Williams honored for 30 years with Friendship Force

     Steve Williams of Monticello was recently honored with the International Wayne Smith Award. This award was presented by the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Friendship Force chapter.

     Steve and his wife, Nancy, have been active with Friendship Force for over 30 years now. They’ve been members of the Marshalltown (Central Iowa) and Cedar Rapids-Iowa City chapters during that timeframe. Steve said Nancy is just as deserving of this award as he is because of her time and effort in hosting other Friendship Force groups from around the globe.

     When the Williamses moved to Marshalltown in the mid-1980s, it was at the urging of their church friends to considering being a part of the local Friendship Force chapter.

     “They insisted we join,” he said.

     In mid-November, Steve and Nancy were in attendance at the Friendship Force annual meeting. In the program, it was noted that the Wayne Smith Award would be presented, but no one knew the recipients.

     “Lots of people were deserving of the award other than me,” said Steve.

     But it’s when they spotted their daughter and son-in-law Penny and Bill McLaughlin, Steve said they knew something was up.

     He explained the Wayne Smith Award is based on one’s time and money given toward the Friendship Force mission.

     “It’s a legacy fund set up to form more clubs and attract younger members,” said Steve. (Smith is the founder of Friendship Force.) “It’s the most prestigious award Friendship Force gives. It’s humbling.”

     During the ceremony, Steve was honored with: “His can-do attitude and willingness to take on challenges has been a great asset on the local, regional, and global level.”

     Through the years, Steve has held several leadership roles within the Friendship Force organization: president-elect in 2004, club president in 2005, exchange coordinator from 2009-11, and secretary for several years.

     The Williamses have traveled to far-off places around the world: Azerbaijan in 2010, Indonesia in 2013, Cincinnati, Ohio in 2014 as a domestic exchange, Russia, England, Germany, Latvia, Peru, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.

     “We love to travel,” said Steve. “It’s all about the idea of adventure.”

     Nancy said it’s been fun getting the opportunity travel overseas, something they’ve never been able to do.

     “You meet very gracious people,” said Steve of their hosts in various countries.

     Steve said being involved in Friendship Force is also a way to promote and spread world peace.

     Nancy admitted it was a bit nerve-racking at first traveling overseas and staying with people they’ve never met. But they took that chance and have remained good friends with several of their hosts since. Steve keeps in touch via Facebook, and they even send out Christmas cards to their worldwide friends.

     Aside from traveling to other countries, the Williamses have also hosted several Friendship Force groups from Russia, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan. Steve said they learn just as much from their guests as they get out of coming to Iowa.

     The group from Azerbaijan included teachers. Steve has spent his entire career in education. So no matter what country they visit, he always makes a point of stopping to see their schools.

     His educational career has also led to programs with Open World. Steve explained Open World is an exchange program funded by Congress. Steve has assisted in leading Open World programs in connection with Friendship Force on a variety of topics: education, social, work, volunteerism, and agriculture.

     The Williamses have had many memorable experiences through Friendship Force. Steve recalled one story involving a friend of his who was a Korean War veteran. The Friendship Force assignment sent this veteran to Seoul, South Korea, where Steve’s friend served during the war.

     “He went on the trip and had a great time,” recalled Steve.

     When the Williamses went to Germany, Steve said the gardens people grew next to their homes were so extravagant.

     When they went to St. Petersburg, Russia, Steve said they were led to a run-down apartment building that looked a bit sketchy. Once they entered the apartment, they were amazed by the wonderful accommodations.

     “It was completed remodeled,” he said. “We had a wonderful experience.”

     At this point in time, Steve said they do not have any Friendship Force trips planned for 2017, but they are not ruling anything out.

     “It’s all about understanding the culture,” he said. “You develop a more open attitude toward other people, other religions, other customers. It’s all about the people.”

     “Faces not places,” Nancy chimed in.

     The Williamses have gained more than they’ve given toward the organization. He said they’ve been inspired by former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray and his wife Billie, who had a hand in expanding Friendship Force throughout the state. Iowa now has four Friendship Force chapters, which is a lot in comparison to other 50 states.

     “Gov. Ray has been an important factor,” said Steve. “He believes in Friendship Force and the fundamental beliefs.”

     Through the Williamses’ involvement, they’ve also seen several of their friends in Monticello join the organization as well, hosting and traveling as part of the experience.

     “At 40 years old, Friendship Force is still not widely known,” he said.