1. “A Call To Action” World Conference 2010 Keynote Address John M. Suddes, President

2. “What we think, or what we know, or what we believe, is in the end - of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.“ John Ruskin

3. 2007 Annual Meeting Key questions facing Friendship Force International: Will FFI be relevant 30 years from now? What do we need to do to allow the organization to thrive? What can we do to recruit more members – and leaders?

4. Accomplishments Since 2007 Infrastructure Development New logo, website, and messaging Themed Exchanges Attracting a broader range of ages through specific themed exchanges, such as: teacher, language learning, eco, gardening and other hobby exchanges Email Marketing “Open exchanges” – reaching out to thousands of members to join exchanges through an online catalogue Sending monthly catalogue updates and personal invitations from host to join an exchange

5. Priorities for 2011 – 2013 1.Attract new members and hosts 2.Develop and share best practices 3.Develop the “Trailblazer Project”

6. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts 1.Be Proactive Go get new members; don’t wait for them to come to you Start by finding people who believe in the mission of FFI – not just want to join a club

7. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts 2.Be open to change “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Albert Einstein

8. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts 3.Cultivate, Cultivate, Cultivate Attracting a new member is a process - not a singular event or invitation Cultivation is about constant contact: Forward newsletter to prospective members Add prospective members to newsletter list Host a monthly prospective new member dinner

9. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts 4.Cast a “wider net” GOAL: Expand the number of prospective members Two ways to accomplish: Partner with organizations Utilize social media

10. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts Partner with organizations: What other groups have similar or complementary interests in your community? Sister Cities International Visitor Councils Foreign student programs at local universities What does your club have to offer other organizations in your community? Local expertise in how to provide hospitality to international visitors

11. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts Utilize social media Social media bridges generational gaps: Social networking use among internet users ages 50- 64 grew by 88% - from 25% to 47% in the last year. Number of adults ages 50-64 who say they use social networking sites on a typical day has doubled to 20% in the last year. One in ten (10%) internet users ages 50 and older now say they use Twitter or another service to share updates about themselves or see updates about others. Source: Pew Research Center

12. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts YouTube:

13. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts Facebook:

14. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts Twitter:

15. Priority 1: Attract New Members and Hosts Website:

16. Priorities for 2010 - 2012 1.Attract new members and hosts 2.Develop and share best practices 3.Develop the “Trailblazer Project”

17. Priority 2: Develop and Share Best Practices Share with other clubs: Best practices / ideas Videos / pictures Stories Every club has something to offer Experiment – local clubs are our “learning lab” OK to use examples from other clubs ideas@thefriendshipforce.org

18. Priorities for 2010 - 2012 1.Attract new members and hosts 2.Develop and share best practices 3.Develop the “Trailblazer Project”

19. Priority 3: Develop the Trailblazer Project The Friendship Force International “Club of the Future” Looking for up to 20 Friendship Force Clubs that aspire to be designated as a “club of the future”. Must make a 3-year commitment to have expanded and innovative exchanges, a strong commitment to leadership development and training, willingness to mentor other clubs and have an ambitious plan for membership development AND accept the organization’s “call to action”. Must be motivated and committed to the mission of FFI and a “Trailblazer”. Contact George Brown to learn more. Candidates will be selected by March 1, 2011 through an application process. Open to all clubs-- region, size or age of club not a factor. WANTED

20. Your “Call to Action” 1.Embrace change 2.Utilize existing best practices and all “tools” available 3.Contribute your best practices, stories, etc. 4.Consider becoming a “Trailblazer” 5.Renew your commitment to the FFI mission 6.Share information: ideas@thefriendshipforce.orgideas@thefriendshipforce.org

21. Become a Leader… “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more - you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

22. John M. Suddes President, Suddes Partners www.SuddesPartners.com Email: jsuddes@suddespartners.com