Issuu

20 14

ANNUAL

REPORT

World Bank Family Network

ANNUAL REPORT July 2013 – June 2014 PRESIDENT: EL BATOULE ALAOUI PRESIDENT OPERATIONS: SHAHEEN KHAN

THE TEAM EDITOR

Amy Chamberlain

ASSISTANT EDITOR Christinne A. Secrest

LAYOUT PHOTO EDITING GRAPHIC DESIGN Gilda Dadush Christinne A. Secrest

COVER TEMPLATE Rebeca Jimenez

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor’s Note

President’s Note

President Operations’ Note

Governance & Communications

Programs and Activities

Arrivals & Welcoming

Strategic Focus Areas

Members Abroad

Educational, Social & Cultural Activities

Annual Events

Family Issues and Advocacy

Activities Outside WBFN

WBFN Outreach Programs

The Book Project

Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund

The Year in Numbers

Salute to Volunteers

EDITOR’S NOTE Being faced with the task of editing the WBFN Annual Report reminds me of the feeling of first joining the WBG family: one is presented with a wild variety of voices, stories, facts, data, feelings, successes and challenges—a veritable hotchpotch of pieces—which must be navigated, pulled together in a coherent way, and used to chart a way forward. While editing this report is certainly simpler than that overwhelming transition into the WBG community, which we all know so well, it is still no mean feat when so much has been done! We say it every year, but because it is always true: this year has been extraordinarily productive, and it’s all down to the people, from the strong leadership of El Batoule and Shaheen to the exceptional dedication of our program leaders and WBG staff, all of whom have put in extraordinary hours and unquantifiable passion and energy. A big thank you to you all.

For yet another year, WBFN has helped its members find their way through the WBG jungle in the ways that best suit them. As we strengthen our individuals, we strengthen our community, and this report is a credit to all of those involved in that work. This year the Presidents and I agreed to keep our notes to a minimum, and to let the authors of the individual reports do the talking. So please read on, share their experiences and enjoy their successes. Amy Chamberlain Editor

2 PRESIDENTâ€™S NOTE Effective support provided to the families of World Bank Group (WBG) staff is a pre-condition for a smoother relocation, stronger families and happier and more productive staff. The World Bank Family Network (WBFN) has been providing this support for 43 years to its multiethnic, multicultural and multinational community based in 50+ countries: forty-three years of educating and empowering WBFN members and advocating on their behalf within the WBG to secure their benefits and rights. Thanks to the professional services and programs WBFN provides, in 2011 this organization received the first prize in the category Best Spousal Support Program and the Highly Commended prize in the category Best Practice in Challenging Locations, at the US Expatriate Management and Mobility Awards (EMMAs). Today, WBFN is considered a trend-setter in its industry and an example to follow by many other organizations. The strategic plan developed for FY14 was based on the amazing achievements of past years, the new priorities and interests of WBFN members, and the changes taking place within the WBG. We wanted to be more inclusive and more global in addressing the specific

needs of female and male spouses and partners, teens, and children. To achieve this, we provided services and programs and sometimes enhanced, reformulated or created new ones to better respond to the specific priorities of our members. Particular focus areas this year included support for spouses and partnersâ€™ professional development through the Career and Volunteering Program (C&V), given the growing trend of dual career families and the need for career support as expressed by a significant percentage of WBFN members at HQ and abroad. Also a priority this year was our Members Abroad program, under which many existing and new activities were organized to secure the sustainability of the program. Finally, as we believe that the youngsters in our community require significant support before, during and after an international relocation, several activities for teens were developed this year, in addition to our regular activities for children. The new activities helped our teens understand their unique situation as Third Culture Kids (TCKs), provided them with opportunities to meet teens with similar experiences and offered their parents resources and support to help them navigate the stressful transitional period often associated with relocating with a teenage child. Last but not least, this year WBFN continued its support and advocacy for victims of domestic abuse. Since the first case of domestic abuse was brought to the WBGâ€™s top management 40 years ago by WBFN leaders, the WBFN-WBG partnership has seen many important achievements and we are particularly encouraged by the fact that over the years this issue is being taken more and more seriously by the WBG. This year we extended our advocacy, support and partnership for domestic abuse issues inside and outside the WBG community. This report demonstrates how a team of passionate WBG staff together with incredible volunteers around the world generously gave their time and skills to welcome, educate and empower WBFN members with compassion and a smile. I am proud and feel privileged to have led such an amazing team with whom I shared a common vision. Warmest thanks for all of your hard work and outstanding contributions. I know how much time and energy our mission demands, and I deeply appreciate all of your efforts to make it a great success. Of course, all of the support provided to our members would not be possible without the continuous and valuable support of WBG staff, notably Mr. Sean McGrath, Vice President of Human Resources, Mr. Robert Van Pulley, WBG Senior Director, and Yvonne Tsikata, WBG Chief of Staff, to whom I say a big THANK YOU. El Batoule Alaoui President, June 2014

PRESIDENT OPERATIONSâ€™ NOTE WBFN has been a bustling beehive of activities this year and with the growing number of members being involved in our programs, we are certainly headed in the right direction. FY14 was a year of creating some and implementing other brilliant ideas put forth by WBFN leaders in the last few years to maximize efficient use of our resources and enhance governance at WBFN. Job descriptions, operating guidelines and procedures and volunteer management are tools and processes that have been introduced and worked on in the past. This year, we assessed and improved them further to ensure member satisfaction and program sustainability. As we move towards increased professionalism in our organization, it was imperative that we introduce and maintain effective policies and guidelines to provide a structure to ensure the delivery of our programs and services is optimized and consistent with our goals and objectives.

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT This year, at WBFN HQ, our volunteers worked 26,223 hours to run our programs, which is equivalent to the work of 13.7 full-time staff. Our champions in COs worked 6,340 volunteer hours, or the equivalent of 3.3 full-time staff. Having a large and skilled volunteer base that is engaged is essential for our existence as a volunteer organization. Our goal is to ensure that we provide a meaningful volunteer experience to our members while they assist us in delivering our programs. This year, we evaluated the volunteer management program that was created in FY13 and then the newly formed Volunteer Engagement Team developed a comprehensive plan that covered all areas of volunteer engagement.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS We realize the importance of providing information to our members about the work involved in organizing the excellent programs and services that we offer in 11 different program areas. Currently, there are about 100 active volunteers running our ongoing programs at HQ and we have about 100 additional volunteers that plan and help at our special events and activities here in DC. In addition, more than 60 volunteers in Country Offices work tirelessly to build the community. Some of our volunteers are members waiting for their work permit or looking to get some local work experience after they relocate to the US, while others are here for social reasons or to give back to the community. By providing the details of the tasks, skills and time commitment required in volunteer positions, members are now able to make an informed choice about how to contribute. Volunteers with a background in human resources spent hours with most of our team leaders and members to identify and develop descriptions of their tasks and positions. It was a huge undertaking and they created almost 80 standardized volunteer position descriptions, most of which are now available on our website. The website is updated every month with the latest volunteer position openings. It is a work in progress and other positions will continue to be added as they become available. Many thanks to all our team leaders and volunteers for the outstanding effort they made to make this possible.

GUIDELINES, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES In an effort to professionalize our operations, provide guidance to our volunteers and for swift onboarding for new volunteers, various program teams developed handbooks with guidelines, policies and operating procedures. For instance, general guidelines for all volunteers in terms of office equipment use, activities and communication have been included in a Volunteer Handbook and will be distributed to all volunteers. Similarly, a WBFN social media policy and guidelines are now available to all WBFN staff and volunteers on the social media team. The Members Abroad team and the C&V Management Team also created handbooks and guidelines for their team members this year. In addition, planning guides for special events like the Teen Summer Program, Childrenâ€™s Holiday Party and Annual Spring Picnic are now in place, easing the work of new team leaders as they organize these important events. Such operating manuals outlining procedures and checklists for team members are intended to make the learning curve shorter for new volunteers. The cornerstone of WBFN are its staff and volunteers and all credit for an outstanding year goes to every single volunteer at headquarters in DC and in Country Offices and to Catherine, Mimi and Christinne at the office. We could not do it without you! Shaheen Khan President Operations, June 2014

Brainstorming

Job Description Team

C&V Environmental Professional Group

Members Abroad Team

Welcoming New Members

GOVERNANCE & COMMUNICATIONS

Strategizing, planning, collaboratingâ€Ś

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Executive Committee (EC) is the elected governing body of WBFN and it provides leadership to ensure that WBFN objectives, programs and services reflect the changing needs and interests of its membership. The EC consists of a President, a President Operations, a Secretary, a Nominating Chair and a minimum of five and up to a maximum of eight additional members. The President and President Operations are elected for a one- year term and may continue for a second year if reelected by the EC, while the Nominating Chair serves a maximum term of two years in that capacity. All EC members are elected for a two-year term and may be re-elected to serve for one more year. The EC meets at least once a month and may be required to meet more than the minimum if deemed necessary by the presidents. EC members have specific responsibilities and act as liaisons between the EC and the heads of various WBFN programs and activities. All EC members except the Secretary are responsible for submitting a monthly report to the EC. Individual EC members may be tasked with additional responsibilities depending on the programmatic needs of the organization, and the talents and passions of particular members. The Secretary is responsible for taking minutes at all EC meetings, maintaining the records of EC policies, proceedings and decisions. Also, the Secretary in conjunction with the two presidents and the WBFN coordinator serves on the agenda and budget committees. Within the EC are two major committees: the Agenda Committee and the Nominating Committee; they play a major role in setting the direction of the EC during the year and in the years to come by steering the EC in a specific direction. Past presidents of WBFN may be requested to act as advisers to the EC at the discretion of the presidents. This year, Gilda Dadush and Hada Zaidan attended EC meetings as advisers in non-voting roles. The presidents of the Book Project and MMMF also attend the EC meetings as non-voting members. The volunteer coordinator also sat in on the meetings as an observer In FY14, three EC members stepped down mid-year due to personal commitments and the EC voted in five new members recommended by the Nominating Committee.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Nominating Committee (NC) operates within set guidelines to identify, screen and recommend eligible candidates for consideration by the Executive Committee (EC), for any vacancy on the Executive or Nominating Committees during the year. The NC had a change of leadership this year. It was first led by Shaheen Khan and then later in the year a new Nominating Chair, Luca Borsari, assumed responsibility of leading the team. The other committee members were Gisele Youmbi, Jane Sui and Gulira Alieva. This year, the position of President Operations opened up in September when Shalu Advani stepped down due to personal reasons. The NC members interviewed and recommended four candidates for the position of the President Operations. The EC voted for the candidate by secret ballot and Shaheen Khan assumed the role of President Operations in October. During the year, four positions were open in the Executive Committee. The NC searched for potential candidates and proposed four candidates that the Executive Committee members subsequently voted in to fill the vacancies. There was also one vacant position in the NC during the year, which was later filled by a suitable candidate. The NC is also responsible for presenting the new slate each year to the EC well before the WBFN Annual Membership Meeting in May; hence it selects potential qualified candidates to serve as EC and NC members for the new slate. The EC then determines from this list the final slate of candidates that is to be presented to the WBFN membership for approval. The final slate with the list of nominees is published in the Mosaic and on the WBFN website at least 30 days prior to the Annual Membership Meeting. The Committee then conducts the election of the new Executive and Nominating Committees at the Meeting and presents the results. For the FY15 slate, there was just one single position open. Hence, the NC proposed a lone candidate to the EC for consideration for the slate. The entire slate was then voted in at the Annual Membership Meeting in April.

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL The WBFN Representative Council (RC) consists of core volunteers and lead members of all the programs and activities at WBFN. Coordinators of the book groups, cultural groups, parents and tots groups and special events are some examples of RC members. At the beginning of the fiscal year, each Executive Committee (EC) member assumes overall responsibility for some of the programs and activities run by the RC and is responsible for submitting a quarterly report on the activities to the EC. RC members are also requested to submit a report annually, highlighting their activities during the year. The EC and RC members meet at least twice a year, once in fall for a retreat or training and then in late spring for an appreciation event. This year, two training workshops were arranged for our EC and RC members. In November 2013, a Project Management Skill Building workshop conducted by HR Shared Services and generously sponsored by Global Staff Mobility was held to help our core volunteers better plan their activities and efficiently implement their projects. Twenty volunteers participated in this training and were enthusiastic about applying the concepts learned to the work they do at WBFN. Later in March 2014, a cross-cultural training workshop was organized by HRSLO for the RC and EC members. This training, developed for WBG staff, was redesigned specifically for WBFN volunteers. During the workshop, results of the pre-assessment of their cultural profile were discussed and they learned how to develop cultural awareness and interact with people from different cultures. About 20 core volunteers attended the workshop. Given the cultural diversity of our membership and the international lifestyles that we all live, this workshop was a useful training session. As the year came to an end, approximately 40 RC and EC members and WBFN staff members gathered at the Mansion on O Street in DC for an elegant lunch event hosted by WBFN as a gesture of appreciation for our core volunteers. El Batoule and Shaheen presented certificates of appreciation to all the attendees.

Annual Membership Meeting

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING The WBFN 2014 Annual Membership Meeting was held on Thursday, May 8. Annually, the event provides a forum for members to gauge the organization’s success, discuss its strategic direction, and vote on the proposed slate of the Executive and Nominating Committees (EC and NC). This year the former MC Boardroom was the ideal backdrop for 46 members and alumni to meet. The meeting was called to order by Anne Folliet, former WBFN President. WBFN President El Batoule Alaoui commenced by encapsulating WBFN’s strategic plan for the year, including changes and improvements to the Welcoming Program, the Career and Volunteering Program, the Members Abroad Program, the Youth Program, Men@WBFN, and WBFN’s communications. These were chosen based on growing trends and changes in demographics. El Batoule’s presentation was followed by Shaheen Khan, President of Operations, who focused on WBFN’s operations and governance. Shaheen stated that WBFN volunteers worked 26,223 hours at HQ and 6,340 hours in country office locations, and described the new volunteer engagement plan. She said, “When volunteers are our lifeblood, having a large and skilled volunteer base that is engaged is essential for our existence as a volunteer organization.” Subsequently, El Batoule reported on the year’s achievements regarding domestic abuse (DA) issues, including an informational session for 10 Country Office locations, increased office space at HQ to support DA prevention programming, and participation in three important events: the Families in Global Transition (FIGT) conference, the One Billion Rising campaign, and the World Bank art program on gender-based violence, “1 in 3”. The morning continued with reports on the five primary WBFN activity areas: Welcoming (by Simo Malinen), Members Abroad (by Sari Castren), Career and Volunteering (by Silvia Kirova), Communications (by Cecilia Neher) and the Youth Program (by Lynn Rice).

Subsequently, the President of the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF), Andree Wynkoop, reported on the work that was accomplished during the year and the MMMF’s longstanding efforts to support the education of women from developing countries. Concluding the activity reports, Mariela Paredes from the Book Project team reported on the Project’s main achievements of the year, including multiple shipments and book fairs. The Annual Meeting concluded with a sentimental farewell to the outgoing EC members and the presentation of the nominated FY15 slate of EC and NC members. With unanimous approval of the slate, El Batoule ceremoniously passed the President’s gavel to Shaheen, while Shaheen passed the President of Operations gavel to Silvia.

Recognizing our Volunteers

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT An organization is only as good as its people. We are fortunate to have about 100 active volunteers running most of our programs and activities at HQ on an ongoing basis and another 100 volunteers that help at special events. Equally important are more than 60 volunteers in Country Offices who provide crucial support to relocating families worldwide. This year, we reviewed and evaluated the volunteer management program that was created in FY13 and developed a comprehensive plan that covers all areas of volunteer engagement including Needs Assessment, Recruitment, Placement, Orientation and Training, Retention, Tracking, Evaluation, Reporting, Recognition, Policies and Risk Management. Managing such a large number of volunteers is a time-consuming task and is not feasible for any single volunteer. To enhance the volunteer experience for all volunteers, including the volunteer coordinators themselves, a Volunteer Engagement Team was formed. The team consists of a team leader and two volunteer coordinators, each with defined roles and tasks to distribute the workload, and a program development team that is responsible for the volunteer handbook, job descriptions, increased volunteer appreciation efforts and volunteer orientation and training sessions. We have also made a greater effort to spend more time with new volunteers to ensure they feel welcomed and supported. The tracking and reporting system has been revised to ensure that all volunteers and hours are accounted for in the most efficient manner for all involved. Exit and evaluation forms will provide us with better feedback of our volunteer program while grievance procedures and succession planning will address some risk management issues. Thank you to our volunteer coordinators and other team members for their incredible efforts in assisting with the program.

MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT SYSTEM The Microsoft Access Member Management System (MMS) requires weekly updates as new members contact and join WBFN and need to be added to the database. The Welcoming Team uses the MMS to send Welcoming Packages to all new members. The number of newcomers each month is approximately 25, although this varies every month. The integrity of the data is important as the database is where many WBFN volunteer teams find all the necessary information about members. The database also allows teams to export specific data, such as where the new members live (DC, MD, VA), which members live outside the US, the gender ratio of our members, and the languages they speak, etc.

OFFICE LIFE This year at WBFN was one of many departures and arrivals. Every year is for us, as families come and go, but this one was particularly full of hellos and goodbyes. Early on in our fiscal year, our dear Shalu, selected as President Operations, announced her joyful pregnancy (with twins, no less!!) and stepped down from her role to focus on her growing little family. We were sorry to see her go, but so excited to add two more to the WBFN membership! We were also lucky to have a wonderful candidate ready to step in in Shalu’s place, and so Shaheen joined us as President Operations. An excellent fit from the start, Shaheen took on her new role with enthusiasm and her special sense of calm. We are forever grateful to both Shalu and Shaheen for managing this change in such a smooth and professional way. The year was already off to a good start! As the comings and goings continued, one key addition we made to our organization this year was the new Domestic Abuse room. After years of lobbying for additional space, we were granted the use of an extra office just outside our suite. This space allows WBFN to conduct its critical activities in support of DA victims in a quiet, calm and confidential manner, and gaining access to this space was an enormous achievement for us this year. We are grateful to Van Pulley for his support throughout this process. Later in the year, a departure left us without the technological backup we had become so accustomed to, but delighted to see a dear friend growing. Goly, our IT expert and all-round hands-on helper (whatever the task!) moved on to accept an opportunity at the IMF. Goly was always willing to pitch in and her quiet but comforting presence in the office is sorely missed! We wish you all the best in your new role, Goly, and hope you’ll visit us whenever they give you a lunch break! Our other quiet and comforting expert, Amy, has been all over helping with no-matter-what. Amidst the departures and arrivals, three elements stood strong for yet another year. Christinne and Mimi continued (and continue!) to hold the organization together from the pilot seats at the front of the office, always ready to answer questions and help out. Where would we be without them?! And Mariela was reliably there every Monday morning, happy to pitch in as requested “her boss”, Mimi! Thank you to all of you for another year of your dedication. What a team!

COMMUNICATIONS MOSAIC In November 2013, Mosaic Editor Deepika Davidar found a job and left Mosaic in the very capable hands of Kiki McGrath. An artist by profession with a strong eye for detail, Kiki quickly applied her skills to both the text and design of Mosaic. This year, to facilitate forward planning, the Mosaic team together with the President and President of Operations established monthly themes for each issue of Mosaic, from January 2013 onwards. The selected themes were based on the main WBFN events taking place each month or a specific highlight of that time of year. Not every article in each issue followed the theme, but by matching cover designs with lead articles and the Presidents’ and Editor’s notes, each theme came through effectively. The following themes were selected for JanuaryJune 2013: January: Learning and Skill-building

February: Members Abroad

March: Career and Volunteering, and International Women’s Day

April: Youth and Third Culture Kids

May: Recreation and Leisure

June: “Wrapping up the Year”.

The February issue on Members Abroad involved a great deal of collaboration with the Members Abroad Team, who were wonderfully organized in planning and preparing diverse articles for the Mosaic Team to select from. The Career and Volunteering Management Team were also very helpful in coordinating articles for the March issue. This year, Mosaic cover design concepts were also planned in advance in collaboration with the President, President of Operations and WBFN Coordinator. By deciding on concepts relating to the selected themes, the Mosaic Team was able to begin working on designs further ahead of time, avoiding last minute problems and changes. For the months of October and November, Mosaic was unfortunately printed on low quality paper by the Bank’s Graphics department, due to the high cost of printing complex,

full-color cover designs. Following a meeting with the Graphics department, WBFN agreed to a slight price increase for printing. As a result, future Mosaic covers can be as complex as desired, and issues will always be printed on high quality paper. Finally, this year the Mosaic Team also experimented with creating a full-color, e-book version of the Mosaic to replace the traditional PDF file that is currently distributed to thousands of members via email. The e-book format is better suited to reading on a mobile device or tablet and eradicates the need to send slow-loading PDF files, sometimes even to members in locations with slow internet connections. The first e-book version is expected to be launched in June 2014. In order to cover the cost of the new e-book format, it is expected that the number of printed, hard copy Mosaics will be reduced from early next fiscal year, when members will be encouraged to opt to receive the electronic version only.

SOCIAL MEDIA The Social Media Program for WBFN was developed to fulfill the need to update WBFNâ€™s channels of communication with its members. The main objectives of all WBFN communication efforts, including Social Media, are: To promote WBFN events and services among members

To provide a platform for members to interact with the organization

To provide information relevant to members

To promote interaction among members

To reach out to the members abroad to improve their connection with the HQ office.

Social Media Team

The first step in putting the program in place was to conduct a survey on the social media habits of WBFN members. More than 400 answers later, we knew that our members were mainly using Facebook for social interaction and LinkedIn for professional purposes. Other social networks were not very popular or widely used among the respondents. Following the results of the survey, we launched our Facebook and LinkedIn pages in August 2013. Slow but steady progress has been made in attracting users and we are very satisfied with what we have achieved. At present we have a Facebook page with more than 400 followers and daily postsâ€”sometimes two or three posts a day. We have a corporate page on LinkedIn with almost 100 followers, targeting the relocation industry, with biweekly posts. And we also have a LinkedIn group for our members with more than 150 members, where we post information about career and volunteering opportunities or resources. These numbers keep growing month by month as our members discover how useful and practical these tools can be. As part of our efforts to produce more engaging content, both written and visual, we have increased the production of videos and images for our social media channels. A proper social media effort requieres a lot of dedication from the managing team. We saw this as an opportunity for our members to get involved and learn about social media, but the voluntary nature of our membersâ€™ involvement has also meant a high rotation in the team as members have found jobs, had children or moved abroad. We have a fairly large group of volunteers and we try to assign responsibilities in a manner in which everybody has a task and nobody is burdened with a lot of work. We have established a working system where each member is responsible for one area of content so that when one member needs to leave, we know what we need to take on or assign to a new member. We meet twice a month and we plan the content of WBFNâ€™s profiles a month in advance, with the possibility of adding content at short notice if needed. Knowing that many of our volunteers are part of the team because they want to learn about social media, we have conducted some workshops on the use of certain tools to create content and to manage the profiles. This will be an ongoing activity. A great effort has been made to promote the social media profiles at WBFN Welcoming Coffees and Career and Volunteering (C&V) meetings. The team has also worked hard with the Members Abroad Team to include regular content from Country Offices. Our main challenges relate to two areas: 1 Keeping our volunteers interested and excited about social media 2 Engaging our existing followers and getting new ones..

E-COMMUNICATIONS In February 2014, the WBFN President invited members to explore and test out the new WBFN website. Finally launched after innumerous hours of discussing, designing, testing and refining, the website represented an exciting, revamped channel for the organization to communicate with its members, and vice versa. During this initial launch phase, members were asked to submit their feedback on any broken links, inaccurate information, strange navigation patterns or lack of functionality that they found, to allow the website team to assess the issues and apply fixes and improvements in a continuous process. Unfortunately, some significant issues with the website’s user account login system caused difficulties for members trying to log in to the website, which were dealt with on a case-bycase basis. Regrettably, this made access to some of the website’s content more complex than had been anticipated. At the time of writing, the system in place is still not ideal, and discussions are taking place on the most appropriate way to resolve the outstanding issues. Despite this and other teething problems, the website’s first few months of operation provided the website team and WBG staff with an extremely valuable learning experience regarding what worked and what did not work. Through this experience, the critical needs in terms of content and functionality became clearer than had been possible during planning meetings and discussions, and a more refined list of requirements began to come together. At the time of writing, the WBFN leadership is exploring options for addressing these requirements, and assessing the scope of work involved in getting the website to the high standard expected by its members. Regarding other e-communications, throughout the year WBFN continued to send the rebranded @-a-glance electronic newsletter via Lyris to all subscribed members, once a month.

Welcoming, supporting and advocating on behalf of WBG families

February 2014

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

We welcome; we support; we inform…

ARRIVALS & WELCOMING

Welcoming Coffee a Wealth of Information

WELCOMING EVENTS Welcoming Coffee and Information Session The Welcoming Coffee and Information Session is held on the first Tuesday of every month. It is a combination of a social event and a brief presentation of WBFNâ€™s various programs and activities for new members. The aim is to welcome newcomers, familiarize them with

WBFN, and encourage them to sign up for other events, programs, courses or volunteering. Just as important is the opportunity for them to meet other newcomers, thereby starting to create their new social network in the new environment. All participants introduce themselves briefly during the session. The presentation given by WBFN volunteers to the participants has evolved over the past year. Rather than using a PowerPoint presentation, the Mosaic newsletter is now used as the basis of the session, and presenters guide participants through the newsletter, highlighting ongoing programs and upcoming events. The WBFN website and Facebook and LinkedIn platforms page are also introduced and participants are encouraged to sign up/engage with the online channels. Another recent change is the screening of WBFN videos during the session. Videos about the Spouse/Partner Orientations and the Navigating Culture Shock workshops make the presentation more interactive and interesting. Welcoming Coffees are very much appreciated by the new members and very often, participants stay behind after the meetings to enjoy coffee or lunch together. WBFN provides coffee/tea, milk and cakes for these events, with a monthly budget of between $20 and $45. The main challenge with this activity is replacing the volunteers who organize and run the sessions, who for different reasons move on to other activities such as employment, maternity leave or volunteering elsewhere, or who leave the country. No major changes are planned for this activity in the coming year, although we hope to reach an even larger proportion of newcomers with these events.

New Staff Orientations During these events organized by the WBG Human Resources department (HR) to welcome new staff to the WBG, the WBFN Welcoming Team members make a brief (two-minute) presentation of WBFN to inform the new staff about our organization. Following the presentation, staff members have the opportunity to meet some members of the Welcoming Team and to register their spouses or partners as members of WBFN. The Team takes along a number of copies of Mosaic and other information about WBFN that staff can take home to their spouses or partners. This is an extremely important channel through which WBFN is able to reach many new members. As requested by HR, in February 2014, an updated version of the presentation given to the staff was prepared.

The main challenge faced with this event is the short time allocated for the WBFN presentation, which gives the Team only a limited opportunity to explain why it is so important for the staff members to register their spouses/partners.

Spouse/Partner Orientation Program The Spouse/Partner Orientation (SOP) is a whole-day event that provides WBG spouses and partners with information about many subjects, such as health insurance plans, visa and work permit issues, WBFN programs, the history of the WBG, services available through the Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union (BFSFCU), the support available for domestic issues, and more. The SOP is highly appreciated by the participants, as it provides them with access to the most important information related to their relocation, and enables and empowers them to take charge of many activities related to it. The SOP is organized in cooperation with the WBG HR department and includes presentations from numerous WBG units, as well as COPE, Inc. and the BFSFCU. During FY14, the PowerPoint presentation used by WBFN during the SOP was updated. The WBFN team also gave feedback to other presenters on how to improve their presentations to make them more accessible to participants, based on the feedback collected through evaluation forms after each session. Due to time constraints, the team now enforces time-keeping during the presentations to avoid delays affecting subsequent presenters during the day. In January 2014, HR shared with WBFN a survey application for iPads that is now being used by SOP participants to complete an evaluation following the session. As well as providing WBFN with valuable feedback about the event, the evaluations can be analyzed more simply and feedback passed on to other presenters more effectively. One drawback with this method is that all SOP sessions must now be held in the World Bank G building due to logistical issues with the iPads, thereby moving the two events traditionally organized in the IFC building. This also meant losing the benefit of the free lunch offered by IFC, although HR has promised to cover the costs of one such lunch. The Welcoming Team anticipates that the number of attendees at the SOPâ€”as well as at other Welcoming activitiesâ€”may decrease over the coming year as the Bank restructures and recruits less new staff. At least one of our presidents usually attended the Spouse/Partner Orientation as well, at least for part of the day. In addition we had presenters from HR, Global Mobility and COPE.

Surviving Culture Shock This program is the third pillar of Welcoming. It was developed and is led by professional facilitators in order to discuss the challenges of relocation and their psychological effects. Thirty-one newcomers attended during FY14.

Get-Togethers Get-togethers were created to facilitate regular meetings between members outside the WBFN office. Meetings were organized by members in their homes. Due to a low number of participants and logistical issues with hosting attendees in other membersâ€™ homes, this year the EC and the Welcoming Team decided to move the meetings to cafes, with WBFN paying for coffee/tea and cakes. Due to the bad weather at the beginning of the calendar year, a number of meetings had to be postponed. However, the March Get-together was organized at La Madeleine CafĂŠ in Bethesda, Maryland, the April Get-together was held in the WBFN office, and the May

Get-together took place in a cafĂŠ in Arlington, Virginia. Alternating the locations within the region allows more people to attend at least some of the events, especially as the venues are chosen with public transport access in mind. It is hoped that the new format will attract more attendees, especially during better weather. At the time of writing, it is not possible to evaluate how the new format is working. It has been noted that if the number of attendees increases significantly, the cost to WBFN of holding the event will also increase.

NEWCOMER OUTREACH Call Center The Welcoming Call Center is a system of contacting all new members in the DC area by telephone, and preferably in their own/chosen language. While all new members receive a welcoming email, the phone calls they receive through the Call Center are also a good way for WBFN to connect personally with new members who may not have visited WBFN in person, and these calls are generally greatly appreciated by members. Experience and statistics show that the Welcoming Team struggles to reach all members by phone, either because of missing or incorrect telephone numbers in our database, or because the person does not answer the phone. One suggestion for improvement is to change the caller-ID on the office phones as this was found to be incorrect or misleading. The Team is also considering using SMS as one solution, although this does present certain challenges: some numbers may be landlines, for example, and using mobile phones will not give a callerID other than the number itself. An additional challenge is finding volunteers to manage the Call Center system and make the calls in different languages.

Buddy System The Buddy System is a way of matching new WBFN members who need a helping hand, with other WBFN members who can offer that help on an individual basis. While it is a very valuable service for those who need it, the Buddy System receives very few

requests. This year, several months passed during which there were no requests, although one request was received in January and two in February. While the formal Buddy System may not receive many requests, WBFN members and the Welcoming Team still provide a similar service in their daily contact with new members in the office, during meetings, at Welcoming events, trainings and other activities that provide a time and place for members to meet and discuss. This is our “informal” Buddy System, which continues to work very well. The main challenge is to decide how or whether to continue the Buddy System and in which form. Increased use of social media and our new, improved website could, to some extent, provide a similar service. It is possible that our members also find “buddies” outside the formal system, through friends, neighbors and other WBFN members.

MEN @ WBFN The Men@WBFN program was boosted from October 2013 as a way to address the specific needs of the increasing number of male spouses and partners at WBFN. It was observed that some of these members encountered issues related to cultural prejudice towards stay-at-home men, and that WBFN’s existing programs did not address this sufficiently. Some men felt vulnerable in their new situations and found it difficult to find support in the new environment due to lack of family and/or friends. In some cases, men saw themselves as victims of domestic abuse, either financial or psychological. At the same time, the cases of female staff members becoming victims of domestic abuse was increasing. A renwed Men@WBFN program was therefore initiated together with COPE, Inc. in order to collect as much information as possible about the problems faced by men, and to see what actions could be taken. Initially a survey was prepared and sent to all men registered with WBFN in Washington DC—around 800 men. The survey collected information about the members, about their views concerning existing WBFN programs, and their suggestions for new or adjusted programs. In the second phase a meeting was organized with WBFN President El Batoule Alaoui, Malahat Baig-Amin from COPE, Inc. and three WBFN men (Tony Horton, Victor Hanna and Simo Malinen) to discuss the results of the survey and to identify suitable actions that could be taken by WBFN and COPE. It was agreed that WBFN would organize a series

of activities for men, such as outdoor activities, sports, visits to selected museums, etc. COPE, Inc. offered to organize and facilitate â€œPersonal and Professional Growth Forumsâ€?, or workshops for men to discuss their situations and issues. The first forum was organized in December 2013, with five participants. Following an evaluation, a second workshop was organized for the end of February, with eight participants. The participants found it very rewarding to find a group where they could openly discuss their experiences and issues. The facilitators from COPE, Inc. were able to collect valuable information from the forums, which will allow them to adapt their WBG programs for their male clients and to help WBFN members better. A series of activities for the men were also planned. The IMF Family Association (IMFFA) had similar plans for a program for men and we decided to create a joint program after coordinating with the Presidents of both organizations. The first planned outings in February 2014 had to be cancelled due to snowy weather conditions, but in mid-March a visit was organized to the International Spy Museum in DC. Five members attended this visit. In parallel to the Men@WBFN program, there is a group of WBFN men interested in playing soccer, and at the time of writing, Waled Sayed is organizing a team and a place to practice. Some of the members are already playing with other teams. A men@wbfn.org mailbox was created to coordinate these activities, and a Google group has been created as well, although not yet used at the time of writing. A new coordinator will be needed for this group to continue driving and developing the program in the coming year.No costs have been associated with this program during the past year, although this could possibly change if WBFN is able to subsidize the cost of booking a soccer field or ordering team jerseys. The exceptional winter weather has been a major challenge this year for organizing meetings or activities. Another challenge is how to manage this program within WBFN without creating a feeling of gender segregation. Overall, the cooperation with COPE, Inc. has been very successful and rewarding for both parties. The program corresponds to the needs expressed by the men, and can be further developed with different activities.

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS CAREER & VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM The Career and Volunteering program (C&V) was established in January 2012 to support WBFN members interested in developing their career in the US. The program aims to bring members together and to assist and guide them in their professional endeavors. The number of C&V members varies throughout the year. In April 2014, there were 132 active members and 60 alumni members. Since its establishment in 2012, more than 300 members have participated in the program and its activities. The C&V program is managed by a Management Team of 15 responsible and devoted volunteers, who welcome new members and develop the program according to the needs of the C&V community. The Team meets twice a month to take decisions on upcoming events and activities and develop the program’s overall strategy.

Introductions C&V Introductions (formerly “Orientations”—the name was changed this year to avoid confusion with the “Spouse/Partner Orientation”) are organized every other month by the Management Team members. During these sessions, participants discover and discuss the C&V program, the cultural significance of volunteering in the US, the volunteering opportunities available at WBFN, different approaches to job seeking and the importance of communication tools, as well as hearing from alumni members about their experiences. A total of 106 members attended six C&V Introductions in FY14. Thanks go to the following alumni members for sharing their successful experiences with the newcomers: Mariline Vieira, Pedro Salleras, Ida Scarpino, Jovan Cerovac, Sandipa Basnyat, Anu Mishra, Meg Walker, Elena Kuznetzova, Karin Metz, Waled Sayed, Carsten Niemann.

Thematic Sessions Held every other week, C&V Thematic Sessions provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about different paths for their career development. Sessions generally focus on either education/skill-building or job-search strategies and techniques. This yearâ€™s educational sessions included presentations on using LinkedIn, joining Toastmasters Clubs, developing your portfolio, starting your own business in the US and completing tax forms. Such presentations are usually given by C&V members with experience in a certain field who want to share their knowledge. Job-search related presentations included: WBG recruitment, by Roberto Amorosino, Senior Recruitment Officer at the WBG.

How to apply your talents and do business in DC, by Olessia Taylor, Global Solutions Inc.

Volunteering opportunities for Catholic charities and the Red Cross, by Karin Metz.

Legal and practical aspects of small businesses, by lawyers Alisha Jacobsen and Daniel Steven.

Effective communication and accent reduction, by Dottie Li.

A total of 193 participants attended the 11 Thematic Sessions of FY14.

Professional Groups Professional Groups (PG) constitute the main structure of the C&V program. During FY14, there were five active groups: Business, Banking and Finance; Health; Environment; International Development; and Media and Communications. There are 85 C&V members actively involved in the PGs. The PGs are managed by leaders who organize weekly meetings and develop the strategy and program for their PG, with the participation of all group members. The weekly meetings allow professionals with similar interests to come together and support each other through the job-seeking and career development process, by sharing experiences and suggesting relevant resources and opportunities. PG activities this year included assisting other group members with resume writing and interviewing techniques, developing professional

Resource-sharing at the Networking Happy Hour presentations, and organizing visits to facilities or conferences relevant to the groupâ€™s professional interests. The Business, Banking and Finance PG delivered presentations on how to start your own business in the US and how to file tax return forms. The Environmental PG members worked on a variety of interesting environmental topics including water management, waste incineration, solar panels, the Panama Canal, water pollution and others. The Health PG worked on identifying the steps required for recertification for health professionals, as well as exploring volunteering and work opportunities in the US. The International Development PG members developed their own short, professional bios to be used during their job searches. The newly established Media and Communications PG worked on identifying the main field of interest for the group members in order to establish a strategy.

Publications This year, a brochure containing information about the structure and activities of the C&V program was developed and disseminated. Eight articles related to career development and the C&V program were published in Mosaic. In addition, regular announcements and announcements of job opportunities were published on LinkedIn through the WBFN Social Media Team.

Networking Events The multi-organization Spouse/Partner Career Networking Happy Hour, organized on March 26, was attended by 130 participants from WBFN, IDBFA and IMFFA. During the first part of the event, participants mingled with representatives from 12 organizations who were invited to share their work and professional materials. The following organizations were present: Devex, Global Environment Facility Interview Success Formula, Cadmus Group, Bankers without Borders, The WB and IMF Toastmaster Clubs, Taproot Foundation, New Rules for Global Finance, the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund, Community of Hope, and Capital Area Asset Builders. Following the official opening by WBFN President El Batoule Alaoui, the guest speaker, Alan Carniol from Interview Success Formula, presented tips for networking and encouraged the guests to exchange business cards and establish useful contacts. Feedback from the event participants was positive.

Highlights and Challenges The most significant successes of the past year include: The restructuring, updating and strengthening of the C&V database, including grouping of members into three categories: active, alumni, inactive.

The strengthening of the PGs through more frequent meetings, surveys and discussions with all PG members, and the identification of more than one group leader for each PG.

The establishment of a new program for attracting alumni C&V members, including get-together events and a mentoring system.

Some of the main challenges faced this year included the retention of members as they found jobs, difficulties in making contact with local organizations, and the cancellation and/or rescheduling of events due to bad weather conditions. For next year, the C&V program hopes to further develop a way to bring alumni and active members together in a productive way, and to organize a series of smaller networking events for program members.

MEMBERS ABROAD The Members Abroad (MA) team provides support to WBFN members and their families living and working outside of the US. The support consists of connecting new arrivals with a WBFN member already residing in that country, whom we call a WBFN Champion (previously called a WBFN Connector), to help in the transition process by creating a welcoming environment, answering questions and providing relevant information about the new location. The MA team encourages and guides WBFN Champions to organize social, educational and professional activities in the local WBFN community, so that new arrivals and other members enjoy and profit from being connected and engaged even beyond the settling-in phase. The MA team, based at HQ in Washington DC, and the WBFN Champions, based in country office locations, make the WBFN Members Abroad program. The MA team counts seven volunteers, and 77 volunteers have participated during the year from country office locations, totaling 84 volunteers. With guidance from WBFN Coordinator Catherine Mathieu, the MA team runs the program by carrying out these fundamentals: connecting newcomers with Champions, recruiting Champions, keeping contact with members and Champions and tracking their whereabouts, supporting and guiding Champions in setting up and running local chapters, and exploring new ways of including and engaging members worldwide in the WBFN community. The MA team has systematized a way of recording the number of connections made between relocating spouses/partners and WBFN Champions. During the spring of 2014, 28 connections were madeâ€”a relatively limited number which probably reflects the reduced mobility in the WBG due to the ongoing reorganization. Also this year, the MA team reorganized work procedures, defined new volunteer roles and drafted a program handbook. The team investigated information glitches in the membersâ€™

Reaching Locations Near and Far

database and sought solutions with the WBFN database consultant. Some team members received training in project management and intercultural communication, and some team members participated in a workshop called “Empowered Relocation” while others attended the international conference “Families in Global Transition”.

Building Communities Worldwide The wish to see WBFN present in more country office locations was expressed by a large percentage of members residing outside the US in a membership survey performed last year. This year, as a direct result of the MA team’s work with building WBFN communities worldwide, WBFN reached many new locations through the presence of an increased number of Champions. Also, new local chapters have been formed, and the existing chapters continue to develop with new initiatives.

WBFN Champions This year, WBFN Connectors were re-named as WBFN Champions. These helpful and resourceful individuals are still the active WBFN members living in country office locations who have indicated their interest in welcoming newcomers to that location and who were appointed by the MA team as WBFN Champions. The basic role of a WBFN Champion is to welcome newcomers to their new location, to share insights on how to navigate this environment, and to introduce the newcomers into social networks. Also, Champions participate in the Worldwide Online Forum for volunteers and are occasionally invited to join virtual meetings and seminars organized by the MA team. The Champion’s role can be expanded depending on the interests of the Champion and the conditions in the particular location. The Champion leaders of a local chapter have the most substantial roles. WBFN Champions often enjoy great appreciation from the newcomers, and many friendships form. The bonus of being a WBFN Champion is indeed becoming part of a huge, dynamic global network, steadily growing. As of May 2014, WBFN covered 53 countries with a total of 77 Champions engaged.

WBFN Local Chapters A WBFN local chapter has been re-defined as a community of WBG spouses and partners residing in a country office location, where at least three Champions, including a Champions lead, of such a community decide to come under the WBFN umbrella. The Champions receive direct support and guidance with the launch and ongoing organizing of the chapter from the MA team. In particular, the team has been in close contact with the Champions in Kenya, Istanbul, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, India, and Senegal. The Champions in these countries have also been invited to join meetings and seminars organized by the MA team via Skype. On several occasions, the MA team hosted up to 10 Champions virtually in the conference room at WBFN HQ. The local chapter Champions are encouraged to use the provided institutional @wbfn. org email account and a country-specific WBFN Online Forum set up for spouses and partners in their locationâ€”a communication tool which connects members electronically for easy information sharing and discussion. Champions receive guidelines for moderating and training as needed. Training was provided to Champions in Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and India this year. Local chapter Champions are asked to participate in a newly established online forum for volunteers worldwide where ideas and learning points are shared. The WBFN Worldwide Online Forum was launched in May 2014 with 84 participants. Champion leads are asked to produce half-yearly reports on chapter activities. Previously only WBFN Kenya has drafted reports to WBFN HQ. The inventory of activities organized by the local chapters is amazing and of great inspiration to Champions in other chapters and those who are considering creating a chapter. Activities include coffee mornings (occasionally with a relocation theme), excursions to a cultural/ nature sight, book clubs, cooking clubs, language conversation classes, presentations by guest speakers, job seekerâ€™s meetings, pot-luck dinners, family parties, evening parties, and chapter meetings. There have been adjustments made in the execution of the activities, but no completely new reoccurring activities have been launched this year. Local chapters are greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the members belonging to them. A local chapter makes a big difference for a spouse or partner and his/her family not only in the settling-in phase, but potentially also throughout the entire stay in that location. The MA team has planned to record the level of success and satisfaction among members belonging to local chapters by organizing small-scale surveys in collaboration with the local chapters.

Flagship Local Chapters and Upcoming Chapters The bigger local chapters organize up to seven activities/events per month. Monthly activities like coffee mornings, book clubs and language classes are usually attended by 7-14 spouses/ partners (range 2-20). Quarterly activities like potluck dinners, evening parties and chapter meetings have gathered 20-32 participants per event. Half-yearly events like family parties have gathered 64-75 participants. WBFN Kenya continues as the largest WBFN chapter overseas. The chapter was launched in April 2012 and now has 85 members, both relocated and local spouses/partners. The lead this year until April was Karen Douw, who was one of the founders of the chapter, and now Milka Njiraini has taken over the lead of the chapter and the organizing team of five members. WBFN Kenya had a very productive year. Some highlights include: 20 spouses are engaged in an ongoing community project, where they fundraise and teach children and adults skills to improve their community; potluck-style family parties have proven to be particularly popular activities; a post-trauma counseling session was organized in collaboration with WBFN HQ to help the families affected by the horror at the Westgate Mall terror attack; and two pilot workshops on career development and culture shock were held. Not surprisingly, a Member Satisfaction Survey showed that 95% of the respondents (in the small-scale survey) are very satisfied with WBFN Kenya, and 95% of the respondents find the chapter very useful. WBFN Istanbul is the second largest WBFN chapter, is half a year younger than the chapter in Kenya (founded in October 2012), and has 51 members. The lead this year is Marcia Tanabe who coordinates the initiatives of five co-Champions. Special to the Istanbul chapter are the Wine and Dine evenings, which are quarterly potluck gatherings for members and their staff spouses/partners that greatly enhance the sense of community within the chapter. The exciting Istanbul Explorer tours, where spouses/partners take turns in organizing outings to cultural sights, often with a professional guide or choosing one member of the group to perform as a guide, is another highly cherished activity. WBFN Istanbul highlighted the need for information on legal rights and resources available to spouses and partners in country office locations in case of unfortunate events like divorce, death of the staff member, domestic abuse, etc. Following this request, the MA team organized presentations on avenues for counseling and legal services offered free of charge and confidentially by WBG approved counselors and attorneys, in which Champions from WBFN Istanbul and other locations participated. The bigger, established chapters bring both inspiration and learning points to other Champions, as they are invited to share local chapter creation and coordination experiences in

particular on the Worldwide Online Forum and in cross-country discussions via Skype organized by the MA team. Currently, WBFN local chapters are being developed in India, Senegal, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Tanzania, South Africa, China, and Indonesia. this year are Anne Laadegard and Karen Douw. There are over 60 members belonging to this chapter, including both local and international hires. Presently four spouses/partners form the organizational team while six other very active members play a big role in the Book Club and the Community Project. As mentioned above, many other WBFN Local Chapters are constituted or under construction, and the example of WBFN Kenya has inspired many synergies.

Developing the Worldwide Program The MA team is developing the Members Abroad program through a number of projects to strengthen the engagement of volunteers worldwide, to make resources offered at HQ available also to spouses/partners residing outside the US, and to improve the visibility of WBFN among WBG families worldwide. Here are the highlights of projects that were carried out this year: A communication campaign was conducted. All members at country office locations, including prospective members, received communications about WBFN and details of how to register as a member of WBFN, depending on their existing membership status. Members also received introductions to Champions in their particular country of residence. New Champions were appointed in locations without Champions upon advertisement among members. The MA brochure was updated, and a brochure for WBFN Kenya was produced.

Country office-based members and Champions are no longer a rare sight on WBFNâ€™s media channels. For instance, for the month of February, the MA team coordinated with the Mosaic team to produce an issue of Mosaic dedicated to members outside Washington DC, and worked with the Social Media team to contribute 15 Facebook posts, creating greater visibility of the country office-based members within WBFN.

Cross-country office discussions became a reoccurring phenomenon and tool for synergies this year. The MA team brought WBFN Champions together (via Skype) for discussions and sharing of best practice/lessons learned on a range of topics of interest/concern to spouses and partners in Kenya, Turkey, India, Senegal, Colombia and

Mexico. Equally important, an online forum for all WBFN Champions was launched for increased cross-country office communication and synergies.

Cross-agency collaborations were introduced this year. Together with WBFN Champions in some countries where the number of WBG spouses/partners is limited, the MA team established partnerships locally with the spouse/partner organizations of the UN and the IADB, and such collaborations are also being explored in Colombia, Peru and Mexico.

WBFN Online Forums and training in forum moderation have become a standard offer to Champions. The online forums connect members in multiple locations for easy information sharing and discussion. WBFN Online Forums are now set up for Kenya, Colombia, India, Mexico, and Peru.

Career development and culture shock workshop pilots were organized and carried out collaboratively by WBFN Kenya and Global Mobility Services. The pilots were performed in Kenya and received great feedback from the group of participants, including the WBFN Kenya Champions. The next step is technical testing of a webinar format for such workshops.

“Stress in the family” and domestic abuse sessions were organized by the MA team and presented by the Domestic Abuse Prevention Coordinator, HUB and DVLEAP, while the first initiative to learn about domestic abuse resources available to spouses/partners in country office locations was taken by WBFN Istanbul. The sessions were attended by WBFN Champions in Kenya, Turkey, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, India, Myanmar and Nepal, and received lots of positive and constructive feedback.

The MA team encouraged WBFN member participation in One Billion Rising, the global event raising awareness of injustice against women, and members in Kenya, Austria and the Philippines actively took part in the event.

Moving Forward—with a Strategy Following a strategy session with a professional facilitator who helped clarify the MA team’s objectives and strategy in terms of securing the sustainability of the Members Abroad program, a paper outlining the program’s strategy in the coming years was produced. In this paper, the team called especially for recalibration of WBFN efforts towards the country office locations and of volunteer engagement in order to meet the social and profes-

sional support needs of spouses/partners outside Washington DC. The team suggested training of Champions in a cascade system, so trained Champions will train other Champions to organize and facilitate activities in country office locations. The paper also highlighted that resources must be allocated to training a part-time consultant and to funding activities in local chapter locations. With several new team members aboard and a strong preference for even more volunteers joining, the MA team is full of vision and inspiration, and excited to continue helping fellow spouses and partners worldwide to have a great and active time as WBFN members in country office locations.

YOUTH PROGRAM In late 2013, WBFN leadership recognized the lack of programs reaching families with youth aged 12 to 18 and agreed upon the need for a Youth Program. A Youth Program Committee (YPC) began meeting in October 2013 to review and implement a proposal of holding parent workshops and social activities for youths. Parent workshops would focus on issues surrounding global transitions and other subjects related to parenting this age group. Social events for youths would allow participants to meet and interact with their peers and include youngsters from WBFN’s sister organizations, the IMF Family Association (IMFFA) and the IDB Family Association (IDBFA). The initial YPC proposal included a rotating schedule of workshops and events throughout the year, excluding June and July. The Youth Program was subsequently launched in January of 2014, and a number of events were held during the rest of FY14. A brief description of each event and feedback from participants follows.

Unlocking the Hidden Potential of Youth In January 2014, the YPC organized a workshop on “Unlocking the Hidden Potential of Youth Who Move Across Cultures” presented by Jodi Tangredi, an intercultural specialist. This workshop took an interactive and discussion-based format, which provided information from well-researched fields about youth living between cultures. The goal of the workshop was to help parents identify the challenges and benefits of transitions in order to help their children appreciate their unique and potential skill set. The program was advertised internally with flyers, an announcement in the Mosaic magazine and a note in the at-a-glance e-newsletter. The initial registration target was 25 participants, and this figure was reached quickly.

Youth Bowling Event Overall, the comments from participants were overwhelmingly positive. The workshop was scheduled for 90 minutes during lunchtime, from 12pm-1:30pm. Participants felt that the speaker and the contents were helpful, however the Q&A was much shorter than participants would have liked due to a long introductory period. The committee had hoped to film the workshop to create a video version to be shared with WBFN members outside the US and other interested members who could not attend on the day. Unfortunately, a technical difficulty excluded a video recording. Participants and the Committee also noted that it would have been useful to have copies of the speakerâ€™s PowerPoint presentation in advance. The Committee noted several recommendations for future workshops related to these topics.

Youth Bowling Event In February 2014, the YPC organized a â€œYouth Bowling Event in Bowlmor, Bethesda. This social event was advertised to WBFN, IMFFA and IDBFA youth through the Mosaic magazine, at-a-glance e-newsletter and with a bulletin board flyer. The initial target was 40 participants. Registration was closed with 34 participants, however we included several younger siblings and a parent, which finalized the total to 38 participants. Two thirds of the participants were from WBG families, two were from the IMFFA, and the rest were from the

IDBFA. The Committee decided to charge a $10.00 fee to stay within budget and this was paid by participants without objection. Registration, payment and membership verification were handled by WBFN. The Committee decided in initial planning phases that youth events would only be open to direct family members of the three associations. Requests for youths to bring friends from outside these organizations was considered but rejected based on the fact that the activities are intended to introduce youth to other youth from similar backgrounds. The Committee therefore felt that if participants brought friends, they would be less inclined to mingle. Additionally, it was important for the Committee to enforce the age limit of 1218yrs, although a few exceptions, based on availability, were made for youngsters aged 11yrs. Feedback on the event from both parents and youth was extremely favorable. Many youth personally thanked the volunteers and asked for more social events in the future. The Committee noted several lessons learned, including the distribution and receipt of waiver forms, the organization of teams and the timing of the bowling activity. Parents of participants were required to sign waiver forms ahead of the event. Many did not and verifying their receipt at the beginning of the event was a challenge. Additionally, the Committee spent time organizing the youth into bowling teams in hopes of creating a good distribution and social mix. However, as teens arrived, many changed the team lists. This created more work for the Committee to redistribute participants. As a lesson learned, attempts to organize specific groups are probably not necessary. Additionally, each team progressed at different rates and some teams were done quite quickly while others were not. This was most apparent with the younger participants who spent much more time and interest in the arcade area.

Youth Meet and Greet The Committee had originally planned to launch a new WBG Youth Orientation during spring break in April, in hopes of reaching youth who may have just relocated to DC in January. Upon review, there did not appear to be a significant number of newcomers and the Committee felt an orientation at the end of summer would be more practical. As an alternative, the Youth Meet and Greet was held in April 2014, to give youth time to socially interact and get specific feedback about future programs and events in which they would like to participate. The initial target of participants was 25. The event was advertised through Mosaic, at-a-glance, and an email to all WBFN members. Information was also distributed to the IDB and IMF. Registration for this event was significantly lower than

anticipated and relied heavily on word of mouth to increase numbers. The final total was 13 participants, ranging in age from 12-17. Initial feedback from interested parents and teens confirmed that prior travel and plans over the spring break holiday was a significant factor determining attendance. Participants were originally given the task of reviewing the WBFN “Youth Pamphlet” and were asked to provide feedback on an updated version. Early in the discussion it was apparent that older participants would rely much more on a format that was technology-centered, preferring to access information on their smartphones. Many also considered the information to be more geared to their parents, as it related to safety, etc. The youngsters indicated that they would like more detailed information on public transportation, driving license requirements, recreational sporting leagues, and places and events geared toward their age group. The participants also listed a wide range of activities and social events they would like to attend, including community service projects. They also confirmed that workshops for education and college planning would be very popular. One of the overriding themes of the feedback from the Meet and Greet was the participants’ desire for more social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter as a way for them to communicate with WBFN and each other. Older participants especially find it cumbersome to wait for information about events to filter down to them from their parents. Additionally, several older participants suggested forming a mentor/ buddy system for new arrivals

An Overview of Higher Education in the U.S. In May 2014, the YPC organized a workshop, “An Overview of Higher Education in the U.S. including Gap Year Experience,” presented by Dr. Brie Jeweler-Bentz, an education consultant. This workshop, designed for parents, took a discussion-based format and was divided into four categories, leading with the differences between higher education in the U.S. and other countries, including the uniqueness of the DC metro area. Dr. Jeweler-Bentz also highlighted several less traditional options for post-secondary studies, including gap year experiences. In addition, the speaker provided information on what colleges and universities are looking for in prospective students, and answered questions specific to international students. She also provided a timeline for current high school students to follow in preparation for the college application process and described how to be a “stand out” applicant. The workshop was advertised on the WBFN website and Facebook page. It was not featured in the May Mosaic and only a small number of flyers were made and posted. The event however exceeded our initial target of 25 participants and was held with 35 participants. The

budget for the workshop was $100.00 and the final cost was $42.00. Dr. Jeweler-Bentz was a clear and confident speaker who interacted easily with the audience. The majority of the participants rated her presentation with the highest score possible, and most were eager to have her lead additional workshops in the future. Dr. JewelerBentz was most appreciative of the exposure and graciously offered to conduct additional workshops as needed. She also indicated that her colleague, a specialist in private school placements, could also volunteer to conduct a session aimed at parents with children in elementary to high school.

Future Goals for the YPC The YPC has identified several key initiatives for the coming fiscal year to strengthen the Youth Program at WBFN, including: Establish an enhanced presence on current WBFN social media outlets, including the website and Facebook page, to create excitement about and exposure for the Program.

Conduct consistent advertising to improve delivery of information about workshops and events.

Increase synergy of member information to include a main database of current and potential participants for the Youth Program.

Improve communication with and outreach to IMFFA and IDBFA for more collaboration on youth events.

Maximize opportunities for outreach between youth in country offices and those in the DC areas, through collaboration with the Members Abroad team.

Recruit volunteers for several key roles.

EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL & CULTURAL LEARNING @ WBFN Information Seminars As spouses/partners adjust to new lives in the United States, understanding the laws, rules and regulations that have a direct impact on them and their families is an important element of a satisfactory relocation. To this end, WBFN programs a series of seminars covering many of these subjects. We encourage our members to attend these informational sessions in order to stay knowledgeable and up-to-date on the ever-changing landscape of US laws. During the year 2013-14, WBFN arranged a total of seven seminars. The topics covered were:

ESL students @ WBFN

Work Authorization in the US for G4 dependent visa holders;

Visas and permanent residency options for G4 spouses, partners and dependents (two seminars);

Income Tax Filing;

Estate Planning;

Pensions; Insurance. Most seminars were well attended by WBFN members and WBG staff, especially the G4 visa seminar, with over 70 attendees. The Income Tax and Estate Planning seminars were also particularly popular, with over 60 attendees each. WBFNâ€™s longtime friend Monika Sergo has worked diligently to make sure that the speakers at these events are well informed and are aware of issues faced by World Bank families, in particular with relevance to G4 visa holders. Attention is paid to the evaluation

forms submitted at the end of each session in order to hear membersâ€™ feedback. This feedback is taken into consideration in the decision and planning process for the upcoming seminars so that a range of topics is covered. The seminar dates and brief explanations of the subjects are provided in Mosaic, in order for members to make informed decisions on attending the events. It is our goal to publish at the beginning of the season, in the fall, a complete list of the seminars so that members can plan to attend as many as possible. As spouses/partners adjust to new lives in the United States, understanding the laws, rules and regulations that have a direct impact on them and their families is an important element of a satisfactory relocation. We encourage our members to attend these information seminars in order to stay knowledgeable and up-to-date on the ever-changing landscape of US laws.

Language Classes English Classes 20013-2014 was the most successful yet, since 2007, for numbers of students at all three levels seeking English instruction and opportunities for guided English interaction with other World Bank, IMF, and IDB spouses. Three levels of classes, from Beginner to Intermediate to Advanced Conversation and Grammar, at an intensive pace of nine hours per week of class time and homework each class, increased the knowledge and confidence of over 30 spouses/partners. Grammar textbooks, in-class presentations, and lunch gatherings and outings were all guided by three paid teachers in a professional atmosphere. Highlights of the sessions were the opening coffee, where each student presented him/ herself, and the potluck lunch and graduation ceremony at the end of the course, where measurable results were recognized by certificates of achievement presented by Catherine, the WBFN Coordinator. Terrific support from Mimi and Christinne in the WBFN office allowed for flawless registration, publicity, and tuition and book payment collection. Catherine arranged all classroom space, our most major challenge other than the snow and scheduling delays and makeups, and supervised the planning of dates and organization. Highlights this year included the numerous expressions of team spirit and self confidence among the classmates, the growing ability to laugh together about challenges of language

and other experiences as an expatriate spouse/partner, and the growing realization that each student has something important to contribute IN ENGLISH. Students and teachers learned much from each other about issues in many countries and became conversant in topics far beyond our previous experiences. Many became involved in other volunteer aspects of WBFN after becoming familiar with the organization through the English Classes. This program has potential to grow and expand into more Business English efforts next year if sufficient advance planning occurs. All in all, an excellent outreach effort of WBFN and a continued success.

Intermediate French Catherine Gouarne continued opening her home and offering intermediate French classes every week throughout FY14. Throughout the year approximately xx WBFN members attended the classes including three new people. Catherine gave an average of three and a half hours of her time per week. The group is so much more than a French language class. The students and Catherine are close friends and new students are warmly welcomed into the circle. The students and teacher get together for many other social activities. This is the 25th year Catherine has offered the course, and she is still passionate about the students she engages and the community it creates!

Advanced Spanish Conversation The Advanced Spanish group has been meeting for over 20 years with the same coordinator and the same core members. We meet every Friday from 11am to 3pm, except during summer, at various membersâ€™ homes. There are a total of 12 members and we have an average attendance of eight members during the year. The class runs until 1pm and begins by discussing a couple of the main items in the news, then we proced to read a short story from a wellknown Spanish writer and numerous articles from newspapers and magazines. From 1pm to 3pm the host offers us lunch. As in previous years, our group undertook other additional activities this year: we organized a Christmas party, a picnic, and attended theaters, movies, museums, and concerts. We plan to continue with the same model for the near future.

Financial Literacy Financial Literacy Classes WBFN’s Financial Literacy courses introduce participants to the financial world and equip them to make informed financial decisions about spending, saving and investing. This knowledge empowers families and is essential learning for every family regardless of nationality or age. One in-person seminar, “Money Matters” and two online courses, “Budgeting: Developing a Financial Road Map” and “Savings and Investments” form the core courses of this program. Two additional seminars, “Getting on with Money” and “Time Management” supplement these core courses. All face-to-face seminars are Washington-based, but WBFN welcomes participants from around the world who happen to be visiting the Washington area from a Country Office at the time. The online courses are open to all WBFN members outside of the US in addition to those based in DC. In October 2013, one in-person course was offered: “Money Matters”. “Money Matters” introduces participants to the financial vocabulary and concepts needed to understand and use the benefits offered through the WBG and to explain the importance of pension plans. In November 2013, the online “Savings and Investments” course was offered. “Savings and Investments” helps participants identify the savings required to maintain their standard of life in the future and explains pension plans, investment assets, stocks and bonds and portfolio management. During December 2013, the Financial Literacy courses were rebranded in an attempt to attract more participants. The name of the overall series was changed from Financial Literacy to Strategic Financial Management, and individual course names were changed as follows: i) Money Matters became Wealth Management and the Stock Market; ii) Getting on with Money became Defining and Achieving Financial Goals; iii) Budgeting became Making, Keeping and Managing your Money; iv) Savings and Investments became Strategic Saving and Investing. A concerted effort was made to advertise the courses more broadly to all WBFN members, including all newcomers in a more targeted manner, and IMF spouses/partners were also invited to participate. Mosaic articles in January and May 2013 also sought to better promote the importance of the courses. In February 2014, the two in-person courses, “Wealth Management and the Stock Market” and “Defining and Achieving Financial Goals” were held in Washington, DC. In March 2014, the online course “Making, Keeping and Managing your Money” was offered.

The benefits from these courses are many, some of them unexpected. Participants report enhanced interest in finance in general and this manifests in some joining groups learning about stock markets and investing in a personal portfolio. They report better communication in the home with their spouse or partner and they report increased savings and lowered tension about money matters in general. In addition, the online courses bring people from various global regions into contact through the financial chat rooms facilitated on the e-platform.

Wandering Winners Investment Club Studying, working, profiting together! Another great year! WWIC members continued to actively pursue the Club’s original mission, as stated in our Bylaws: “to benefit partners educationally and financially, by investing in securities, while employing fundamental principles and techniques of sound investment practices.” We thoroughly enjoy learning together how to conduct better research on stock sectors, industries, and companies as well as how to make sound investment decisions. One measure of our success is reflected in the growth and diversity of the Club’s portfolio, which we manage via Scottrade broker. WWIC currently has 19 members, including two distant members who Skype into meetings from Hong Kong and Bangladesh. Two new members joined in 2013, and one member withdrew. Members hail from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the US. This year, there was strong interest in joining WWIC from newcomers. The Club’s Bylaws allow up to 25 members. Becoming a member is a great way to start acquiring an investment education.

In 2013, WWIC conducted 11 official monthly meetings at which members presented their analysis of numerous companies, recommended eight new investments and proposed “topping up” five of our portfolio holdings as well as selling seven of our companies. We agreed to place “floor limits” on our portfolio stocks as a means to limit losses should the market suddenly tumble. We employed stop losses, trailing stops, and limit orders as tools for managing our portfolio. The Club’s 20 portfolio companies are spread over ten sectors and include small, medium, large and mega caps. Our aim is to purchase more shares of WWIC Portfolio securities when the price is right. Many thanks go to members who presented new companies! Your PowerPoints were exceptional! We learned a lot about genetics, orphan drugs, veterinary issues, technology, wind and solar energy, and the trucking industry. The role of the WWIC Treasurer remains critical to the success of our investment club. Patricia Caicedo generously continued to maintain our WWIC brokerage and credit union accounts, prepare our US federal taxes, and help us better understand key investment concepts. Informal, weekly study sessions provided additional opportunities for members to share ideas, explore and compare new companies and discuss the market. Most WWIC meetings are held in the WBFN conference room, which affords us use of the technology we need to access financial websites, track our portfolio online via the WWIC “myiclub” website, present research reports and PowerPoints, and manage communications with distant WWIC members. Many thanks to the WWIC technology committee (Aino Askgaard, Cecilia Nehar, Mari Parker, and Minal Shah) for initiating the Club’s Google Group and for enabling us to better use the available technology. Improving all members’ technology skills is an ongoing goal. On April 26, 2013, the WWIC had the privilege of touring the WBG Treasury Department and hearing a presentation by Dr. Katya Gratacheva about the work of its staff. We try to follow her sound advice: “Keep focused on the fundamentals (which drive returns) and screen out the noise (market volatility and fluctuations )”. An article about our visit was published in the June 2013 issue of Mosaic. Special thanks to WWIC member Georgine Ahmad for arranging this program, as well as our January 2014 speakers’ program. Special congratulations to WWIC distant member, Brinda Dayal-Prakash, on landing a position with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Her husband relocated with the IFC to Hong Kong in 2012. Brinda credits her experience as a former WWIC President and member with strengthening her resume. Her story appeared in the January 2014 Mosaic. In December 2013, Alison Ordu hosted a potluck lunch at her home. Thank you! Great company, good times, and delicious food! At our January 2014 meeting, Ozgur Karaosmanoglu, Sr. Vice President, and Aydin Tuncer,

Vice President – Investments, of the Global Wealth Management Group at Raymond James, shared with us their 2014 Economic Outlook and presented a review of the WWIC Portfolio. The WWIC also greatly appreciates the continuing support and generous patience of the WBFN staff and the use of the WBFN conference room. The WWIC was founded in 2001 by spouses of WBG staff who were inspired by Cary Clark’s financial literacy classes. These classes, organized by the WBFN, continue to draw new members to the WWIC. We applaud WBFN’s leadership! .

SINCERE THANKS TO THIS YEARS’S WWIC CLUB OFFICERS VICE PRESIDENT

Minal Shah

SECRETARY

Alison Ordu

TREASURER

Patricia Caicedo

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Sally Mcartney

ASSISTANT PARLIAMENTARIAN

Sonja Kuhn

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Vanita Vengopal

The “Wandering Winners” 59

SOCIAL & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES DC Parents & Tots (Downtown Babies) The Downtown Babies playgroup is for WBFN families that live in the DC metro area. It was started some four years ago. We have a group of about 40 interested families. The coordinator emails them each week or month asking for volunteer hosts. The host either invites people to their home or to a playground or museum. Ideally, the group meets once a week (usually Wednesday mornings). The idea is that the children play together and the parents connect, offer support and form friendships. This year we had a strong summer showing with weekly playgroup meetings. But as the holiday season started in November and it got colder, the meetings became infrequent and not so well attended. This may be because there are few new families in the area, or may simply be down to the long winter. Ways to improve attendance could be to identify one particular spot—for example a play space near the World Bank—for monthly meetings, or to put funds together to visit a commercial play space once in a while.

MD Parents & Tots MD Parents and Tots is a group of parents (mainly moms) whose spouses work at the World Bank Group or the IMF and who have infants/toddlers/preschoolers. Most of the members live in Maryland, mainly in Montgomery County. The group meets for a playgroup one morning a week—Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm, usually at someone’s home. Occasionally, outings to a park, a children’s show, etc. are organized, mainly during the summer holidays. “Mom’s night out” happens every one or two months and twice a year a family picnic takes place. The main yearly activities have not changed since last year (previous reports can be found in the BankFundKids webpage (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BankFundKids/). This webpage is the main means of communication of the group. All members have access, and the webpage functions to post play dates, comments to the group, post pictures of events, and add places of interest, or information on recommended physicians, for instance. This year, the group has had 31 adult members attending with their child/children. Not all actively attend each week. On average, one to two new members join every month.

The most important events for this year have been: Each or every other month we tried a new restaurant in the evening, which has been very succesful.

Three mums had their babies, and we supported them by providing meals through the mealtrain.

Farewells were organized for three group members.

The family picnic was held on May 17th.

Summer activities included meeting at parks like Cabin John, water splash parks, and Strathmore summer concerts.

The current coordinators, Monica Nermark and Veronica Montfort, will soon pass on their coordination to other group members as their children are attending preschool and cannot attend the playgroups so often anymore. This change has been reflected in a generally lower motivation of the rest of the group to continue meeting, which has been the greatest challenge recently.

VA Parents & Tots The VA Parents and Tots group is a weekly mom and preschool-age get together. The playgroup is usually held on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm in the homes of the members of the group, although in the warmer seasons the group organizes trips to parks or tot-lots as well. The main highlights of the year included a baby shower for Dzifa Andam, a going away celebration for Hestea Van Rensburg, and the welcoming of new members into the group. The group faces a challenge in getting members to RSVP to weekly get-together invitations and in identifying a willing host for each week. Of course, other engagements occasionally coincide with the playgroup, meaning not all members can attend consistently. One suggestion for improvement is to have hostess sign-ups online to make members feel more invested in the group and to take responsibility for it together. The trade-off is that such an approach is less personal and perhaps not as welcoming to new members. Next year we hope to gain more new members as well as organize a momâ€™s night out once every few weeks.

African Book Group The African Book Group usually meets on the third Monday of the month, September to May. In recent times we have joined the English Book Group in June for a special program followed by a delicious potluck lunch. Vim Maguire, member of both groups, hosted this event again in her lovely garden this year. In December, in place of the regular book discussion, we joined with our spouses for our annual potluck holiday dinner. It was, as always, a delightful evening. We now have about 15 regular attendees. We start at 10:00 am with refreshments and lively conversation, in various membersâ€™ homes. Thank you Monica Schott, Vim Maguire, Melitta Carter, Veronica Murphy, Ileana de Geyndt, Kimi Nyawata, Debra Byam, Francine Last and Elna van Greuning for opening your homes to us. The two coordinators of the group, Alison Ordu and Debra Byam, share the administrative duties. Debra usually researches the author and keeps track of the attendance and books read. Alison communicates with the WBFN office and the members about the books we will read, dates and times of meetings and other special occasions.

The African Book Group

We choose authors from as many different African countries as possible. Our choices this year were: September: Americanah, by Chimamanda Adichie (Nigerian)

October: Ghana Must Go, by Taiye Selasi (Ghanaian)

November: Brink, by Andre Philida (South Africa)

January: An African Love Story, by Dame Daphne Sheldrick (Kenyan/British)

February: The Cocktail Hour, by Alexandra Fuller (British/Zimbabwean)

March: Dreams of Trespass, by Fatima Mernissi (Moroccan)

April: The Secret Lives of Baba Segiâ€™s Wives, by Lola Shoneyin (Nigerian)

May: Dust, by Yvonne Owuor (Kenyan)

Summer reading for September is We Need New Names, by NoViolet Bulaweyo (born Elizabeth Zandile Tshele) from Zimbabwe.

American Book Group The American book club, held on the second Tuesday of each month, meets at La Madeleine Cafe in Bethesda. The attendees participate in the WBFN English classes and are interested in broadening their knowledge of American culture. This year we read the following books: Orphan Train, by Cristina Baker Kline

The Round House, by Louise Erdich

The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver

These novels offer absorbing portrayals of American life from immigrant New York to Native American Indian reservations.

English Book Group What We Do The English Literature Group has a long historyâ€”it was established several decades back, and has provided a welcoming forum for socialization and book discussion ever since. We have approximately 30 members, most of long standing, and of whom a number travel extensively or spend several months away from DC each year. Attendance at our book discussions thus varies from 9 to 24. Our twice yearly Potlucks typically have around 30 participants. Members take turns to host the monthly meetings held September to June, and to provide a brunch that precedes our book discussion. The December and June get-togethers are Potluck events for which all attendees help prepare the meal. In June, we have a themed luncheon and usually have an invited special guest, author of our May book. This event is unusual, possibly unique, in that we hold the Potluck jointly with another WBFN group, the smaller African Book Group. The books we read are suggested by members, and selected by consensus. They encompass recent novels as well as classics, and some non-fiction. The criteria for selection are literary merit as well as the bookâ€™s potential for stimulating discussion on a broad range of subjects, including those considered taboo topics in polite conversation! As a result of the lively discussions we enjoy every month, even on those rare occasions when our book disappoints, our members come to know one another well over time. Warm bonds of friendship have arisen among our participants, and we support one another through thick and thin. We also use our meetings as a forum to share news about charities we support, and cultural events. Frequently this results in a group outing or tour. In particular, we strive for group attendance at any events related to our current or past reading. We are privileged to have a

English and African Book Groups

number of members who are associated with some of Washington’s premier cultural institutions, and so we are encouraged to get out more and avail ourselves of the best our area can provide! Notable recurring events we enjoy thanks to member involvement are recitals by Double C piano duo (Barbara Cackler is one of the talented musicians), and productions of the British Players amateur dramatic group (members Margaret Lane and Sigrid Blobel are among those involved with the British Players). To manage the various aspects of our group, our coordinators put out a Reminder and Summary newsletter respectively before and after each meeting.

Highlights of the Year Truth be told, we have a highlight each month: without fail, our meetings prove delightful regardless of the content or even merit of the books we discuss! The books we enjoyed discussing over the past year are listed below, together with the members who hosted the discussion. But our two annual Potluck events deserve special mention because of the enormous effort that goes into their preparation both by the generous hosts, and all participating members. The flavor—literal and figurative—of our June 2013 Potluck was best summed up by the followup message, quoted below, that we received from our honored guest, Vaddey Ratner. She is the author of an acclaimed account of life in Cambodia before and during the Khmer regime: “Thank you so much for inviting me to join your group’s discussion of In the Shadow of the Banyan. I’m deeply touched by everyone’s heartfelt connection to the story, to the voices and the spirits that inhabit these pages. The novel owes much to readers like yourselves, and naturally, I count all of you among its guardians and emissaries. Please convey my heartfelt gratitude to all who attended the luncheon, members of both the WBFN English and African Literature Groups, for their warm attention and attentiveness, for their thoughtful questions and comments, for the insights they brought to the conversation. It was such a wonderful experience for me, from beginning to end. I felt so rewarded to have met all of you. Thank you so much for everything—the sumptuous feast, the lovely company, the ride to and fro. Vim, a special thanks to you for hosting me and the book in your lovely home, and oooh, the laksa was just heavenly, the perfect afternoon meal in a garden as lush as those of Southeast Asia. Myra and Barbara, how you’ve honored me with your beautiful, kind words. Thank you, thank you! And thanks also for the spectacular picture of all of us—I shall cherish it! May I forward this picture to be posted on the Facebook fan page for Banyan, to share it with other readers? I wouldn’t identify any of you individually, just the group. And if you

wouldn’t mind me sharing a portion of your letter, I’d like to—it’s among the most thoughtful and well-written that I’ve received. Do let me know.

My Abiding Gratitude. The English Book Group is likewise grateful to Vim Maguire for graciously throwing open her home to an annual June invasion of many eager readers, bearing all manner of pots and bowls of food. Vim also regularly enhances our lives with her enthusiasm and suggestions for cultural events and good causes to support. Our December Holiday Evening Potluck, to which significant others are also invited, has benefited for quite a number of years from the generosity of Dianela Ratha. Dianela has provided a festive framework in her lovely spacious home, for our crowd to celebrate the season comme il faut.

Main Challenges of the Year Some of our more senior members are no longer regular meeting attendees, due to frailty. However, we often have around 20 participants in monthly meetings and so we are hesitant to take on new members because of space constraints and wanting to allow everyone adequate time for discussion participation. The size of our group means that only a subgroup have the home capacity to volunteer as hosts.

Hopes and Goals for Next Year We hope that our member enthusiasm and participation levels will be maintained, but also hope to be able to accommodate a couple of new eager readers. FY14 dates, books and hosts: September: Someone Knows my Name, by Lawrence Hill (Debra Byam)

October: Mozart’s Sister, by Nancy Moser (Nancy LeBaron)

November: The Wall, by Marlen Haushofer (Margaret Lane)

December: Holiday Potluck with spouses (Dianela Ratha)

January: The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachln (Mercedes Irigoyen)

February: The Cat’s Table, by Michael Ondaatje (Trish Stephens)

March: Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Marriage, Loveship, by Alice Munro (Silvia Domenge)

April: Old Filth by Jane Gardam (Monica Schott)

May: Hanns and Rudolph by Thomas Harding (Dianela Ratha)

June: Summer Potluck with African Book Group (Monica Schott)

French Book Group The French Book Group has been in existence for at least a couple of decades, going back to perhaps the early or mid-1980s. We meet once a month on a Friday to discuss books written in French by Francophone authors. This year our selections included the following works: Peste et Cholera, by Patrick Deville

Jeanne, by Jacqueline de Romilly

Un coeur simple, by Gustave Flaubert

Le rapport de Brodeck, by Philippe Claudel

En vieillissant les hommes pleurent, by Jean-Luc Seigle

Une femme honorable, by Françoise Giroud

Les années, by Annie Ernaux

L’ombre douce, by Hoai Huong Nguyen (French-Vietnamese)

Notre-Dame du Nil, by Scholastique Mukasonga (Rwandan)

We are a small and congenial group of roughly 10 people from different countries and backgrounds. Our knowledge and fluency of the French language are of either native or near native level. We all share a love of reading, discussing and analyzing books in French. Our goal is to discover a wide range of authors both classic and contemporary in a relaxed and informal setting. We take turns in hosting a meeting per month (from September to

June). At each meeting, we discuss the month’s read. We share in nominating the books we will read each year. We were pleased to have several new members join us this year. We welcome any French speakers who would care to come to our meetings next year.

Beer Club The Beer Club has been an ongoing activity since 2012, and it is based on members attending a Wednesday happy hour at Dupont Circle. It gathers both men and women, WBFN members and others. These events do not require specific organization, and WBFN’s role is limited to informing new members about the Club, which is also advertised in Mosaic and on the WBFN website. It is an excellent way to meet other people, not just those from the WBG/WBFN, and to network. These happy hours are popular and a varying number of people attend every week.

Duplicate Bridge (Friday, Advanced Group) The Advanced Bridge Club continued to meet every Friday morning during FY14. The group meets at different players’ homes. Group members are both World Bank and non-Bank players, and all are advanced in their level of bridge playing.

Duplicate Bridge (Wednesday) Ours is a duplicate bridge event, in existence since the 1970s, which meets the third Wednesday of the month and includes lunch. We have around 12 regular players. Only a few of the players are affiliated with the World Bank or the IMF. Many of them have lived abroad or may be from other countries. Mostly, we play in the Bethesda, Potomac area.

Fiber Arts TIn FY14, a WBFN Fiber Arts group was established for all fabric and yarn enthusiasts of all skill levels. Since the initial meeting on February 12, 2014, the group met weekly either at the J building cafeteria or at members’ homes. The group decided to take a long summer break, since most of the members tend to leave DC at that time of the year, before starting up again in September 2014. Three to six people participate each time, and around 12 people are on the email list. The group is open to any kind of Fiber Arts, although current participants have been mainly interested in knitting and/or learning to knit.

International Cultural Group The International Cultural Group meets whenever an educational or culturally interesting place, activity or event is identified in the greater DC area. There are no fixed dates for meetings and the number of events per year is also flexible. During the past year, the events were:

A guided tour of “Yoga: The Art of Transformation” at the Sackler Gallery (December).

A guided tour of “The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning” at the Sackler Gallery (March).

A visit to the National Geographic exhibition of “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed” (April).

A guided tour of “An American in London: Whistler and the Thames” at the Sackler Gallery (May).

Mah-jong Club The Mah-jong Club of 4-8 ladies meets once a week on a Tuesday morning from 10:00am until noon. The venue varies from week to week depending on which member volunteers to host. We follow the western game and use the book The Mah Jong Player’s Companion, by Patricia A. Thompson and Betty Maloney. Several members have their own set of Mah-jong tiles and anyone is welcome to visit and observe before committing to joining on a regular basis. We are not too competitive and welcome newcomers to learn and play this game, which

keeps the memory stimulated by remembering a variety of games together with good judgment in selecting a game plan that will afford the best chance of success.

WBFN Gallery All WBFN members, immediate relations, spouses/partners, and parents of long-term consultants are welcome to display their creations in the WBFN Conference Room. We enjoy a large variety of work, including fine arts, jewelry, photography, ceramics, drawings, cloth and textiles. Exhibits hang/display for one month or more. The artists can promote or sell artwork during special events like receptions. The artist is asked to donate 15% of any sales from the Exhibit to the MMMF. The artists are allowed and encouraged to have an opening reception at the WBFN Conference Room, while the exhibit is on, and to inform the Bank’s staff of the event by posting flyers. For November to December 2013, Jacqueline Ravelomanana, a Malagasy painter and historian living in America, offered another vision of her country from the perspective of her new American surroundings. For December 2013 to April 2014, Scott Joseph Cowcher, an Australian painter who has been involved with the arts all his life, presented his exhibit entitled “A Not So Still Life”, providing a response to simple objects through the artist’s lense. For May to June 2014, Luisa Ferreira Lopes, an economist by profession, WBFN volunteer, and passionate traveler and photographer, shared a collection of photos representing some of her favorite themes: modern architecture, natural effects of shape and color, and people. For June to September 2014, -Jinling Fu, who has rigorously studied the Regular, Grass, Clerical, Seal and Running scripts, as well as the oracle bone inscriptions, offered an exhibition of Chinese calligraphy arts.

ANNUAL EVENTS Children’s Holiday Party WBFN’s annual Children’s Holiday Party (CHP) is an event all the WBFN volunteers and WBG families look forward to, as it is one of the biggest events of the WBFN calendar. This year, around 750 WBG family members attended and 70+ volunteers made the party a HUGE success. After weeks and weeks of advance planning, on Saturday 7 December, hundreds of WBG families and friends packed into the MC Atrium for a fun-filled day celebrating holiday traditions from around the world. This year’s theme, “winter wonderland”, saw the Atrium decorated with icy white and blue decorations, painstakingly created by WBFN volunteers. During the afternoon, children dashed from table to table, happily working on their craft projects and excitedly picking out designs for face painting before sitting down, openmouthed, to enjoy the wondrous magic of Barry Wood. The WBFN President and President Operations were pleased to present over $2000 worth of gift cards to the Children’s Law Center of Washington, DC, to brighten up the holiday season for children in need in the DC area. A very big thank you goes to all the volunteers involved in planning the party, as well as WBFN staff Catherine, Mimi and Christinne for their work on managing registrations, volunteers, and logistics. Thank you also to everyone who attended and helped on the day, with a special thank you to Santa for spending the afternoon with the children!

Annual Picnic This year’s Annual Picnic took place on April 12, 2014, from 12:00-3:00pm at the Bretton Woods Recreational Center. The theme for this year was “Fairy Tales”. An impressive 223 people attended the Picnic—128 adults and 95 children. Games included soccer, badminton, sack races, egg races, parachute games, a mummy contest, color your own crown/tiara, and a raffle with 20 prizes. The initial Picnic organization team consisted of four members, later joined by another three (including one teen volunteer). Planning meetings began in February, and from one month prior to the event, the team met weekly. Summaries of each meeting were prepared and circulated to the team, together with an updated workflow sheet. Each volunteer coordinated an activity, such as registration, decoration, food, games, pictures, clean-up, etc. All of the team volunteers were invited to a general meeting a couple of days before the event to discuss logistics and define responsibilities. A total of 28 volunteers helped out on the day of the event. Volunteers were divided into two shifts. The first shift worked from 10:00am to 1:00pm; the second shift, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. This was the first WBFN volunteer experience for most of the core team members (including the team coordinator), so there was a learning curve involved. The planning process was helped along considerably by support from more experienced WBFN volunteers, plus the availability of some written materials from previous picnic events (e.g. spreadsheets, forms, marketing campaign). A number of lessons learned may help future planning teams in the preparation of the event: The team should consider having two volunteers taking care of registration during the organization process, as this activity requires a considerable amount of time, especially during the two weeks prior to the event.

The location of the Picnic is an open area and it can get very windy. This should be taken into consideration when planning the decorations for the event.

The team should arrange to bring a good playlist and additional batteries for the WBFN sound system. There is no power outlet in the area where the games are played.

Annual Dinner The WBFN Annual Dinner is an occasion to celebrate our volunteers and achievements of the year. This year, the Annual Dinner took place on Tuesday, May 13 at the MC East Dining Room where about 130 WBFN members, staff, WBG partners, and supporters came together to celebrate our success. Special guests at the dinner, among others, included Human Resources Vice President and WBFN partner, Sean McGrath and his wife, Health Services Department director Dr. Brian Davey, Senior Psychologist at the World Bank Dr. Stuart Fisher, Director of Shared Services Sanjeev Sahgal and CEO of the Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union, Eli Vasquez. The evening started with a video address from WBG President, Dr. Jim Kim, who welcomed the guests and thanked the spouses and partners of WBG staff for their support. It was followed by an address by HR Vice President Sean McGrath, who mentioned the work of WBFN in supporting members worldwide, introducing programs for WBG youth, empowering spouses and partners in their career development and raising awareness about domestic abuse. The proceedings continued with a speech by the outgoing WBFN President and President Operations, highlighting the achievements of the year and thanking all the volunteers. They were followed by speeches by the Presidents of the WBFN Book Project, Laura Byerlee

A Celebration of Our Year at the Annual Dinner 73

and the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF), Andree Wynkoop. The outgoing Presidents then presented flowers to WBFN staff for their outstanding commitment and service to the organization. Following a warm welcome to the new Executive Committee and a few words from the incoming WBFN President and President Operations, Shaheen Khan and Silvia Kirova, guests were treated to entertainment from Lisa Liang, an actress, writer and a third culture kid (TCK). Her performance, an excerpt from her show “Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey”, touched on the often humorous situations in which expatriates find themselves during both childhood and adulthood, resonating with many of those present! The exquisite centerpieces consisting of hundreds of paper flowers hand made by WBFN volunteers were given away to a lucky guest at each table. A wonderful evening all around!

Teen Summer Program The 2013 Teen Summer Program was organized from June 24th to July 11th, 2013 for a total of 11 days by a team of volunteers from WBFN and the family associations of the IMF (IMFFA) and IDB (IDBFA). The overall theme of the 2013 Program was based on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established to end global poverty by 2015. There were a total of 32 spots for the Program and the distribution was as follows: 16 seats for teens with a parent at the WBG, 8 seats for IMF and 8 seats for IDB. A total of 109 applications were received and 89 applicants were interviewed in person and via Skype (43 WBG, 25 IMF and 21 IDB). The Program aimed to raise awareness among the participants by introducing them to the eight MDGs and provide them with the resources to research, analyze and formulate effective strategies to accelerate achievement of the MDGs by 2015. This year the focus was on four of these goals: Poverty and Hunger, Gender Equality, Education and Environment. Interactive presentations with guest speakers from the World Bank, IMF and IDB, group discussions and workshops to develop leadership and presentation skills were some of the features of this year’s Program. The Program culminated in a final team project where teams selected a country and were assigned an MDG to investigate and develop a proposal on how to effectively spend funds to accelerate achievement of that particular MDG. The teens spent five days at the World Bank, three days at the IMF and three days at the IDB for a total of 11 days. WBG staff presented 11 sessions of the WB component of the program. Four of these sessions were presentations on the MDGs by Bank staff working in those specific areas. Other

Teen Summer rogram—mind and body sessions included the IFC, Treasury, Board Room, Ethics, WBG Overview, Young Professionals, Credit Union and a welcome address by WBG President Kim. In addition, the teens attended Zumba sessions at the WB Fitness Center, public speaking sessions conducted by a Toastmasters group and writing sessions with the WBFN Mosaic Team. An external crosscultural consultant conducted leadership sessions with the teens to help them understand and leverage their leadership potential as third culture kids (TCKs). The teens attended mock Board sessions and took part in mock missions, as well as workshops on interviewing skills at the IMF. The IDB organized interviews with Sector Specialists related to the MDGs, yoga and salsa classes and poster preparations that were videotaped and posted on YouTube. The program ended with group presentations and poster proposals on how to accelerate achievement of some of the MDGs. The Program was well received by the participants and many teens left the program with new friends and hoped to keep in touch. Here is what some of the teens had to say about the experience: “Before attending the 2013 TSP, my understanding and awareness of MDGs were what I learned about in school but I didn’t know the progress that had been made or how the World Bank invested in projects to eradicate poverty.” “After attending the 2013 TSP, I feel prepared to face and address the MDGs and problems in our world.” “The main learning from the 2013 TSP that I plan to use is how to empathize with people that think differently.” For the teens, the main highlights of the Program included the welcome addresses by

WBG President Kim, Madame Lagarde, Managing Director of the IMF and President Moreno of the IDB, the mock mission, IFC sessions and the leadership workshop geared for third culture kids. The main challenge faced in organizing the Teen Summer Program is interviewing and selecting 32 participants from such a large pool of talented applicants. This year, participants were charged a common Program fee of $150 each. Approximately half of the fees collected, $2,155.72, was used for food and supplies for common days of the program and the remaining amount of $2,604.65 was donated to a charity supported by the IDBFA. A total of $118.23 from the WBFN budget of $1,000.00 was spent on food during the days of the Program at the World Bank.

Annual Dinnerâ€”a time for celebration

WBFN @ FIGT Family time at the Picnic

After hours at the WBFN office

A magical Holiday Party!

Personal support for those in needâ€Ś

FAMILY ISSUES AND ADVOCACY

ADVOCACY INITIATIVES The advocacy initiatives of WBFN grew from the needs of spouses who sought the safety of the WBFN office to unburden themselves and seek help and advice. Once the major, pressing issues of welcoming and providing general support for families were acknowledged and services established by the WBG, WBFN leaders concentrated all their efforts on getting spouses and domestic partners (DPs) professional help in dealing with the stress of transitions, relationships, parenting, personal issues, and domestic abuse.

FAMILY CONSULTATION SERVICE Following heavy lobbying by WBFN leaders, the WBG hired a behavioral health and wellness company, COPE Incorporated, working in the DC Metropolitan area, to help WBG families. COPE has collaborated with WBFN over the past 25 years to create special programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of international families at the WBG. The Family Consultation Service (FCS) is the first of two specialized programs developed out of this collaboration with WBFN. FCS aims to help WBG spouses/partners and their families seeking guidance, consultation, coaching and/or counseling in the areas of personal development, life transitions, relationship concerns, health issues, and mental health. COPE/FCS staff and clinicians are advanced degree, multilingual, and culturally competent professionals. They provide free and confidential crisis support services to WBG spouses/ partners and their families dealing with a variety of stresses and issues that may arise through a process of transition. Their goal is to focus on oneâ€™s strengths and help with practical, shortterm problem solving and solutions. COPE/FCS is a free and confidential service provided 24/7 by the WBG for spouses, DPs, and families. The COPE office is located offsite to ensure privacy. Staff are available to answer your questions and schedule an appointment for you to talk with a specialist who will assist you in meeting your goals or address any concerns that you may have. Family Consultation Service Confidential Contact: +1 202-628-5104. For calls from Country Offices, please see the HUB section below for the international toll free number.

THE HUB The HUB Domestic Abuse Prevention Program (HUB) was established by COPE for the WBG due to the advocacy efforts of WBFN. Domestic abuse is a sensitive topic but the WBG recognizes that this does exist regardless of economic status, career, education, or country of origin. Domestic abuse is not just limited to physical abuse but may also include financial, verbal, or even psychological abuse, and this is where the HUB may be helpful. If you are dealing with any of these issues or concerns and if you should ever need assistance to deal with this very difficult topic, there is help available to you. Services include 24/7 crisis intervention, confidential consultation, coaching and counseling, referral services, and emergency support to staff and spouses/DPs who may be located at WBG Headquarters in DC, as well as those located in Country Offices throughout the world. HUB CONFIDENTIAL CONTACT +1 202-628-2288 HOW TO FIND THE INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE NUMBER YOU NEED 1. Go to: www.business.att.com/bt/access.jsp 2. Use the chart to find your specific 800 number and access code 2.1 If using a landline, use the access code for the country you are in 2.2 If using a cell phone, use the access code of the country where you have your phone contract 3. After receiving a second dial tone, enter the Family Consultation Service International number: 855-855-FCSI (855-855-3274)

SPOUSE ISSUES COMMITTEE WBFN was conceived from the very beginning to deal with issues whose very existence was considered outside of the WBGâ€™s business in spite of the fact that they directly and adversely impacted the family, thus indirectly impacting the staffâ€™s productivity.

Originally, individual spouses took it upon themselves to help and counsel those who found themselves in difficult situations of abandonment, loss of support, face to face with divorce, or domestic abuse with the consequent loss of visa and the right to stay in the US with their children. The first group, formed in 1993 to work on spousal inequities upon divorce especially after retirement, was called Pension Rights on Divorce (PROD). From this humble beginning, the WBFN advocacy work never stopped expanding: in 1995 the committee was renamed Spouse Rights on Divorce (SROD) and in 1996 the group expanded beyond divorce issues to deal with all matters of concern to spouses and was aptly renamed Spouses Issues Committee (SPIC).

DOMESTIC ABUSE PREVENTION TASK FORCE Exactly 40 years ago, WBFN brought the first domestic abuse case to the attention of top management at the WBG. As a result of WBFN advocacy to raise awareness on domestic abuse as a critical issue, the WBG created the Domestic Abuse Prevention program. Many important achievements during these 40 years can be highlighted and we are particularly encouraged by the fact that over the years this issue has been taken more and more seriously by the Bank, and the program is now considered by many as a model to be followed in this area. Thanks to WBFN advocacy, in October 2013 the Domestic Abuse Prevention program gained a new champion, Human Resources Vice President Sean McGrath. Mr. McGrath strongly supports the program and as a man, he leads by example for so many other men within the Bank. This year, WBFN was especially pleased to have secured additional office space for meetings dealing with DA issues. The acquisition of this space was critical as it provides DA team members and victims themselves with a safe and dedicated space where sensitive and confidential issues can be discussed. WBFN expresses its sincere thanks to Mr. Van Pulley, Director of the General Services Department. Also this year under the DA program, the support provided to WBG spouses and partners outside the US was expanded. In collaboration with the Members Abroad team, around 10 WBFN local chapters benefited for the first time from informational sessions on spouse/ partner issues and spouse/partner benefits and rights. In addition to other resources offered by the WBG, this year spouses and partners outside the US also received information on local resources in their duty station countries to help them deal with DA issues.

Continuing its financial support to victims of DA through the Barry McIsaac Emergency Fund, this year WBFN’s Spouse Issues Committee granted funds to three spouses experiencing difficulties. Importantly, Dr. Brian Davey, Director of the Health Services Department, agreed to replenish the Emergency Fund with a significant amount of money, for which WBFN is extremely grateful. In early 2014, WBFN extended its advocacy and support for domestic abuse victims outside the WBG community by participating in the annual international conference of Families in Global Transition (FIGT). WBFN representatives prepared and gave a presentation entitled “Domestic Abuse is Everyone’s Business: The WBFN and WBG Success Story for the Expat Community”, raising awareness of domestic abuse as a critical issue for the expat community and explaining how WBFN brought about the change that resulted in the WBG recognizing domestic abuse as a critical issue and developing institutional measures to address it. During the conference, WBFN received recognition from one of the FIGT founders as a trendsetter and pioneer in advocating for families.

ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE WBFN

Opportunities to gather, share, learn and expressâ€Ś

FIGT CONFERENCE Families in Global Transition (FIGT) is an organization that supports expatriate families and provides educational resources for the international relocation community. The 16th Annual FIGT International Conference took place on March 21-23, 2014, in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia. The theme was “The Global Family Redefined.” To explore the many issues within this topic, there were 30 speakers, a Writer’s Forum, a Research Forum and a solo theater performance. As WBG families share many interests and concerns about moving internationally and expatriate life, the WBFN President, President Operations, Coordinator, Mosaic Editor, representatives of the Executive Committee and leaders of several WBFN programs attended the conference. They participated actively in the sessions, learned what is new in the field, presented some of our organization’s accomplishments, and networked within the global relocation industry. During the conference nine concurrent sessions on diverse topics were held. The WBFN representatives attended all of them and reported on those that were considered most important for our community. The “Trailing Spouse Redefined” was a session demonstrating how spouses can create a global life and a business by redefining themselves and becoming “expat partners”. Once empowered, they can take ownership of their own journey. This was an encouraging presentation for all spouses and partners who are moving around the world following their families. Career development has always been considered a priority of WBFN members, and the session on “Skills for Global Coaches” presented a variety of coaching models that can be used with expatriate spouses and partners looking for a job, according to the needs of the clients and their cultures. The techniques that coaches can apply are multiple and diverse, but important in order to assess and decide how to guide job seekers in their decision on which road to take. “Supporting Unique Assignment Types” was a session related to preparing for relocation, underlining the need for tailor-made orientation for parents on country specifics as well as cross-cultural training. The session highlighted the fact that children should receive the same information, adjusted to their age and understanding. Several sessions were related to “Third Culture Kids” (TCKs), preparing them for the next move, saying goodbyes to friends, writing memoirs, integrating into the new diverse multicultural environment in new international schools and developing as potential global leaders with a global mindset.

Five ignite sessions at the conference were led by presenters from various sectors around the world. By attending these sessions, the WBFN participants learned about how differences can bring positive power, how to develop cloud solutions to meet diverse needs within a moving family, and how trusted adults can provide a different and objective perspective to young people during the relocation process. The keynote speaker for the conference was Dr. Fanta Aw, a “global nomad” who has visited and lived in more than 40 countries. During a “kitchen table” conversation, the WBFN President El Batoule Alaoui presented “Domestic Violence is everyone’s business: A World Bank Family Network and World Bank success story for the expatriate community”. The presentation was an introduction to the WBG Domestic Abuse prevention program and the goal was to create awareness on domestic abuse as a critical issue for internationally hiring organizations. Sharing the success story of the partnership between the WBG and WBFN was important for our community. The conference ended with the performance “Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey”, by Lisa Liang, a TCK and award-winning bilingual actress, who has worked in theatre, television and film for more than 25 years. FIGT is a leader in empowering internationally relocating families and educating the organizations supporting them. Attending the conference provided a great opportunity for WBFN representatives to actively participate, learn and promote our organization.

ONE BILLION RISING The “One Billion Rising” campaign began as a call to action based on the staggering UN statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls. “One Billion Rising” is a global campaign calling for an end to violence, and for justice and gender equality, with rallies last year in 190 countries. The 2014 campaign, “One Billion Rising for Justice,” focused on the issue of justice for all survivors of gender violence, and ending the rampant discrimination and impunity that prevails globally. The WBG Diversity & Inclusion Program, HSD’s Domestic Abuse Prevention program, and WBFN partnered to plan numerous activities around the world to mark this year’s campaign. At HQ in Washington DC, an event was organized for February 14 and postponed until mid-April due to inclement weather and Bank closures. On April 16, Dr. Brian Davey,

Director of the Health Services Department, reminded the audience of the power of coming together and rising up against gender violence. Following Dr. Davey’s opening remarks, attendees were treated to an energetic performance by Batala, the all-female, Afro-Brazilian drumming group. Combining rhythms from the Brazilian samba and reggae traditions, the group’s sound is strong and inspiring, reflecting the powerful potential of bringing women together and empowering them. Tony Porter, educator, activist, lecturer and co-founder of “A Call To Men: The National Association of Men and Women Committed to Ending Violence Against Women” followed the performance by sharing concrete examples of gender inequality and discrimination, including from his own personal experiences. Mr. Porter engaged the audience in reflecting on their own approaches to gender differences and encouraged everyone present to consider the contribution they can make—however small—to eradicating violence against women and girls. Vice President of Human Resources, Sean McGrath, closed the event by reminding the audience that violence against women and girls is a barrier to the achievement of the Bank’s dual mission—to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. Sean McGrath wrapped up the event by detailing the admirable efforts WBG departments are making to raise awareness of domestic abuse within the Bank and to end all such violence. Also in Washington during this period, Bank staff and families were invited to donate

clothing, toiletries and mobile phones to be distributed to the House of Ruth, a Marylandbased organization that serves women and children who have been victims of violence. A donation bin located at the WBFN office soon began to overflow and the donated items were delivered in late March. Outside the US, WBFN members at country offices also rose up against gender violence. As far afield as Bangkok and Vienna, WBFN members came together through music and dance to show their support to the cause. In Nairobi, the WBFN local chapter organized an event that engaged the women and children living at a nearby shelter.

Fostering education in developing countriesâ€Ś

WBFN OUTREACH PROGRAMS

THE BOOK PROJECT The WBFN Book Project receives donations of books from various sources to be shipped to benefit students in developing countries. The largest primary sources of these books are:

Six public schools, which includes surrounding metropolitan public county and city school districts; and

Thirty private schools.

Secondary sources of books include:

Individual private donations (large and small â€“ approx. 80 donations per year)

Donations from Bank staff members (approx. 100 donations per year)

Several student-organized book drives.

The Book Project is funded by WBFN, but receives additional funds from private donations (e.g. retired WBG staff members, InterLibrary Users Association) and by holding Book Fairs/Sales (three this year). Volunteers are the backbone of this organization. They sort, stamp, organize and box books according to distributor requests for a shipment. Other volunteers procure books, organize shipment requests and recruit new members and new Distributors. They are spouses of staff members, retired staff members, and children of staff members. For FY14, the Book Project counted on over 35 active volunteers, with between six and 10 volunteers present at the Project each day. In FY14, four large shipments were completed and shipped to recipients in Cameroon, Kenya, Cote dâ€™Ivoire, and preparations for a FY15 shipment to Lesotho were made. Six small shipments were sent to countries in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In addition, in response to a poster prepared by volunteer Saimir Nasi for the purpose of recruiting distributors, more than ten individuals inquired about becoming distributors. Seven are just beginning the process of becoming a distributor, and three are completing the required documentation. The main challenges faced by the Book Project include identifying and retaining volunteers who can make a long-term commitment to the organization, identifying and retaining vol-

unteers with skills in accounting and in database management, and obtaining the necessary documentation for organizing a shipment. For the new year, the Book Project hopes to retain its present pool of volunteers and book sources while also recruiting new team members, finding new sources, and attracting new distributors. The Book Project also plans to establish partnerships with other NGOs or individuals that can broaden its reach to worthy recipients, and to grow in line with the digital technology emerging in recipient countries. The Book Project will also use the money collected through donations to purchase new atlases, encyclopedias and English grammar books to be sent along with used books in shipments.

MARGARET MCNAMARA MEMORIAL FUND Since its founding by WBFN members in 1981, the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity, has been awarding educational grants to women from developing countries. Eligible candidates are women enrolled at accredited universities in the US and Canada, four universities in South Africa and five universities in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. They must demonstrate a commitment to returning to their countries and to working to improve the wellbeing of women and children. During its 33 year history the Fund has awarded grants to just over 250 women from over 70 countries. The Fund achieves its important mission thanks to the enormous support it receives from WBFN and its many dedicated volunteers, who serve as MMMF Board members, administer the grantee selection process and help with our major fundraising event, the MMMF International Arts and Crafts Fair, held annually in November at the World Bank. This year, MMMF awarded grants to 22 deserving women: 10 at US and Canadian universities, seven enrolled at four universities in South Africa and five at universities in the four Latin American countries mentioned above. Funds allocated for FY14 educational grants were increased this year to approximately $220,000, a 15% increase from FY13. This year, MMMF raised approximately 30% more funds than the previous year, through the MMMF International Arts and Crafts Fair, contributions from major donors, notably the Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union (BFSFCU), the Margaret and Robert McNamara Foundations, the Zlaoui family, many generous individual donations (many associated with the World

Bank Group), the World Bank Group Community Connections Annual Charity drive and income earned from our investment portfolio. The Board of Directors took the difficult but important decision to reschedule this yearâ€™s May events for US/Canada grantees to allow time needed for a long overdue strategic planning effort. This effort involves reviewing our program and administration and will realign and strengthen our capabilities to ensure a sustainable program. The MMMF would like to express its deep gratitude to its 15 dedicated Board Officers and Directors who do most of the work to manage the Fundâ€™s business and the Grant Programs. We are grateful for the energetic efforts of two new Board members this year, Colin Warren and Francisco Gonzalez-Cos. We bid adieu and express our sincere thanks to outgoing Board Directors, Joanne Garrity and Jayati Datta Mitra, who have ended their six-year terms, and to Kristine Martin and Hilary Welch, who have recently resigned. The Board established named grants in memory of our beloved Board member, Talaat Moreau, who sadly passed away in March 2014, and two former MMMF superstar Board Directors, Harriet Baldwin, who passed away in November 2013 and MMMF founding member, Ruby Wingate, who passed away in March of this year.

Investing in the Future of Developing Countries

11 THE YEAR IN NUMBERS

FUN

223 people participated in our Annual Potluck Picnic.

749 kids and parents enjoyed our Children’s Holiday Party.

INFORMATION

Of this year’s new members, 35% are male, and 28% are at Country/Field Offices.

335 members/staff attended Information Seminars on legal, tax and benefits matters.

73 members improved their English through WBFN English classes at 3 levels.

87 newcomers attended 5 sessions of the Spouse/Partner Orientation Program.

VOLUNTEERS

There are over 100 active volunteers at WBFN HQ in Washington.

These volunteers dedicated a total of 26,223 hours of their time to WBFN activities this year.

…while approximately 66 volunteers at WBFN local chapters dedicated over 6,000 hours!

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

The Book Project sent four large shipments to Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Kenya while six small shipments were sent to countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

22 scholarships were awarded by the MMMF: 10 to women studying in the US or Canada; 7 to women studying in South Africa; and 5 to women studying in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

A total of over $64,000 was raised at the International Arts and Crafts Fair to benefit the MMMF.

SALUTE TO VOLUNTEERS

WBFN = volunteer dedication, energy and skillsâ€Ś

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE July 1, 2013â€“June 30, 2014 President President Operations Secretary

El Batoule Alaoui Shaheen Khan Fiona Oliphant Claudine Vellos Karen Manzanilla Simo Malinen Shaheen Khan Aisha Humayun Kashif Silvia Kirova Saimir Nasi Cecilia Neher Lynn Rice Gilda Dadush (Senior Advisor) Hada Zaidan (Senior Advisor) Laura Byerlee (Book Project Pres.) Andree Winkoop (MMMF Pres.)

Welcoming Chair Nominating Chair Member Member Member Member Member Ex-officio Member Ex-officio Member Ex-officio Member Ex-officio Member

NOMINATING COMMITTEE El Batoule Alaoui Philippe Futa Giselle Youmbi

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WIVES/WBVS/WBFN PRESIDENTS Hada Zaidan/Sandipa Thapa Basnyat Annemarie Brink Olsen Maaike le Grand Anne Folliet Rula Ghani Chantale Holzmann Gilda Dadush Kristina Jensen Rosa Lia Troch Lois Khairallah Chantale Holzmann Elizabeth Medina-Tata Barry McIsaac Hada Zaidan Katy Doyen Caroline Berney Ruksana Mehta Anne Dickerson Carla Peperzak Miliza Wright Paula Jeffries Miliza Wright Ruby Wingate Ruth Isbister

2012 – 2013 2011 – 2012 2010 – 2011 2009 – 2010 2008 – 2009 2007 – 2008 2006 – 2007 2005 – 2006 2004 – 2005 2003 – 2004 2002 – 2003 2001 – 2002 1999 – 2001 1996 – 1999 1994 – 1996 1991 – 1994 1988 – 1991 1985 – 1988 1982 – 1985 1981 – 1982 1978 – 1981 1977 – 1978 1974 – 1977 1972 – 1974

SALUTE TO VOLUNTEERS An organization such as WBFN cannot exist except by virtue of those who volunteer their talents, services, and above all, their time, so willingly and unsparingly. We gratefully thank all those whose names appear in alphabetical order on the following pages and sincerely hope that none have been inadvertently omitted. Pierre Bihet

WBFN

Marlene Bolze

Kosar Aftab

Melanie Borgmann

Georgine Ahmad

Luca Borsari

Oding Akbar

Debra Brummett

El Batoule Alaoui

Debra Byam

Alexandra Alba

Joao Cabrita

Demet Albayrak

Barbara Cackler

Gulira Alieva

Patricia Caicedo

Kwaw Andam

Andrea Castaneda Guzman

Mira Arief

Karla Guzman de Castaneda

Aino Askgaard

Otso Castren

Alix Aubry

Sari Castren

Nona Avetisyan

Geeta Chandrasekar

Adelia Azeredo

Seoyoon Chang

Goly Badkoubi

Himani Chaudhary

Barbara Barbu

Ling Yan Chen

Winda Barkeling

Peckgee Chua

Sandra Barret

Lee Clancy

Sandipa Basnyat

Francisco Gonzales-Cos

102

Carmela Cosans

Tony Horton

Cecilia Coscaron-Arias

Myra Jacobs

Gabriel Coscaron-Arias

Natalia Jamro

Scott Cowcher

Ayeni K.

Gopa Crockford

Florence Kando

Gaelle Dessus

Katsiaryna Kantarovich

Florinda Dâ€™Eugenio

Cecile Kappen

Chie Endo

Sergey Karpenko

Naâ€™ava Feder

Aisha Kashif

Anne Folliet

Asha S. Katti

Faezeh Fourotan

Selina Katenga-Kaunda

Phi Fostvedt

Diane Kerswell

Anastasia Frierson

Lois Khairallah

Louise Fraval

Shaheen Khan

Norine Fraval

Ashfia Khan

Mila Garib

Sonja Khun

Preetha Ghosh

Carol Kiernan

Catherine Gouarne

Erika Kipping

Charlotte Grant

Silvia Kirova

Gabriela Castaneda Guzman

Elmedina Krilasevic

Jeanne Haji

Ileana Kure

Victor Hanna

Anne Ladegaard

Susi Haworth

Omar Lamrani

Alicia Hetzner

Jane Larsen

Maia Hill

Jin Lee

103

Elizabeth Legrain

Neeta Narain

Felicia Taylor-Lewis

Shalu Nariani

Aicha Lhadj

Saimir Nasi

Ambre Liprandi

Cecilia Neher

Luisa Lopes

Laila Nelson

Elena Lukyanchikova

Monica Nermark

Katya Lukyanchikova

Vincent Ngeno

Sally Macartney

Lenore Oblitas

Vim Maguire

Kathryn Oâ€™Brien

Simo Malinen

Fiona Oliphant

Karen Manzanilla

Synnove Beck Olsen

Dmitry Markov

Alison Ordu

Svetlana Markova

Odunola Osunji

Kris Martin

Abena Oti Duah

Carol May

Afua Owusua Oguah

Kiki McGrath

Mariela Paredes

Naoise McGrath

Mari Parker

Soracha McGrath

Pierangela Pedrazzini

Valerie McGrath

Tanya Pekova

Alison -Marie McIntire

Catherine Post

Hitomi Miyake

Brinda Dayal-Prakash

Sumedha Mohan

Wenna Price

Veronica Montfort

Meena Rafie

Isabel Moreno

Annumeet Rao

Melody Mudehwe

Shital Beejadhur-Rathod

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Maya Razat

Pat Streifel

Himani Relhan

Jane Sui

Lynn Rice

Kiyoko Takeuchi

Madeline Rice

Bianca Tayari

Mariela Rios

Kiyoko Terahata

Mohamed Rjoub

Binod Thapa

Marcia Roa

Bulbul Tiwari

Andres Rodriguez

Claudine Vellos

Daniel Rodriguez

Vanita Venugopal

JJ Romo

Leonida Vista

Lizette Romo

Karine Yenokyan

Lorena Romo

Gisele Youmbi

Gilda Rotman

Josee Zannou

Max Rycov

Mawussi Zevounou

Sarah Saggiante

MMMF

Waled Sayed

Toyin Adenijii

Shirley Scheyer

Elizabeth Adu

Veronica Schreiber

Georgine Ahmad

Clare Scrimgeour

Yasmine Ahmad

Monika Sergo

Hamelmal Aklilu

Minal Shah

Alex Alba

Ruby Shamayleh

Betsy Alley

Shruthi Shetty

Claudia Alvarez

Haylee Smith

Amira Aly

Susan Steel

Vasilia Anayiotos

105

Fatima Andrade

Glaucia Fernandes

Diego Arias

Miren Fernandez

Vivian Avalos

Miozotis Florez

Busharah Azhar

Caroline Gelb

Barbara Barbu

Mary Gervais

Mehrunnisa Bashir

Alisa Grigorian

Caroline Berney

Clarisse Guesdon

Sigrid Blobel

Elizabeth Gutierrez

Corrie de Blocq van Scheltinga

Ineke de Haan

Sarah Brau

Marilon Hakuta

Corrie Bridgman

Virginia Jackson

Paola Buitrago

Lori Jacobson

Debra Byam

Melanie Jaya

Sophie Caporossi

Anne John

Isabelle Chatterton

Charlotte Jones-Carroll

Tembi Chikosi

Patrick Kabuya

Sandra Dalrymple

Yvonne Kendall

Ursula Dehejia

Diane Kerswell

Khetsime Dlamini

Lilian Kew

Andrea Dore

Lois Khairallah

Anne Dronnier

Erika Kipping

Ximena Duran

Madeleine de Kock

Mariela Eberhardt

Judith Kom

Deborah Faison

Nalinie Kouame

Shriley Faragher

Ada La Forgia

Naâ€™ava Feder

Margaret Lane

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Francine Last

Hope Phillips Volker

Anthea Levy

Sonia Plaza

Rosa Lia Troch

Ning Poopech

Elize van der Linde

Wenna Price

Ledda Macera

Olga Pulgarin

Wilson Magaya

Yolanda Quintero

Vim Maguire

Manjusha Rai

Elizabeth Medina Tata

Annumeet Rao

Monique de Morsli

Jacque Rivero

Makena Mwiti

Binny Saker

Thiru Naidoo

Fernanada Sarmiento

Rema Nair

Joanka Sayer

Samalie Nambuuya

Shirley Scheyer

Neeta Narain

Louise Shimizu

Shilpa Narain

Mei Siek

Rosario Navarro

Selene Sopelana Loyo

Phindile Ngwenya

Natasha Sophia Dales

Reiko Niimi

Swati Srivastava

Pablo Nu単ez

Christine Stover

Ishanlosen Odiaua

Peta Sue Hellmann

Ceren Ozer

Yulia Syachwinda Barkeling

Lourdes Pagaran

Elizabeth Medina-Tata

Rheetuparna Pal Mahajan

Ela Tomris Ilkgelen

Mari Parker

Margaret Warren

Dhamayanthy Pathmanathan

Alex Wellsteed

Maria Peters

Hanna Woicke

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Judy Wolf

Antje Liese-Muentinga

Andre Wynkoop

Rheetuparna Pal Mahajan

Martha Yolanda Quintero r

Mariko Miyazaki

Helen York

Saimir Nasi

Giselle Youmbi

Sandra Navajas

Marcia Yu

Aggie Naval

Hada Zaidan

Asuka Okumura

Aparna Zaveri

Mariela Paredes Pierangela Pedrazzini

BOOK PROJECT

Caridad Pena

Marie Louise Akhee

Pushpa Pherwani

Faiza Ali

Vilaykham Phomsouvanh

Aminata Ambodi

Jana Prouzova

Ma Elena Anderson

Sue Ramachandran

Conceicao Andrade

Dorothee Ranneberg

Carmelinda Blagg

Shubhangi Rele

David Blum

Madina Smagulova

Henrietta Butler

Vandana Subramanian

Laura Byerlee

Kiyoko Takeuchi

Anna Dahlborg

Larissa Tungberry

Connie Elyhachana

Josephine Umahtete

Mary Green

Ester Valmonte

Djorde Ivanovic

BFSFCU volunteers

Talagavathi Karpayah

Student volunteers

Giorgio Lamptey Marie Helene Lapie

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