Newcomers Information
Welcome to the SOPC 
A very warm welcome to you and your family from the HQ SACT Officers' Partners' Club (SOPC)!
The following sections on the website may help you settle in and give details of how to join the SOPC:
Helpful Hints (pdf) for Living in Hampton Roads
The "Helpful Hints" booklet was produced by SOPC members with the assitance of the HQ SACT Legal Department.
The booklet provides information about living in the United States. Read the NEW updated 2011 version (pdf).
Welcome Coffee
Every September the SOPC Executive Committee hosts a Coffee Morning to welcome all newcomers. In addtion to meeting the members of the Executive Committee, representatives of the SOPC Social Clubs and Groups will be present and you will have an opportunity to sign up for the clubs you would like to join.
Everyone is welcome to attend but reservations are required. More details will be available from luncheons -page. More information will be available nearer to the date of this event.
Monthly Luncheons
The SOPC luncheons are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month from October to May. It is a great way to meet new friends and learn about all the different countries.
Our current venue is Norfolk Yacht Club , a beautiful facility located on the North Side of the Lafayette River. Each month the luncheon is hosted by a different NATO-country and raffle tickets will be sold to support our selected charities.
To attend luncheons, you have to make a reservation more than one week before the luncheon is to be held.
Please note that you need to register as a member before making any lunch reservations (see below at joining the SOPC).
For more information and to make a luncheon reservation click the luncheons -page.
Social Clubs
The SOPC offers about 20 social clubs. Check out up to date information on the Groups and Clubs on the SOPC Website.
The clubs include:
SACT Book Club, Mums and Toddlers, International Cooking, Bridge, Mahjong, Bowling,Turkish Marbling, English Conversation, German Conversation, French Conversation, Spanish Conversation, Horse Riding and Turkish Cooking.
There is also a NATO Teenagers group which has differing monthly activities please see the website or contact sopcteens@gmail.com
Joining the SOPC
Before you can make any reservations for luncheons or sign up for some of our social clubs, you need to be a registered member of the SOPC.
First please read our Bylaws on the SOPC website.
The easiest way to register as a member is use this on-line form on our website.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation of your membership by email. This will take a few days.
If you need any help signing up, please ask your sponsor or NR to help you. You can also send an email for help to our Membership Coordinator (membership@sopc.us).
Newsletter
An e-mail is sent to all our members when a new Newsletter is available on the website. It is filled with information about the SOPC and its upcoming activities. Be sure not to miss it!
You can also find past copies of the SOPC Newsletter on our websites Newsletter- page.
Joining the Executive Committee
The SOPC is a dynamic organization, led by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, called the Executive Committee.
As all of us leave after a certain period, we need new volunteers to join the Committee regularly.
Joining the Committee is a great opportunity to meet and work with people from different countries, and meet new friends even faster. It is an opportunity for you to use the skills you already have or even to learn completely new skills. Normally, you will start as an assistant for a year and after that you will become the post holder with a new assistant next to you.
Check out the available job positions on the SOPC Website. We hope to see you soon at one of the coffee mornings, luncheons, or social clubs!
With best wishes,