The International Women of Istanbul is gearing up to host a fancy James Bond themed Spring Charity Ball at the Rahmi Koç Museum on Saturday May 24. Befitting of Bond, the evening will be a black and white tie event that will include dinner, dancing, a silent auction and a tour of the extensive car collections on display at the Rahmi Koç Museum and of course an opportunity to "bond" with fellow expats.Hosted by one of Istanbul's oldest and largest expat women's organizations, this event will not only allow you to donate to charity but it will also be a chance to meet like-minded souls, network with peers and check out the city's thriving expat scene. Being an expat in a foreign country can be daunting. There is the language barrier, finding your way around and navigating through the intricacies of local culture and bureaucracy. Whether you are a seasoned Istanbullite or a newbie, meeting fellow expats in a social network that combines discovering what the city has to offer with fundraising efforts for valuable charities is an excellent way to feel more at home and to impart valuable experiences and knowledge.The International Women of Istanbul (IWI) is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that was started over forty years ago to promote social, cultural and intellectual exchanges amongst women from all ages and nationalities residing in Istanbul. The IWI has over 500 members from over 50 different countries, with Americans constituting a majority at 17%, while 8% of members are Turkish. The IWI supports a number of Istanbul-based charities by hosting two major fundraising events each year, the Spring Ball, which will be held next Saturday May 24th, and the Christmas Festival. The James Bond-themed Spring Ball, aptly entitled, "I Spy Istanbul" is an elegant gala hosted by the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, a private industrial museum dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications. There will be a full three-course meal, live music by the Raten Jazz Orchestra and a DJ as well as a silent auction. Attendees may bid on gifts and services generously donated by local businesses. Some of the items up for bid this year are airline tickets, boat rentals, dinner vouchers and spa treatments, with all proceeds going to charity. In addition to next weekend's Spring Ball and the Christmas Festival, which will be held on December 7 at the Hilton and is an annual fundraising bazaar consisting of stalls selling gifts and delicacies, the IWI also hosts a number of other regular get-togethers. These include coffee mornings held twice a month on both the Asian and European sides of Istanbul to welcome newcomers and allow fellow members a chance to catch up. Once a month, the IWI hosts Istanbul@Night, an event in which members and their spouses and friends meet up in a fun, new and interesting spot in the city. There are also a number of special interest clubs and networks available to members such as the International Professional Women of Istanbul Network (IPWIN), which also meets monthly and holds regular talks as well as photography, chess, tennis and book clubs. Regular playgroups are held for mothers and their young ones while a number of educational programs are also on offer for kids. Upcoming events also include a Bosphorus Boat Tour, which will be held on May 30. This all-day trip takes off from Kandilli, Bebek and Tarabya and will include a potluck lunch, for just 35 TL + tip. The IWI Annual Summer Lunch will be held at Tapasuma Restaurant on June 5. Situated on the waterfront in Çengelköy, the restaurant is part of Sumahan-on-the-Water a luxurious boutique hotel that occupies a nineteenth century Ottoman distillery. Enjoy a four-course meal, with a lovely vegetarian option, of Turkish and Mediterranean dishes with a contemporary twist for 115 TL. There will also be a boat service to the restaurant from Kuruçeşme pier. The IWI welcomes all international women living in Istanbul and the wives of men holding foreign passports. Annual membership is 120 TL and also includes Lale, a monthly magazine published by IWI as well as a newsletter sent out twice a month and a monthly program calendar, which lists a wide range of social activities, cultural tours and interest group meetings. For more info: http://www.iwi-tr.orgThe IWI is also a member of the Open Door network of International Women's Associations, which means that all members have immediate access to over 80 sister organizations in 40 different countries. Not only will becoming a member of the IWI help you navigate through life in Istanbul, but it will also provide a support system for most anywhere the future may lead you.