About – IWCK

[/] About Events Charity IWCK Charity Bazaar Contacts Join the Club About Contacts More Home About Contacts Events Charity Fundrasing History The International Women’s Club of Kyiv (IWCK) was founded in 1992 by a small group of expatriate women in the newly independent Ukraine. It involves representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Ukraine, women from the cultural and business communities and wives of diplomats and businessmen. The aim is to bring together women from all over the world to take part in a range of charitable, cultural and social activities. In 2019 IWCK celebrated its 27th Anniversary ! IWCK is registered as a non-profit charity organization in Ukraine , as all its financial activities are directed at raising money for charity. We help NGOs which work with women, sick children, disabled, elderly people and refugees. Our main fundraising event is the annual IWCK Charity Bazaar which brings together embassies and many local volunteers to create an amazing spectacle on the first weekend of December and raise enough money to fund the IWCK grant competition. Currently, IWCK has over 200 members from different backgrounds and countries. While the language for club communication is English, many of our members speak other languages including French, Ukrainian, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, plus many others. We are “people helping people” in three significant ways: charity, events and donations, social networking, and helping people discover the rich culture of our host country Ukraine. All our activities are directed to one of two primary missions: support those in need in Ukraine (charity), and help expats in Kyiv to socialize, learn more about Ukraine, find new friends and feel more like home here. Our charity work includes a monthly food delivery service and a targeted donation program for children, elderly, and disabled persons in need. We fund this work with an annual charity bazaar held at the Olympiyskiy Stadium and part of each member’s annual membership fee of 2500 UAH – 80% or more of the fee goes directly to our charity work and the remainder covers costs of GM’s, Office Rent and Administration. If you’re interested in this aspect of IWCK, please talk to the charity committee about how to get involved. We are happy to welcome new members, who are interested in our activities and are ready to devote some time to IWCK! Benefits of the Membership Through our Interest groups, you can share hobbies with others, improve your talents and learn new languages with native speakers. Join in on exclusive cultural events to learn more about different countries and cultures, and meet new friends during social events. Help those in need and support the local community by volunteering for IWCK charitable initiatives. Additionally, check out the list of companies which give IWCK members special discounts and deals! The following IWCK partners offer a discount to our members who show their IWCK membership cards : PORCELAIN DENTAL CLINIC, (10% Discount), Tel.: 44- 3901141 SAILING SOULS TodiShalini Showroom: Sichovykh Strilitsiv str., 77, Office 801, 8th, (20% discount on Dresses, Scarves, Jewelry, Bags) , +38 063 138 91 65, Instagram:todi_shalini, Facebook: sailingsouls CAFE17, RADISSON BLU PODIL, (10% Discount), Bratska str., 17-19, Tel. 044-393 1373 BEAUTY SALON TANDEM, (10% Discount), Artema str. 52A, Tel. 096 889 8332 FRENCH BEAUTY SALON “ Moi Parisienne ” (10% Discount) PREMIER PALACE CLUB, (10% Discount), 5-7/29 T. Shevchenka Blvd., Tel. 044 244 1200 It’s NOT THE LOUVRE (10% Discount), Gallery bar RESTAURANT TRES FRANÇAIS , (10% Discount) RESTAURANT TRES BRANCHE , (10% Discount) RESTAURANT “ Za Dvoma Zaytsiamy ”, (10% Discount), Str. Andriyivskiy descent, 34 HERMANUS , (10% Discount) Showroom: 4ROOM, Petropavlivska str., 6; Petropavlivska Borschahivka , Kiev +380 63 175 48 54; ZIMA STYLE , (10% Discount) STAR DRY CLEANING (15% discount): Velyka Zhytomyrska str., 20, Berezniakivska str., 31, Kyiv; Ukrainska str., 83B, apt.10-12, Irpin; +38 044 360 11 52; UNIVERSUM CLINIC (10% discount): Volodymyr Vynnychenko str., 4, Kyiv; +38 067 242 62 40. BUDSABA Thai Massage (20% Discount) and more: Yaroslaviv val, 11; + 38 096 288 99 88 If you know of a company that would like to become our partner, please contact president@iwck.org Join the club! Your name Your phone Your e-mail If you have questions about the membership, visit our FAQ page. Steering Committee President Sarah Poole Sarah Poole I am a citizen of the USA originally from the state of Oregon on the western coast. My family have been living in Kyiv now for 4 years. I have a BFA degree from Oregon State University where I focused on sculpture and photography. I have little formal leadership experience except for the past year in IWCK but I am by nature a self-motivated learner, adventurer and encourager. I enjoy helping others become better versions of themselves. While in Yemen I volunteered with many NGOʼs and faith-based organizations who addressed varying needs of the local population. I helped with free clinics, teaching paper bead making, helped with orphaned children, etc. Vice President Natia Parulava Natia Parulava Natia is a citizen of Georgia, now living in Ukraine. She moved to Kyiv together with her family in September 2016. Natia holds bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, both obtained from Tbilisi State University. The most important occupations that defined her as a professional was with United Nations’ Children Fund (UNICEF) and later with German international non-governmental organization Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) Georgia. Volunteering and charity work has always been Natia’s aspiration. Despite her busy schedule and long working hours, she always tried to be engaged in private charity initiatives (collecting used clothes and toys for children in Tbilisi orphanage house) and doing volunteer works (teaching English to the children in SOS Children Village in Tbilisi). “Despite my progressively growing carrier, I arrived to a point when I had to make a choice whether to further pursue my carrier in Georgia or to create a family and follow my husband away from my country. And I opted for entering into a different stage of my life and building a family. Sometimes I do miss having a professional life and job that I would admire. Therefore, I believe engaging with IWCK could feel in this gap and I do look forward to it.” – Natia Secretary Lydia Matiaszek Lydia Matiaszek Treasurer Alenka Gojcic Horvat Alenka Gojcic Horvat I am coming from Slovenia, from a small and ancient town, called Ptuj. It is our third year in Kyiv and as a family, we enjoy the city very much. My inspiration to join IWCK were the ladies who are prepared to devote their free time to make us expat feeling more comfortable while helping Ukrainian people in need at the same time. I continue my work as a Treasurer for one more year. Head of Charity Elena Jidobin Elena Jidobin ‘I am a development management professional, coming from Moldova and interested in bringing positive changes to the lives of people in Ukraine.’ Head of Fundraising Sona Zemanova Sona Zemanova Head of Hospitality Christine El-Hefnawy Christine El-Hefnawy I recently arrived from Washington, DC/Maryland to join my husband who is working at The World Bank. The move required that I leave my previous job as a contracted consultant at the National Institutes of Health (part of the US Federal Government) where I helped coordinate employee programs. I also left my volunteer position as a board member for the R&W Foundation, a NGO that raises money for three charities all related to patients at the National Institutes of Health. In all, I have 30 years’ experience in fundraising, nonprofit management and public relations. I’d love to use my skills, experience, and interest in a way that contributes to the success of IWCK. Membership Coordinator Teresa Lippencott Teresa Lippencott Working on the IWCK Steering Committee last year as Supervisor has given me a great deal of knowledge on how the organization is run from start to finish. I feel like I can contribute to the organization again this year by keeping continuity on the Board and assisting new members as some of our most trusted leaders are moving onto other locations. Head of Interest Groups Yumi Terajima Yumi Terajima As an expat, I have been staying for more 9 years in Kyiv and joined many IWCK activities. And especially, I was a member of IWCK steering committee too in 2016, so I am sure to support IWCK by my sufficient experience both from a long term & loyal member of IWCK, and also from a former steering committee member. Head of Communications Elena Benetta Elena Benetta I have a master Degree in Management. I am a member of IWCK for the passed three years and having expat experience for the recent 20 years have brought me to IWCK together with the strong desire to help people, socialize and help improving social environment around me. I appreciate being a part of the strong team of dedicated people which gives me the opportunity to match our goals in society. Member of Board of Overseers Kari Hiepko Odermann Kari Hiepko Odermann From 2013-2017 I was active in a similar group in India, Delhi Network. There, I managed the organizations marketing activities, including branding, online and social media, and event strategy. I also created and designed complete social media marketing campaigns during my tenure and gained valuable fundraising experience. My current work load will not allow for me to be as proactive with IWCK but I will support the group as a supervisor. Сo-Head of Fundraising Aylan Feliv Aylan Feliv I’m Turkish but was born and raised in Bulgaria. I have been living in Kyiv for the last seven years. Motto “People helping people” motivated me to be a part of IWCK community together with these wonderful expat ladies. To do something voluntary for the humanity always inspires me! I’m mommy of three kids and love to spend time with them. Member of Board of Overseers Todi Shalini Todi Shalini I came to Kyiv in 2007, and this is my first country as an expat. I was born and raised in India, where I did my Doctorate in Human Development and for 5 years worked as a Senior Lecturer in one of the best colleges in Jaipur. I worked with many NGO’s in Jaipur supporting special needs children, women empowerment and literacy programs ran by UNICEF, during my college days. Presently, I am working as a Creative Director for a fashion brand, an Advisory Board member of Kyiv International School, and a mentor for a Ukrainian NGO project “The MOMs by WOMO” world movement. Co-head of Charity Emilie Hill Emilie Hill Originally from California, I moved to Kyiv in June 2018. I have over ten years of experience working in Government, and I value the opportunity to contribute to both the Steering Committee and Charity Committee. FAQs about the membership Who can join IWCK? IWCK Membership is open to anyone, regardless of nationality, background, and gender. Our membership is comprised of people from the international community and we also welcome Ukrainian women who have social and cultural links within the international community. When should I join IWCK? You may join IWCK at any time. Our membership year runs from September to June, although many of our Interest Groups continue meeting throughout the summer. How much does it cost? The fee for the 2019-2020 season is 2500 UAH. Your membership dues cover costs of General Meetings and general office needs. Any surplus from membership dues goes to our charity fund to support projects in Kyiv. What are the benefits of joining IWCK? Being IWCK member gives you lots of benefits. IWCK is a network of local and expatriate women and men who are united by their love to Ukraine and their wish to help people. Therefore, becoming our member, you are bound to make connections that will enrich your life in Kyiv. Secondly, you’ll have an opportunity to attend all events, organised by IWCK for its members (entertainment events, parties, tours in and around Kyiv, charity events). You can also join as many Interest groups, as you want (Check them at the section Events). Moreover, we work all the time on getting discounts for IWCK members from different companies. Press Journalists who need information or an interview with the International Women’s Club of Kyiv representatives can expedite their inquiry by providing details regarding the nature of their request via email. This information will make it easier to quickly answer your questions or connect you to the right spokesperson. Please send your email to our Head of Communication Committee at communication@iwck.org or to Coordinator at coordinator@iwck.org . You can also download our press-releases on IWCK Charity Bazaar: 2015 Charity Bazaar results 2014 Charity Bazaar results 2016 Charity Bazaar results 2017 Charity Bazaar results About Events Charity IWCK Charity Bazaar Contacts Join the Club +38 044 483 97 93, +38 068 384 31 30, +38 095 783 39 30 coordinator@iwck.org Support Us Facebook Blog Join the Club!