University Park Women’s Club, formed in 2001, is a not-for-profit 501(C)(7) social organization which offers activities and promotes friendships among women residents and members of University Park Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. From that first year of 89 members, our membership has grown to over 425.

We hold four luncheons each year (October, December, April and June) and a Fashion Show in February. Each of these events is also a General Meeting where club business is presented to the General Membership. Annual dues for each club year, July 1 – June 30, cover our operating expenses.

The club has many activities for members. Our social events encompass a wide variety of venues and often are planned to include spouses or partners. And that is just the beginning of the activities offered to our membership. There are many “special interest groups” that our members enjoy together as they share common interests in books, movies, play reading, memoir writing, art and design, gardening, birds, wine and food—the list goes on!

We have supported a variety of organizations through the years, most recently HOPE Family Services and the Bradenton Police Care - Gift Card Program. Past years have included the Just for Girls Elementary, SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center), Mothers Helping Mothers, PACE (Practical Academic Cultural Education), Manatee Children’s Services, Food Bank of Manatee, Children’s Guardian Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and many others. More than $10,000 per year has been contributed to community charities. The Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball has been our main fund-raising social event of the year.

This year we celebrated our 20th Anniversary. Having grown from the efforts of four women who developed the club and had a first-year membership of 89, we now have a membership in our 20th year of over 425.

Our four General Meetings/Luncheons and the ever-popular Fashion Show always include a “happy hour” to socialize and make new friends. The four luncheons always feature interesting speakers from the Sarasota/Manatee area.

Three or four social events are held each year including, to name just a few

• Trips to museums
• Theaters
• Art tours
• Trolley tours
• Dance parties
• Polo matches...and more
• Our major fundraiser is the Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball held each December at University Park Country Club.

Each year our Outreach Committee presents suggested charities to the Board of Directors. This year we chose HOPE Family Services, the only domestic abuse resource center in Manatee County and a charity, new to Manatee County, the Bradenton Police Care - Gift Card Program. This program provides $25 Publix gift cards for the police officers to use when they encounter individuals or families in need of assistance. It has been very well received by our members and the Bradenton Police have found it to be a valuable tool in helping citizens in need and fostering a more positive relationship between the police and the community.

The club has donated a total of $13,265 to these groups as well as donations of food, personal toiletries and toys at Christmas to HOPE that were valued at $7,600.

The generosity of our membership is a constant source of pride and amazement!

Luncheon and General Meeting Dates

• October 13, 2021 - 20th Anniversary, Palm Aire Country Club
• December 12, 2021 - Holiday Luncheon, Lakewood Ranch Country Club
• April 14, 2022 - Sarasota Yacht Club
• June 8, 2022 - University Park Country Club
• * Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball - Postponed to December 3, 2022
• * Fashion Show - Postponed to February 8, 2023

• Provide members with opportunities for friendships and shared interests through group activities and social events.
• Welcome new residents and provide helpful information about the Club and their community.
• Promote awareness of the social and cultural offerings of the surrounding community through planned activities and outings.
• Provide opportunities to improve the welfare of others through community service activities.