Trustees

Meet the current 5W Board of Trustees!

Almuth Tharan, Germany - Chair

Agneta Rönnbäck, Sweden - Vice Chair
I work as an administrator at a bus company, a very varied job with lots of personal contacts. My interests at the moment, apart from 5W, are choir singing, Buddhist meditation, UN Association, exercising - mostly water gymnastics. I am also a member of the International Friendship League and the Latin American Committee. My travelling days started in 1993 when I gave myself a journey for my 40th birthday of three months in India. Still travelling and, after five long trips to India, I am now exploring the rest of the globe. In 1995 I joined 5W and in 1997 I met the first member, in India. My first Gathering was in Ghana in 2000, never to be forgotten and since then, Japan, Australia and South Africa. I have hosted guests from England, Australia, USA and Germany and hope many more will come. I am looking forward to the work on the 5W Board and hope to see many of you in the future.”

Sharon Giese, Former Chair
I joined 5W in 1994, after helping Betty Sobel, then a Trustee from the US, organise and run a Gathering in Connecticut. I was hooked. We organised a second Gathering in 1998 and in 2000 I became a Trustee and then chair in 2005. I have hosted several members, but my biggest involvement has been attending Gatherings. I think I’ve gone to over ten so far and find them to be a terrific way to meet members and visit places I might not otherwise have gone to. My mother, Betty in Chicago, was a member for many years, hosting over 26 members and corresponding with even more. I am a curler with the Nutmeg Curling Club in Connecticut.

Jacqui Downie - UK, Treasurer
I have been involved with 5W since the beginning even though my membership lapsed for a while. I was so happy to work in the 'office' in Frances' home and then in 1995 we moved into the office in High Wycombe. I so enjoyed all the contact with members and the challenges of being at the centre of such a fantastic organisation. I left the area and moved to Hampshire in 1999 and then in 2000 I was fortunate enough to be re-elected as a Trustee. My role, besides being answerable to all members, is being involved with the office staff which I find rewarding. Over the years I have had many members to stay and attended a number of Gatherings and get-togethers in various locations, thus making many new friendships and enriching my life.

Susan Kersley, UK – Company Secretary
I joined 5W in 1999 because I wanted to travel on my own, but meet people easily when I arrived. I discovered 5W when I read an article about it in ‘Good Housekeeping’ magazine. I’ve attended Gatherings in Czechoslovakia, Australia, India, USA, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, India and Japan and organised one in Birmingham. Over the years I’ve met numerous lovely 5W members. I became a Trustee in 2000 and my role includes not only being available to members wherever they live but also to the office staff, with other Trustees, dealing with any problems that may arise. I love meeting members who visit Cornwall, UK where I live, though I do this on a Day Hostess basis, so that I can be available when friends and family visit.

Noriko Aoki, Japan

Ria Monten, Belgium
In 1986 I joined 5W (then 3W) after reading an article in a Belgian magazine. That was one of the best things that happened to me and the start of new experiences in my life. In 1990 I became a Trustee. Over the years I have visited and hosted so many women from all over the world. I have participated, so far, in 26 gatherings from the North (Finland) to the South (South Africa) and from the East (Romania) to the West (Suriname). In 1993, 2000 and 2009 I was involved in organizing gatherings in Belgium; cookery workshops: 1997 + 2003 and the Friendship Weekend in France in 2004 – all nice memories. As a Trustee with a special interest on gatherings, I was always concerned if everything went well. Apart from 5W I am a member of “Mothers for Peace” and involved in a “Women’s house” in Afghanistan. Being a 5W member and a trustee means a lot to me. It opened my eyes and widened my horizon and understanding for other cultures. It is enriching my life.

Dominique Munchenbach, France
As an English teacher and fluent German speaker, I have always been very keen to practise my knowledge of languages and - in order to do so - to travel. 5W has provided me with this wonderful opportunity through Gatherings, as well as through hosting and visiting members abroad.
To my surprise, I was elected a Trustee in 2007. I enjoy serving in this role and helping to guide the association. As a Trustee, I have the opportunity to recruit new members, which is not an easy task in France and in European Latin countries. Yet I am confident that when I retire from teaching soon, I will be able to do more for 5W and make more women acquainted with this wonderful organisation.
I would like to add that, thanks to a member in England, I became acquainted with the charity "Teddies for Tragedy" and that I have knitted nearly 80 Teddies since July 2009. So, thank you again, 5W!!!

Elke Schuster, Germany

Coral Walsh, Australia
I was always interested in Geography and keen on travel so I enjoyed "Fitzpatrick's Travelogue" at the movies and I saved money since my first job. Somehow my anticipated first journey got delayed until many years later. After marriage and 3 children, I set off travelling alone or on tours. Some women get lucky! I was one when I found the organization WWW in 1991 which eventually changed name to 5W. What a difference "Women Welcome Women World Wide " made to my life! The women I've met have all been friendly and interesting but this only works when folk understand that friendship works both ways, are courteous and considerate to others' beliefs, cultures, education standards and life-styles. I've made many lasting friendships and look forward to many more as I invite them to visit my own home. My hobbies include trying to learning something new every day, crossword puzzles, patchwork, painting and long-distance walking which, in itself, has intrigued some members who have often then given accommodation and sound advice regarding different areas in which they live. 5W is the way to go!

Elinor Warkentin, Canada
From an early age, travel to distant lands has been fascinating for me. Perhaps it was my grandfather’s stories, or growing up on a farm in a small Canadian prairie town and wanting to see the world beyond my horizons. Wherever my love of travel adventures came from, as soon as I was 18, I began adventuring to new places. From hitch-hiking in Canada in the 70’s, to a student exchange to Sri Lanka as a young adult, then a tour of South America in my 30’s, I explored people and places. I joined 5W in 1999 and then set off for a year of travel to celebrate turning 40. My experience with friendly, interesting, members was so positive, I returned home to write, speak and dream about 5W. In 2004 I was invited to join the Trustees and I jumped at the opportunity. Travel and organizing are two of my favourite passions and with 5W I get to combine the two. When I am not traveling, I am working as a Professional Organizer in my business, Goodbye Clutter! or enjoying my other love: running.

The 5W Office
This is the centre of the 5W world! From here, membership applications and renewals are processed, newsletters are produced and publicity is generated. It is run on a job-share basis.

Sue Davis (Financial Administrator),
Caroline Stevens (Office Manager)
and Sally Austin (Office Assistant)