TypeAgencyDate Range1985-DescriptionThe Friendship Force of Wellington was established on 5th March 1985 and has been active since in the promotion of Friendship Force exchanges. Its establishment was prompted by an advertisement placed by Wellington City Council's public relations manager, Gene Saunders, in 1984 seeking people interested in hosting a Friendship Force group from Albuquerque.
The Wellington group is affiliated to Friendship Force International in Atlanta, USA and works with it in the organisation and management of Exchange Programmes. The Friendship Force International was established in 1977 with the purpose: "To create an environment where personal friendships can be established across the barriers that separate people". A non-profit organisation, the Friendship Force is active in more than 50 countries promoting friendship and goodwill through an extensive programme of home stay exchange.
A 1992 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, the friendship Force was founded by Dr Wayne Smith with the support of President Jimmy Carter and Mrs Rosalynn Carter. An international Advisory council of distinguished persons serves as a Board of reference for the organization. The Friendship Force achieves its goals by arranging for ordinary citizen Ambassadors to share the lives of a host family living in another country for one week exchanges. Participation in Exchanges is by application and Ambassadors and Hosts are carefully screened to ensure compatibility with the programme. Each exchange is under the leadership of a volunteer Exchange Director. T
he Wellington club committee works with Friendship Force International in Atlanta in the organisation and management of inward and outward Exchange Programmes. Assignment of exchanges and co-ordination between Ambassadors and Host leaders is handled by Friendship Force International (FFI) in Atlanta. Members host many groups from other countries. Exchanges are a whole club affair, with a week long programme being organised for overseas guests. They provide two full days of activities or tours and a farewell dinner, but also allow plenty of time for visitors to get to know their hosts and, if desired, explore Wellington city on their own.
Between exchanges, the club has a social committee which organises functions such as pot-luck dinners, theatre evenings, picnics to help promote a strong base of friendship within the club. As of 2008 Club Membership was approx 100 and the maximum number of Ambassadors the club can host is approx 30.
