This month, NewCanaanite.com is publishing Q&As with local service organizations—volunteer groups that give back to the community while offering connection, camaraderie and fun.
We start with the New Canaan Newcomers Club.
Here’s our exchange with the nonprofit organization’s president, Amanda Sainsott.
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New Canaanite: Please give us some background on the Newcomers Club. How and when did the organization start?
Amanda Sainsott: New Canaan Newcomers Club was founded in 1957 as a not-for-profit organization with the mission of connecting new residents to each other and to the community. Our goal is to provide resources for new residents in an effort to help them build a community while settling into a new town. We offer this support in the form of published local guides, a weekly newsletter, and through over 150 carefully planned events per year. Newcomers does have some charitable arms which do great work for the people in our community and surrounding areas. Our 2023 Holiday House Tour raised over $100,000 for local charities.
Describe the Newcomers membership. How many members are there and what are the guidelines for membership? How does a resident become a member? What do you think attracts people to join and participate in Newcomers?
Moving to a new town is daunting. Newcomers provides a network of information for families to help them during this life changing transition. Currently, our club hosts 756 families from all over the world. Not only are we there to provide our members with practical helpful tips as they settle into their new home, but our events and programming has been created to help them develop lifelong friends as well. To be eligible for membership in the Newcomers Club of New Canaan, one of the following should apply: Your family has moved to New Canaan within the past 4 years or your family has experienced a lifestyle change or transition and has never previously been a member of the Newcomers Club of New Canaan. To become a member you can visit https://www.newcanaannewcomers.com/membership and apply right online.
How often does Newcomers meet and what specific activities does the organization offer?
Last year, Newcomers planned over 150 exciting events for our members. Our hardworking board members created programming to meet everyone’s needs. Members receive our Monday Memo with the week’s programming and may sign up for as many events as they please. Our current August calendar is filled with 15 fun events with something for every member of the family. Children grow up with playgroups, popsicle parties in park, library story times, and rides on the Old Faithful Firetruck. Women look forward to tennis clinics, book clubs, wine & cheese nights and trying out new restaurants. Men have a monthly guys night out, a softball league, and whiskey tastings. Our adults-only monthly Supper Club is a Newcomers favorite. We also have special holiday events such as a group excursion to the Polar Express in Essex, CT., a Winter Gala, and a Family Halloween Party at Playland. It’s the board’s goal to design events that appeal to a wide variety of interests and provide opportunities to connect to others and to the town itself. We truly hope you enjoy what we have in store.
What would you say to a new resident of New Canaan who is on the fence about joining Newcomers?
Prospective members are welcome to come to one of our hospitality events to learn more about the Club. A one-time joining fee opens the door to a four-year membership that allows plenty of time to take advantage of all Newcomers has to offer. Taking the plunge and joining the Newcomers Club might just make your move to New Canaan an even more enriching experience- our alumni look back on their Newcomers days fondly.
What else, if anything, would you like to tell our readers about Newcomers?
Joining the Newcomers Club of New Canaan can significantly enhance your experience in your new home, helping you to build lasting friendships and become an active, engaged member of the community. If you’re interested in finding out more, or to join Newcomers, we invite you to check out our website www.newcanaannewcomers.com and Instagram www.instagram.com/newcanaannewcomers.