Submitted by Rosalind Williams, AWC Madrid

January 2011

We were very privileged to welcome Kathleen Simon, President of FAWCO to Madrid, during her recent visit to the Spanish member clubs. At a coffee at the home of Rosalind Williams, FAWCO Rep for International Newcomers Club’s, members were briefed on the intricacies of the organization’s vast network of services and resources: 77 organizations, 15,000 membership in 39 countries. The event, a joint effort on the part of INC and AWC Madrid, included the Honorary President of the American Women’s Club, Mrs Susan Solomont, wife of the US Ambassador to Spain, Mrs Alida Chacon, wife of the Deputy Chief of Mission and Arline Coward, FAWCO Regional Coordinator for FAWCO’s expansive Region 7.

A second presentation was arranged the following day at the AWC Madrid Clubhouse by Vivian Aranyos, FAWCO Rep for AWC. The event was the monthly Social Meeting , where coffee, tea and specially designed cupcakes with the FAWCO logo were served. Again, President Simon went into further detail about FAWCO’s four basic pillars: member club services, US Issues, Global Issues (including UN NGO Consultative Status which enables members to attend UN meetings) and Philanthropy. She also outlined some of the speakers and workshops scheduled for the annual conference in Marrakech. The Social Meeting was capped with a luncheon in which cocido madrileño, a traditional local dish, was served in the clubhouse’s dining area to a dozen guests.

Pictued below at the AWC Madrid Club House:  AWC Madrid Members: FAWCO Rep Vivian Aranyos, Peggy de la Morena, Chair of AWC Madrid Charity Committee, and FAWCO President Kathleen Simon