Celebrating Our 45th Anniversary 

2026 – 2027 Member Activities

Browse through our group activities and take part in an engaging event with other like-minded individuals in the community. The activities are open to all members. 

We are a social group open to all members designed for fun, social get-togethers. This group provides fun experiences for members who would like to have “girl time” to savor casual time with AAUW friends. It’s an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and develop our friendships. 

We usually meet the last week of the month, but variance will be determined by the activity for the month. Watch for details on E-Blasts.

Some examples of our activities include movies and lunch, casinos, art exhibits, and we are open to suggestions for other entertainment ideas. Join us as often as you would like. Share your ideas for fun, delightful outings! We want everyone to have a fun time.

Contacts: Rosemary Dougherty, (623) 760-8479, and Sharon Phelps, (612) 799-5474

This group provides a fun way to explore Arizona and make new friends. Any AAUW-NWV member may sign up for that month’s field trip. The details for the field trip and where we are going for lunch will be available via E-Blast and the General Meetings. These are usually all-day events for women only.  

We travel up to two hours by carpool – our numbers are generally limited by the number of drivers unless otherwise noted. We suggest you share the cost of driving expenses with your driver. All other expenses, such as admission fees and lunch, are your responsibility. We generally meet for the field trip in the parking lot in front of the RH Johnson Library. Most field trips are on the third Friday of each month from September through May. RSVPs are necessary to plan the count for attendees and the number of drivers we need.

Rules for attending AZ Adventures: 

  • It is up to the individual to choose to wear a mask. We will notify you in the E-Blast if the Adventure site requires one. 
  • Wear your name tag. 
  • We leave on time. If you are late, you can catch up with us at our destination. 
  • Respect your driver and share expenses. 

If you are unable to attend, please notify Judy using the contact information below. Due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the pandemic, making changes or canceling our scheduled event may be necessary. Such notices are forwarded by email or E-Blast.

Special Interest Groups

AAUW-NWV offers several Special Interest Groups (SIGs) – small social groups that meet regularly in members’ homes or elsewhere to share their love of books, cards, hiking, wine, and other interests. SIGs allow you to connect with other members in a comfortable social setting while providing opportunities for education, discussion, friendship, and fun. If you are interested in joining a group or starting a new group, contact Special Interest Group Chair Tammi Hitt, (307) 682-4502, [email protected].

Book Clubs

The Monday Book Club reads a variety of genres, including fiction, history, non-fiction, etc. Members make book recommendations, then vote on which books we will read and discuss each year.

The books are selected well in advance, giving members time to obtain and read them. Discussion leaders volunteer and take turns for the meetings, which are held in the community room at the First Citizens Bank at 19432 N RH Johnson Blvd in Sun City West. Alternatively, meetings will be held in a member’s home or via Zoom when the room is unavailable.

Meeting: 2nd Monday at 2:00 p.m. (September – May)
Contact: Diane Wilbur, (231) 294-2666

The Open Book Club offers a fun social way for members to discuss books they love. Each month, a fiction or non-fiction book is read by everyone and discussed at the meeting. The member who selects the month’s book serves as the host and discussion leader. Meetings are held in members’ homes.

Meeting: 3rd Monday at 2:00 p.m. (September – April)
Contact: Betty Merwin (623) 986-0165

Can’t meet during the day? The Deborah Channell Memorial Book Group meets monthly in the evening to discuss a book of any genre. Membership is limited to 12 who each select a month, a book for all to read, lead the discussion, and provide wine, soft drinks, and light snacks. Meetings are held in members’ homes. Get in touch with Anne to find out more about membership slot availability. 

Meeting: 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.  
Contact: Anne Burris, (623) 640-4663

You can join the Snowbird Book Club even if you are not a snowbird. We choose books that are recommended by our club members, memoirs, fiction or non-fiction. Meetings run from October to May. We chose not to meet in a home, so no treats or seating arrangements are necessary. You just need to enjoy discussing and sharing interesting books. We meet at First Citizens Bank, 19432 N RH Johnson Blvd, Sun City West.

Meeting: 1st Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. (October – May)

Contacts: Lorie Lux, (708) 606-0837 and Sharon Phelps, (612) 799-5474

Join us in discovering a wide range of authors and topics as we meet to discuss non-fiction titles of new or recurring interest. The hostess provides the location (in her or another’s home) and leads the discussion that month. Books are selected by members in advance. Our choices in the non-fiction genre are never boring!

Meeting: 4th Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. October – April.

Contact: Linda Wagner, (507) 261-7832.

Cards and Games

Do you know when to bluff, bid, pass, or double? There are two Bridge groups that play cards throughout the year, providing a spirited, challenging way to become friends with your fellow competitors. Let us know if you wish to join us to play or substitute.
 
Meeting: 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. 
Contact: Pat Riffle, (623) 546-1254
 
Meeting: 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. 
Contact: Nancy Wilson, (623) 252-7436

For a fun, fast-moving game played with dominoes, try Mexican Train. We welcome any member interested in joining and we will happily share and teach the rules of “the train.” The group meets in members’ homes for an afternoon of lively fun, friendly competition, and camaraderie.

Meeting: 4th Monday, 1:00 pm (September-May)
Contact: Mary Jo Blum, (602) 312-1008.

For a fun, fast-moving game played with dominoes, try Mexican Train. We welcome any member interested in joining, and we will happily share and teach the rules of “the train.” The group meets in members’ homes for an afternoon of lively fun, friendly competition, and camaraderie. 
 
2nd and 4th Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Contacts: Sue Knippen, (419) 692-8611; Sharan Paul, (307) 660-8381 

Come join us for fun, friendly, exciting games of Mah Jongg. We welcome experienced players and those new to the game. We will happily and patiently assist beginners in learning the cards, tiles, and rules of the game. Contact Sheryl about location, and check the Branch Calendar for specific dates the group is meeting.

Meeting: 2nd Fridays, 1:00 pm (November-April as entered in the Calendar.)

Contact: Sheryl Saddoris, (847) 254-5109.

Join us for fun, friendly, exciting games of Mah–Jongg at members’ homes. We welcome both experienced players and those new to the game. We will happily and patiently assist beginners in learning the game’s cards, tiles, and rules.

Meetings: 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Christine Garrison, (923) 863-1577; [email protected]

Hiking and Travel

Come out and hike with your AAUW-NWV friends. Most hikes are planned for all skill levels. We will have shorter, easier paths and more challenging trails on hikes. We like to carpool from the SCW Library, or you can meet us at the trailhead. 

Information on each hike will be emailed to Hiking Club members a few weeks before each hike. We do 2-3 hikes a month. After hiking we usually have lunch together at a nearby restaurant. Once a year, in January, we have a Hiking Club Potluck Dinner where we discuss hikes, leaders, and our 4-day hike in April.

The Travel Club is a group of AAUW women interested in exploring travel together with a variety of travel opportunities appealing to different budgets and travel styles, from short overnight trips to groups on commercial tours. The club holds one annual meeting each year to discuss and vote on trip destinations and appoint a committee to work on each travel project. To join, please contact Barbara.

Contact: Barbara Hoida, (414) 881-8464

Wine and Food

Are you a wine lover and interested in great food? The Food and Wine Clubs gather at a member’s home or a local venue each month. We spotlight wines from a specified world region, add ideal foods to complement the wines, and savor our selections.

Food and Wine I

Meeting: 4th Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. (September – April)  

Contacts: Marlene Gates, (623) 556-4998; Patricia Balfour, (602) 621-3020

Food and Wine II

Meeting: 4th Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. (October–April)

Contact: Jean Sturm, (309) 825-3998

Food, Fun, and Spirits

We explore various cuisines, spirits, and holiday traditions. Some meetings are held in members’ homes, and some are held in restaurants, wineries, or other venues. If you are interested in exploring all the food, fun, and spirit choices available in the world, please join us.

Meeting: 3rd Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. (September-May)

Contact: Susan Lydon, (702) 378-8706

Writings and Discussions

All members of our branch are invited to attend. Come share your stories about your role in experiencing and shaping women’s history during your lifetime. At the meeting you will get the opportunity to write, tell, or draw your story through a guided approach. Then we will share our stories. In ways big and small, we have all experienced or prompted changes in how women and girls are perceived and function in their work or personal lives. Let’s document this for the future.

Meeting: 3rd Friday at 9:30 a.m. (September-May). Contact Debbie or Sharon for the location. 

Contacts: Debbie Hansen, (602) 920-9365, and Sharon Phelps, (612) 799-5474.

Do you have a story to share? The Memories into Memoirs group enables members to write and tell their stories about themselves and their experiences. It provides a forum for capturing and preserving personal memories as compelling memoirs. The meetings are in members’ homes, where you present your work for discussion, feedback, and encouragement. 

Meeting: 1st Monday at 10:00 a.m., October-April.

Contact: Karen Wahlund, (612) 964-7436

Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model, and our group plan, involves reading the Great Decisions 2026 Briefing Book, through January 2027; and then starting the 2027 Briefing Book in February 2027. We meet to discuss the critical issues presented for that month. The programs and publications are nonpartisan and represent a broad base of data and information. Participants are encouraged to bring other outside materials on each topic to share and discuss with the group. Purchase of the Great Decisions Briefing Book is the only requirement. We meet at First Citizens Bank, 19432 N RH Johnson Blvd, Sun City West.

Meeting: 2nd Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (October–April)

Contact: Sharon Phelps, (612) 799-5474