Interest Groups
- Interest Groups are based on the interest of club members. New groups are encouraged.
- All groups are self-managed and have one or more convenors who manage the logistics, schedule the event and respond to enquiries.
- SWANS members can sign up for groups of their choice at the August and September luncheons. They can also contact the convenor any time throughout the year by email or phone. Convenor information is listed with each interest group below.
- Members must sign up each year to belong to a group.
- Members are encouraged to take an active role to help organize their group(s).
- Please click on the CALENDAR BUTTON above to access the calendar. You can then click on the activity of choice for more information.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Arts & Culture Group
Are you interested in discovering more about our beautiful city and, on occasion, exploring some up-Island areas? With input from the group’s members, we will plan trips that expand our appreciation of our adopted city and the many cultural opportunities available. Join us for visits to historic sites, art galleries and theatres. Come and hang out with like minded women and have fun! Times and dates will vary, as they are dependent on venue/show/host availability. An email will be sent to the group giving ample notice.
Note: Some events may have limits on the number of women who can attend. In these cases, the first members who respond to the invitation email will be invited to attend. Others will be waitlisted in the order that their emails were received.
Convenor: Maureen Motter-Hodgson, (403) 807-2447, kairoscoaching@shaw.ca
FOOD FUN
Salad Social
3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 AM
This group meets informally for a friendly lunch of appies, salads and desserts. Members take turns hosting and providing dishes assigned.
Convenor: Diane Monych, (250) 598-0183, diane@monych.ca
Out to Lunch
2nd Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon
Join members for lunch at different restaurants in the greater Victoria area. The group may be split into two to allow for ease of conversation. You will have the opportunity to participate in choosing the restaurant, make the reservations and provide the information to the convenor, who will notify the group.
Convenor: Rillah Sheridan-Carson, (778) 587-4612, rillah@ualberta.ca
Appy Night
3rd Sunday of each month from 6 to 8 PM
This SWANS group is open to couples and singles and invites socialization while enjoying a variety of appetizers. Each month, the group meets at a different member’s home. Each person takes their appetizer and beverage of choice.
Convenor: Lynda Thomson, (778) 678-4085, lthomson99@gmail.com
GREAT OUTDOORS
Butchart Garden Walking Group
3rd Monday of each month at 1:30 PM
Walking Butchart Gardens is a perfect way to spend a Monday afternoon. Noticing the changes and different plants of each season is inspiring. We meet in front of the gift shop and enjoy coffee together after the walk.
Having a Butchart Garden pass makes this monthly visit much more affordable.
Convenor: Johanna Hubregtse, (250) 708-0508, johannahubregtse@yahoo.com
Bird Watching
2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 9:00 to 11 AM
All levels of birders are welcome. We meet at various places, always on the hunt for different birds. Pack your binoculars and a field guide and join us. We also go somewhere for coffee or lunch afterwards.
Convenors: Diane Wolfe, (250) 479-6063, dew882mt@gmail.com
Margaret Dohan, (778) 433-5419, margaretdohan@shaw.ca
Friday Walkers
Every Friday at 9:30 AM rain or shine!
This is a 75–90-minute walk for exercise and socialization. Details, such as the leader, the terrain (flat or hilly, walking surface, coffee location) are communicated before the walk.
A shorter 1-hour walk, starting at 10 AM, is also available. It starts from the same location, with a coffee meet-up afterwards.
Members share the leading duties.
Convenors: Christine Kyles, (250) 516-9749, christinekyles@yahoo.ca
Marilee Joly, (250) 882-4608, m-joly@telus.net
Sunday Hiking
4th Sunday of each month at 9:30 AM
This is a 2-hour (+/-) moderate level hike on varied trails in regional parks and mountain areas. These outings are open to SWAN members and their partners. Details of each hike will be sent to group members, including level of difficulty, terrain and conditions. A pub lunch follows the outing.
All members are asked to volunteer to take their turn leading the hike.
CONVENOR(S) NEEDED; without convenors, this group can’t run.
Monday Golf
Golf every Monday all year round.
We play nine holes at Highland Pacific, which is a challenging course more suitable to experienced players. Times vary depending on booking availability, but usually we play in the afternoons, or early mornings in the summer. Enjoy golf, camaraderie and coffee afterwards.
CONVENOR(S) NEEDED; without convenors, this group can’t run.
BEING SOCIAL
Neighbourhood Coffee Connect
Third Thursday of each month from 9:30 to 11:00 AM
For those women who may not hike or attend book clubs and games but still enjoy gathering for a social hour or so of friendly discussion, please join us! After an initial meeting or two, other members could take this model to other neighbourhoods around Victoria, providing the same purpose – to connect women with women. In Newcomers (NCGV), these coffee groups were started by the same conveners, Marilyn and Susan, and are still running today.
Convenors: Marilyn Mulkins, (250) 507-9188, mmulkins@shaw.ca
Susan Philips, (250) 658-9777, sus52@telus.net
Stitching Connection
2nd Tuesday of each month from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Meet at a member’s home and take along your crafts, needlework, knitting, crochet, quilting, mending or whatever your latest project is. Visit while you work!
Convenors: Marilee Joly, (250) 474-4608, m-joly@telus.net
Johanna Hubregtse, (250) 708-0508, johannahubregtse@yahoo.com
GAMES WITH COFFEE
Mah Jong
Every Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 3:30 PM
Lessons are provided so that all participants are playing the same game. We play at Cordova Bay Beach Estates (5110 Cordova Bay Rd.) A five-dollar fee is collected from each player weekly to pay for the room rental.
Convenor: Christine Delval, (250) 479-6691, christine.b.delval@gmail.com
Bridge
Each Thursday afternoon from 1 to 3:30 PM
We welcome you to a group of women who love to play bridge and want to develop their skills. All registrants need a basic knowledge of procedures for bidding and playing the game, including using bidding boxes and the use of some basic conventions (such as Stayman and transfers). It is accepted that everyone is somewhere in this process of learning to become a better bridge player, and that more expert players are a great source of knowledge who benefit everyone.
Locations will be determined. Offers to host are welcomed.
Generally, the first eight or twelve responders to the email invitation play that week. The location will be shared when responders have been registered for the weekly game.
PREREQUISITE: Basic knowledge of how to play bridge.
Convenor: Crystal Bowman, (250) 574-7030, cabowman01@gmail.com
MOVIES AND/OR DISCUSSION
Book Club
1st Tuesday of each month from 2 to 4 PM
This is a lively and supportive group that enjoys wide-ranging discussions. Books are chosen by the members and include a wide variety of topics.
Maximum of eight members in a group, but additional groups can be started.
Convenors: Luz Maria Miranda, (778) 440-2787, luzmariamiranda2608@gmail.com;
Marry Boz, (250) 479-8388, schoorla@telusplanet.net
Who’s Got the Popcorn?
4th Tuesday of each month for a matinee
Come and join a group of cinema buffs for an afternoon of conviviality, movie and coffee, movie and happy hour, or lunch and a movie. Each month, a member will select a movie, a theatre and where to go before or after.
Convenor: Patti Page, (236) 882-2030, patriciapage17@gmail.com; it would be great to have a co-convenor!
IMAX and Burgers
One or two times a month, we’ll meet to enjoy shows at IMAX Victoria and then go for a meal and discussion. Could be morning, afternoon or evening. Many benefits are available for those with IMAX memberships at the Royal BC Museum, including free films throughout the year.
Depending on the movies and schedules offered at the IMAX, a time can’t be slotted into the calendar. I envision this one being like the Heritage group—an email sent to the group for sign up prior to a film.
Convenor: Jillian Stafford, (780) 931-6031, jillstafford@shaw.ca
Listening Circle
3rd Thursday of each month from 2 to 4 PM
A group of eight members will share, and listen to, thoughts on a variety of subjects, as determined by participants. We’ll consider other’s points of view and practice non-judgemental listening to broaden our understanding of a topic. The topic will be sent out by the host two weeks before the discussion.
The details about location and perhaps some pre-reading (as determined by the host) will be sent out to participants.
Groups need to remain small to allow enough time for considered discussion, so gatherings will have limits on the number who can attend. Therefore, the first members who respond to the invitation email will be invited to attend. Others will be waitlisted in the order that their emails were received.
Convenors: Jillian Stafford, (780) 931-6031, jillstafford@shaw.ca;
Gwen Phillips, (250) 213-8300, gwenythphillips@gmail.com
