Linda Alleyne is in her final year as a newcomer.
Membership for the Victoria WomenB次元官网网址檚 Newcomers Club is limited to three years, the average span it takes for a newcomer to make connections and create social networks.
B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檝e never moved into a city on your own, or with your husband or family B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 isolating, itB次元官网网址檚 difficult to make friends. Having a club like ours, thatB次元官网网址檚 the answer,B次元官网网址� said Alleyne, the clubB次元官网网址檚 publicity co-ordinator.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a lively, fun-loving volunteer organization, organized by women for women to help each other navigate the ups and downs of moving to a new city. Members come from all over Canada with a handful from abroad.
They meet once a month for a social luncheon at the Uplands Golf Club, where knowledgeable guest speakers provide valuable information and insights into living in Victoria.
B次元官网网址淐oming, at our ages especially, itB次元官网网址檚 not easy to make friends B次元官网网址� we donB次元官网网址檛 have small children to meet at schools and there are just few avenues to meet people. Being all new members, everyone is exited to be here, has chosen to be here,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淵ou tend to make friends really quickly because everybodyB次元官网网址檚 in the same boat B次元官网网址� 100 plus of us have no friends essentially.B次元官网网址�
A highlight for her was last yearB次元官网网址檚 venture into dragonboating. The Newcomers created a team for both the Gorge and Inner Harbour races.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e really enjoyed that, something I never thought I would do at my age, 64. We had a ball doing that and it really bonded that group,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just fun to get on the water, especially for myself coming from Calgary.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 just one of the myriad special activity groups that meet weekly, bi-weekly and monthly for socializing, walking, golfing, playing bridge, learning mah-jjong, meeting at new restaurants, exploring new sites, sharing books and essentially exploring Greater Victoria.
AlleyneB次元官网网址檚 three years are up come April.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had so much fun in this group. We hate to leave it but it has to be done. The conversation gets different, the focus is different,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淕enerally by that time youB次元官网网址檝e made good contacts and friendsB次元官网网址� YouB次元官网网址檙e not so much a tourist in the city anymore.B次元官网网址�
It helps that women can simply graduate to the Newcomers of Victoria Alumnae, or NOVA, if they choose.
An annual fee of $25 per member covers administrative costs and the Newcomers meet regularly, the second Wednesday of each month, at Uplands Golf Course, where the activity books are laid out for even the newest of newcomers to peruse and sign up.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a wealth of activities, at least 15 to 20 activities to choose from B次元官网网址� If somebody has a great idea, we say B次元官网网址榞o for itB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� Alleyne said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 experiencing the city, every aspect of the city.B次元官网网址�
The next meeting is Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m. at Uplands Golf Course. Go online to vicdaynewcomers.ca for more information.
