By Laureen Scharps, AIWC Frankfurt FAWCO Rep and Region 5 Meeting Planning Team
With the theme “When women grow together, they rise together,” the Region 5 Planning Team headed by Melissa McClain, AIWC Frankfurt, set about organizing the event which took place in Frankfurt from November 11–13, 2022. By all accounts it was a resounding success. About 60 women attended this well-planned event, traveling from Region 5 cities in Germany and Austria and several other countries, including Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scotland.
The weekend kicked off with a walk and visit to the Goethe House led by Pascal Boomkamp, AIWC Frankfurt member. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a native son of Frankfurt and a writer and poet. Following the tour, members freshened up and joined the other attendees at Lux restaurant inside Flemings Hotel for a cocktail reception. Herbert Schild from Appian Corporation sponsored the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the reception and spoke to us about his firm and how they offer financial platforms for banks and other companies internationally. Before dinner, guests had a chance to get to know each other better by playing interactive Bingo individually and in teams – guessing the number of SDGs, for example. The dinner buffet included something for everyone, including vegan food. Most importantly, members could connect with each other and also visit tables with items sold by The FAWCO Foundation and by AIWC Frankfurt to support their charity, BadSodenHilft e.V., whose focus is on supporting Ukrainian women and children. Sabine Uhle, AIWC Frankfurt 2nd Vice President, organized the charity table and brought items such as Christmas tree napkins, which sold very quickly.
On Saturday, longtime AIWC member Nancy Pomeraning whisked some participants away on an early morning walk covering a few of Frankfurt’s hot spots, such as the Green Belt, Alte Oper, Hauptwache and MyZeil.
On conference Saturday, Kanika Holloway, FAWCO 2nd Vice President, and Bev Bachmayer, AWA Vienna FAWCO Rep, introduced the upcoming Biennial Conference location in Bratislava, Slovakia with some impressive photos and tour options. This conference will take place March 23–26, 2023. Coincidentally, the Regional’s keynote speakers, US Consul General Norman Thatcher Scharpf, and his wife Donna LaPorte Scharpf, had lived in Bratislava along with several other cities internationally. Consul General Scharpf told us the US consulate can support US citizens with various services including notarizations, passport renewals and social security applications. They also offer jobs to those with a work permit as well as internships for young people. Donna has been an active member of every FAWCO Club where they were posted and talked about how FAWCO Clubs have been a home away from home and a great way to connect with women living overseas.
Barbara Bühling, FAWCO Foundation President, presented information about the Foundation and how clubs and members can benefit from their programs. For example, members can apply for an Education Award or a Development Grant. The application deadline is January 27, 2023. Tharien van Eck, Target 4 Chair and current Target 5 Selection Committee Chair, explained that the selection process is in Phase II and that clubs will be able to cast their ballots on the shortlisted projects from February 1–15, 2023. The winning project will be announced at the Biennial Conference in Bratislava. Amanda Drollinger, Target 5 Environment Chair, gave participants useful tips about how to live more sustainably. For example, when you brush your teeth don’t leave the water running or use cooking water to water your plants.
The beautiful FAWCO Friendship Quilt dubbed “Life Lines” and designed by Roberta Zollner, the Quilt Queen, included 47 patches from just one person. It will be auctioned off to raise money for the Education Awards and the Development Grants. Raffle tickets are available at One Cause.
The breakout sessions were headed by three very competent speakers who covered relevant topics. Kanika Holloway spoke about how your club, you and your family can get involved. She mentioned that a new club located in Moldova has joined Region 5. She covered several topics including how important it is to sign up for FAWCO publications such as Inspiring Women magazine, News in Brief and Connections to stay informed. Dana Fritchie, AIWC Frankfurt Membership Chair, led a discussion about growing membership. One good idea is to contact all the companies sending over expats. Another way is to set up newcomer events. Dana also won Inspiring Women magazine’s “Inspired Reader” award. A $50 donation to Target Project 5 has been made in her name. Mary Grace Gerstner, AIWC Frankfurt President, engaged other club presidents in a round table discussion about topics such as diversity, club structure, newsletter, charity, etc.
After a networking lunch, the sessions continued with the UN Connection and SDGs. Laurie Richardson, former FAWCO UN Liaison, gave members a comprehensive look at how FAWCO has representation and influence at the UN because representatives have the right to attend important meetings such as COP27. Meredith Mani, UN Rep (at large) and Chair of the Diversity Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Team, gave insights as to the negative impact that the pandemic had on already impoverished people and that the gap between poor countries and richer ones has widened.
The meeting ended on a positive note. Heidi Jung, AIWC Frankfurt Treasurer, made pinecone ornaments for all the participants with the label stating that one tree will be planted in each participant’s name in the Taunus Forest near Frankfurt by Irene Smetana, from Travel & Tree. We will be able to follow the growth of the trees online over the coming years.
Overall, it was a weekend full of networking, growing, sharing, learning and laughing. It is true that “When women grow together they rise together” and Region 5 was proof! Frankfurt was honored to host the event and was excited to see that many of the AIWC Frankfurt members have caught the FAWCO fever.
Until next time…..