Interest Groups

The University Women’s Club of Vancouver is a hub of activity with over 30 member-directed interest groups that offer something for everyone. Our interest groups meet at various times throughout the week or month, sometimes incorporating meals and refreshments, with new groups forming regularly. For information on any group that appeals to you, please contact the interest group Convenor (if you’re a member) or email our Membership and Marketing Manager (membership@uwcvancouver.ca).

Members interested in starting a new interest group need only three interested members to participate in order to have suitable space at Hycroft provided. All interest groups function at no cost to the Club. The Interest Group Chair will assist any member in forming a new interest group.

To create a new Interest Group, please refer to the following forms:
Procedures and Protocols
Interest Group Form
Waiver of Acknowledgement Form
Interest Group Planning Notes
Interest Group Monthly Ledger
Interest Group Monthly Ledger NO PAYMENT

Get Involved and Stay Connected

The Mission Statement is: “The women of The University Women’s Club of Vancouver lead the way in our commitment to Education, Advocacy, Fellowship and Mentorship.” Therefore, the Symbols E, A, F and M are used to indicate the key commitments of the Committees and Interest Groups.

The Chair of this Committee and Convenors of all Interest Groups make up the membership of this Committee. Members with questions may contact the Chair with enquiries about Interest Groups and on creating new Interest Groups. The Committee meets at the call of the Chair, at least annually, to ensure smooth functioning of all groups within the Club. Members of UWCV are welcome to join Interest Groups. Jobina Bardai, Laura Castaldo, Co-Chairs

 BOOK CLUB (EFM) Afternoon – Join us on the second Wednesday of the month at 2:00 pm as we delve into our latest book from an interesting and varied selection. Always a good discussion. All avid readers are welcome. For details or to join the mailing list, email shelleyanicholl@gmail.com, Shelley Nicholl, Convenor

BOOK CLUB (EFM) Evening – We meet on the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. All members are welcome to use our group. Email evebookclubhycroft@gmail.com to be added to our list. Camille Parent & Valerie Taylor, Co-Convenor

BRIDGE – BEGINNERS (EFM) is for members who want to learn the game. If you are starting bridge, this is where to hone your skills. We meet on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Everyone welcome. Gwen Smith, willtts@telus.net, Convenor

BRIDGE – INTERMEDIATE (EFM) Our group meets on Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 pm. For more information or to join this group, contact Pat Facer, patriciafacer25@gmail.com, Convenor.

BUSY GOURMET (EFM) We meet monthly (generally on the 3rd Monday at 6:45 pm) to share a cooperative dinner based on themes chosen by rotating hostesses. Members enjoy exchanging recipes and food stories, discovering new dishes and food tips, as well as good company and conversation. Recipes and food photos from each evening are shared with all members of the group email list. We welcome all members (cooks and professed non-cooks, as well as “busy” gourmets with purchased food contributions). For more information, email uwcvbusygourmet@gmail.com, Wendy Lee, Karen Scherloski & Janet Tsoi, Co-Convenors

CINÉPHILES (EFM) Film enthusiasts, join fellow UWCV members at the movies! Email hycroftcinephiles@gmail.com  for more information and to be included in the list of members so that you may receive an email notification when the movie has been selected. Hana Carbert & Rita Cormier, Co-Convenors

COMMUNITY OUTREACH (EFM) promotes member engagement in the local Vancouver community by introducing them to non-profit/social service organizations and organizing hands-on activities for members to participate in to support these organizations on a grassroots level. Mari La Rosa, mjllarosa@gmail.com & Dhalie Patara Plischke, dhalie.patara@gmail.com, Co-Convenors

DANCE STARS (EFM) The Dance STARS group offers members line dance classes with two professional instructors.  Dance experience and a partner are not required. Various line dances to up-tempo music are taught, including latin and modern ballroom, jazz, rock & roll, world music, and country styles.  Classes are held on Wednesdays from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm in the Ballroom. Sign-up for ongoing sessions is monthly, with advance payment of fees to cover instructors’ costs. Members enjoy trying out dances at dinner and dance events at Hycroft. Email uwcvdancestars@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining our group. Wendy Lee & Mei Tan, Convenors

FEMME DU FROMAGE (EFM) A fun group that meets every fourth Tuesday of the month to enjoy an evening of various cheeses, nice wines, crusty bread, tasty salads and – most importantly – good company. You will learn about the various cheeses and matching wines that our volunteer presenters bring to share and enjoy stories and friendship around the big dining table. Monthly reminders are sent to members on our email list, so you never have to miss out. For more information or to be added to our email list, please contact femmefromage@gmail.com, Nicole Clement & Joanne Gaspard, Co-Convenors

FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP (EFM)

Join us for adventurous meals and interesting conversations at local restaurants.  We will explore less frequented cuisines to experience culinary delights together when we can. Details about upcoming events will be sent to members on our email list.  Please email: uwcvfoodandfriendship@gmail.com to be added to our email list and we look forward to seeing you at our next event. Jean Hurst & Helen Law, Co-Convenors

HYCROFT CHORAL SINGERS (EFM) Enjoy the camaraderie of Women’s Voices singing together. Our causal choir values the melodies and harmonies of popular folk songs and show tunes. Singing together with peers is fun, and you don’t have to read music to be part of the group to reap the benefits!  Women’s Voices singing together is a beautiful thing!  Tuesday’s at 1:30 pm. Janet Davidson, janetdavidson@shaw.ca, Convenor

HYCROFT PAINTERS (EFM) The Hycroft Painters meet Wednesday afternoons in the Coach House. Members work in many different mediums, including acrylic, oil and watercolour. We bring our own supplies and work on our own projects but share fellowship and fun as we encourage each other in our work. New members are always welcome. Eva Wideman, ewideman@telus.net, Convenor

IN DISCUSSION (EFM) meetings are held on the fourth Monday, September through June. Topics are specific and current, set and moderated by rotating hosts. The evening’s format includes a no-host social and moderated discussion led by a presentation which concludes with a summary. A monthly notice is received by those within the group list. We look forward to meeting In Discussion, where all are welcome. Janet Percy, janet.percy@shaw.ca, Convenor

 KEEP FIT (EFM) Tuesdays 10 am – 11:15 am. Fridays 11:00 am-noon.

Our certified instructor, Debbi Bloomfield, uses music to lead us through warm-up, low-impact cardio, strength, balance and stretching exercises. Mats, weights, and bands were provided. Numbers are currently restricted due to Club protocols and Clubhouse renovations.  Contact the convenor if you are interested in joining. No drop-ins, please. Vivian Aronson, varonson9@icloud.com, Convenor

MAHJONG (EFM)

Join us for a friendly game of Hong Kong-style MahJong. We meet on Thursdays 1:30-3:30 pm and play for fun.  If you don’t know how to play, we’ll teach you! Please contact the convenor for the game’s rules and to be added to the email list. Helen Law helenhllaw@gmail.com, Convenor

MEDITATION & YOGA You are invited to join the new Meditation and Yoga interest group! We meet twice a month on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit your emotional well-being and overall health. This group is open to all levels. No charge.  Space is limited, so if you’re interested in joining our group, email uwcvmeditationyoga@gmail.com, Anne Lu, Lila Naz, Dora Zhang, Co-Convenors

MONDAY WRITERS GROUP A self-directed group with a focus on memoirs. We meet each Monday morning to discuss writing techniques, write to prompts, share our work and provide feedback to one another. It produces laughter, tears, and much appreciation that ‘hard writing makes easy reading.’ We have been inspired and instructed by presentations from guest speakers and members who are published. Because of the nature of the writing and sharing, the group is kept to 7 members. We will support other interested writers to begin a second group. Susan Mogan, mogan.susan@gmail.com, Convenor

PLAY READING (EFM) meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 pm. No great acting ability is required – just the desire to read a good play and discuss some of the issues that may arise. New members are welcome. Joy March, joymarch@telus.net, Convenor

SHALL WE DANCE – INTERMEDIATE BALLROOM (EFM)

On Wednesday evenings, members and their partners dance in our beautiful Ballroom from 7-9 pm. We engage a professional couple to teach us Latin and Ballroom dance steps and techniques. We enjoy attending dinner/dance events at Hycroft and local venues during the year. We welcome new members with ballroom dance experience at the intermediate level if space is available. We cannot accommodate members with little or no dance experience, but we are happy to assist members interested in forming a new group at the beginner level. Paula Boleen, pboleen@shaw.ca & Linda Wong, lindawong4442@gmail.com, Co-Convenors

SPANISH FOR TRAVEL (EFM) is a friendly group which meets on the first Wednesday of every month. Do you love Spanish? Do you wish there was an opportunity to chat with others and build your fluency? Would you like to discuss travel and culture in Spanish – building your vocabulary and confidence? Come and join us to have a great time speaking Spanish.
You’ll improve your confidence in the language while making new friends and sharing your interest in all things Spanish.
Vera Unwin, unwinvera@hotmail.com, Convenor

SIP & STITCH (EFM) meets in person on the first Wednesday of every month from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The group bonds over our love of happy hour and fibre. This inclusive group is open to all levels and mediums – knit, crochet, sew, felt etc. We look forward to meeting new members and inspiring each other with our skills!
Zameena Rajani, zameena1@gmail.com & Mary Speer, Mary Speer speermary@hotmail.com Co-Convenors

SOCIAL LIGHTS (EFM) We connect primarily through our WhatsApp group.
This Whatsapp group is for connecting about club events. We have a Share Sunday on Sundays, where you are welcome to share about your own initiatives or information from your community that would benefit the group.

Every month we have a Sisterhood Spotlight event, held on the 16th of every month at 6 pm, in-person at Hycroft or via Zoom. We spotlight one of our members to talk/share/teach/etc. on any subject, story, or talent of their choice! You can attend as you please or take the spotlight, and we will all get closer as sisters in this club.

We also have several events throughout the year, such as a gala, self-development workshops and a holiday gift exchange. This is a member-led group, and we encourage our fellow Social Lights to get involved and help to plan events and other activities.

We have a group of co-convenors. Email us at uwcvsociallights@gmail.com if you have any questions.

TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER (EFM) Join us for a Texas Hold’em Poker game on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. This is a simple, fun, popular card game which we play with chips, not money. Come a bit early to have pizza, dinner and drinks with the group, or just come for the game. Beginners and experienced players are welcome. Email texasholdemhycroft@gmail.com to be added to the emailing list.
Joanne Gaspard, Convenor

THURSDAY FRENCH CONVERSATION (EFM) meets on Thursdays from 10:30 am-12:00 pm year-round. This group provides an opportunity for members who enjoy speaking French to improve their skills and have fun with the guidance of our mentor Suzanne Poulin. While a basic knowledge of French is an asset, we welcome members at all levels of French-speaking ability. Suzanne helps members improve their overall knowledge of French through different means such as video clips, songs, crossword puzzles and short articles. Since the beginning of the Pandemic, we have been meeting on Zoom. Suzanne emails members an exercise to complete and an article to read in advance of each session. During our Zoom session, the exercise is reviewed, and the article is read aloud and discussed. In addition, members also share a brief essay that they have prepared on a topic of interest. The conversations that follow are informal and cover a wide range of topics. Our sessions are fun while, at the same time, we improve our conversational skills, comprehension, and knowledge of grammar. To get on our mailing list, email Christine McPhedran at cmcphedran@shaw.ca. New members are always welcome.
Noga Gayle & Suzanne Poulin, Co-Convenors

TRAVEL GROUP (EFM) We organize occasional 3-day 2, night trips based on members’ input to places of interest and interesting things to do.  If you’re interested in joining this group, email the Convenor.
Jean Hurst, gardenguidevd@gmail.com, Convenor

UWCV KNITTERS (EFM) meet in person or via Zoom on the first and third Thursday of each month, from 10:30 am to noon. We are a very social and artistic group who knit or crochet various projects of our own choosing. We often participate in Hycroft for the Holidays. Technical assistance is freely shared amongst group members. New members are always welcome.
Pamela Addinall, pamaddinall@gmail.com, Convenor

WHISKEY WOMEN (EFM) We meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month to taste new whiskeys, learn the art of nosing and tasting, share dinner and most importantly, have fun. Sharing whiskey-related information and news and the occasional virtual whiskey tasting may be organized until then. Email whiskeywomenhycroft@gmail.com to be added to emailing list.
Joanne Gaspard & Krista Klein, Co-Convenors

WINE APPRECIATION (EFM) Meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month, starting at 6 pm, to share good wines, food and most of all, good company. Our Chef prepares a delicious dinner, and the cost is billed to your club account. The cost of wines varies each time and is shared by the attendees. Presentations by our members are always fun and informative, and occasionally, we might have an invited guest presenter or go off-site for an event. A monthly reminder is sent to those who are on the interest group’s e-mail list, and registration must be confirmed beforehand. For further information and to be added to the e-mail list,  uwcvwineappreciation@gmail.com

Nancy Wu & Dhalie Patara Plischke, Co-Convenors