Happy New Year! We hope 2025 brings you a year full of kindness, compassion, and purpose as we work together to make our world a better place. As we move forward in the new year, we are dedicated to improving our programs and activities to better serve you, our global community. Your feedback is invaluable, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with suggestions or ideas.
WBFN has been a thriving volunteer community for over 50 years, and we are committed to making it even more welcoming and supportive for everyone. This January, we launched a survey for local spouses worldwide to help us better understand the needs of our members. The insights we gather will guide us in creating relevant activities and programs that truly make a difference.
We are incredibly grateful for our volunteers – the heart and soul of WBFN. On January 30, we held a Volunteer Recognition Breakfast, attended by over 40 active volunteers, to honor their dedication and expertise. Your commitment is what has brought us so far, and we couldn’t do this without you.
We also relaunched our Men’s Corner, a space for our male members to connect, share, and network. The first event, Networking and Job Search Strategies in the U.S., was a great success, with enthusiastic participation from our members. Look out for the next Men’s corner session later this month. Additionally, our Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Potential workshop, hosted by Judy Costello, Special Project Manager at Montgomery County, focused on entrepreneurial opportunities and available grants. The event was attended by over 50 members from WBFN, IMFAA, and IDBA.
Be sure to check out our new leaflet on Interest Groups under WBFN’s umbrella for more details on how you can get involved. If you are interested in starting a new group, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or our Interest Group Chair.
Finally, please mark your calendars for the Security Awareness Briefing on February 4th at 9:00 AM DC time. This session is especially helpful for those relocating or recently settled in new locations.
We are happy to announce the in-demand Teen Summer Program (TSP), a unique three-week opportunity held each summer for teens aged 16-18 whose parents are employed at the WBG, IMF, or IDB. TSP 2025 is starting from June 23, 2025, for 3 weeks.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, connection, and impact. We look forward to a happy, healthy, and productive year ahead.
Sandipa & Joel