HISTORY:
In 1958, Esther Dunham learned from a friend at the University of Michigan International Center that an increasing number of foreign graduate students were arriving with their families. The wives and children often faced difficult adjustments and loneliness. Dunham and her neighbors responded, offering hospitality with a series of informal gatherings of neighborhood groups, more or less,
on a monthly basis. English Conversation Groups and a newsletter were added. Then, a monthly International Day program was begun. In 1960, International Neighbors was formally organized through the adoption of by-laws and the establishment of an executive board. In 1963, it was incorporated under Michigan law as a non-profit charitable organization.
TODAY:
International Neighbors coordinate activities in large group gatherings starting in September with a Fall Open House followed by monthly "International Days" from October through May. There are also over 45 smaller, more personal groups that meet a weekly or monthly basis:
- Conversation (beginners & intermediate English),
- Discussion (Film, Current Events, French, German & Spanish),
- Reading (intermediate & advanced English),
- Special Interests (cooking, knitting, Chat & Chew, Fun & Games, Hiking, Stroller Walking),
- Cultural Encounters, and
- PopUp events. All Groups and other Events are open to all women who have joined International Neighbors as members. To learn more and become a registered member of IN, sign up here: www.inannarbor.org. Don't want to register but still want to know about our groups, events, and news? Follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/InternationalNeighborsA2
www.instagram.com/internationalneighborsaa
GENERAL:
1. Our focus is on friendship and cultural exchange and we function primarily through small groups and one-to-one relationships.
2. We are a non-political, non-religious, non-commercial organization that welcomes ALL women from ALL nations with friendship, love, and respect. We stand with our newcomers and longtime members, as good neighbors do, and support them in times of need.
3. International Neighbors has a policy that prohibits the use of its name, communications or activities to promote commercial, political or religious causes.
4. The organization operates in accordance with a set of by-laws and policies. It is governed by an executive board of officers and committee coordinators that oversee and coordinate the activities and services. An annual meeting is held each May for the election of officers and committee coordinators.
