Club meetings and activities
The Club meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month, usually from 10:00am to 12:30pm. We meet at the Peace Church near Sendlinger Tor (U1,U2,U3 & U6) - see their website (www.peacechurch.de) for detailed directions.
We try to have a couple of evening meetings each year so that those of you working, or wishing to bring partners, have an opportunity to attend. Suggestions for talks are always welcome so our programme is as varied as possible – please contact anyone on the executive committee if you have an idea. We always review the upcoming programme at our monthly executive meeting.
Refreshments are available from 10:00 a.m. when the doors open and members can socialize with others, old and new. Each person has a name tag (white for established members, pink for new members/guests and yellow for committee members). At about 10:30 it’s time for club business; new members and guests are asked to say a few words about themselves and the Chairwoman will give out any club notices and then introduce the speaker. The presentation starts at 11:00 and the official programme finishes at 12:30. All members are asked to help clear away by putting their chairs away and returning any cups and plates to the kitchen, where help in loading the dishwasher etc. is always welcomed! A number of members usually stay on to have lunch in a local restaurant, either accompanying the speaker or in a separate group.
To give you any idea of an average year, you can find the programme for 2009 listed below:
January: The speaker we had booked was suddenly unavailable so we had an update on our application to be come a Verein (e.V.) from one of our members who was on the committee dealing with this.
February: One of our members is very involved in a school in Burkino Faso. She gave an extremely interesting illustrated talk about the work that is going on there.
March: Our AGM always takes place in March. Each committee member usually stays for 2 years, but can stay longer.
April: Helga Hennge came and gave us an inspiring talk about her ascent of Everest.
May: Our previous chairwoman reported on the FAWCO annual conference in Vilnius, Lithuania that she attended as a guest in March. We have since joined FAWCO.
June: A purely social meeting, getting to know members one might not have met before by taking part in some intercultural activities.
July: An evening meeting – A Summer Musical Evening when club members showed off their musical skills (vocal and instrumental). Proceeds went to our charity funds.
August: As so many members are out of Munich in August, there is never a normal club meeting, but an activity for those who are still in town. In 2009 we had a picnic lunch in a local Biergarten where there were good facilities for those with young children.
September: This was again a more social event with a panel of members leading a discussion on “How to be a Good Neighbour” in Germany, when some intercultural misunderstandings and expectations were ironed out.
October: Our second evening meeting when a member’s husband – an astronomer – gave a well-attended illustrated talk entitled “We are stardust”!
November: This month’s meeting allowed members to a exhibit their their skills at a Members’ Bazaar. Products and services were on offer.
December: Instead of a normal meeting, in December we have our Christmas Lunch. Each year a different group is in charge (German, USA, UK, or – as in 2009 – the “others”). This way the menu is always varied and interesting, and besides the food we are always treated to some excellent entertainment!
We look forward to another varied and stimulating programme in 2010!
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