepare food to take to the home host's residence. Other club members may be invited to join this group and they usually offer to bring a dessert, salad, or wine. Sometimes two home hosts make plans to swap two different evenings: one hosting the group one night and the second hosting a second evening.
6. A tradition of 'treating the hosts'
Incoming ambassadors may want to treat their host to a dinner. It usually works best if the host suggests they do that on an evening there is a 'free' day. An alternative might be a lunch meal on an outing that is not part of a group activity. Some ambassadors may offer to prepare a meal for their hosts instead. When BR club members are ambassadors on an outbound journey, it is tradition for them to also invite their hosts to an evening meal and/or offer to prepare a meal for them.
7. What should I expect financially when I go on an Outbound Journey?
Traveling with Friendship Force is fairly economical. Friendship Force International charges a fee $15 base plus $25 for each night of the journey (usually 4 to 7 nights). A fee is paid to the host club that covers most activities that usually ranges around $250 to $350 but may be higher on international journeys or if taking more days or visiting multiple clubs. A small fee of $10-30 is collected our club to cover group gifts/tips, administrative items, or JC support. Lodging, local transportation, and most meals are usually free, but airfare or other transportation to and from the destination and any shopping are your responsibility. Also, our ambassadors traditionally take their hosts to dinner one night. bring them small gifts representative of Louisiana. and may bring smaller gifts to give to day hosts or dinner hosts who assist in some way. Any side trips/tours before or after the official journey are also your responsibility.
8. Am I required to host or go on an Outbound Journey if I am a member?
No. We hope though by joining that you want to actively participate in the events of the club, such as attending welcoming and farewell events for the ambassadors. FFBR members are also encouraged to attend any of the activities
9. Do you travel as a group?
Yes and no: the group usually consists of 12 to 16 individuals. Travel arrangements vary from departing the local airport as a group to some, or all, of the individuals making their own travel arrangements. The end goal is for all ambassadors to arrive at the host city at a designated date, time, and place
10. Do you visit other clubs in the United States?
Yes. Domestic Journeys are organized by the clubs involved. They meet the needs of those who do not want to travel abroad as well as those who want to see how people live in other parts of the U.S. It is coordinated by a JC.
11. What if I am not able to go or do not care to go on the scheduled Outbound Journey? Are there other ways for me to travel with the organization?
Yes, there are a number of ways. You may travel with another club from this country if they have room for you. Also,
there are Mission, Discover, and Cultural trips where ambassadors stay mostly in hotels. The FFI website (www.friendshipforce.org) also provides information on festivals and regional/international conferences that often have extended homestays after the events.
12. If I don't see myself traveling in the next year should I still join?
Yes. Friendship Force is more than a travel club. The mission of FF is building global goodwill through personal interactions, fostering relationships, and sharing cultural and personal differences. Developing friendships among our local members and assisting with the activities and other tasks of hosting visitors from other domestic and international clubs provides significant opportunities to participate in that mission.
We look forward to having you join the Friendship Force of Baton Rouge. Please contact any of the Board members with further questions.
7/4/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is involved in becoming a member of The Friendship Force?
You should join if you like the challenge and excitement of meeting new people, visiting new places in the U.S.
and abroad, and believe you can help promote peace by better understanding other cultures and ways of life.
Once you fill out a Membership form and submit a check ($50 for each individual) to the Treasurer, you will receive regular news briefs and announcements from the President by email.
By joining you make a commitment to participate in the activities of the club as described below.
The Baton Rouge club is part of Friendship Force International (FFI). There are 370+ clubs around the world. The FFI website has more information about the organization, mission, goals, and journeys.
2. What do Baton Rouge club members do?
The club usually sponsors two to four incoming and outbound "journeys" during the year as described below. During those events members participate by either hosting other clubs' members in their homes, serving as a day host/guide, providing transportation, or, at minimum, participating in the welcome and farewell events for visitors.
In addition to journeys, we have monthly meet-and-greet lunches at local restaurants, have quarterly membership meetings with food, speakers or other activities, and club business, and have a Christmas party. We also volunteer at different organizations or events such the local Food Bank, Gonzales Jambalaya Festival, Men's and Women's Health Summits, and World Friendship Day.
3. What do you mean by the term "Journey?"
An International Journey is a home visit by club members of one country to club members of another country. A Domestic Journey is a visit to another club in the same country. We further refer to an Outbound Journey when we visit another club and we are known as the Ambassadors. An Incoming Journey occurs when a club visits us and we are then known as the Hosts. Domestic journeys range from 3-7 days and international journeys from 7-14 days
Journeys are coordinated by FFI in Atlanta and locally coordinated by a Journey Coordinator or "JC." Narratives and photos of some past journeys can be viewed on the club's web page by clicking here and selecting the desired year and journey from the side menu. A quick list of all journeys in FFBR history can be viewed by clicking here.
.
4. What is a "Journey Coordinator" (JC)?
A JC from the host club and a JC from the visiting club are appointed by their clubs' Boards of Directors subject to the clubs' policies. The two JCs make a commitment to recruit ambassadors/hosts, plan events or travel preparations, and communicate with each other. They are responsible for maintaining budgets and submitting reports at the close of the journey.
5. How are Incoming Journey Ambassadors hosted?
A. Home hosts.
The JC assures that each incoming ambassador is assigned a home host from our club. That host invites the ambassador to be part of his/her household for the entire time of the journey in Baton Rouge. Hosts provide breakfasts and meals not provided as part of a club event, sleeping accommodations, and transportation to the scheduled events for that week. There is no or only token compensation to the host. Throughout the week a natural camaraderie between host and ambassador evolves. Home hosts usually initiate correspondence with their newly assigned ambassadors as soon as the 'match' is known. Some friendships last years after the journey is completed. Single women usually stay with single women, couples with couples, etc.
B. Day hosts.
This is an opportunity for someone who wants to participate in the journey but, for whatever reason, is unable to home host. This individual volunteers to escort an ambassador for a day, or part of a day, to a scheduled activity, or to entertain them on an 'options day.' This frees the home host to tend to other appointments, prepare dinner, etc. There usually is no compensation.
C. Small dinner hosts.
This is another way for a club member to participate in the journey without home or day hosting. Coordinating with the home host this individual either offers to prepare and serve a meal for the home host and the ambassadors at his/her home or offers to prepare food to take to the home host's residence. Other club members may be invited to join this group and they usually offer to bring a dessert, salad, or wine. Sometimes two home hosts make plans to swap two different evenings: one hosting the group one night and the second hosting a second evening.
6. A tradition of 'treating the hosts'
Incoming ambassadors may want to treat their host to a dinner. It usually works best if the host suggests they do that on an evening there is a 'free' day. An alternative might be a lunch meal on an outing that is not part of a group activity. Some ambassadors may offer to prepare a meal for their hosts instead. When BR club members are ambassadors on an outbound journey, it is tradition for them to also invite their hosts to an evening meal and/or offer to prepare a meal for them.
7. What should I expect financially when I go on an Outbound Journey?
Traveling with Friendship Force is fairly economical. Friendship Force International charges a fee $15 base plus $25 for each night of the journey (usually 4 to 7 nights). A fee is paid to the host club that covers most activities that usually ranges around $250 to $350 but may be higher on international journeys or if taking more days or visiting multiple clubs. A small fee of $10-30 is collected our club to cover group gifts/tips, administrative items, or JC support. Lodging, local transportation, and most meals are usually free, but airfare or other transportation to and from the destination and any shopping are your responsibility. Also, our ambassadors traditionally take their hosts to dinner one night. bring them small gifts representative of Louisiana. and may bring smaller gifts to give to day hosts or dinner hosts who assist in some way. Any side trips/tours before or after the official journey are also your responsibility.
8. Am I required to host or go on an Outbound Journey if I am a member?
No. We hope though by joining that you want to actively participate in the events of the club, such as attending welcoming and farewell events for the ambassadors. FFBR members are also encouraged to attend any of the activities
9. Do you travel as a group?
Yes and no: the group usually consists of 12 to 16 individuals. Travel arrangements vary from departing the local airport as a group to some, or all, of the individuals making their own travel arrangements. The end goal is for all ambassadors to arrive at the host city at a designated date, time, and place
10. Do you visit other clubs in the United States?
Yes. Domestic Journeys are organized by the clubs involved. They meet the needs of those who do not want to travel abroad as well as those who want to see how people live in other parts of the U.S. It is coordinated by a JC.
11. What if I am not able to go or do not care to go on the scheduled Outbound Journey? Are there other ways for me to travel with the organization?
Yes, there are a number of ways. You may travel with another club from this country if they have room for you. Also,
there are Mission, Discover, and Cultural trips where ambassadors stay mostly in hotels. The FFI website (www.friendshipforce.org) also provides information on festivals and regional/international conferences that often have extended homestays after the events.
12. If I don't see myself traveling in the next year should I still join?
Yes. Friendship Force is more than a travel club. The mission of FF is building global goodwill through personal interactions, fostering relationships, and sharing cultural and personal differences. Developing friendships among our local members and assisting with the activities and other tasks of hosting visitors from other domestic and international clubs provides significant opportunities to participate in that mission.
We look forward to having you join the Friendship Force of Baton Rouge. Please contact any of the Board members with further questions.
7/4/2025