- History of the Faculty Women’s Club
- Purpose of the Club
- Membership
- Membership Fees and Costs
- Meetings
- Interest Groups
History of the Faculty Women’s Club
- How did the Club get started?
- Please explain the name of the Club. Is the name still appropriate for today? Should it be changed?
- What is the relationship between the Faculty Women’s Club and the University Women’s Club?
The Faculty Women’s Club was founded in 1917 to assist women students, under the visionary guidance of UBC’s first President, Dr. Wesbrook, and the Board of Governors. It holds the honour of being the oldest and most enduring service organization on the UBC campus. For over a century, we have fostered a spirit of community and support, and it’s our honour to continue that legacy today (excerpt from a Fall 2023 Welcome Speech by the FWC President).
For additional information, see the 2017 FWC 100th Anniversary Dinner Speech.
Here is a list of FWC Presidents from 1917-2024.
Please explain the name of the Club. Is the name still appropriate for today? Should it be changed?
The ”Faculty Women’s Club” (of the University of British Columbia, FWC) has been in existence for over a century and is named appropriately for today and beyond for these reasons:
- The FWC name is synonymous with its long-standing, historical, and mutually beneficial relationship with the University. It stands true to the Club’s overall mission.
- In recent years, UBC has acknowledged that FWC is affiliated with the University, and has long recognized the important contributions that the Club provides.
- Re-naming the Club would end its 100+ years history moving forward. A new name/entity would have its own history beginning with the name-change only, and its relationship with UBC would not be guaranteed.
What is the relationship between the Faculty Women’s Club and the University Women’s Club?
They are separate organizations and there is no relationship between the two.
Purpose of the Club
- What is the purpose of the Club today?
- How and to whom is fundraising directed?
- How are fundraising needs identified?
- How much money per year is raised for scholarships?
What is the purpose of the Club today?
The purposes of the Club are:
- to provide assistance to students through scholarships, bursaries and other means;
- to provide services to the University community;
- to promote social, recreational and cultural activities among the members.
For more information, please see the FWC Constitution and Bylaws.
More informally, the Club nurtures a caring community and lasting friendships as we work towards our common goal of improving the lives of UBC students. And we have a lot of fun along the way!
How and to whom is fundraising directed?
The Faculty Women’s Club supports a number of financial awards to UBC students annually, including ten scholarships, four bursaries, and two prizes. The capital for these endowed awards has been raised through various activities of the Club as well as donations and bequests. For more information about existing awards, see FWC Award Descriptions.
In addition, members support students through the UBC Alma Mater Society (AMS) Food Bank with donations of funds as well as with food donations. Members also volunteer their time to help out at the Food Bank.
The Club engages in a variety of fundraising activities each year, including holiday teas and special events, with reminders sent to members through the Club newsletter. The FWC also solicits sponsors directly, and partners with various UBC stakeholders’ fundraising events, such as co-hosting the AMS Just Desserts celebration.
How are fundraising needs identified?
Some of the fundraising needs are identified through UBC partnerships such as the student food bank. Most of FWC’s fundraising activities are directed to increasing scholarship and bursary funds.
The FWC Scholarship Committee keeps a vigilant eye on all areas relating to our scholarships and makes regular recommendations regarding endowment fund(s) that need topping up and/or new scholarships. These recommendations are reviewed by the Executive Board, and are then submitted to the membership for their vote at the Annual General Meeting. Most recently, for example, funds were raised for the FWC Childcare Bursary.
How much money per year is raised for scholarships?
During the 2022-23 membership year, the Club raised $32,000 to benefit UBC students. Most of these funds went towards our scholarships and bursaries, with about $3,600 being donated to the UBC AMS Food Bank.
Since its inception, the Club has donated in excess of $1 million to UBC for scholarships and bursaries.
Membership
- What are the criteria for FWC membership?
- Are there opportunities for volunteers?
- Are activities restricted to women only, or may men or other genders also participate?
- Why does the Club accept sponsored members who have no UBC connection?
- Is there any kind of affiliation between FWC and similar organizations from other universities?
- Do you need to be a resident of Metro Vancouver to be a member? Could UBC Okanagan affiliated people become members?
- How many members are there?
- Can the FWC members’ email address list or contact information be used to send out personal marketing or event promotions?
What are the criteria for FWC membership?
Regular Membership shall be open to all women who are members or wives/partners of members of:
- teaching or research faculties of the University and its affiliated Colleges and Schools;
- administrative executive staff of the University and its affiliated Colleges and Schools;
- professional staff of the University community.
Regular Membership is also open to women who are:
- retired faculty or wives/partners of retired faculty or deceased faculty;
- visiting faculty or wives/partners of visiting faculty during their tenure at the University;
- post-doctoral fellows or wives/partners of post-doctoral fellows during their tenure at the University;
- individuals designated by the Executive Board in consultation with an Advisory Committee on Membership;
- women who are faculty or retired faculty or who are the wives/partners of faculty or retired faculty of other universities or colleges;
- daughters or daughters-in-law of current or deceased FWC regular members (amended in 2010);
- a woman interested in the welfare of the University of British Columbia and its students who is sponsored for Club membership by a regular Faculty Women’s Club member in good standing. These members will be recorded as sponsored members and must abide by all rules and regulations applicable to regular FWC members. Sponsored members will have full membership rights but may not sponsor others (2012). Sponsored members must not exceed 20% of total Club membership (2016);
- “Graduate Visiting Scholars to UBC or an equivalent position or the wives/partners of Graduate Visiting Scholars or an equivalent position” (2022).
For details of other membership categories, please see the FWC Constitution and Bylaws.
Are there opportunities for volunteers?
All Club activities are organized and run by members who volunteer their time. The Executive Board has at least 14 positions ranging from President to Treasurer, Website, Interest Groups, Scholarships, Fundraising and more. At the beginning of each calendar year volunteers are sought to stand for election to the following year’s Executive Board.
All Interest Group coordinators are volunteers, and refreshments served at general members’ meetings and at other Club events are provided by volunteers. Fundraising events create lots of opportunities for volunteer involvement. Invited speakers for general meetings are provided or recommended by volunteers. Some entertainment costs for special events may be donated by generous members.
No matter what your interests, you’re sure to find one or more volunteer activities that are just right for you! It’s a great way to get to know other members and become part of the Club community.
Are activities restricted to women only, or may men or other genders also participate?
FWC membership is restricted to women. However, any one is welcome to attend the Club’s general members’ meetings. Some of the Interest Groups also welcome guests of members to Interest Group events.
Why does the Club accept sponsored members who have no UBC connection?
A sponsored member is a woman who is interested in the welfare of the University of British Columbia and its students, and is sponsored for Club membership by a regular FWC member in good standing. Sponsored members may not exceed 20% of total Club membership. Sponsored members are accepted because they share the interests of the Club, are sponsored by regular Club members in good standing, and because they contribute to the Club’s goals and fundraising activities.
Is there any kind of affiliation between FWC and similar organizations from other universities?
There are no formal affiliations at this stage. However, “women who are faculty or retired faculty or who are the wives/partners of faculty or retired faculty of other universities or colleges” qualify for FWC membership. This includes women who are at UBC for sabbaticals, as well as post-doctoral fellows. See What are the criteria for FWC membership?
Do you need to be a resident of Metro Vancouver to be a member? Could UBC Okanagan affiliated people become members?
Provided the membership requirements are met (see What are the criteria for FWC membership?) there is no additional location requirement. UBC Okanagan affiliated people may certainly become members. It should be noted, however, that Club events generally happen in person on the UBC Vancouver campus. Most Interest Group activities are also based in the Lower Mainland.
How many members are there?
Membership numbers vary from year to year, with a range over the past decade of approximately190 to 215 members per year.
Can the FWC members’ email address list or contact information be used to send out personal marketing or event promotions?
No, not under any circumstances. Members’ email addresses or other contact information are used only for communications about Club business and such communications are initiated and/or approved by the FWC President and generally sent out by the Membership Chair.
Membership Fees and Costs
- What is the membership fee?
- What does the membership fee cover?
- Are there other fees or costs to FWC events?
- Do we get a special parking rate when we attend FWC functions at UBC?
- Can I join during the middle of the school year? And will the membership fees be prorated?
- Does FWC membership include the free use and booking of Cecil Green Park House (CGPH)?
What is the membership fee?
The annual membership fee for 2024-25 is $70.00. For members joining after 1 January, the fee is $35.00. The FWC membership year runs from September to August, with most event taking place in the fall, winter and early spring. There are no official membership events during the summer months, though some interest group activities continue.
What does the membership fee cover?
The membership fee covers attendance at Club events and social engagements, the monthly newsletter, and basic Interest Group membership and activities. It also covers Club expenses such as gifts for speakers, the Cecil Green Park House lease, the annual UBC levy, and insurance. The Club also has an informal agreement with the UBC Emeritus College which enables FWC members to participate in some of the Emeritus College Interest Groups such as Travel and Photography and to attend Emeritus College general meetings as guests.
In addition, a portion of membership fees goes towards the Club’s scholarships and bursaries.
Are there other fees or costs to FWC events?
Tickets are sold to FWC fundraising events, attendance at which is at the member’s discretion. Some Interest Groups arrange activities for members which may be associated with a cost. Such costs will vary according to the occasion. Interest Group coordinators will be able to provide additional information.
Do we get a special parking rate when we attend FWC functions at UBC?
Members attending official FWC functions at UBC may park for free (currently) only on those specific dates and at the Rose Garden Parkade only. In the fall, members receive an annual notice from the Club regarding parking to which they need to respond in order to qualify.
Can I join during the middle of the school year? And will the membership fees be prorated?
You may join at any time of year. For members joining after 1 January, the fee is prorated to $35.00. (The FWC membership year runs from September to August. There are no official general membership events during the summer months at this time).
Does FWC membership include the free use and booking of Cecil Green Park House (CGPH)?
There is no additional fee for attending general members’ meetings at CGPH organized by the FWC. (Some of FWC’s fundraising events may include a cover charge.) Please note that affiliation with FWC does not provide access to personal bookings for CGPH. If you’re interested in booking CGPH for a private event, please check out their web site for availability and fees.
Members’ meetings
Am I expected to attend every general members’ meeting?
No, attendance at members’ meetings is voluntary, as is attendance at Interest Group events.
Who provides food at members’ meetings?
The Interest Groups within FWC are rostered to provide food, and members will also be asked to volunteer to: do set up or clean up, or help with making tea and coffee. Coordination and support is also provided by the Board member holding the Social portfolio.
Interest Groups
- Are there additional costs for joining and participating in different Interest Groups?
- How many Interest Groups can I join?
- Can I join or resign from an interest group at any time?
Are there additional costs for joining and participating in different Interest Groups?
There are no additional costs for joining Interest Groups nor, in general, are there costs for participating. However, some Interest Groups arrange activities for members which may be associated with a cost. Such costs will vary according to the occasion. Interest Group coordinators will be able to provide additional information.
How many Interest Groups can I join?
There is no limit—it depends on the individual member’s interests and time. Certain events or tours may limit attendees according to the venue’s guidelines. Some interest groups have limited the number of members who can join, to make for a more positive experience.
For more information on Interest Groups, please check the Interest Group descriptions, as well as the Interest Group Calendar.
Can I join or resign from an interest group at any time?
Yes, this is possible. Most members sign up for Interest Groups at the beginning of the membership year, in September. Interest Groups generally meet from September to April.
If you wish to join or resign from an Interest Group during the course of the year, please contact the appropriate Interest Group convenor(s) and they will add or remove you from the Interest Group mailing list(s).
Any other questions? Please contact us here.
Prepared by Hilde Colenbrander, with input by various Executive Board members
February 9, 2024.