* Amnesty International welcomes anyone to join its Fairfax branch, or just come to discuss current human rights issues from around the world. Call 703-830-4194 or e-mail amnestyusafairfax@lycos.com
* The Lane's Mill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is a small, but active chapter that offers a broad range of programs on historic preservation and natural conservation, education of the nation's youth, promotion of patriotism, and love of country. Prospective members and guests are encouraged to attend meetings. Contact Jennifer Smith at 703-961-1030.
* Mothers First Centreville/ Chantilly is dedicated to supporting women that have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include lectures, field trips, moms night out, etc. Meetings are at Centreville Regional Library, 14200 Saint Germain Dr., Centreville, every first and third Thursday of the month from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
* The Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) is looking for people interested in mentoring a child affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS through the agency's PALS Mentoring Program. Volunteers make a one-year commitment to a child and visit with their "Pal" twice a month. Pals mentors are needed throughout Northern Virginia for children ranging from 6-16 years old. Training and ongoing support is provided by NOVAM, and an agency funded background check is required. For more information on this volunteer opportunity, contact Jane Beddoe 703-533-5505, ext. 15. E-mail: jbeddoe@novam.org.
* The Centreville Regional Art Guild holds monthly meetings on the last Sunday of the month from 4-6 p.m. at the Centreville Regional Library. E-mail Velma Orrik at vorrik@cox.net or visit the Web site at centrevilleart.org.
* The Assistance League of Northern Virginia is dedicated to promoting the well-being, self-esteem and education of at-risk youth and adults living in Northern Virginia. For more information, contact ALNV President Cindy Burgess at 703-758-8454 or P.O. Box 209, Herndon VA, 20172. Go to www.assistanceleague.org.
* Western Fairfax County Woman’s Club, a civic organization committed to enhancing the quality of community life through volunteer service and philanthropy, was established in 1968. This diverse group of women makes things happen in the community and looks to residents to join in. Club projects include scholarship awards, the semi-annual Chantilly Library Used Book Sale, and White House Ornament fund-raiser. While they perform community service, raise money and award women’s scholarships, members of the WFCWC also have a variety of social activities that foster camaraderie and fellowship within the club. Social events include an English tea and garden party, luncheons and holiday parties, a night out at the theater and more. They are also a proud member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), the oldest and largest all female volunteer organization in the world. The Western Fairfax County Woman's Club meets the third Monday of each month, September through May, at 7:30 p.m. at the Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, and is open to all women in the area, ages 18 and older. New members welcome. Call 703-222-0997 ext. 4 or e-mail gfwcwfcwc@yahoo.com for membership information.
* The Slovak American Society of Washington is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1988 by local residents. The membership is open to Americans with ancestral roots in what is today Slovakia, émigrés who have come here seeking freedom and others who have an interest in Slovakia. The group functions as a social, cultural and educational organization. SASW sponsors lectures, cultural events, exhibitions, Slovak language classes, social activities, scholarships and more. Contact Ken Bombara at 703-851-6035.
* The Assembly of the Old Dominion Cotillion was founded to provide an opportunity for parents to prepare their daughters for the adult social world through planned social events culminating with an elegant ball. The annual Debutante Ball is held in July at Westfields Conference Center. The Cotillion accepts young ladies in their freshman and sophomore years of high school as Future Debutantes and in their junior and senior years as Debutantes. The program continues through college and beyond as Post Debutantes and Alumnae.
The Social Season begins with a Mother-Daughter Invitational Tea in early fall. There are many activities planned during the yearlong Social Season, including Ball Week and instruction in dance, poise and the social graces. These activities are planned to be enjoyable as well as provide an opportunity to help prepare the Debutantes for future social settings they may encounter. All activities with the exception of Ball Week are optional. Contact Francine Gallagher, director, at 703-476-9576.
* Soup and Fish Club, the Virginia chapter of The Wodehouse Society is for all ages and meets at various bookstores, libraries and restaurants around Fairfax County. If you love to laugh or simply want to seek refuge from unpleasant people and times in the gentle writing of the master of P.G. Wodehouse, this club is for you. Call Deb Dillard 703-815-9073 or write plum1881@aol.com (put Wodehouse in the subject line) for information.
* The Fairfax Small Business Development Center, at the Mason Enterprise Center, offers a variety of services to support small businesses in Fairfax County — whether in business for many years and seeking growth or the aspiring entrepreneur looking for direction. Training seminars offered in all phases and aspects of small business management, including marketing, business plans, capital acquisition, financial management and employer-related issues. One-on-one counseling is available at no cost by FSBDC staff and volunteers from the professional sectors. Visit www.sbdc.org or call 703-277-7700 for information. There are several other SBDCs throughout Northern Virginia listed at www.virginiasbdc.org. Learn more about MEC services at www.masonenterprisecenter.org.
* Equality Fairfax is a nonpartisan organization that strives to improve the quality of life and meet the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community throughout Fairfax County. Reflects the diversity of the Fairfax community, and builds relationships with business, civic, religious and community leaders. Equality Fairfax provides regular social events and meetings that inform and promote the community.
Efforts include: Social and volunteer activities, civic and community service and advocacy. Equality Fairfax, P.O. Box 1223, Vienna, VA 22183. Visit the Web site at www.EqualityFairfax.org. Email: info@equalityfairfax.org. OR call 703-255-1552.
* The USS Athena is a Northern Virginia science fiction and community service organization that has been in existence since 1995 and sponsors several educational events annually. For more information, contact the USS Athena at 703-862-0457, e-mail: ussathena@ussathena.org, or visit the Web site at www.ussathena.org.
* Historic Centreville Society was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit organization to promote and encourage historical research, to preserve and protect buildings and sites of historic interest, and to foster and promote public knowledge of and interest in local history. The group has a quarterly newsletter and a small membership fee of $15 per family. It has four program meetings a year, plus other meetings that are unscheduled. The group meets in the Centreville Regional Library and Mount Gilead house to hear speakers of historical importance. Contact Rita Koch, president, P.O. Box 1512, Centreville, VA 22020; or call 703-352-2370.
* The New Mothers Luncheon Group provide an opportunity to meet with other mothers and their infants to get together for lunch, a speaker and a good time. The group meets every Monday at Restaurant Il Lupo in Fairfax City, and each week there is a different program. Reservations are required for all luncheons. To register, call 703-273-5593 or contact Rochelle Goldberg at eventbuilders@hotmail.com. Contact Rochelle Goldberg at 703-273-5593 or at eventbuilders@hotmail.com. Visit the Web page at www.event-builders.com.
* Centreville Toastmasters is the place to improve your communication and leadership skills. The club meets from 7-8:15 p.m. twice a month on Mondays at the Centreville Regional Library. The next meetings are Aug. 7, Aug. 21, Sept. 4 and Sept. 18. Guests are welcome. Prepared speeches, oral evaluations and impromptu speeches (table topics) will be on the agenda. Visit the Web site at www.centreville.freetoasthost.org. Visit toastmasters.org or contact Bob Harter at 703-222-7171.
* Centreville Community Foundation (CCF) is a nonprofit community service organization focusing on the needs of the local community. Residents and businesses in the Centreville/Chantilly area interact with each other to preserve the community's history, while enhancing the quality of life for everyone. Donations are welcome and may be sent to Centreville Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1813 Centreville, VA 20121. For more information, call Maryanne Toal at 703-966-1719 or e-mail her at maryannetoal@hotmail.com.
* The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area meets on a designated day during the second week of each month in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. Choose the closest meeting near you by calling the League office at 703-658-9150 or by checking the Web site at www.lwv-fairfax.org. The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area is a nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. Any man or woman of voting age is encouraged to become a League member.
* The New Neighbors League, perfect for newcomers, was established in 1988 to bring together neighbors from all over Northern Virginia. Though it originated as a group for people new to the area, it is open to anyone looking to get to know new people and get involved in activities. The group consists of about 200 women, and members can participate in whichever events interest them. For a $25 membership fee, members are welcome to monthly luncheons, coffees, wine-tastings, bridge, crafts, performing arts, bible study and much more. The Club welcomes new members to join at any time. First year membership is $50.
* Northern Virginia Parents Without Partners (NOVA Chapter 715) holds many social, family -oriented and educational events — such as hiking, picnics, workshops, moderated discussions and museum trips for never-married, separated, divorced and widowed parents and their children. Membership costs $40 a year, and members receive a membership card along with a newsletter listing the month’s events. Call 703-406-3750 or visit the Web site at www.pwp715.org.
* Centreville Post 1995 was organized in 1994 under the Department of Virginia of the American Legion. It has recently reached an all-time high of 196 members and supports the Western Fairfax County communities of Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton and Fairfax Station.
Centreville Post 1995 conducts several programs in the community. It sponsors an American Legion baseball team, the local Boys State program, hosts a local high-school oratorical contest and works with other area charitable community organizations like Western Fairfax Christian Ministries and Habitat for Humanity. Post members also assist with Centreville Day.
Centreville Post 1995 meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the new Sully Government Center. Call 703-912-1910 or visit the Post Web site at http://members.aol.com/ vapost1995/ page/index.htm.
* The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1995 meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Sully Government Center. All are welcome. Contact Suzy Denham at 703-304-5938.
* Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) is a support group dedicated to sensible weight loss and the maintenance of proper weight. TOPS VA #606, Centreville, meets Thursdays at the Centreville Presbyterian Church. Weigh-ins are held 6:15 through 7 p.m. with the meetings beginning no later than 7:10 p.m. Call Susan at 703-798-9461.