Interest Groups

Interest Group is the general term for small groups who gather according to special, mutual interests. There are some 30 groups, with new ones forming constantly. Please note that popular activities have a variety of meeting times and places to accommodate various work schedules and lifestyles. For instance, there are multiple bridge groups and gourmet groups, 2 Great Decisions groups, and several book groups. Please let us know what your interests are so we can welcome you into our many activities.

Interest Group Coordinator: Edna Robison, President

Singles is a group of currently unmarried people (at this time all women) who meet once a month for a potluck. Most third Friday evenings we meet at Headquarters. We tell jokes, trade experiences, share our lives, and encourage each other. We don't check "credentials;" anyone is welcome to join in the fun.

Art Appreciation. We like each member to take charge of a month. We are usually on a field trip of some sort, although we do, at times, have lectures at headquarters. Being in charge of a month includes choosing the trip, planning the transportation and finding an appropriate restaurant for lunch.

Arts and Crafts is centered around the theme of having fun plus leaning a new skill. Our crafts are generally easy and make wonderful gifts. Some of the crafts lessons are free and others cost anywhere from $5-$15. We also keep in mind our community and therefore make an item sometime during the year such as a blanket for "Project Linus", caps for premie babies, or a bazaar item for our Local Scholarship fund. We would love to have you join us.

Do you have questions about your ancestors? In the self-help Family History Group, we have fun searching old records (marriage, census, military, wills, deeds) to learn how we fit into history. Gather what you know and your questions. We can help one another as we travel the internet, visit Bay Area resources, and write letters. We're a friendly bunch and would love to have you join us.

Film Fans meets once a month to see current movie. After the show we go out to dinner together and discuss the movie. We always have a great time.

Gardening is a new group of experienced and beginning gardeners who love gardening. We learn from guests and field trips and share our experiences with each other.

The French Conversation group has met monthly in homes to speak French in a casual setting since 1968. Ability levels range from halting (look up lots of words in the dictionary) to fluent, and everything in between. Programs may include playing a game or singing Christmas carols or viewing and commenting on a French film. Our main purpose is to have fun while attempting to speak only French. Nous esperons de vous voir.

Great Decisions. Each year a group of us gather together to learn about and discuss eight topics of world importance. Aided by a book containing essays complied by the Foreign Policy Association, we begin each meeting with a 10 minute video in which two or more "experts" present their opinions. As we discuss current topics, we also examine our own beliefs and consider challenges from those with opposing ideas, all of which helps strengthen our participation in the responsibilities of good citizenship.

Playreading is for anyone who enjoys plays that can be read aloud by the participants. Parts are assigned by drawing by lot. Frequently we will have more than one part to read due to large numbers in the cast and not enough participants. The Fullerton Branch of AAUW sells us the playbooks as a fundraiser for their Educational Foundation Fund. We usually receive a fair balance over the year, between mystery, drama, and comedy. All plays are by well known authors.

Come out for some exercise with Hikes and Walks. Walks mostly often start from our House in Willow Glen although we sometimes carpool to other areas. In December we walk to light rail, then take a walk though Christmas In the Park. We like to walk vigorously, but not so fast that we can't talk at the same time.

The Lunch Bunch came about several years ago when a newcomers group decided they would like to get together once a month and go to lunch for the purpose of meeting and getting to know other AAUW new members. After a year we opened the group to all members. Now we have a nice mix of new and old members. Members take turns selecting the restaurant. We have a nice time and get to try some new places to eat.

Each year the Exploring World Literature Group members vote on a theme and make book selections. For example, during the Steinbeck 100th year celebration, books by and related to Steinbeck were chosen. The members are interesting group, very active and generous with their opinions.

The Tuesday Morning Literature Review Group is very rewarding. Getting to know many women who are all interested in good books is enjoyable and intellectually compelling. So many fine books have been suggested and read throughout the year. I have never been without a good bit of reading.

The Wednesday Night Book Group gathers eight times a year. Books are selected by the group and participants volunteer to review and facilitate discussion of each book. We read a variety of fiction and nonfiction, the known and not so well known. An appreciation for a wide variety of literature and good discussion is what brings us to the group.

Because mysteries are so varied, each year Mystery Lovers concentrates on a different facet within the genre. One year we read mysteries written by women authors; another year, mysteries by authors from California; then, mysteries about foreign countries. Book selection is developed by group members. We take turns leading the monthly discussion, so no one individual's ideas dominate.

Bridge Groups are very social and we enjoy the challenge of the games and keeping our minds sharp. Three groups meet at headquarters, four meet in member's homes with most groups meeting once a month. Several groups have been together over twenty years.

Bobbie Eckerman, 408-266-0560, eckshome@aol.com

Second Monday Bridge at Headquarters, meets from 10:00am to 1:00 pm throughout the year. This is party bridge and we end promptly at 1:00 pm. and do not stop for lunch. We usually try to have 3 tables of four. Whoever is interested should give the chair a call to be put on the list. A similar format is used for several other bridge groups.

Gourmet Light meets at members' homes so membership is limited. However, long-time members will advise on how to start a new group. Members take turns hosting dinner at their home with the hostess planning the menu. Some members cook, others supply the wine. It's good fun and good company.

Tired of fixing the same old hamburger casserole? Come join us at Veggie Gourmet where none of us are "strictly vegetarian". Each month our members meet at headquarters with home-made dishes for the group to enjoy. In addition to food, there's lively discussion running from the preparation of each dish to current events and family dynamics. Menus are unplanned so each meeting is a gastronomic adventure.

International Gourmet is comprised of a fun group of women who get together once a month to eat and socialize. We extend our knowledge of other parts of the world by studying and preparing interesting and typical foods from selected countries.

The Gourmet B Group started in the 1960s and is still going strong. A team decides what to cook and distributes recipes for a full menu, including dessert. Members cook together or at home, and then share recipes and tips. We go out to dinner in November because no one needs more cooking around Thanksgiving! One member said, "I eat better now. The group inspires me to cook well."

Are you and your spouse interested in:

• Fine Dining?
• Sophisticated Menus?
• Stimulating Conversation?
• Quiet, Intimate Atmosphere?
• At a Do-it-yourself Price?

Join AAUW Couples Gourmet

Friends Around the World gathers monthly to hear speakers from other countries or to listen to those who have lived or worked overseas.We sometimes organize outings with an international or multicultural flavor. For example, we have had a speaker from Argentina, we enjoyed an "English Tea", and one of our own AAUW members who worked in Egypt gave a talk. We typically have a light potluck dinner before the presentation. We welcome suggestions for speakers and activities, and if anyone wishes to organize an event, they are very welcome.