AFS NZ in conjunction with the US Ambassador, Bill McCormick, hosted a reconnection function on November 2, 2008 in Wellington. The function, at Ambassador McCormick’s residence in Lower Hutt was attended by 80 returnees who travelled to the USA between 1947 and 1976. Earlier in the year, AFS NZ initiated the Greyhound Project – a project that aims to reconnect with returnees from the first 30 years of AFS NZ. Joany Grima, Project Manager, said “40% of returnees have fallen off the AFS database at some point. It would be great to make contact with these people and keep them informed of AFS activities.” Rosemary Barrington, returnee, AFS Alumni Committee member and driving force behind the Project says “my AFS experience set a direction for my life that I am still aware of over 40 years later. I had been awakened to political issues, cultural diversity and a desire to get involved with change for socially just causes.” Returnees at the November 2 function were very pleased to have been invited. Many had not seen their AFS peers for some years, and all enjoyed perusing the memorabilia on display. It is hoped that similar functions will be held in other major cities in 2010.