INTEREST GROUPS

Strength in diversity

The greatest strength of the IWF is the diversity of our membership. With this diversity comes a wide range of interests from hiking to reading to just chatting over morning coffee. For years IWF members have gathered outside the formal monthly meeting to share in a variety of activities and it is often during these smaller group events where members get to know each other better and new friendships are created.

The latest announcements for each interest group can be viewed by selecting an interest group from the menu on the right. Each year, IWF women suggest new ideas for interest groups - this year we welcome the Diners Club!

Launch a new interest group

The minimum number of participants needed to start an interest group is just 1, but by posting a message on the on-line forums you will probably find a few others who share your hobby. All it takes is an idea and an e-mail to Vice President of Membership Silvia Lolli membership@iwfbologna.com and we'll get you started.

Job Bank:

Job Bank assists IWF members identify opportunities for work by soliciting both offers and requests and publishes them on the web. Please note that as of 2004-2005, Job Bank is longer be circulated as a separate e-mail and only announcements that follow the submission guidelines will be posted (request submission guidelines). Send offers, requests and feeback to jobbank@iwfbologna.com.
Job Bank administrator: Lisa Marie Gelhaus jobbank@iwfbologna.com

Book Club:

Meets one Thursday evening per month in members’ homes to discuss a chosen novel. The reading list usually contains a mix of contemporary fiction and classics in English. The book club has invited local authors to speak and contributes a monthly review to vox@bo.
Leader: Liz Kaplan newsletter@iwfbologna.com

Ramblers:

The Ramblers are hiking enthusiasts who organize family day treks in the spring and an annual backpacking trip in the Apennines. The Ramblers are co-lead by a geologist and a professional walking tour guide, so each outing promises to be a first rate experience!
Leader: Jennifer White jennifer.white@libero.it

Kaffeeklatsch:

The Kaffeeklatsch meets weekly on Wednesday mornings. A drop-by event, the Kaffeeklatsch was created to give members the chance to have a daytime IWF activity and to catch up with one another between meetings.
Co-leaders: Maribel Agullò maribel_agullo@yahoo.com and Lea Vilborg leavilborg@hotmail.co.uk

Kocktailklatsch

Prefer to klatsch over a cocktail? Kocktailklatsch meets periodically at fun, relaxed locale in Bologna for an aperitivo. Guests (female and male!) are are always welcome at Kocktailklatch, which is held on weekday evenings.
Co-Leaders: Ellen Laird ellen.r.laird@gmail.com and Isabella Parlatore parlaisabella@tiscali.it

2-Tongued Tots Playgroup:

The playgroup is intended for mothers who are native English speakers and their children. Programming varies according to the ages of the children and meeting times will be determined by the participants.
Leader: Maria Moscato mmoscato@ilcampo.it

Community Service Volunteers:

For those who are interested in serving the local community, the IWF posts service opportunities for our members. Information about IWF group service projects are also posted here.
Leader: Edel Murphy murphyedel@yahoo.it

Runners and Walkers:

The Runners and Walkers are sporty women who meet on Sunday mornings to participate in local non-competitive "camminate." Distances vary from 3K to 21K and women of all fitness levels are welcome to walk, jog or run the distance of their choice. At the finish line runners unite for cappuccino together at the nearest bar!
Leader: Carol Sicbaldi carol@customwalks.com

Language XChange

The IWF pairs native Italian and English speakers together for informal language lessons and conversation. You simply add your name to the list of interested women and the IWF will help you to find a language partner that meets your needs.
Leader: Christine Ricci cpricci@tiscali.it

Professional Network (PN)

The Professional Network was founded to address the professional development of IWF membership. Activities are scheduled based on member interest and may include resume and interview workshops, seminars on running a business, networking with local companies and with other women in Europe.
Leader: Danielle Di Leo danielle_dileo@hotmail.com

Diners Club

New as an interest group in 2007-2008, the Diners Club organizes regular dinner outings to try out new Bologna restaurants. The group has a particular fondness for international cuisine including Japonese, Indian, Greek and other "ethnic" favorites.
Leader: Nina Vellucci vellucc1@aol.com