THE BEAR FACTS January 2026 |
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Dear {Contact_First_Name},
I hope you are having a cozy holiday season and looking forward to start a fulfilling new year. Happy New Year 2026!
It was wonderful to gather with so many of you at our Annual General Meeting in December. See our report back below. Thank you to our 2025 Board and volunteers for all of your hard work! Welcome to the new members of the 2026 Board: 1st VP Kendra Valentine (Philanthropy), 2nd VP Wendy Rohrbacher (Programs), and Abigail Napp as Board Secretary. Barbara Irigoyen (treasurer) and I are continuing for another year. We are truly honored to be elected and grateful for your trust and confidence.
My first order of business is to confirm Jennifer Post Dräger as Board Parliamentarian which is an appointed non-voting position on the Board,and to reappoint all of our volunteers for 2026 including Veronica Riffle as FAWCO Representative and Nelly Heidbrink as Membership Chair. The latter two positions join our monthly Board meetings as part of the club’s extended leadership team.
If you are a US citizen, your first order of business is to register to vote. You have to register every year so as soon as the holidays are over, please go to a safe, secure, non-partisan website like the Federal Voting Assistance Programor the US Vote Foundation, or Overseas Vote Foundation to fill out the form and register/request a ballot. The midterm elections are in 2026. I wish you and yours a new year full of health, peace, joy and inspiration.
xo
My-Linh, on behalf of the Board of Directors 2026 |
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My-Linh Kunst
President, The American Women's Club of Berlin The AWC Berlin is 100% member-run - we always welcome and appreciate your contribution, feedback and suggestions. Please email president@awcberlin.org. **Please note that, depending on your email program, you may need to click “View entire message” to see the Newsletter in its entirety.** |
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Annual General Meeting 2025 Report Back |
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Kendra reporting on philanthropy |
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My-Linh with honored guests Alan and Anna Meltzer |
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On December 4, 50 members attended our Annual General Meeting (and 13 sent in absentee ballots). It was a productive and FUN evening at Villa Kreuzberg. Thanks to your generosity, 2 bags of winter items were collected for the Berliner Stadtmission and 1155 Euro was raised for our local charity Donya Residence.
Our membership made two key decisions: * The constitutional updates proposed by the Board were approved. Constitution 2025.
* The 2026 Board of Directors was elected. Board 2026 biographies.
If you missed the meeting, here some links for your review:
AGM meeting minutes
AGM presentations: annual report of all aspects of our club Slideshow of AWC Berlin 2025 photos. |
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Congratulations to the Board of Directors 2026 |
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l to r: Abigail Napp (secretary), Kendra Valentine (1st VP Philanthropy), My-Linh Kunst (president), Wendy Rohrbacher (2nd VP Programs), Barbara Irigoyen (treasurer) |
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!
Jacqueline Bespolka Melissa Fowler Melisa Salazar
Sherri Williams Kristen Winkler
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If you know of anyone in our club who is going through a difficult time—whether it's due to illness, loss, or another challenge—please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Member Care team at membership@awcberlin.org. We’re here to offer support and encouragement when it’s needed most.
Thank you for helping us care for one another! |
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JANUARY MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING (daytime)
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Thursday, January 8, 11:30am
Join us for our first Monthly Meeting of 2026 where you will hear club news, socialize with fellow members and enjoy a fascinating speaker.
About our Topic:
Creating Compelling Narratives From Your Own Life
Our speaker, Kevin Napier, will discuss how to dig into one’s own life and experience to craft compelling stories. Whether creating non-fiction or fiction narratives, we bring our own unique experiences, points of view and opinions to the work. So this seminar explores how to find and integrate the specific, unique and compelling aspects of one’s life into a well-structured dynamic story.
You are welcome to bring guests who might want to become members of AWC Berlin.
Event Timeline
11:30 Arrival, Social Time, order drinks, and food if you are staying for lunch.
11:45 Meeting Begins
12:30pm Meeting ends
12:30pm Optional a la carte lunch served
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Monday, January 26th, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Large Aula at John F. Kennedy School
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Invitation to the AWC to a Special Community Event during JFKS Courage Week – January 26, 2026
World War II witnesses are becoming few and far between; this is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand testimony.
We would like to invite you to a special community event on Monday, January 26th, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Large Aula at John F. Kennedy School, as part of Courage Week. We have invited Irene Bindel to speak about her new book, Wassermilch und Spitzwein, and to share her experiences during and after World War II in Germany. Please note that she will be speaking primarily in German.
Born in Berlin in 1938 to a Christian mother and Jewish father, Irene Bindel recounts her family’s history—and her own—in her book. Although her father, Max, converted to Christianity in the hope of escaping persecution by the Nazi regime, he was imprisoned and never returned. Her mother was left to fend for herself and her young daughter, Irene.
Drawing from her mother's diaries, Irene Bindel offers a vivid account of life during the Nazi era and the post-war period. Her reading provides both a deeply moving personal narrative and a powerful reflection of many often-forgotten life stories from those years.
Please RSVP by January 15 via E-Mail, to vanessa.hansen@jfksberlin.org |
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Invitation to AWC members - contact Ira Philip directly at <ira.philip@gmail.com>
Teen Venture Lab will return in 2026 in Berlin! After the incredible success of last year’s program, this initiative is back for another round.
The 2025 program proved to be a truly impactful experience, equipping participants with confidence, entrepreneurial skills, and a supportive community. It’s a powerful way to shine a light on female entrepreneurship while supporting and empowering local future leaders—and we’ve seen firsthand how meaningful that impact can be.
With the dates now confirmed, we’re turning our focus to building a strong community of supporters for 2026.
 We’re currently looking for:
Speakers to join one of our online sessions and share their entrepreneurial experience: - March 2 – What is an entrepreneur?
- March 9 – Trends in industry (Guest Speaker Slot Taken)
- March 16 – What problem will you solve?
- March 23 – Brainstorming solutions
- March 30 – The importance of team (Guest Speaker Slot Possibly Taken)
- April 20 – Feasibility of your idea: Business Model Canvas
- April 27 – Traction & validation: survey your community
- May 4 – Financials & fundraising
- May 11 – Growth: Marketing plan & timeline
- May 18 - Putting it all together: Pitch preparation
The 2026 program will be supported by Girls Gearing Up International (GGU) and run by Ira Philip of Berlin Finance Crew.
In return, you’ll be part of a meaningful program that inspires, equips, and uplifts the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
If you’re interested in supporting Teen Venture Lab 2026—or if you know someone who might be a great mentor or participant—please feel free to reach out or share this announcement within your network. We’d love your help spreading the word! |
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Happy New Year! Have you requested your 2026 ballot yet? In order to be compliant with United States voting regulations, you must request your ballot in every calendar year you wish to vote!
Registering to vote is easy from your laptop or smartphone -- go to any of the non-partisan websites above. It only took me only 3 minutes to register on www.votefromabroad.org.
Alternatively, contact AWC member Stacy Hyer, Veronica Riffle or Kathy Lyon for more assistance.
On January 14, join our Bagels & Ballots event(daytime) and on January 29 Bites & Ballots (evening) to register to vote & request our ballot together. Ballot “Profis” will be on hand to answer your questions. And we’ll also have fun coloring postcards to send to overseas Americans to invite them to request their ballots, too. |
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'Wildwasser e.V. and DonyA continue to have NEW REQUESTS for household essentials as they've had to replace many items recently. This cozy season is the perfect time to practice generosity, you might be surprised what's already in your home that could make a real difference!
What's Needed (see full list via link below):
✓ Kitchen essentials (pots, pans, appliances, cutlery, storage containers)
✓ Bedding and linens (sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, hot water bottles)
✓ Home basics (lamps, curtains, small furniture, bookshelves)
✓ Tech items (smartphones, charging cables, monitors, laptops)
✓ Personal care (hair dryers, running shoes sizes 36-42, new underwear)
✓ Games and activities (board games, sports equipment, art supplies)
How to Donate:
✓ New or like-new items only (good condition household items accepted)
✓ Drop off at Nelly H.'s (Zehlendorf) or Kirsten O'R.'s (Prenzlauer Berg for smaller items)
- Send directly to Wildwasser e.V.
- Donation receipts available for new purchases
See full LIST | Donation INSTRUCTIONS
Know someone who can help with larger items or vouchers? Questions? Contact Kendra: philanthropy.awcberlin@gmail.com
Wildwasser e.V. is deeply grateful for every thoughtful donation.
Many thanks,
Kendra Valentine
philanthropy.awcberlin@gmail.com 
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We prepared HOLIDAY BOXES for the girls currently in residence at Donya. They were wrapped and delivered on December 21 and well received. Our heartfelt thanks go to the members who sponsored a box, and to the Club for generously supplementing the remaining gifts. |
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CLUB VOLUNTEERS CORNER: NEW VOLUNTEERS/NEW ACTIVITIES
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WE NEED YOUR (WOMEN)POWER!
The club runs on volunteer power. We can only offer as much as we have volunteers for, so would you consider joining one of our teams to bring new energy and ideas to the club? Please let My-Linh know at president@awcberlin.org. We need help in the following areas:
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Advertising/Sponsorship/Partnerships Manager.
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(Co)-Coordinator for the following activities: Women’s Salon, Working Women Program, Excursions (Day Trips)
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Or start a new activity!
You are also invited to join one of our Teams:
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AWC Berlin is a founding member of FAWCO, a network of American and international women's clubs around the world. As a member of AWC Berlin, you are automatically also a member of FAWCO, connecting you to philanthropy and advocacy on a global scale. Learn more at FAWCO.org. Go to www.fawco.org to register and subscribe to receive FAWCO newsletters, and for additional information, contact our FAWCO Rep, Veronica Riffle, at fawco.awcberlin@gmail.com
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FAWCO global conference
FAWCO’s Interim Meeting (so named because there is no Board election - therefore it’s shorter than the Biennial Conference) is March 20–22, 2026 in Malta. As an AWC Berlin member, you are invited to attend. It’s a great opportunity to meet clubs from all over the world. Hope to see you there! FAWCO Interim Meeting in Malta (login required).
FAWCO Foundation Education Awards
I encourage you to apply for The FAWCO Foundation's education awards. There are 13 education awards of $5000 each for members, members' children and grandchildren, usually with not very many applicants. So check them out: EDUCATION AWARDS, and let me know if you need any help. So give it a go and good luck! |
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INSPIRING WOMEN MAGAZINE We're very excited for everyone to read our Art Works issue, out now, celebrating more of FAWCO's amazing visual artists, including AWC Berlin's Elizabeth Kang on page 96!
Mark your calendars for our next issue, Women Behind the Scenes, out January 29th. Get your free subscription here and have issues automatically delivered to your inbox! Encourage fellow club members, friends and family to do so, too.
Please follow us on Facebook so you stay up to date with everything we're doing. |
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*How to Use our Women & Finance Season 5 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Resource Hub*
Our Women & Finance Team has created a shared, view-only hub to collect AI resources, prompts, and ideas contributed by the Women & Finance Season 5 community. Think of it as a practical, evolving notebook shaped by real experiences. View the hub here:
https://tinyurl.com/wf5-ai-resourcehub To contribute, use the submission form here:
https://tinyurl.com/wf5-ai-submit You’re welcome to submit multiple times. You can share:
- an AI Resource you’ve found useful
- an AI Prompt you’ve tried or adapted
- a Wishlist Idea for how AI could help or has helped with something you’re working on or exploring, even if you’re not sharing a prompt
This is a crowdsourced list in a fast-moving space. Tools and practices change quickly, so entries reflect what was helpful at the time they were shared. Submission dates are included for context, and short, practical contributions are welcome. |
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AWC BERLIN JANUARY EVENTS |
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WEEKLY - NEW PLAYERS WELCOME
Tennis Winter Season 13.09.2025-10.04.2026
Tuesday int/Adv., 10am-12pm
Wednesday int/ beginner 10am-12pm
Thursday beginner 10am-12pm
Contact Ferah at ferahlaue@gmail.com for more info.
WEEK OF DECEMBER 29
New Year's Day Walk ***THIS WEEK***
Thursday, January 1, 1pm-2pm (optional lunch afterwards)
WEEK OF JANUARY 5
Board Games *** NEW ACTIVITY ***
Monday, January 5, 3:30pm-6pm
Potluck with a Difference - Women Who Gather event
Tuesday, January 6, 7pm
FAWCO virtual event: Phases of Womanhood series: Menopause: The History of of Hormone Replacement Therapy - from Discovery to Current Trends.
Wednesday, January 7, 12noon (virtual)
JANUARY MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING (DAYTIME) ***
Thursday, January 8, 11:30am
Women and Finance: Artificial Intelligence
Thursday, January 8, 7pm-8:30pm (Zoom)
Monthly Coffee Morning (aka Kaffeeklatsch)
Friday, January 9, 10:30-12noon
WEEK OF JANUARY 12
Regular Book Club
Tuesday, January 13, 7pm-9pm
Bagels & Ballots
Wednesday, January 14, 10:30-12:30pm
FAWCO virtual event: How to Use the Power of Goals-Setting
Wednesday, January 14, 1pm (virtual)
Thirsty Thursday
Thursday, January 15, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Women on the Move: Schlactensee
Friday, January 16, 10:30am
WEEK OF JANUARY 19
German Conversation
Monday, January 19, 9:30-10:30am Women and Finance: Artificial Intelligence
Thursday, January 22, 7pm-8:30pm (Zoom)
WEEK OF JANUARY 26
German Conversation
Monday, January 26, 9:30-10:30am
Feierabend (monthly after work drinks)
Wednesday, January 28, 6:30pm-9pm
Brunch Club - SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday, January 29
Bites and Ballots
Thursday, January 29, 7pm-9pm Art & Culture: Brücke Museum
Friday, January 30, 11am-1pm
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AWC BERLIN ONLINE AWC members can manage their account, access the membership directory and sign up for events by logging into their AWC member account. You can access your account from your smartphone via the Wild Apricot Mobile app, or simply by going on any computer with internet and visiting the "Members Login" area of the AWC Berlin website. Calendar and Event Registration As a reminder, AWC Berlin members must log in with a user name and password to access events on our calendar and register for them. So that we know to expect you, please remember to register for events you wish to attend.
IN THE MEMBERS ONLY AREA, you can:
- Register for and cancel events
- See your event registration
- Add events to personal calendar
- See who else is going
- Much more...
Step 1: Go to the AWC website and click "Members Login" (request new password from the website if needed). Manage your events from the calendar.
Step 2: You could also download the Wild Apricot Member app to your smartphone or tablet and use your website login on the app.
Step 3: Poke around and get familiar with the tools. See the Instruction Guide for detailed steps and pictures of set up and navigation. Currently, the event registration feature of the app is not available to Android users, but otherwise the app is fine for Android users. Questions? email membership@awcberlin.org |
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ARE YOU USING OUR MOBILE APP ?
AWC’s events calendar and membership directory live on a platform called Wild Apricot. Download the Wild Apricot App for Members to view and register for events, and access the membership directory. You can also add events to your personal calendar with just a click. |
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Logging In: You will have to log in the first time, using the same email and password you use for the AWC website member login (see AWC website section of this document).
Navigating: When first logging in, update your profile before registering for events. Select the Members tab to access the Members Directory. You can view and register for Events From the Events tab (iPhone only). To cancel your registration, go to “My Tickets”, click on the event, and click “Cancel”. If you have any questions, please write to: membership@awcberlin.org |
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AWC BERLIN FACEBOOK POLICY The AWC Berlin Private Members Only Facebook group is open to current members only and is a casual, respectful and friendly forum for member announcements (for example, babies! weddings!, etc.), discussion, information and questions regarding AWC-related topics and/or life in Berlin. Thank you for your cooperation! AWC Berlin Facebook Page | AWCB Website |
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AWC BERLIN WHATSAPP COMMUNITY
AWC Berlin has a WhatsApp Community where all of our WhatsApp groups reside. If you are the administrator on a WhatsApp group that is not already in our "AWC Berlin" Community, please email membership@awcberlin.org. The benefits of a Community include:
- Visibility into all AWC Berlin-related WhatsApp groups.
- Group chats are restricted to group members, but as a Community member, you can see the title and description of all the groups. If you are eligible to join based on the group's description, you are welcome to "ask to join" any of the groups.
- Administrators can make announcements to the whole community (e.g., for last-minute event info)
Currently, we have the following WhatsApp groups which are run by an array of amazing coordinators:
Neighborhoods: Charlottenburg, Westend, Schöneberg/Wilmersdorf, Mitte, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer-Berg/Friedrichshain, Reinickendorf, Steglitz-Zehlendorf, Brandenburg
Interests: Advocacy and Human Rights, Afternoon Concerts, Berlinale, Book Club Charlottenburg, Book Club Southwest, Bowling, Citizenship, Classical Music, Community Volunteering, FAWCO, German learners, JFKS Families, Movie-Goers, Philanthropy, Professional Networking, Spanish, U30, U40, Vegan, Women on the Move - and a Travel Group is in the process of forming!
If you use WhatsApp and are not yet in the Community, write Nelly at membership@awcberlin.org - she will add you.
Our WHATSAPP policies are similar to our FACEBOOK policies
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Please do not post charity donation requests or political items not related to the AWC Berlin.
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No self-promotion. You are invited to let us know about your business on MARKETING MONDAY - in our private FACEBOOK group. Be sure to preface your post with MARKETING MONDAY. No more than one post per member each Monday.
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When in doubt, please send your questions to membership@awcberlin.org.
Thank you for your cooperation!
AWC Berlin Facebook Page | AWCB Website |
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