Already: summer! You may not receive Mosaic in July and August but you should know that WBFN goes on working as usual during that time: welcoming, supporting, informing and devising new ways to help you even more effectively. The gentlemen’s group will carry on with its various meetings and activities, as will most of the “Parents and Tots” groups during the summer. If you are in the DC area, please come and meet with us. If you are abroad, why don’t you get in contact by sending us an e-mail and letting us know about you?
Remember also to “spread the word” in the WBG community about WBFN’s existence, purpose and programs. We need your help in improving communication about us: for people who need us to find us. It may come as a surprise to you reading Mosaic, but too many spouses and partners are not aware of WBFN or that it has been building a supportive community for the families of the WBG since 1972 (for everyone: newcomers, old-timers, at Headquarters, in Country Offices, and not just for the expatriates). WBFN’s main goal is to provide the families with a helpful and friendly network of people sharing their experience of life’s transitions and stages, of international relocations and multicultural families.
During the Families in Global Transition (FIGT) Conference (March 2010, Houston), the WBFN was recognized as a Best Practice case of constructive cooperation between a family association and the services of an international organization. Let’s try to use the synergies and structures already exististing to the benefit of all our families, especially the ones abroad.
The amazing aspect of WBFN resides in its incredible human strength, the empathy and smile from members to members, their communicative energy and positivity. The value of this genuine support is incalculable. It comes from spouses and partners selflessly giving their time, their expertise and their availability in order to help other spouses and partners of our WBG community. It uses our “common diversity” as a source of strength.
Anne Folliet