... is a non-profit organization promoting friendship between the peoples of Lesotho and North America.
Friends of Lesotho (FOL) is comprised of former Peace Corps volunteers and others who share this desire.
FOL provides scholarships and grants to small development projects in Lesotho, assists in locating old friends from Lesotho, and provides information about current events in Lesotho.
FOL is affiliated with the National Peace Corps Association.
It was September 1986--the 25th anniversary of the US Peace Corps. A group of about twenty-five Lesotho Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) had gathered at the Lesotho Ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C. to celebrate. Over the course of the evening, celebration lead to passionate talk about wanting to continue the work begun while serving as Volunteers in Lesotho. Talk lead to the suggestion of setting up a Friends of Lesotho group. One of the RPCVs donated $100 on the spot as seed money. FOL had a budget and was ready to begin its journey!
Like many non-profit organizations, FOL’s board and membership was comprised of the people who founded the organization. Program; budget and finance; fund development; communications; leadership development, and nominations were typically worked on by the group while “figuring things out” and trying to establish themselves.
As is the case today, membership dues and individual contributions maintain the organization and fund various projects in Lesotho. Board and Committee members are currently and have always been unpaid volunteers. FOL was very fortunate to have received generous donations from several key contributors in the early years.
Over the years this initial, Washington, D.C. based group slowly grew its membership to include RPCVs from all 50 states and residents of Lesotho; while maintaining the mission and core values established on a celebratory night in September 1986.
Founding Officers and Board Members
Scott Brumburgh, President/Treasurer
Don Spicer, Vice President/Secretary
Ted Hochstadt, Legal Counsel
Also serving during those formative years was David Bertocci, Thomas Caroll, Robert Kerr, Lisa LaBella Mitchell, George Fanelli, Dorothy Holland, Delton Allen, Ian Duncan, John Hollister and Bill Dunn.
Chronology of Events
1988: FOL incorporated as a nonprofit in Maryland.
1989-1994: FOL donated $3,000 to Trickle-Up, which made 30 small business development start-up grants.
1990: Don Spicer assumed the Presidency, an office in which he would serve for 12 years.
1991: IRS granted not-for-profit ststus under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
1991: FOL becomes affiliate of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).
1991: FOL made its first donation to the newly formed Volunteer Liaison Committee (VLC) The VLC later became the Volunteer Advisory Committee.
1992: FOL made its first donation to the Scholarship Fund/Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
1996: Website Launched.
1997: Successful, fund-raising drive conducted, raising over $5,000 between September 1997 and June 1998.
2003: Remaining Board members Bill, John, Ted and Dorothy recruit Richard Rowan, Ella Kwisnek, Martha Munson, Kevin Freer, Claire Hilger, Faye Farmer and Jim Mueller. Bill Dunn is president and Kevin Freer is vice-president.
2003-2006: Formal infrastructure established that included development of Director responsibilities; Board Manual; establishment of the Membership, Fundraising, Donations/Distributions, and Nominations Commitees. In addition, short term Task Forces were appointed for By-Laws and the Annual Meeting. Special assignments were made such as Embassy Liaison. The work to publish the newsletter was spread out between a Coordinator and an Editor, with all Board members contributing articles and committee updates. A Membership Survey was undertaken to provide opportunity for wider input into the organization’s priorities.
2004: First official Board election since 1988.
2005: Elizabeth Perry and Todd Vetter were recruited by the Nominations Committee.
2006: Partnership formed with Lesotho NGO (Friends of Lesotho, Lesotho) to facilitate funding distribution.
2007: Mary Beth Kwenda, Paula Fitzpatrick and Scott Rosenburg join Board.
2007-2008: CafePress and Amazon.com relationships formed.
2008: Dyann Van Dusen, Ronna Abbot, Deena Row-Krundick and Bill Moore join Board. Richard Rowan becomes president and Martha Muson becomes vice president.
2009: Dick Nystrom and Dan Schmitt join Board.
Today, FOL is at the crossroads of something not only bigger, but better in many ways. Our membership has grown from around 50 in 1986 to 350 at year-end 2008. Dues, donations and other income have grown from the initial $100 from a founding Board Member to $45,000 during calendar year 2008.
We invite all members to make a renewed commitment to revisit, redefine, and perhaps re-establish our mission, vision, and values.
In order to firmly establish the organization for future RPCVs and its program recipients, FOL needs the energy, talents, and commitment of RPCVs to “take their turn” in serving the organization and sustaining it for the future.
