Clubs & Groups
In 1890, the first Smith club—the Smith College Club of New York City—was founded with the goal of providing alumnae an opportunity to socialize and raise awareness about Smith. Today, there are more than 100 active Smith clubs around the world, each powered by the energy and commitment of volunteers. Some clubs are large, well-established and have a robust volunteer structure, while others are smaller with fewer financial and personnel resources. Whatever the size, clubs offer rich and interesting programs in your area. Join your local Smith club and be part of the fabric that weaves together the past, present and future of your alma mater.
Smith Clubs
Websites are created by and for the clubs of Smith College. Information on these websites is intended for communication among Smith alumnae. Use of this information for any other purpose is strictly prohibited. Smith College and the Alumnae Association of Smith College are not responsible for the content of club websites.
Club Club Club
Alabama
- Smith College Club of Birmingham
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Arizona
- Smith College Club of Phoenix
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Tucson
Website | Email | Facebook
California
- Smith College Club of Sacramento
(Capital Region)
Email Alumnae Relations for information - Smith College Club of East Bay
Website | Email | Facebook | Young Alumnae Facebook - Smith College Club of Los Angeles (includes Pasadena)
Website | Email | Facebook| Twitter | Instagram - Smith College Club of the North Coast (Sonoma, Napa)
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Orange County
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of the Peninsula (Palo Alto area)
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of San Diego
Website | Email |Facebook - Smith College Club of San Francisco and Marin
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Santa Barbara
Email | Facebook
Colorado
Connecticut
- Western Connecticut Book Group
Book Club Email - Smith College Club of Fairfield County
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Greenwich-Stamford
Website | Email - Smith College Club of Hartford
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Southeastern Connecticut (Mystic area)
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of New Haven
Website | Email | Facebook | Young Alumnae Facebook
Delaware
- Smith College Club of Delaware
Email Alumnae Relations for information
District of Columbia
- Smith College Club of Washington, DC
Website | Email | Facebook | Young Alumnae Facebook
Florida
- Smith College Club of Central Florida (Winter Park/Orlando area)
Website | Email Alumnae Relations for information - Smith College Club of Fort Lauderdale
Website | Email - Smith College Club of Gainesville
Email Alumnae Relations for information - Smith College Club of Jacksonville
Email Alumnae Relations for information - Smith College Club of Miami
Website | Email - Smith College Club of the Palm Beaches
Website | Email - Smith College Club of Sarasota
Website | Email - Smith College Club of Southwest Florida (Naples, Sanibel, Ft. Myers)
Website | Email - Smith College Club of the Treasure Coast (Vero Beach)
Website | Email - Smith College Club of West Florida (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater area)
Website | Email | Facebook
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
- Smith College Club of Eastern Iowa
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Central Iowa
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Illinois
- Smith College Club of Central Illinois
Email | Facebook | Google Group - Smith College Club of Chicago
Website | Email | Facebook
Indiana
- Smith College Club of Indianapolis
Facebook
Kentucky
- Bluegrass Area Smith College Club (Lexington)
Email Alumnae Relations for information - Smith College Club of Louisville
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Louisiana
- Smith College Club of New Orleans
Website | Email | Facebook | Google Group
Maine
Maryland
- Smith College Club of Baltimore
Email Alumnae Relations for information | Facebook
Massachusetts
- Smith College Club of Belmont (Concord area)
Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Berkshire County
Email - Smith College Club of Boston
Website | Email | Young Alumnae Facebook | 30/40 Somethings Facebook - Smith College Club of Cambridge
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Cape Cod and the Islands
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Central Massachusetts (Worcester, Fitchburg area)
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Franklin County (Greenfield area)
Email Alumnae Relations for information | Facebook - Smith College Club of Hampshire County (Northampton area)
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of the North Shore
Website | Email | Facebook - Smith College Club of Southeastern Massachusetts (Marion area)
Email Alumnae Relations for information - Smith College Club of West of Boston
Website | Email | Facebook
Belgium
-
Smith College Club of Belgium
Email Alumnae Relations for information | Facebook
France
Germany
-
Smith Alumnae in Germany
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Greece
- Smith College Group of Athens
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Italy
- Smith Alumnae in Italy
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Smith Alumnae in South Asia Facebook
Bangladesh
- Smith College Club of Bangladesh
Email Alumnae Relations for information | Facebook
China
- Smith Alumnae in China
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Hong Kong
- Smith College Group of Hong Kong
Email Alumnae Relations for information |Facebook
India
- Smith Alumnae in India
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Japan
- Smith College Club of Japan
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Pakistan
Dubai
- Smith Alumnae in Dubai
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Israel
- Smith Alumnae Network in Israel
Email Alumnae Relations for information
Clubs Events & Programs
Planning An Event
Clubs and groups engage in events that enhance the alum connection with the college and each other. Programs may vary in an effort to provide meaningful experiences for folks with different interests. Examples include:
- organizing a book club
- sending care packages to students
- engaging in community service
- creating theme-based sub-groups for investing, cooking, knitting and crafts, walking/hiking
- social events such as bowling, after work meet-ups, game night (including Smithopoly!) and museum and sports outings
- organizing a panel of alums with similar fields of interest or expertise, such as folks in science, law, education, the arts, or health and wellness
- celebrating Smith traditions such as Mountain Day, Julia Child Day, Christmas Vespers, Cromwell Day and Rally Day
Book clubs are a wonderful way to reinvigorate your club’s membership and keep alums regularly engaged. Smith book clubs have sprung up globally. See Communications for ideas on boosting attendance and celebrating diversity.
Smith College values its alums and provides many tools to help them connect to one another and to the college, whether in person or virtually, as individuals, or as volunteer-led affinity groups and clubs. The college does not govern alum groups nor prescribe content for groups’ events. The selection of a book or other program content by an alum group or club does not imply an endorsement by Smith College or the Alumnae Association of Smith College.
Starting a Book Club
Smith club presidents often find that book clubs attract alums who don’t traditionally affiliate with their Smith clubs but are interested in continuing their education and connection to the college. Book clubs require a few basic ingredients.
A Good Book
It’s best to let the point person choose the group’s first book and have participants come to the first meeting with their suggestions. Paperbacks are a good first choice for affordability and portability. Independent booksellers sometimes offer book club discounts.
A Little Time
It is standard practice to have a month to read a selection. Meetings should go for about an hour and a half, with the first hour devoted to discussion and the last half-hour for socializing.
Stay connected to current students from your area by sending end-of-semester care packages to them. Students often send warm expressions of appreciation for receiving a box of homemade baked goods, gift certificates for local businesses, cards and other goodies, like warm socks for the winter. Here are some helpful guidelines to follow if your club wants to send care packages.
Timing
Care packages/gifts should arrive at least seven days before the last day of classes to ensure ample time for delivery and pick-up by students. See the Academic Calendar. Please check with your post office to allow enough time for delivery and be sure to use packaging that prevents damage during shipping.
Suggestions
- Atkins Farms care packages
- Campus Center Café
- Northampton Chamber of Commerce gift card
- Herrell’s Ice Cream
- Laurel Mountain Gift Baskets
Help make a difference in your community by volunteering. Community service projects can be fun and rewarding ways to connect with alumnae who might enjoy giving back more than attending other club events. They also enhance Smith’s reputation in local communities. Alumnae can be asked to suggest an organization that might be willing to organize a club’s volunteer time.
Choosing a Project
- Short-term or one-time projects are more likely than long-term commitments to attract volunteers.
- A program whose mission is to support women and girls or college access might be especially attractive.
- Projects that include partners and kids might appeal to alumnae with families (inquire about a minimum age for children).
- Community service groups or book groups might complement a project with a book that focuses on service, such as Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder, or The American Way to Change: How National Service & Volunteers are Transforming America, by Shirley Sagawa ’83.
Ideas
Food Banks
Some clubs volunteer one or more times a year at food banks, where they sort or pack canned or fresh food for soup kitchens, shelters, families, schools or day-care centers. A day’s work can begin with a brunch or end with drinks to provide social time. Food donations can be requested at other club events.
Dress for Success
Dress for Success has affiliates around the country to which club members can donate clothing for use by disadvantaged female job-seekers.
Smith clubs are self-funded organizations chartered through a set of bylaws and governed by an elected set of officers. The governing body, including the president (or co-presidents), vice president/program chair, treasurer, alumnae admission coordinator and other positions, is considered the executive committee. Officers typically serve a two-year term, elected in accordance with the bylaws. Club members must vote to amend the bylaws if they wish to change the configuration of the executive committee.
Tools for Volunteers
There are several ways in which class, club and other volunteers can share news and information. The Alumnae Association provides tools, tips and assistance with broadcast emails.
Contact Office of Alumnae Relations & Development
Alumnae House
33 Elm Street
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01060