Letter from the President: June 2022

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Dear Members,

Elena Markova Como International ClubAnother CIC’s season is about to conclude. For the board, it is a very special time – time to say goodbye to our duties that we carried with dedication and commitment for a long three years! Our board definitely set a precedent in the club’s history. Due to the covid, lockdowns and restrictions, we carried the club for an extended period without elections. Finally, this month we can organize a vote, we already have extraordinary candidates for the new board, and it makes us delighted! We will pass the governance into capable hands! If someone wants to join the board, please do not hesitate to let us know before June 7th. You still have time to join!

As it’s my last letter in the role of the President, I would like to share with you a summary of our contribution to the club during our cadence:

●  The club’s membership increased by 30%;

●  We organized 120 events;

●  We managed 25 virtual events;

●  We updated the club’s visual identity and logo;

●  We created & developed the Instagram page for the club;

●  We shared about 500 posts on social media;

●  We organized 2 Charity campaigns.

But the most precious result of our work is the outcome of new friendships, meetings and networking! It is what we stove for and value mainly!

Few important events are left out in this season: on June 8th, we will have a Coffee Morning (hopefully without rain this time ). At the same meeting, we will hold the election of the new board (do not miss it!).

On June 12th we will have our traditional Summer Party to have a final hug before the summer break with an exchange of wishes for the best summer holidays ahead of us.

Thank you for supporting our initiatives and ideas and being a part of our CIC’s community!

See you soon!

Kind regards,

Elena Markova

CIC President

Quote of the month:

“I love summertime more than anything else in the world. That is the only thing that gets me through the winter, knowing that summer is going to be there.” — Jack McBrayer

Letter from the President: May 2022

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Dear Members,

May is my favorite month in Lake Como. The blooming gardens magically recast the area. Finally, it’s time to be outside and enjoy nature! That is what we will do in May, starting from our coffee morning that we can have on the open-air terrace of the Yacht club! Elena Markova Como International Club

This month our event team prepared several awesome outdoor activities: hiking along the scenic Greenway, a visit to Franciacorta vineyards, a tour in Baradello and open-air golf lessons! Gastronomy events and art rendezvous are also on the agenda.

For the celebration of Mother’s Day, we invite you to the elegant ambience of the Golf Club Villa d’Este. The beautiful blooming azaleas and rhododendron of the villa will give us the best outside May background.

This month, there is one more important event that I can’t wait for: Newcomers Welcome Coffee! We didn’t do this event for two years, and finally, we can come back to the tradition of welcoming newcomers by the CIC’s Board. This event is for you if you are new and joined us recently or during the pandemic. See you in Anagramma Bar!

And last but not least, I would like to thank all members that supported my initiative and donated to the Ukrainian charity Tabletocki. Your help is very much appreciated!

Kind regards, Elena Markova CIC President

Quote of the month:

“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” – Edwin Way Teale

Letter from the President: April 2022

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Dear Members,

The war in Ukraine physically and psychologically is destroying the lives of 7.5 million children. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) agency, more than 4 million Ukrainians had fled across the country’s borders since the February 24 invasion. In addition, there are millions of displaced families. But not everyone can quickly relocate to a safer place. Children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and heavy treatment in hospitals are in double horror and stress these days.

In this letter, I would like to ask you to support the Tabletocki foundation and help the kids whose situation is the worst.

Ukraine Child

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the priority of Tabletochki (the largest charity in Ukraine helping children with cancer since 2011) has been to organize and coordinate the evacuation of sick children. The foundation is taking children from Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Chernygiv, Dnipro and Lviv to Poland, where they can continue treatment away from bombings.

Tabletochki is fighting for the lives of children in the brutal new reality, remaining a basis of hope and help for children who require treatment now and those who would need to be diagnosed and treated soon.

Your donation will contribute to saving a life Donate here:

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/war-in-ukraine-help-children-with-cancer/

Kind regards,

Elena Markova

CIC President

Letter from the President: March 2022

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Dear Members,

I’m writing this letter for our March Bulletin, and I feel entirely incapable of mentioning anything about events, entertainment and lunches… while bombs are dropping all over Ukraine.

Kyiv Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Olga Subach / Unspalsh

It is impossible to describe in words the feelings that Ukrainian people worldwide experience now. It’s surreal and unbelievable to process when you see killed people, destroyed towns, photos of your childhood buildings shattered by missiles… Yet, in one-day lives millions of Ukrainian people changed forever…

Many of you asked me these days how we can help? One of the central values of the Como International Club is promoting international friendship. Therefore, I invite all of you to support and show your solidarity to the people in Ukraine.

What can we do? A lot of things! Here is a link with the organizations helping Ukraine in different ways: https://linkedinhelpukraine.carrd.co
We can also bring food and medicines to Mix Markt Shops in Como (via Adda, 22070 Montano Lucino CO).

Ukrainian people need our support now! 💙💛

Kind regards,

Elena Markova CIC President

Quote of the month:

“There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.” ― Howard Zinn

Letter from the President: February 2022

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Dear members,

Elena Markova Como International ClubHere is the second edition of CIC’s bulletin – February’s issue. We started the club’s activities gradually in January. Thank you for attending the events – your participation and feedback are crucial for the board and the events team. We are pleased that Pizza cooking class was a blast! We will be glad to offer it again.

In Italy, traditionally, February is a Carnival month. Carnivals of various customs occur around the country at this time of the year. At Como International Club, we used to attend some of them. We are happy to reconfirm the Carnival event also for this year. On the 26th of February, come to Carnival evening at the Yacht Club in Como and glorify antique Italian tradition!

This month our enthusiastic team prepared thirteen events! So different fantastic art and gastronomic activities are waiting for you. But not only. Why not celebrate the Chinese New Year “Year of the Tiger” in Milan’s Chinatown? Or play a Burraco at Yacht Club in Como?

Check our event calendar, select the appointments of your interest and bring your friends with you! Como International Club promotes international friendships through social events and networking; we will be happy to make new connections and meet new and old friends!

Kind regards,

Elena Markova

CIC President

Quote of the month:

“February always seems to give more joy than other months. Maybe because it’s the month of love.” – Unknown

Letter from the President: January 2022

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Elena Markova Como International ClubDear members,

This time of the year we traditionally look back and reflect on the events of the past 12 months, though this year has had its challenges, it has also brought with it many pleasures!

We are more grateful than ever for a community that has shown incredible resilience. We know that the future is bringing better things and we look forward with optimism always!

The new year is fast approaching, and we’re excited to see you in 2022. Today’s bulletin will be the last of 2021, take a look at our January 2022 events and save the date!

On behalf of the Board of Como International Club, I would like to wish you a wonderfully warm and festive holiday season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in the New Year!

Kind regards,

Elena Markova

CIC President

Quote of the month:

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. – Oprah Winfrey

Letter from the President: December 2021

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Dear members,

Elena Markova Como International ClubChristmas and New Year are almost here. It seems like 2021 just began, and yet here we are, the final month of the year. There are still quite a few reasons for catching up before we start to enjoy the holidays with the family. I’m excited to announce that our event team prepared thirteen amazing events for this December!

Whether you’re looking for getting into the Christmas mood, bake some Christmas cookies, learn how to decorate the house, have an aperitif, visit the Grand Ball or have a delightful lunch with the Como International Club members — we’ve got it all for you in December!

Thank you, dear members, for being a part of the Como International Club. Whether you’re a long-term CIC member or someone who has newly joined us, we welcome and appreciate you here as part of our community in Como. You give us the gift of fellowship, and we hope that, in return, the activities we provide help keep you socialized, informed, and entertained.

On behalf of the Board, I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us. Have a great holiday and celebrate this season of togetherness, family, friends, and fun! Enjoy these holidays, whatever you celebrate. And our greatest wish for 2022 is to restart our engaging coffee mornings. We’ll be back soon!

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2022!

Kind regards,

Elena Markova

President

Quote of the month:

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” – Vern McLellan

Letter from the President: November 2021

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Elena Markova Como International ClubDear members,

I hope you enjoyed this excellent October, filled with warm sunny days and that you had a chance to attend some of the CIC’s events!

We just have celebrated Halloween, and the Christmas season is coming very soon! Our event team is already busy with the planning of the club’s Christmas events. If you have any ideas, new secret places – your contribution is very welcomed! Please drop us a line.

Meanwhile, we invite you to join CIC’s November events!
This month we offer several gastronomic events: apericena Lopez Museum, visit to Cremona, pasta cooking class and Thanksgiving lunch.

Italian classes with Rosanna are back, and it’s a great opportunity to practice the Italian language.

Don’t miss the exclusive visits to the Acqua del Lario, the “Eden of perfume”, and the “behind the scenes” visit of the Teatro Sociale!

Have a splendid November!

Kind regards,

Elena Markova

President

Quote of the month:

“Don’t wait until the fourth Thursday in November to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!” – Charmaine J. Forde.

Letter from the President: October 2021

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Dear members,

Elena Markova Como International ClubI want to share our delight and optimism for the CIC’s restart on behalf of the board!
So many things have changed since our last Coffee Morning in 2020… Finally, we can meet again! During the first events that our team organised in September, we noticed a great thing – the incredible joy of our members to see each other, socialise, network, and have fun together! It is the most significant award and the most excellent motivator for the board to volunteer our time and efforts, create new events for you, and keep going despite all difficulties and limitations. Thank you for supporting us, writing to the club and visiting the events!

For October, our event’s team prepared for you a great program of meetings!
Do not miss the traditional visit to the Chestnuts Festival and an exclusive tour to Villa Pizzo. But, of course, you can’t also miss gourmet appointments – a visit to the truly Italian coffee shop, the Ladies’ Lunch and Apericena at the Lopez Jewellery Museum and Tea Room.

Our traditional Hiking and Buracco events are also in the program. You will find the full details of the events in the Bulletin.

Stay safe and keep in touch!

Kind regards,

Elena Markova

President

Quote of the month:

“I wish that every day was Saturday and every month was October.” – Charmaine J. Forde

Letter from the President: September 2021

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Dear members,

Elena Markova Como International ClubIt’s been a while since we last saw each other! Things that started like temporary obstacles became our new normality! In fact, I think in 50-years of the club’s activity, it has never been interrupted for so long!

We have a great desire to restart the club, but as it stands, we still cannot go back to our traditional coffee mornings due to COVID restrictions, social distancing, and the buffet ban at the Yacht club.

Saying that, we really want to see you all! That’s why we decided to restart with small events this year. The board is monitoring the regulations, and as soon as the rules for gathering and group events are eased, we hope to resume our traditional monthly activity.

Meanwhile, I invite you to check the list of upcoming events below that has been kindly organised by our event team!

See you there!

Elena Markova

The President, CIC

Letter from the President: Como International Club Update 2021

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Elena Markova Como International ClubDear members,

I hope you are in good spirits and good health. In these unprecedented times, I wanted to provide you with an update on the Como International Club.

Sadly, another club’s season has ended without the possibility to restart our activities. Still, we are full of optimism, and we hope we will reopen our doors safely in September 2021.

Many changes have happened during this period, and these times have been challenging for the club. However, I’m confident that the Como International Club will restart soon, with remarkable new events and initiatives, preserving the past heritage and fuelling the future.

Our international community is outstanding, and I can’t wait for us to meet again.

In the meantime, I send my very best wishes to all of you and your families for a safe, happy and fabulous summer.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Elena Markova

CIC President

Summer Lake Como

Free Webinar: Instagram for Beginners – May 5th

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Learn how to grow your Instagram account, how to promote your products, business, and services.

Elena Markova, Digital Marketing professional with working expertise within several industries: Travel, Real Estate, Luxury, FMCG, Automotive, founder of COMO LAKE Today lifestyle magazine, will conduct a practical webinar about the promotion on Instagram.

Elena Markova digital eventDuring the webinar, we will discuss: 

✔️Best Practices on how to start an Instagram account?

✔️What is an Instagram best Photography?

✔️How to understand the Posting Strategies (Frequency, time, hashtag, locations, Instagram Stories, Interaction)?

✔️How to find your audience on Instagram? 

✔️How to collaborate with Influencers? 

✔️How to promote your page? 

✔️Please, before the webinar, create the Instagram account if you don’t’ have one. 

✔️The free webinar will be organized via Zoom on Tuesday the 5th of May at 10:00. 

Please register at: https://forms.gle/PGTg9GXYw6MwUG6Q7

or contact Elena via email at lakecomoclubeventi@gmail.com to be a part of the online event.

APRIL, 2020

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Dear members,

At the end of February, when the first news of the coronavirus situation in Italy reached the CIC board, and we had to postpone our cooking pizza masterclass, it seemed so temporary and unreal…
We absolutely could not imagine at that time the cancellation of all our March & April events and the fact that we might also have to move the 50th Anniversary celebration of the International Como Club planned for the end of May 2020 to September.

Within a matter of days, the whole world was thrown into quarantine, and the period became a challenge for global trotters and international people.
The current situation, most notably for our members, with families located all over the globe, has split some of our members from their beloved ones and blocked others from returning home.

The Como International Club, alongside its members, is facing a new reality, and we have no choice but to accept it and stand together as a community.

Here are a few things that we would love to do these days:

All the membership fees paid for 2020 will be extended until January 2021.
We will introduce and have our first-ever virtual event!
On April 8 at 18:00, Eleonora Scholes and Alena Klimtsova will organize an Online Aperitive and Wine Q&A. During this virtual event, Eleonora, a wine expert & journalist, will answer the questions about wine. To participate, please send your skype nickname and questions to Alena: a.alena1986@gmail.com And don’t forget to have a glass of wine handy
Anne Marie Delaby, an artist as well as our member, on April 4 at 10:00 is organizing an Online Workshop of Art Therapy. Anne invites everyone to participate! You can register to vie email: annedelabyweb@gmail.com
If you would like to share some of your knowledge, organize a masterclass, a virtual workout, aperitive or have an online chat with club members – please send your ideas to: info@comointernationalclub.it We will be happy to assist in organizing virtual club events!

I hope that this situation gets resolved very soon, and we meet again for coffee at the lovely Yacht Club of Como and participate in the fantastic activities created by the tremendous Como International Club Events’ Team.

I’m looking to the future with optimism and share love and strength for all of us.

Stay safe and keep in touch!

Kind regards,

Elena Markova
President

JANUARY, 2020

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Happy 2020! I wish you all a magical and beautiful new year!
A new decade brings so many expectations, new challenges, and fresh starts.
The New Year also gives us another chance to improve ourselves and to open up to new opportunities.
I wish for each one of us to have more time for friends and exciting events in the coming year. Friendliness and fun are both very life-enhancing, and the CIC community is an excellent source for both!
Our club is growing, and this month we also offer museum visits and a masterclass at the historic Coffee shop founded in Como.
Likewise, if you’re dreaming of seeing Bellagio in its authentic form, with the absence of crowds and tourists, do join One Pearl of Lake Como tour at the end of January for a wonderful experience.
I’m glad to mention that in January, our new member Anne Delaby is organizing Art Therapy lessons. These classes aims to help participants to get to know themselves better and discover how the “beautiful” can influence positively.
Meanwhile, as we get back to our regular activities, our team is working hard to find and create exclusive events to offer in spring.

A New Year is like a blank book, and together we can write a beautiful story of Como International Club in 2020!

Sincerely yours,

Elena Markova

Quote of the month: ”January is the month for dreaming.”― Jean Herse

Elena Markova Appointed President of the Como International Club

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Como International Club appointed Elena Markova to be the President of the Club for a term of 1 year.

According to the club’s regulation, the president is heading the club and is responsible for eventual official issues. The president of the Como International Club is elected annually from the previous board’s members.

During her professional career, Elena Markova worked in marketing and communication within international companies. Markova founded the online magazine COMO Lake Today, dedicated to the Lake Como region.

«I’m very honored to be the president of the Como International Club. I will do my best to enrich the club’s activities, amplify the community, and make it an even more valuable experience for all of us», – said Elena Markova, CIC President.

 

The Assembly has also renewed the board, now composed of: 

  • Elena Markova – President
  • Nancy Duval – Vice-president
  • Jeannine Mcmaeill – Memberships
  • Tinola Alassan – Secretary
  • Ghida Basma – Communications and webmaster
  • Elisa Aspesi Toni – Treasure
  • Alena Klimtsova – Events
  • Marie Louise Schutt – Events
  • Andrea Fonseca – Events
  • Gisela Schwier-Weber – Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 About Como International Club:

The Como International Club (CIC) was founded in 1970 and welcomes women of all nationalities in Como, Italy and the surrounding areas. The CIC aims to promote international friendships through social events and an array of cultural activities in and around Lake Como. The club currently has over 120 members.