2007 Convention & Annual Meeting
Thursday, August 30, 2007
A Communication from the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA, Inc.
Join your AF amis in gathering ideas to help your local Chapter Grow and Develop in Milwaukee, October 24-28, 2007
The Alliance Française de Milwaukee is proud to be celebrating its 90th year by hosting the Federation of Alliances Françaises, USA Convention and Annual Meeting. Chapter presidents, members, executive directors, teachers and anyone interested in French and meeting Francophiles from around the country are all welcome and encouraged to attend. The Milwaukee Athletic Club has lovely meeting rooms, where hotel rooms at reasonable prices are available for those attending the convention. (Please reserve a room by early October)
The convention will include workshops, roundtable discussions, and plenary sessions covering a wide array of topics to help your chapter have “The Courage to Grow”.
Activities will begin Wednesday evening with complimentary receptions with a French flair hosted by DeLind Gallery of Fine Art and George Watts and Son, fine china and crystal, both just down the street from the MAC.
On Thursday evening there will be a reception at the Santiago Calatrava designed Milwaukee Art Museum with tours in French and English (Shuttle bus from MAC and return). Pierre Vimont, French Ambassador to the United States, Consul General of France in Chicago, Jean-Baptiste Main de Boissière, Attaché Culturel Laurent Maillaud and Attachée Culturelle Adjointe Anne-Emmanuelle Grossi will be special guests. David Gordon, CEO of the Milwaukee Art Museum, will be awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French Government.
Friday noon the newly appointed Ambassador of France to the United States, Pierre Vimont, will be the keynote speaker. Friday afternoon radio celebrity Monique Giroux from Montréal will be the featured highlight, in keeping with our celebration of “La Francophonie”. Authors Arlette Cousture and Marie-Andrée Laberge will also be part of this special program.
Other dignitaries planning to attend are Alain Marquer, Directeur des Relations Internationales, Allaince Française de Paris, Jean Harzic, Conseil D’Administration, AF de Paris, Agustin Legorreta, President of the Federation of Alliances Françaises – Mexico, new Délégué Général Thierry Lagnau, Délégué Général Adjoint Pascal Saura, noted text book authors Jean-Paul and Rebecca Valette, and Margot Steinhart, Past President of American Association of Teachers of French.
Immediate Past President of the Federation, Jane Robert, will be awarded the Federation’s Prix Charbonnier for 2007 at the Dinner on Friday evening that will also celebrate the 90 years of the AF de Milwaukee in the ballroom of the historic Woman’s Club of Wisconsin. Passed hors d’oeuvres and piano music during the reception will precede the beautiful 4-course dinner.
A Soirée Sénégalaise at St. John’s Cathedral Atrium in a casual atmosphere will top off Saturday evening. Colorful costumes, African music and a dinner buffet and drinks will allow everyone to relax and celebrate. African attire is encouraged.
Not to be missed will be a Sunday Bus Tour of Historic Milwaukee (in English with an emphasis on French heritage). Noted local historian E.J. Brumder will guide us. A brunch at Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro overlooking Lake Michigan will be a highlight. The tour is arranged so that Alliance members will return to the MAC in time for late afternoon flights
The Federation is offering one free registration fee for each chapter (one person per chapter), so consider bringing several members from your chapter. Take advantage of the Early bird registration fee before September 25. Registration Forms can be found on page 15 in the Federation Forum online on the Federation website afusa.org
VENEZ NOMBREUX!
Download a registration form
See the program in the Federation Forum