Click here for the Independent Journey Guidelines or read on!
Independent Journeys
Friendship Force Independent Journeys (formerly “Individual Journeys) offer opportunities for members to host and travel in addition to our Club-to-Club and Special Journeys. The same guidelines apply:
Hosts and ambassadors adhere to the Friendship Force Code of Conduct and keep in mind the Friendship Force Ambassador pledge. There is a nightly fee of $25 and a processing fee of $25 for Independent Journeys.
If you would like to offer an Independent Hosting Opportunity, please fill out the Independent Hosting Application. We will announce independent hosting opportunities in our Journey Marketplace and members can apply and will be selected by the host. Matches can be made all year round. Once an official match has been made, host and ambassador will start communicating to arrange the details of the
journey.
This new program will give our members more opportunities to form friendships in addition to our Club-to-Club and Special Journeys. Spaces are limited on these and members who want to travel and host sometimes don’t get the chance to do so.
Please read the FAQs below for more information.
Independent Hosting – FAQs
Can anyone participate in an Independent Journey?
Yes. Any Friendship Force member can apply as host or ambassador for an Independent Journey
Do I have to be a member of a local club to participate in the Independent Journey program?
Any Friendship Force member who has paid the FFI membership fee and who is registered on myFF is eligible to participate in Independent Journeys.
How is an Independent Journey different from a Club-to-Club or Special Journey?
You host or travel independently and not with a group or your club. There is no host program for Independent Journeys: Ambassador and host discuss what they would like to do together. Independent Journeys also serve our mission of making new friends around the globe and making this world a more peaceful place – one friendship at a time.
When is the best time to arrange an Independent Journey?
If you are a club member, you may want to wait until your club has arranged dates for inbound and outbound journeys for the year. This way you don’t miss out on your club activities. However, Independent Journeys can be arranged all year round.
Can I contact any member on myFF to ask for hosting?
No. Independent Journey opportunities will be displayed in the Journey Marketplace. You can select and apply to be matched with one of the listed Independent Journeys
Can I request a specific country/ region that is not listed?
No. Only the Independent Journey opportunities offered in the Journey Marketplace are available to choose from.
How long is an Independent Journey?
This is flexible and depends on what the host offers. A typical stay would be 1 – 7 nights.
Can I go on more than one Independent Journey per year?
Yes. You are free to apply for as many Independent Journeys per year as you like. The hosts decide on who they would like to host.
Can I go on an Independent Journey with a partner or a friend?
Yes. Independent Journeys will be available for more than one person at a time depending on the hosting situation. The ad in the Journey Catalog will give details regarding the number of ambassadors and the sleeping arrangements at the host’s home.
As a host, can I select my ambassador for the Independent Journey?
Yes. If there are several applications for your independent hosting opportunity, you will be able to select the ambassador you would like to host.
As a host, what do I need to know before enrolling in the Independent Journey program?
You fill out the Independent Hosting Application form and state what you would like to offer: home-hosting/ day-hosting, number of nights/days, possible months, etc.
This opportunity will be listed in the Journey Marketplace. When you agree to host an ambassador, an official match will be made, and you
can reach out to your ambassador to discuss the details of your journey.
As a host, what if I need to cancel?
Independent Journeys are a lot more flexible and you may be able to find alternative dates more easily. If you need to cancel a journey, please contact us to see if we can find a solution.
Do I need to purchase travel insurance for Independent Journeys?
Ambassadors on all Friendship Force Journeys are required to have medical insurance that would cover them in case of an accident or illness. It is highly recommended that travel insurance, including cancellation coverage, is purchased for every journey.
What is the FFI fee for an Independent Journey?
There is a one time non-refundable processing fee of $25 per person for each Independent Journey, and like for Club-to-Club and Special Journeys, there is a nightly fee of $25 for an Independent Journey.
When is the FFI fee due for an Independent Journey?
The FFI fee is due within 14 days from the date of the match being made and dates should be set soon after the match is made.
Is there a host program fee for an Independent Journey?
There is no set host program fee as there is for regular Journeys, but ambassadors should be prepared to pay for their own entrance fees, tickets, public transit, meals out, etc. This should be discussed early in the planning stages of the Journey.
As an ambassador, am I expected to pay my host for meals or groceries?
The ambassador and host should discuss the arrangements for meals during the planning of the Independent Journey experience. Ambassadors and hosts should pay for themselves when eating out at restaurants. It is customary that the ambassador treats the host to a dinner out at the ambassador’s expense or cooks a meal at the host home to share a bit of their culinary culture.
As a host, will I be reimbursed for food or other expenses related to hosting?
Much like the expectations of a host on a Club-to-Club or Special Journey, a home host should expect to provide some meals at home for their ambassador at no charge to the ambassador. Meals eaten out of the home should be self paid by the ambassador and host unless other arrangements are discussed and agreed upon.
What happens if there is an accident during the Independent Journey?
If a host or ambassador is injured or becomes ill during a Friendship Force Journey, the same steps should be taken whether the accident happens on an Independent Journey, a Club-to-Club Journey or a Special Journey. Ambassadors are required to have adequate
medical insurance that would cover them while on the Journey. Hosts are required to have auto and homeowners insurance where available.
What is the cancelation policy for Independent Journeys?
FFI fees are refundable up until 60 days prior to the start of the Journey. The processing fee of $25 is non-refundable.
Does an Independent Journey automatically include home-hosting?
While the majority of our Independent Journeys will include home-hosting, there may be opportunities for day-hosting only.
Is there a Journey program?
Hosts and ambassadors arrange and plan activities between themselves. There is no need for a formal program. The aim is to get to know the other person and share everyday experiences with them. If there are any activities that require entrance fees etc, ambassadors will pay their own fee.
Why does FFI offer Independent Journeys?
This new program will give our members more opportunities to form friendships in addition to our club-to-club and Special Journeys. Spaces are limited on these and members who want to travel and host sometimes don’t get the chance to do so.
Terms and Conditions
1. Independent Journeys are assigned by FFI. Hosts and Ambassadors agree to adhere to the Members Code of Conduct.
2. Payment is due within 14 days of the match being confirmed.
3. There is a non-refundable processing fee of $25 per Independent Journey assignment, paid by the ambassador.
4. The nightly FFI fee is refundable until 60 days prior to the start date of the Independent Journey. After this time, the fee becomes non-refundable.
5. Medical insurance to cover any medical care and emergency evacuation/repatriation of remains is mandatory in order to participate in any Friendship Force Journey. Travel/cancellation insurance is highly recommended.
6. Privacy and security (GDPR compliance):
a. GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It protects one’s rights to protection of their personal data. FFI operates under Article 4 no. 1 of the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (“GDPR”). Processing shall have the meaning as defined in Article 4 no. 2 GDPR.
b. GDPR aims to guarantee the data subject that their rights are respected. The law requires companies to process the minimum of personal data necessary for their activity and that this treatment be made very clear to data subjects. Personal data is any data that can identify a person or make a person identifiable. Examples of personal data are: name, surname, date and place of birth, address, telephone, email address, etc.
c. FFI processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection law and ensures that personal data is processed only to the extent required to perform Friendship Force activities.
7. Waiver of Liability:
The Friendship Force Member understands that the scope of their relationship with Friendship Force International is limited to a volunteer position and that no compensation or employment-related benefits are expected in return for services provided by the Friendship Force Member. The Friendship Force Member recognizes that connected with any travel there are risks of loss, damage, and injury to persons and property, and the Member is willing to assume and bear those risks. The Member also recognizes that they are responsible for complying with all laws of all countries visited. Therefore, the Friendship Force Member agrees to and does hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless Friendship Force International (which shall include the directors, officers, and employees thereof, as well as its volunteer leaders and members) from all claims, actions, and causes of action related to Friendship Force events, journeys, or other activities. The Friendship Force Member understands and acknowledges that this release discharges Friendship Force International from any liability or claim that they may have against Friendship Force International with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from the Member’s involvement in Friendship Force activities.
