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Scandinavian Center gathering hears about the role of honorary consuls of Norway and Sweden
Siri Eliason (left) and Dagfinn Gunnarshaug compare notes about their May 26 presentation at the Scandinavian Center about the role of honorary consuls. She served as Swedish honorary consul in San Francisco and he represents Norway in the Los Angeles area.
STORY TOOLS 
More from Conejo ValleyWhen Dagfinn Gunnarshaug of Westlake Village gets a midnight phone call, he might be asked to help a distressed Norwegian whose passport has been stolen at LAX. If so, as honorary consul for Norway, he must take a temporary passport to the airport to enable his Norwegian countryman to catch his flight home.
During a talk at the "brown-bag lunch" gathering May 26 at the Scandinavian Center at California Lutheran University, he shared information about his response to such emergencies--as well other responsibilities not so dramatic.
Siri Eliason also told about her efforts on behalf of Sweden. Before she recently moved to University Village in Thousand Oaks, she served as Swedish honorary consul based in San Francisco. She recounted the many events and activities she coordinated there as honorary consul.
Though unpaid volunteers, they reported a sense of satisfaction in serving and appreciation for the value of their accrued associations. They explained that the honorary consuls provide valuable support to the work of the paid career consuls.
The honorary role has helped them link to other Scandinavian orgainzations. For instance, both serve on the board of the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation, which includes the Scandinavian Center as one of its functions.
Gunnarshaug also presides over the Los angeles-area Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce.
Eliason has been active in the regional and national Scandinavian American Foundation and recently joined ASF of Thousand Oaks. She also is on the board of the Swedish Council of America, based in Minneapolis.
The "brown-bag lunch" events occur every Wednesday noon, featuring a Scandinavian-related presentation or movie. The public is invited to partiicpate without cost at the Scandinavian Center, 26 Faculty Street in Thousand Oaks. Free coffee and cookies are available.
For more information, call (805) 241-1051 or e-mail scancenter@callutheran.edu.
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