Hello and Welcome to the 2011- 2012 American Women of Surrey Website. If you are not a member of our organization, we would like to invite you to explore our website to get to know us better.
If you are a returning club member, I would like to welcome back each of you into the organization this year. And if you are one of our newest members, on behalf of our entire membership and the Governing Board, we would like to welcome you into our club! We are always excited to have new faces in our “family” and we hope you will enjoy your time and experience in AWS and England as much as we do.
Beginning this September 2011, AWS is celebrating its 37th year in Surrey. Although our name suggests that we are only Americans, we are actually very global. As a group, our members represent over 40 different nationalities with children who attend more than 15 different local and international schools. From ACS in Cobham, to many of the English and International schools in the Surrey area, our members all bring something unique to our club and we celebrate our diversity. We welcome new members throughout the year, and we are always excited to add a new member to enrich our community. What an incredible opportunity for us all to be amongst such a fantastic representation of the globe!
Every year we fundraise through a number of yearly events including our Gift Fayre (which is in it’s 21st year), a Progressive Dinner, a Giving Tree, a Homes Tour and a Holiday Party for St. Ebbas, just to name a few. During this time, we have donated more than a half a million pounds to local charities, worked locally within our surrounding communities, and have provided a welcoming atmosphere for 1000’s of expatriates and their families living in Surrey. As the old saying goes -- “Membership has its privileges…” but by being an AWS member, you have more than just privileges, you have the most amazing opportunities to experience. From getting involved in any number of the 30 plus activities, to learning about England and visiting the historic sights, to helping raise funds for one of five sponsor charities or to catching up with fellow members at a monthly general meeting at the Cobham Hilton Hotel – the opportunities to learn, laugh and enjoy your time here in Surrey are endless!
We have a fantastic year of activities, events and speakers planned at our monthly meetings – it is going to be a year not to be missed! It’s an exciting time to be in England, with the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, still a hot topic for us all and the upcoming Summer Olympics starting in July 2012! I can’t think of a better time to be here and to experience these fantastic events first hand! I am confident you all may find that your “house guest reservations” may increase ten-fold right before the opening ceremonies!
I am honoured to be returning again as President for the 2nd year and I thank you for allowing me the privilege of representing you and the club. As a member since 2005, my experiences from being a member have given me fantastic memories, lifelong friends and enough laughter and good times that could fill up many lifetimes! I have met the most dynamic and wonderfully talented women and each have enriched my life.
As diverse as we all are, we also have the same bonds of spirit, community, philanthropy and adventure-- as we share the AWS experience together. I hope that you too will discover that being an AWS member will bring much joy and great memories to your time here in Surrey. Take advantage of all the club has to offer to make your AWS experience, and this year, “An Opportunity of a Lifetime!”
Fondly,
Kyra Pugh
AWS President, January 2010 – June 2012