Frequently Asked Questions

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The Nanaimo Newcomers' Club is a women-only social club dedicated to helping you make new friends, discover local activities, and feel at home in our beautiful mid-Island community. 

From outdoor activities like hiking and golf, to book clubs and coffee meetups, we offer a wide range of opportunities to connect and have fun! 

Launched in 1985, the club is overseen by a Board of Directors and functions through the active participation and commitment of our member volunteers.

 **Note: our sister club, the Harbour City Newcomers, welcomes both men and women.  

Eligibility for membership is open to women who have moved to the Nanaimo area within the past three years, or who have experienced a significant life-changing event (such as becoming widowed or divorced) during that same time period. 

Our annual membership fee is currently set at $40.00.  

Membership fees cover the cost of our monthly socials and subsidize the cost of our annual holiday party in December and our year-end celebration in June.

Most club activities are free with your membership – currently there are more than two-dozen regularly-scheduled activities listed! 

Please note: from time to time there may be additional fees for specific outings or events; however, we do our best to keep costs low so the club remains affordable for all our members.

CLICK HERE and fill out the short form to contact the club and get more information about how to  join.

We host a monthly social on the first Tuesday evening of each month, from September through June. 

Our socials are a great opportunity to connect with other members, find out about club activities, learn something new about your community and have some fun!

The socials are held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 256, on East Wellington Road in Nanaimo. 

Doors open at 5:30 pm for social time; the meeting starts at 7:00. 

Socials give members an opportunity to get to know one another; the Legion also offers both kitchen and bar service, so you can grab a bite to eat before the meeting starts.

While we don’t host club socials in July and August, many of our member volunteers continue to coordinate activities through the summer months.

The Nanaimo Newcomers' Club is made up solely of volunteers, so our activities are changeable, and as wide-ranging as our members’ diverse interests!

Currently, we offer a wide variety of activities - both indoor and outdoor - ranging from weekly walks and hikes, regularly scheduled pickleball and golf, to games nights, book clubs, shared meals, and outings with new friends. 

We’re completely volunteer-driven, so we’re always keen for members to bring forward new ideas for activities you’d like to see.

Once you become a member, you’ll receive a welcome email that outlines the channels of communication the club uses to keep members informed. 

These include: 

• an online app, where members can review and sign up for activities and get regular updates on club news
• a monthly newsletter
• the club’s members-only Facebook group 

From time to time, the President or other members of the board may send an email out to all members. 

The Nanaimo Newcomers’ Club is a non-profit, member-funded organization listed with BC Societies, under the BC Societies Act. 

We are affiliated with and a member of the National Newcomers Association of Canada.

As a member-funded, non-profit social club, the sustainability and vibrancy of the club depends on the active participation of its members.

All members are encouraged to contribute by attending club socials, participating in activities that match your interests, and, from time to time, serving on various short-term committees (eg: the holiday party planning committee).

One of the most important roles filled by members is that of Activity Coordinator. Activity Coordinators are club members who volunteer to contribute their time, energy, and talent to coordinate ongoing or one-off activities for the enjoyment and benefit of all. Our club simply couldn’t function without them!

The club operates under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, all of whom are elected by the membership annually. 

In order to maintain the smooth administration of the club and to ensure a diversity of perspectives, members are also encouraged to consider putting their names forward for a term on the executive. 

Executive terms are one year.

The club’s constitution and bylaws are on file with BC Societies. These documents, along with our Code of Conduct and the club’s policies and procedures are available to all members.

Our club tagline is “creating community through connection” – and that’s just what we aim to do!

More formally, as the club’s constitution puts it:

The purpose of the Nanaimo Newcomers’ Club is to share common interests, foster friendships, and encourage the development of a sense of community through social interaction in a variety of activities.

No. There is currently no cap on membership; therefore,  as long as you remain a member in good standing, there is no time limit on belonging to the club. 

Yes. Our membership year runs from September to June. While most club activities occur during these months, prospective members who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to join at any time. 

A new member who joins the club with six months or less remaining in the membership year will pay half the annual membership dues.

Membership dues for returning members are payable by September 30 each year. 

Come to a social! 

Prospective members are encouraged to attend one of our monthly club socials (excluding December and June) to check out the various activities and events on offer. Your first meeting is free, so come join us! 

Just drop us an email at nanaimonewcomers@gmail.com and we’ll send you everything you need to know. 

We’d love to meet you!