September has always been one of my favorite months: the summer heat is fading away but the sky is still bright blue. It is time to dig out a favorite sweater from the closet and go out for a long walk in the woods. September is also the time to look ahead in anticipation for all that the new season has to offer, especially here at WBFN.

After the summer lull, our activities are resuming in earnest: A Welcoming coffee on September 9, a Spouse Orientation Program on September 18, English classes starting on September 22, Financial Literacy workshops in October, and so much more! Come and be part of the excitement, help us

make the new arrivals welcome, join an activity, or simply enroll in one of the classes and improve your language and your financial management skills.

As you probably know, October in the United States is the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Global Mobility, an HR service of the Bank, is planning several activities. We are very honored and privileged that Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State, will speak at the launching ceremony on October 1. This is an occasion not to be missed.

Also, don’t forget Saturday October 4: the Annual Picnic jointly organized with the IMF and the IDB Family Associations. It will take place as usual, at the Bretton Woods Recreation Center and promises to be fun for the whole family!

I am really looking forward to working with all of you to maintain this strong sense of community that we all share. As a community, not only do we benefit from each other’s talents, resources, and ideas, but we also derive a sense of belonging, a feeling that we are not alone in facing challenges, a reassurance that we are an important part of a whole.

So I count on you to share your ideas and your concerns, to feel comfortable stopping by the Family Network’s office, to call or to e-mail us. There is no issue that is too big or too small and no dream that is too far-fetched. I also count on you to give a helping hand when needed. Join the Picnic team and help with the preparations; volunteer to be there at the Spouse Orientation to assist with the newly arrived members; contribute to Mosaic or to the website; open your house for one monthly get-together; organize activities in your neighborhood; etc., etc. There are so many ways you can help keep our community strong and resilient!

Rula Ghani