Sondie Frus is the executive director of the Jacksonville International Resource Center (IRC). The IRC is one of the 95 organizations that make up the National Council for International Visitors.
WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER?
The IRC is a non-profit volunteer organization that promotes multicultural understanding by bringing international business, professional and civic leaders together with citizens of Northeast Florida. Its mission is to “help visitors absorb an understanding of the American culture, including freedoms and the way we respond to our government and rule of law. It gives visitors the opportunity for when they go home to put those lessons into practice, or at least develop and share an understanding of what they’ve learned to help overcome stereotypes.” Frus believes the experience ultimately helps visitor’s careers. The IRC also offers services which includes transportation, greeters and volunteer city guides for businesses and short-term international guests, staff and trainees.
WHAT ARE HER DUTIES AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR?
Everything. She does all of the coordinating and organizing for the visitors who come to Jacksonville. “From the moment the wheels hit the ground at the airport, to the moment they depart, I have the responsibility of planning their agenda.” Frus makes sure visitors have appointments with members of the professional community in Jacksonville. She also ensures that visitors have the opportunity to meet an American family for a casual introduction to American culture.
WHO WORKS WITH HER IN THE OFFICE?
Frus has two interns from the University of North Florida and someone doing an exchange from an office in Washington, D.C. Frus is the only paid employee.
WHAT IS HER MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT WITH THE IRC?
“We had a group of visitors from Bhutan one time who were able to rent a car, and they were planning to go down to Kennedy Space Center. They ended up spending three hours lost in Jacksonville because of all the traffic lights, which aren’t common in their country.” The group ended up going to the St. Augustine outlet malls.
HOW DID SHE BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE IRC?
Frus was only interested in a part-time position and she wanted her work to offer her international experience. “Since I have been involved, I have discovered that there is a real passion in making sure there is an opportunity to be citizen diplomats and to provide opportunities to understand each other.”
DOES SHE LIKE HER JOB?
Yes. “It’s been very uplifting and stimulating. There is a tremendous variety and the challenges are never the same.”
IS SHE A JACKSONVILLE NATIVE?
No. Frus moved to Jacksonville in 1989. She lives on the Southside near Baymeadows.
WHAT IS HER FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN JACKSONVILLE?
“The weather! I love the sunshine.”
THE MOST MEMORABLE BOOK SHE’S READ?
“Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. “It had a philosophy of how hard you have to work to make things happen and how sometimes others don’t have that same philosophy. It’s interesting to think about whether or not that holds true.”
EDUCATION?
Frus received a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in education administration from Northern Illinois University.
WHAT DID SHE DO BEFORE THE IRC?
Frus was a volunteer with the school district. (She has three children.) She was a PTA president and she was chair for the school district. Frus also was a coordinator for four years with “Much Ado About Books.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR HER AT THE IRC?
Making an itinerary for visitors from Afghanistan who are coming to the United States to study Islam in America.
— by Tammy Taylor