By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS

After serving one year as president of Mexico City’s International Women’s Club (IWC), Lisa Snyder bid farewell to the post during the IWC quarterly social on Wednesday, May 17, as the organization’s new president, Paula Pinotti, took office.

In a short interview with Pulse News Mexico on Wednesday, Snyder said that she was especially thankful for all the support and group effort extended to her by the IWC’s nearly 200 members during her stint as president.

The implementation of best practices, including seeking sustainable programs and encouraging members to be more hands-on in developing activities and events, were, Snyder said, the hallmarks of her term in office.

For her part, Pinotti said that she hoped to follow in Snyder’s footsteps and to encourage  all IWC members to become more proactive.

“I want to have a lot more events this year,” she said, “particularly cultural events, both those that showcase our host country Mexico and some that highlight the countries of some of our members.”

Pinotti also said that she likewise hoped to see more specialized groups created to reflect the interests and diversity of the club’s members.

During the quarterly social, which was held inside the auditorium of Union Church in Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec, several of the club’s corporate sponsors set up stands of local products and services.

There was also a sampling of traditional Mexican snacks crafted by chef Graciela Montaño of Aura Cocina Mexicana, as well as a raffle to help raise money for the IWC’s four main charities: Fundación Ora’s home for the elderly, Albergue Inés María Gasca home for girls, baby blankets for the Federico Gómez Children’s Hospital and the Hogar Las Nieves home for abandoned girls.

In appreciation for all that the IWC does for them, several of the Las Nieves girls performed a brief concert for the club’s members.

Also joining the new IWC board Wednesday were vice president Antji Bornhoft and communications director Sarah-Lee Richardson.

Founded in 1977 as the Newcomers Club, the IWC is a nonprofit social and service organization made up of mostly foreigners living in Mexico.

Membership is open to all.