IWC Newsletter March 2019

March 2019

of the International Women’s Club-Sofia

2018 Executive Board Reports

president’s letter

IWC Executive board 2017-2018

President Albena Jones, UK gsm: 0879 119 152 president@iwc-sofia.org Vice-President Maya Metodieva, BG vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org Treasurer Desislava Ivanova, BG treasurer@iwc-sofia.org Bazaar Coordinator Bazaar Team Nicole Simmons Diana Michaels-Christopher USA gsm: 0879 506 799 c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com Acting Charity Chairperson Krastina Aranitasi, UK charity@iwc-sofia.org

Dear women, I only have a few meaningful lines to share with you.

My comprehensive annual President’s report can be found in the next pages.

March is the month dedicated to us – women!

A close friend send me a poem a few days ago, saying – as if it was written for me.

Initially I laughed, as I thought they were trying to be humorous or sarcastic, as from the first few lines I straight away associated it with William Shakespeare’s famous words “Heavy is the head that wears the crown”.

By the time I read the full quote I realised it is beautiful and it is so so true, not only relating to me, my life and my circumstances, but for all of us...

We women have to overcome so much, life constantly presents us with challenges and it’s in our nature to find a way, strength, determination and a will to survive, we are warriors, champions and fighters. We are Queens, that is why I dedicate this to you.

Address 2 Maria Louiza Blvd., TZUM, fl.7, 1000 Sofia tel: 02 951 6117 www.iwc-sofia.org Office Manager & Membership Coordinator Zarina Benoun-Takova gsm: 0895 571 813 office@iwc-sofia.org tel.: 02 951 6117 (please call before visiting)

Happy 8th of March, Queens!

With love and respect,

Project and Office Support Associate Milena Varzonovtseva admin@iwc-sofia.org

Albena Jones

IWC President

www.iwc-sofia.org https://www.facebook. com/IWCSofia2018

1

IWC Club Policy Smoking Please note that all IWC Coffee Mornings are non-smoking.

group, a charge may be added for instance if a guest regularly frequents one of these activities without becoming a member.

A deposit is required from all members and guests attending an event with a cost involved. This deposit will be forfeited in the case of non attendance.

Language Don’t let a lack of fluency in English keep you from attending the monthly coffee mornings and other club activities. Many of our members speak other languages.

Remember, we are an international club, and we are here to support you. You’re welcome at any time.

*Charge for guests at the discretion of the activity group organiser with a min. sum of 10 BGN.

Suggestion Box The suggestion box is always available at the members’ signin table. Feel free to write your ideas, concerns, complaints, and suggestions to the IWC Board and drop them in the box.

Because you’re important to us, we want to hear from you.

Use of IWC Logo The Board has established the following policy for the use of the IWC logo and brand name. In order to prevent any misuse.

1. Written Permission must be requested from the Board a minimum of 2 weeks prior to event; 2. The partnering organisation/company should be in good standing in the community; 3. The event should seek to pursue the goals of the IWC; 4. No third-party usage will be permitted. An agreement will be signed between IWC and partner organisation; 5. The Logo may be used only for the agreed event and for specified time period.

IWC Visitors Policy The IWC doors are open to visitors throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to attend up to two coffee mornings and two activities prior to applying for membership. A 15 BGN fee is payable upon registration at the sign-in table during the coffee morning. For more information, please contact the Membership Coordinator at admin@iwc-sofia.org.

Events Charges All events are available to fully paid up members of the IWC. Where there is a cost involved, it will be kept to the very minimum.

Guests will be able to attend the events that are specified at the time. Not all events will be open to guests.

Events that are open to guests will also carry a ‘guest’ surcharge as follows:

Guidelines for Paid Advertisement 1. Priority for any vacant advertising spaces will be given first to IWC members, then to outside advertisers.

2. Advertisers are welcome to run or extend their advertisements for a period of six months. After that time, if there is a waiting list for advertisements of that size, the situation will be reviewed, and priority for available spaces will be given to (a) IWC members; (b) new advertisers; (c) existing advertisers. The same order of priority will apply to smaller ad space that may become available.

3. There is no waiting list for advertisements of a given size, the current advertiser may extend their advertisement for the contract period of their choice.

4. These guidelines may be revised at any time with the agreement of the IWC Board.

5. Paid advertisers are not endorsed by the IWC.

Monthly Events Free monthly events are free to guests. Events costing under 20BGN, there is an additional charge of 5BGN. Events costing 21BGN or more, there is an additional charge of 50%.

Monthly Activity Groups Monthly activity groups are free and any charge for guests will be at the discretion of the organiser of the

Rules For Announcements From Members 1. Advertisements will be run in two consecutive issues.

If the member sends a request to run the advertisement again, it will be extended for a further two issues. After that, the advertisement will be removed. If the member still wishes to include the advertisement after that time, the request will be considered, but placement is not guaranteed.

4. Recommendations for individuals engaged in business (e.g., dentists, hairdressers, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

5. Final discretion as to whether to include an announcement rests with the Newsletter Editor.

We ask members to send all announcements for the newsletter via e-mail. The size of ads should not exceed a single paragraph of five lines. The IWC board is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided in these announcements.

Please send your contributions to newsletter@iwc-sofia.org not later than the 15th of the preceding month.

2. Advertisements must be submitted by members.

Members may not submit ads for non-members (e.g., for a friend who is selling a car, etc.).

3. Members may not submit recommendations for businesses. These recommendations may be submitted to the IWC Go To Guide. Businesses are also welcome to purchase advertising in the newsletter.

2

1 March - Baba Marta In the folk calendar Baba Marta is a very honored and loved Bulgarian tradition.

Plain, they were enchanted by the place and decided to settle here. Following the proclamation of the newly-founded state, the khan wanted to make a sacrifice to their God Tangra. The sacrificial pyre was traditionally to be lit with a spray of dried dill, but

On March 1st, all Bulgarians hang on their lapel, arm or neck - martenitsa. It is a symbol of health, long life, fertility and abundance. Made of cotton or woolen thread, the main colors of martenitsa are white and red. The white color is a symbol of purity, innocence and joy. Red is the color of vitality, health and love of fire. Red is the light of the rising and setting sun, the flowing blood, the fire. Red thread is tied to fruit trees, to child’s hand to protect from evil and bring health. Such is the magical power of martenitsa.

the Bulgarians found no such thing. As he wondered what to do, a falcon landed on Khan Asparuh’s shoulder. A bundle of dill hung on his leg, tied with a white thread, half dyed red. It was sent by Khan Asparukh’s sister, Huba, who remained in the palaces of their father Kubrat. Huba had a dream about her brother’s troubles. With the falcon, she sent him a bunch of dill, tied with a white woolen thread. During the long flight, however, the falcon’s wing was hurt, and blood stained the white thread. Thus Khan Asparuh received a white-red thread. He lit a fire according to tradition, and wore the white and red thread for health. Since then, on March 1, the Bulgarians wear these white-red threads called martenitsa.

In the folk believes of the Bulgarians, the month of March (Baba Marta) is a woman. She is very moody and therefore the weather during March is constantly changing. When Baba Marta is angry - the weather is cold, and when she laughs - warm and sweet.

According to the ancient tradition, martenitsa brings health, happiness and longevity. Martenitsas are attributed the magical power to guard against illnesses and evil. They are removed only when the first stork is seen and are hanged on a blossoming or a green tree.

The legend of martenitsa is related to the first Bulgarian ruller Khan Asparuh and the year of creation of the Bulgarian state (681AD). According to the legend, when the Proto-Bulgarians reached the Danube

Happy Baba Marta!

From: http://www.bizimi.com

3

3 March – Bulgaria’s National Holiday On this day Bulgaria celebrates its national holiday - 141 years since the liberation of our country from Ottoman rule. On March 3, 1878, the San Stefano Peace Treaty was signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, ending the Russo-Turkish war that began in 1877. The Principality of Bulgaria was established. In 1890 3rd of March was declared a National Holiday.

The Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee was formed in Bucharest, headed by Vasil Levski, who began preparations for the uprisings against the Ottoman rule in Bulgaria.

On April 24, 1877, Emperor Alexander II’s manifesto was published in Chisinau. With this manifesto Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire. The Russian army was personally commanded by the emperor. One of the most significant battles, glorified in our native literature, is the Shipka Epopee. Suleyman Pasha’s hordes had to break down the Bulgarian militia volunteers, called “opaltchentzi”, who had been fortified on the steep slopes of peak Shipka, in order for the Turkish army to invade northern Bulgaria.

After nearly 500 years under Ottoman rule, the 1870s and the establishment of the Bulgarian Diocese in 1870 set the beginning of the decisive liberation movement.

Count Ignatiev Signing the Treaty

Shipka Peak The whole Bulgarian militia was within the front squad. The memorial battle, reflected in Vazov’s poem “Epic of the Forgotten”, remains forever a part of Bulgarian selfconsciousness.

In 1878 the Bulgarian state was restored by virtue of an international act. For the first time the day of Liberation Ivan Vazov was celebrated in 1880 and ten years later March 3 was declared a national holiday of the Republic of Bulgaria.

From: https://dariknews.bg/

Vasil Levski

4

8 March – Women’s Day The International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world as a day of the international solidarity, empowerment and unity of women.

Historically, 8 of March is related to the women’s movements for equal rights and the fight against war and violence. During the French Revolution, Parisian women went out on the streets with the slogan “freedom, equality, brotherhood”. The idea for an International Women’s Day originated in the early 20th century. It is celebrated in New York since 1857 when one of the first protests

of women working in textile factories was organized.

They demanded equal rights with men, reduced working hours and improved working conditions.

In 1909, the American Socialist Party proclaimed 28 February as National Women’s Day. Until 1913, the Americans celebrated it on the last Sunday of February.

In 1910, at the Second International Conference of the Working Women in Copenhagen, a decision was made to establish a “Women’s Day” to be celebrated each year. As a result of this decision, the International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911 in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark, where more than one million men and women participated in the processions.

Since 1914, the Women’s day has been celebrated in various countries on 8 March. In 1977, the UN General Assembly decided 8 March to become an International Day for Women’s Rights and Peace.

HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY! From: https://www.vesti.bg/

5

Executive Board Reports 2018-2019

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4. Changed our bankers to UniCredit Bulbank to gain better service levels, flexibility and having access to the numerous benefits that the top Bulgarian bank can offer us, I also negotiated free of charges accounts and preferential rates.

Dear ladies, First of all I would like to thank you for trusting me with the important role of being the IWC President, for the support and cooperation during the last year and a half.

The IWC needed a lot of transformation, being an ideas person, I gladly offered new ideas and together with the Board we implemented them and you welcomed the

As a business person, my first task was to do a review of our organization, if you remember my SWOT analysis published in April 2018 identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the IWC. I focused my attention on the weaknesses. To effectively resolve issues I have been using my business acumen, negotiation abilities and mainly my own business contacts to bring positive changes to the IWC. For our charity organization to function properly it needed

GENERAL CHANGES: 1. We started having an IWC Christmas party for the members and their families at mid-December to toast the success of the past year and relax after the Bazaar.

STRUCTURE: 1. Selected and appointed a qualified part-time associate with strong support and IT background to assist with the smooth office operation.

2. We now have an IWC Members Emergency Fund – in case of any unpleasant life circumstances.

Last year sadly two of our lady members lost husbands to heart attacks, the IWC showed its support by assisting towards funeral costs.

2. A lot of effort and negotiation went into securing us a top office space in the best location in Sofia, at a token price. However this comes with a long term personal commitment and a regular good will service on my behalf – to provide English language tuition to the TZUM administration employees every Friday.

3. We have IT support by a top IT professional (one of my business contacts) free of charge.

4. We issued the first IWC Calendar featuring the ladies of the IWC, it has served and continues to serve as great promotion of the club. The photography was done by BTA’s respected photographer Krasimir Mihailov on a complementary basis. And printing was done by SOFIA PRINT at a bargain price, in two weeks, to meet our ba-

3. Sourcing and appointing an accountant to provide and tidy up our financial book keeping in line with Bulgarian legislation and for charity and transparency purposes.

6

zaar deadline during the busiest time of the year.

Again both are my personal contacts.

we can do. I have always been a visionary and probably the most optimistic person you will ever meet.

The future of IWC is bright:

5. Our monthly Coffee morning venues have been varied and accessible locations, providing quality food, beverages and an ambience to suit all our tastes.

1. Our task with utmost priority is having a brand new website, we have had several quotes from web designers in the thousands of leva as our new site must be linked to online payment options for membership/donations. And believe it or not we will get this professional service for free by a new IWC member.

I am very proud of my contributions to our main charity event - the IWC BAZAAR: 1. We have advanced and moved on with the technological age we live in by introducing card payments. For the first time ever UniCredit Bank facilitated and provided 80 POS terminals to the IWC to be used during the bazaar day that generated 9281.11 BGN of additional revenue.

2. You, members, are this Club’s strength, so I am planning a recruitment event for new foreign members at the end of March.

3. Our IWC Travel Club will be launched soon with an offer of the first SPA ladies break.

2. The Bazaar would not be possible without the invaluable support of our stallholders with their amazing national stalls and the hard working volunteers. They deserve special thanks, so we introduced as of this year at our Thank You cocktail “Achievement Awards” for the Top Three Contributing Stalls during the Bazaar day and for the Top Three Sponsors with the highest financial support donated to the IWC.

4. The IWC has become a desired partner by many organizations. Currently we have been approached by the Pakistani Foreign Office Women’s Association via their embassy in Sofia. There is also an interest for cooperation with the Italian Women’s Organization of Genova, Italy.

5. You are all aware of our 30th Anniversary this year. To mark this BIG milestone in the IWC history, we are going to organize a grand 30th ANNIVERSARY IWC GALA to be held mid-June. This event will also have a charitable cause, it’s work in progress. We need your ideas, contribution and support to make it happen.

3. As a women’s organization I decided that this year we should emphasize and honor the many female ambassadors currently in Bulgaria, they were our special guests and opened the 24th Annual IWC Charity Bazaar, with a memorable friendly hand shake between the Palestinian and Israeli ambassadors and the word “Peace”. All the lady ambassadors were presented with HONORARY MEMBERSHIP TO THE IWC. Of course the great result from the Bazaar transforms into support to the Bulgarian charities.

6. After gathering 2 years of IWC Bazaar feedback and discussing it with the Bazaar team members and observers it was decided to grow the next IWC Bazaar. The 25th Anniversary IWC Bazaar edition is to be expanded into 3 halls. 2 halls for the stalls and 1 hall for the entertainment and food.

There I also added a few touches.

For the IWC GRANT APPLICATIONS:

7. Save the best for last as they say. Last year I was invited by a business partner to attend an event where I was introduced to the President and the First Lady. Naturally I shared with them the good work of the IWC. As you know I invited them to the IWC Bazaar opening ceremony, but unfortunately Mrs. Radeva was ill at the time.

Last month I found out that we have been nominated for “Donor of the Year”, the most prestigious award given by the President of Bulgaria for charity achievements.

1. I felt that we need to popularize, promote and spread the word, as the IWC is the only organization that provides annual small grants to support the country’s NGOs, so as of last year we started publishing our Call for proposals in the NGO portal.

2. We also now extend a personal invitation to sign the grant contracts to the approved charities.

Meeting with the project heads of the NGOs representatives gives a more personal approach and puts the start of better relationship and co-operation with that charity.

So, my dear ladies, I believe we have had a great year and with my dedication and your support the IWC-Sofia will not be named the “oldest charity organization”, but “The best” in Bulgaria.

Finally every head of any organization should have a vision and a mission for the future. As I have started before “The sky is the limit” there is so much good that

Albena Jones

IWC President 2018/2019

7

8

VICEPRESIDENT’S REPORT It is now one year and a few months since I was elected for IWC Vice President. I would like to thank for the support the IWC board, the Charity Bazaar team, IWC members and friends, IWC office – Milena and Zarina.

a big interest from the ladies who want to improve their Russian. Over 15 ladies attend almost every time. Thank you, Marieta!

During this time, I organized few nights-out and trips around Bulgaria, unfortunately most of them were cancelled due to lack of participation. Nevertheless, a number of us were lucky enough to enjoy memorable and fun time together.

I am grateful for all the time we all spent together.

It is my pleasure to organize so many and different events for the club members and hopefully a lot more – for fun and for the cause – IWC Charity bazaar.

Last but not least, the monthly lunches - an essential part of the Club’s events. They provide a good chance for all of us to get to know each other in a more casual and personal setting.

In the beginning of my term (formally November 2017 but actually September 2017), we had a lot of events, brunches, workshops. Some events got cancelled because of the cold weather but fortunately spring is knocking at the door and we will arrange more and more. Nicole Simmons and I arranged support for an international cat walking show. It was amazing. Thank you Nicole! We had nice monthly lunches in different restaurants. For the first time there was a Christmas party for the IWC members and their families at Best Western Premier Airport hotel in 2017 and at Metropolitan hotel in 2018. The Silver Clay Workshop was organized and lead by the lovely Fatma Ustun, who gave us opportunity to create and moderate silver jelewery. And now with her Sequoia project she will organize more fantastic cooking demos, workshops and classes for IWC members. Also Johanna – she organized several Acrylic painting workshops, a Dominican cooking demo, and other.

The venue list is not so big but is not bad at all.

I would like to re-submit my application for the Vice-President position.

IWC President Albena Jones and I have many wonderful ideas to share with you. We would like to organize the IWC Summer ball – celebrating IWC 30th anniversary. It will be a charity event – for the first time in IWC history, and a second charity event for the year.

Thank you for being a part of my IWC VP life! I have enjoyed every moment we had together.To the many of you who supported me, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I am looking forward to continue to serve at the IWC board.

Marieta Neikova was so kind to accept my request to lead the Russian Conversation group from January 2018. I`m not sure we had it before, but there was

Maya Metodieva

IWC Vice President 2018/2019

9

Charity update CALL FOR THE IWC GENERAL MEETING

ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS The assessment procedure consists of the following main steps described in more detail below:

1. Briefing of the evaluator In order to ensure high quality of evaluations, the IWC makes certain that evaluators receive all necessary information and training before they start working.

2. Individual assessments All the applications are evaluated by two evaluators. Each evaluator however first works individually and independently, giving scores and comments for each award criterion in the assessment form and submitting it via email. If the assessment of the project made by the two evaluators differ with more than 50%, the project proposal will be assessed by a third evaluator.

3. Final Charity Committee Evaluation meeting and establishment of a ranked list of grant applications for review and deliberation of the IWC Board Once the individual assessment phase is complete, evaluators will meet, for a final panel to discuss and propose a ranking list of project applications in order of merit. Projects that do not reach the threshold of 20 points will not be proposed for funding.

4. List of grant applications proposed for funding by the IWC Board for the award decision The final decision on the ranking of the applications shall be taken by the IWC Board, taking into account the opinion of the evaluators.

5. Feedback to applicants Once the evaluation process is finished, the awarded applicants are invited to proceed with signing of a contract and the unsuccessful applicants will be invited to resubmit their applications on the next Call for Proposals.

This year we have received more than 70 applications and we have distributed them among 10 evaluators who are the members of the Charity Evaluation Committee. All the 10 ladies are very committed and responsible and we thank them for their time and effort to participate in this important endeavour.

The Board of the International Women’s Club is calling a General Meeting on Tuesday, 16th April 2019 at 10:30am at Capella Play, Park Center, 2 Arsenalski blvd., Sofia, according to article 9e of the IWC constitution, under the following agenda: 1. Vote on Amendments to the IWC constitution as suggested by the Executive Board 2. Acceptance of the annual report of the Executive Board.

3. Acceptance of the annual report of the Treasurer.

4. Electing a new Executive Board.

5. Election of new members to the Executive Board.

Registration for the AGM will start at 10:30am and will end at 11:15am. If there is no quorum the AGM will take place the same day at 12:15 noon in the same place with the same agenda. All written documents related to the suggested voting agenda are available at the IWC office.

Nominating Committee – General Meeting 16th April 2019 Desislava Ivanova (Chairperson) Iliana Zlatareva Johanna Alcantara de Tejeda Vassilka Velinova-Azar

Krastina Aranitasi

Teodora Houry

10

Wanted: Volunteers to Serve on the Board of the IWC 2019/2020 Dear Ladies, Has the IWC helped you feel settled in Sofia? Would you like to be able to give something back to the IWC? Do you believe in and support the objectives of the IWC and have a few hours per week to spare? If you have been a member of the club for at least a year, why not volunteer for one of the five positions on the board (listed & described below). We guarantee you a great experience working together with women from around the world, learning about their cultural backgrounds, sharing skills and knowledge whilst helping to welcome newcomers to Sofia and supporting the local community through charity projects. Make the most of your time in Sofia by serving on the board of the IWC. Satisfaction guaranteed! (By the way the salary for the these top positions comes with a lot of zeros 0€“ in fact as many as you like because it is of course zero ;-)

c. (amended through resolutions of the General assembly from 10.01.2012 and 04.04.2017) The Treasurer shall keep the financial records and accounts, pay approved accounts of expenditure, and reimburse members for approved expenses incurred on behalf of IWC. In addition to the duties in Article 10, the Treasurer shall inform the Membership Coordinator of membership renewal, and the Treasurer shall be responsible for transferring a) all charitable donations and b) any excess funds beyond operating costs to the Charity Foundation of the International Women’s Club, Sofia. The Treasurer will also be responsible for presenting biannual financial reports (one at mid- term following the bazaar and one at the end of the IWC’s fiscal year) to the members by email and newsletter, with both reports including details on where funds came from and where they were disbursed. It is strongly suggested the Treasurer have a background in accounting or finance.

Interested?

Please send an application letter to office@iwc-sofia. org , not later than 20th March 2019, briefly introducing yourself and stating the specific office of candidacy you are interested in running for. Nominating Committee will be announced soon.

a. (amended through a resolution of the General assembly from 04.04.2017) The President shall preside at all meetings and set the agenda of all Board Meetings. She may appoint Special Committees with the Executive Board’s approval. She is the official representative and ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. She shall be appointed as President of the Charity Foundation of the International Women’s Club, Sofia. It is suggested the President has served on the Executive Board, for a minimum of one year, in another position before she runs for President.

d. (amended through resolutions of the General assembly from 10.01.2012 and 04.04.2017) The Charity Chairperson shall preside over the Charity Committee, together they shall identify charity projects.

The Charity Chairperson shall ensure that for each charity project there is one project head responsible for the smooth running of that project and who shall report back to the Charity Committee. She shall participate in the charity visits and their organisation. The Charity Chairperson shall be appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Charity Foundation of the International Women’s Club, Sofia. The Charity Chairperson is required to present an annual report that details what charities are receiving funding and how much funding they receive on an annual basis. This report will be presented to the members in a general assembly meeting, as well as in the newsletter and by email. She is accountable to the Executive Board of the IWC.

b. (amended through a resolution of the General assembly from 04.04.2017) The Vice President shall assist the President in her duties by accepting specific tasks delegated to her by the President. She shall in particular assist the President in representational duties. She shall perform the duties of the President in the latter’s absence and shall be responsible for and participate actively in monthly activities and events, including the monthly meetings, and will maintain communication with activity leaders/. The Vice president may recruit members in a team to help her with her duties, in particular with the organization of the club events and the with the activity groups.

e. (amended through a resolution of the General assembly from 13.04.2010) The Bazaar Coordinator coordinates the planning, setting up and running of Charity Bazaar. She takes active part together with the other Board Members in setting up the Bazaar Team and liaises with President, First Vice President and Charity Chairperson for all matters concerning the Bazaar. She presides at Bazaar Board meetings and gives regular updates about the Bazaar to the IWC Board and IWC Members.

She keeps the Board Members informed through the year about ongoing activities concerning the Bazaar.

Please find below the constitutional duties of each board member:

11

IWC Club Report 2018-2019 Jan 2018 Club Income Guest Fee Income Membership Dues Income Newsletter Income Club Income - Other Total Income Club Expenses Bank Fees Business Expenses Members Social Expenses Newsletter Office Maintenance Office Supplies Postage & Delivery Telecommunications Transportation Club Expenses - Other Total Expense

Charity Income Annual Charity Bazaar Personal Donations Charity Income - Other Charity Income Dream Up Income Total Income Charity Expences Bank Fees Business Expenses Charitable Contributions Charity Bazaar Expences Educational Training Employee Payroll and Taxes Office Maintenance Office Supplies Postage & Delivery Transportation Charity Expenses -Other Charity Expenses Dream Up Expenses Total Expense

0,00 450,00 0,00 0,00 450,00

Feb 2018

Mar 2018

Apr 2018

May 2018

Jun 2018

Jul 2018

0,00 1500,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 450,00 450,00 1200,00 1650,00 600,00 450,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 700,00 700,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 1200,00 1200,00 450,00 1950,00 1200,00 2350,00 2500,00 1650,00

3,50 5,60 33,80 20,00 35,00 20,00 724,16 670,49 805,50 614,90 622,72 540,58 0,00 0,00 1000,00 1000,00 300,00 0,00 0,00 428,40 872,00 741,20 944,80 1139,60 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 90,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 26,92 3,98 4,75 9,44 0,00 5,75 11,89 11,20 265,85 155,60 160,92 175,19 162,23 189,50 82,41 0,00 0,00 18,44 31,09 7,53 627,01 0,00 124,00 0,00 1375,00 40,00 1797,68 1269,53 2996,22 2575,48 3509,65 1952,39

Jan 2018

Feb 2018

Mar 2018

Apr 2018

May 2018

Jun 2018

6862,41 0,00 4165,46 11027,87 0,00 11027,87

1000,00 0,00 714,50 1714,50 0,00 1714,50

0,00 0,00 714,50 714,50 0,00 714,50

0,00 0,00 714,50 714,50 0,00 714,50

0,00 0,00 714,50 714,50 0,00 714,50

0,00 0,00 714,50 714,50 0,00 714,50

6,80 17,60 12,50 15,50 11,90 65,00 625,05 104,95 642,99 0,00 11769,63 59889,00 147950,42 8300,00 4680,00 6270,88 200,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 1850,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 1201,55 1281,33 1114,19 2067,19 2067,13 714,50 714,50 714,50 714,50 714,50 22,41 52,13 222,70 0,00 0,00 4,70 5,70 5,70 5,44 0,00 193,18 62,53 257,87 159,38 2203,00 2700,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 9588,14 22024,30 63041,51 151017,38 13939,52 8121,80 7852,68 545,20 7637,97 2931,80 17709,94 29876,98 63586,71 158655,35 16871,32

8,60 101,62 1920,00 0,00 0,00 2056,70 714,50 160,94 0,00 418,72 0,00 5381,08 1141,64 6522,72

12

Aug 2018

Sep 2018

Oct 2018

Nov 2018

Dec 2018

TOTAL

0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 1500,00 150,00 2650,00 1200,00 2000,00 1050,00 12300,00 0,00 700,00 700,00 700,00 0,00 3500,00 0,00 0,00 13870,16 0,00 0,00 16270,16 150,00 3350,00 15770,16 2700,00 1050,00 33570,16

20,00 20,00 20,60 41,20 30,60 429,83 680,13 500,00 553,04 553,74 575,06 537,76 60,99 6758,94 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 2300,00 0,00 280,00 709,00 448,80 805,60 3436,80 9806,20 0,00 561,94 563,40 547,13 548,09 558,58 2779,14 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 120,90 0,00 5,76 26,55 0,00 0,00 0,00 75,34 150,48 202,04 244,37 151,55 245,70 173,39 2276,82 0,00 1,60 14,38 26,81 23,42 0,00 205,68 58,62 0,00 0,00 26,45 75,99 64,44 2391,51 729,10 1624,38 2132,04 1817,00 2267,16 4724,03 27394,66

Jul 2018

Aug 2018

Sep 2018

0,00 0,00 0,00 10122,14 714,50 0,00 714,50 10122,14 0,00 0,00 714,50 10122,14

7320,00 0,00 0,00 7320,00 0,00 7320,00

5800,00 48986,66 317514,87 387483,94 0,00 0,00 0,00 10122,14 0,00 0,00 0,00 8452,46 5800,00 48986,66 317514,87 406058,54 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 5800,00 48986,66 317514,87 406058,54

11,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00 2067,13 0,00 0,00 0,00 1079,62 0,00 3157,75 1745,40 4903,15

26,20 42,80 519,81 685,11 28,56 32,40 77,36 1731,46 0,00 0,00 0,00 231329,05 3708,25 23658,85 47687,49 86205,47 0,00 0,00 0,00 1850,00 2067,13 2304,37 2355,92 23887,16 0,00 0,00 0,00 5001,50 105,71 383,82 40,30 1013,36 127,20 227,35 9,59 418,36 773,71 244,66 1668,36 7474,11 0,00 10122,14 0,00 12822,14 6836,76 37016,39 52358,83 372417,72 0,00 1302,29 432,60 33463,98 6836,76 38318,68 52791,43 405881,70

6,20 32,85 1500,00 0,00 0,00 2624,41 714,50 0,00 6,65 104,24 0,00 4988,85 1752,60 6741,45

6,20 20,68 0,00 0,00 0,00 2680,11 0,00 25,35 26,03 308,84 0,00 3067,21 0,00 3067,21

Oct 2018

Nov 2018

Dec 2018

Total

February highlights Coffee Morning 12 February The IWC February Coffee morning was held at the Cappela Play resturant at Park Center Mall.

It was also great for our “one and only� honorary male member and long term Mexican stall holder Mr. Carlos Arellano to organise a Mexican tombola including Mexican alcoholic drinks and souvenirs. IWC member - the talented Mrs. Johanna Alcantara also include some of her beautiful paintings in the tombola. Our charming Russian member and IWC Russian conversation group leader Mrs. Marietta Neykova won the top prize an ICE designer Watch donated also donated by Mr. Arellano.

Here are our lucky winners.

The IWC returned to the convenient venue based on a newly negotiated, fantastic variety and quality buffet snacks and drinks menu in line with the CM budget set by the IWC President in 2018.

The April 16th AGM and 2019 Elections will also he held here.

13

February highlights Johanna’s Painting Workshop – 18 February Dear Ladies, I’m glad to announce that today 2 painters were born!

Lovely IWC Ladies Petra Van Der Hoek and Angelina Liakova, who attended the paiting workshop for begginers, were able to make their own work of art. It was another great satisfiying experience to guide them to make their frist acrylic paint. The morning couldn’t be perfect: sunny, bright and the great attitude of the participants made up a close and personal teaching/learning experience for all of us.

Johanna Alcantara

14

MARCH birthdays Danny Ghrab – 3 March Juliana Santos – 6 March Teresa Feghali – 15 March Lilly Borisova – 19 March

Mariya Tsacheva – 23 March Lillit Matevosyan – 27 March Hongbing Li – 28 March

regular activities Patchwork Group This group consists of seven members and we are meet-ing every Monday in the PLUS TOVA café, situated in Marin Drinov 38 st., from 10 am to 12 pm. Teacher of the group is Dusica Trkulja who is showing the making of patchwork. The members of the group have made a patchwork pillow which they would like to show to IWC members during the morning coffee in November. The group will continue again in January 2018 with its classes as in the following few months we will focus on the char-ity Christmas Bazaar preparations!

Book Club Members read one book a month, and then get together to discuss the book (discussions are in English and are usually very fun and lively). We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books from writers of all nationalities. There is a morning meeting once a month on Friday. For more information contact: Sonya Petrova: andsonya@ya-hoo.com.

English Conversation Group We are five native English speakers who take it in turns to lead a weekly conversation group every Thursday from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM. Different venues and topics are chosen every week. All members and all levels are welcome. Co-ordinator of the group is Avantica Shinde, email: avantica@gmail.com.

Spanish Conversation Group Everybody who wants to practice and improve her Spanish is welcome to our weekly meetings. Also, if you are already fluent in Spanish or if you are a native speaker and you would like to participate, please enquire at CM to see who is leading this group, as there were changes.

Bulgarian Conversation Group Five Native Bulgarian speakers joined to form a conver-sation group by special request – just for you to grow and increase and to practice your B U L G A R I A N! We meet weekly at 10.30 every Tuesday. Please contact Jane Ewing for location – the teachers/ tutors are all wonderful Bulgarian friends from IWC who you respect and know. Don’t be afraid! Come join us! Zapovyaday!!

Contact Jane by e mail: janeaewing@gmail.com.

Russian Conversation Group To the attention of anyone who wish to improve conver-sational Russian language regardless of the level of her knowledge and practice: the new Russian Conversation group starts from February planning to meet twice a month. Everybody who is interested is welcome. Please contact Marieta Neykova who is a native Russian speaker by e-mail: neykova-mp@dir.bg or tel.

0889 84 93 54.

Hiking Club The hiking group is an energetic group of dedicated hik-ers who head up to Vitosha and the surrounding moun-tains every Friday. We usually meet at 9 am at Fantas-tico in Dragelevtsi. An email is sent to all hikers every Wednesday with more specific plans and this often in-cludes different meeting points. A typical hike will bring us back to our meeting point at 2 or 3. For more infor-mation please write to Bistra Karakoleva (biskarakoleva@ gmail.com).

Tennis A group of members are starting to regularly play tennis together. We are of mixed ability and if you wish to join us or get on the regular emailing list then please contact Teodora Petrova on 0888 495066 or her email: teodora_p@yahoo.com.

Tuesday Playgroup Mums and dads with babies, toddlers and small children, please come along to our weekly playgroup! We meet every Wednesday at 10am, at someone’s home or in a park or play centre. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people (some of us have lived in Sofia for many years so are great sources of advice and information too), and for the children to make friends. It’s totally free and there is no obligation to host, so please do come and join us! For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please email Stephanie.Karaolis@ gmail.com.

15

MARCH EVENTS 05/03/2019 10:30 CUPCAKE DECORATIONS SEQUOIA EVENTS, 5 SASHA POPOV STR. 40BGN

25/03/2019 TBA

08/03/2019 11:30

The presentation will include: a talk about the idea of a healthy lifestyle through time; some practical healthy tips; the idea of exercising - facts and myths; practical exercises to get in shape and fight the most common physical problems such as neck, back, lower back and knee pain

HEALTHY LIFE STYLE PRESENTATION 99 JAMES BOURCHIER BLVD.

IWC MONTHLY MEETING AND LUNCH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY GRAMI HOTEL BISTRO RESTAURANT 79G ALEXANDER MALINOV BLVD.

Please, bring clean sports shoes and comfortable clothes.

13/03/2019 12:30

26/03/2019 18:30

IWC MONTHLY LUNCH GRADINA RESTAURANT IVAN STRANSKI BLVD., STUDENTSKI COMPLEX

BOWLING NIGHT WITH A CHAMPION MARINA LYUBOMIROVA STEFANOVA JOY STATION 3 STEFAN MLADENOV BLVD., STUDENTSKI GRAD

19/03/2019 10:30 TURKISH COOKING DEMO BY FATMA SEQUOIA EVENTS, 5 SASHA POPOV STR. 30BGN

Wk

Monday 25

March calendar

Tuesday 26

Wednesday 27

Thursday 28

5

6

7

Friday 1

Saturday 2

Sunday 3

8

9

10

5

4

10.30: Cupcake Decorations

6

11

12

11.30: Monthly Meeting and Lunch

13

14

15

16

17

20

21

22

23

24

27

28

29

30

31

12.30: Monthly Lunch 7

18 8

25 9

19 10.30: Turkish Cooking Demo

Healthy Life Style Presentation

26 18.30: Bowling Night

16