Here we are going to share with you our roles on the committee and give you the opportunity to identify us at the coffee mornings and events.
 |
Carole Binbrek I’m the President of Ranches Ladies. I started Ranches Ladies 5 years ago with 30 ladies meeting at Costa Coffee. We moved to the Arabian Ranches Golf Club two weeks later and have been there ever since. My husband Naji has most of his family living here and my daughter works here so we decided to retire here 5 years ago. Since then my husband has been prised out of retirement and is now working part-time. I wanted to help create this new community of Arabian Ranches as this will probably be where I spend the rest of my life. The more activities there are in the Ranches the better the quality of life for all of us living here. I’ve lived all over the world from east as far as Indonesia and west as far as the U.S.A. I know what it’s like to be transported to a new country where you know no-one, so the aim of Ranches Ladies is to help new people settle in as soon as possible and make friends quickly. My day-to-day job is like being a juggler, to see that everything is running smoothly, to find new committee members as needed and to fill in when there is a gap. |
 |
Heather Finlayson I am the Vice President of the club . I joined Ranches Ladies 2 years ago after I relocated from West Yorkshire to Dubai with my husband and 3 children. In May of 2010 I became responsible for the room set up on a Tuesday morning – sounds easy but doesn’t always work out that way! Within the last year I have also helped/ran trips to the camel farm, Abu Dhabi Mosque, Antiques Museum ( it’s neither!) and afternoon tea at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Being a member of the club has made a big difference to my life, giving it a focus and enabling me to meet lots of interesting people. The club is very supportive – if you want to organise something there’s always someone who can help or guide you along your way. Through Ranches Ladies I have joined the Mah Jong group, a book club and taken up Scottish country dancing! |
 |
Fay Bishop We moved here from Ripley, Surrey 3 years ago with our teenage daughter whilst our eldest chose to board. They are now both back in the UK at school and Uni so I am experiencing being an empty nester! I like to keep myself busy – I am enjoying being on the committee, I book the speakers for the Ranches Ladies, previously I was clubs co-ordinator. I work part-time and have started a book group and a beading group. The Ranches Ladies is a great way to make friends - we offer a fantastic range of clubs - so I have tried watercolour painting, jewellery making, desert dog walking, belly dancing, Pilates and Salsa! I am never bored! |
 |
Hi – my name is Rachel Geyer . I’m English, married to a German, and we have 4 children. We have been living in Dubai for since March 2009. I have held the post of treasurer for the Ranches Ladies Committee since July 2009, and my job is to keep track of all monies coming in and going out! It’s been a great way to get to know people, and give something back to a Club that gave me a friendly, welcoming and informative place to go as a fresh arrival in Dubai! |
 |
Debby Addley I am the note taker at the monthly committee meetings …… I returned to Dubai 3 years ago to a newly developed “city” which was a vastly different Dubai to the place I came to 14 years ago! Arabian Ranches delivered the same village appeal that made the return to Dubai so much easier for me – especially when I discovered the Ranches Ladies group. I was keen to become an active member alongside working in the area as a Real Estate agent – I am happy to have met some lovely ladies at the coffee mornings and on the committee. We have heaps of fun and definitely Carole’s cheese scones are legendary alongside her passion for tap-dancing and dry Scottish wit. Come and join us – xxxx |
 |
Sadaf M Khan I am assigned to organise our Charity Events in support of Al ahsan in Ajman. With our continuous efforts we manage to pay the education fees of four children every year; with our ongoing charity lunches, garage sales and raffles. With your support we make it happen. |
 |
Yvonne Carter I am the photographer of our Organised Events. I also have a role on the website management team in maintaining the Photo Gallery. |
 |
Clementina Kongslund I am Romanian married to a Dane. We have been living in Dubai since the beginning of 2010 and we have a baby girl, Valentina, that you can meet every Tuesday at the Coffee Morning. I am the Groups Coordinator and I keep updated the groups run by our members. If you want to join a group or start a new one based on your hobby, just let me know. |
 |
Marie Hoff My husband and I moved to Arabian Ranches May of 2011. We have two boys who are grown and out on their own so we decided to take a little adventure so here we are in Dubai. We moved from Montana in the US but have lived most of our lives in North and South Dakota so Dubai is a little different then what we are used to. I help administer the website and I also help out with the library. Thanks, enjoy the group and we will see you at the Tuesday Morning Coffees!!! |
 |
Barbara Livingston – Hi, I came to live in Dubai with my husband Gary & black labrador Ellie in July 2011 having previously lived in Manila for a year and, before that, for 2 years in Singapore. Being so far away from home makes you value the friendships you make whilst living the ‘ex-pat life’ and Ranches Ladies has proved to be a fantastic way of meeting people and making new friends. As Trips Co-ordinator I am looking forward to hearing your suggestions for days out – let’s discover Dubai together. |
 |
Hi, my name is Liz Stark and I am the Chairperson of Membership and Meet & Greet. I moved to Dubai in October 2010 from the UK (kicking and screaming, however now I LOVE it) with my husband Tony and Charlie, our English Springer Spaniel. Ranches Ladies really helped me settle into my new life and I now have some wonderful friends, I could not be any happier with my new life in Dubai. I remember very well my first day at Ranches Ladies having to walk in alone, however after immediately being introduced to the meet & greet ladies & being made to feel welcome & comfortable, I was totally at ease and joined straight away. I have been a member of the team for twelve months now & have recently taken over the role of Chairperson, therefore becoming a member of the committee. I am looking forward to increasing our Membership as Ranches Ladies is a great place to meet new and interesting people from all over the Globe. |
