Berlin International Women’s Club e.V.

Donation to Haiti

At the January Executive Committee meeting, it was agreed unanimously to donate 500 € from the Club’s "catastrophe fund" to a charity working in Haiti.  We selected SOS Kinderdörfer Weltweit/Children’s Villages Worldwide, who have been working in Haiti for over 30 years.  As neither of their two villages in Haiti was damaged by the earthquake, they were able to offer immediate refuge to children orphaned or separated from their parents.  They are also working together with UNICEF to re-unite children with their families wherever possible.  For more information about this charity, see www.sos-kinderdoerfer.de or www.sos-usa.org.

What is Stammtisch?

Have you been to a BIWC Stammtisch?  Have you ever wondered where that name came from?  "Stammtisch" is a term borrowed from our host country.  It means "regular" (Stamm) and "table" (Tisch).  It is quite literally the table reserved for regular customers in the local pub (Kneipe).  It is often the place where members of a club (Verein) get together to play cards, drink beer, watch soccer, discuss projects, or just socialize.
Socializing is also the main purpose of the BIWC Stammtisch.  It is a meeting place where old, new or potential members can chat and get to know one another.  There is no agenda.  No registration is required.  There is no appointed time to show up and there are no speeches.  You can walk in, meet old and new friends and just have a good time.  The Stammtisch is often the first Club event attended by potential members.  It is also an ideal place for the Executive Committee (EC) to gather feedback on Club activities.  Many a new idea has first been conceived at a Stammtisch.
Come join us on 8 March!  What better way to observe International Women’s Day.
—Ruby Ma, Past BIWC President
Editor’s Note:  It was Ruby who came up with the brilliant idea to hold Stammtisch on the 8th of each month in celebration of International Women’s Day.  In February more than 50 members and guests joined us.
For more information on International Women’s Day, please see our special section in this month’s Newsletter.
Membership Directories

If your information (address, phone, e-mail address) in the Membership Directory has changed or needs to be corrected, please contact Sue at Membership@BIWC.de no later than 15 March.  She is currently working on updating the Directory.  An electronic version will be e-mailed sonn and there will be a small number of hard copies available at the AGM.

No Name Tag at AGM?
50 cents to Frauenhaus!

As with all our Club events, we ask that you bring your BIWC name tag to the AGM!  It may be the first time or the first time in a long time that you see another member and it’s always nice for her to see your name.
As an added incentive, the Executive Committee has decided to ask you to donate 50 cents to the Frauenhaus if we need to issue you a stick-on tag.

Donate Books to Benefit the Frauenhaus

Please have a look into your bookcases to see if you might have books to donate to help the Frauenhaus.  Monika Brust has suggested that we collect novels and other books that might interest our fellow BIWC members, and display them on a table at the AGM. They would then be available for a donation of 2 € - 5 € per book.  All proceeds will go to the Frauenhaus.
If you have a small number of books, please bring them with you to the AGM.  If you have more than 10 books, please let Monika know in advance.  We can store the books for you and bring them to the AGM if you cannot transport them easily, but we must know about your contribution at least 10 days before the AGM.  This is a great opportunity to clear your bookshelves of books you no longer need or want, and to help the Frauenhaus at the same time!  At this time we are limiting donations to only books in English.

Buy Books to Benefit the Frauenhaus!

Come to the AGM prepared to buy some books too!  Bring a little extra cash and a bag in which to tote your new "finds" home!
Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee (EC) of  BIWC has decided to publish the date of the each scheduled EC meeting in the Club’s Newsletter.  This will give members an opportunity to contact EC members with issues that they would like to have addressed.
Next EC meeting:  Wednesday,  3 March
If you have a concern that you would like to have addressed by the Board, please let an EC member know several days in advance of the meeting so that it can be added to the Agenda.

Chess anyone?

Krishna would like to find other interested members to form a Special Interest Group for chess.  She knows the basics but would like to find someone who is more of an expert plus others interested in playing.
If you are interested, please contact Krishna Bruhn.

Newsletter Deadline for April

The next Newsletter will be for April 2010.  The deadline for submission of material will be Monday, 15 March.
Please send your notices for events and articles to the new "alias" Newsletter address which will send it to both of the current e-mail addresses:
Editor@biwc.de
In order to minimize date conflicts, please be sure to register your proposed dates with Sylvie by e-mail  at VicePresident@biwc.de or by telephone as soon as you begin your planning.

Get in Condition, Start Walking in the North!

2010, a new year!  What about your good resolutions?  I would like to start a brisk walking group in the north of Berlin in March.  Please let me know by e-mail at VicePresident@biwc.de if you are interested in joining me.
Sylvie Verhallen-Roomberg