At the AFLCR’s annual meeting, outgoing co-president Patsy Jamieson reflected that as her term ends, the AFLCR is “thriving.” Major developments of the past year, she noted, include the transition to the Oncord system, which integrates several key functions into our website; the formation of a partnership with AF Montreal; and last summer’s visit of the French ambassador and his entourage to our foyer.
Treasurer Bill Pence summarized that the AFLCR is “very small, but our financial picture is strong,” with 2025 income totaling $132,000 and expenses coming in at $117,000. Our source of income is enrollment, distantly followed by membership dues.
Steve Barrett, who handles AFLCR membership, announced that his study of the metrics shows that since 2006 our membership has grown at a faster rate than the state of Vermont’s population.
Marc Juneau, the school director, noted that our 11 instructors taught 120 students this year and commended their ability to draw returning students. He also called out the AFLCR’s handful of steadfast volunteers who are responsible for mounting our cultural events, “picking up where the educators leave off” in energizing the local Francophone/Francophile community. All the board members echoed this sentiment.
Marc expressed particular thanks to our Front Porch Forum volunteers, whose faithful working in posting notices about course registrations are responsible for bringing in an impressive number of students.
Secretary Pam Hunt, who serves on the events committee, called to mind some of those events, notably the various monthly social hours (aka apéros) that we host. She brought back fond memories of our August summer party at Snow Farm Vineyard and of our December holiday party at the Hilton Garden.
Our Pause-Midi series came to an end last October with the retirement of Erik Trinkaus, but plans are under way to revive the speaker series in a new format. We also continue to provide support, she noted, for Downtown Winooski’s French Heritage Day, for VTIFF, and this year for Hugo Martínez-Cazón’s Silent Movie Day.
Marjorie London, chair of the governance committee, described her efforts to ens
ure
that the AFLCR complies with its own bylaws and policies and with laws governing nonprofits.
The meeting marked the last appearance of Patsy and Marjorie as board members. Our entire community thanks them for their excellent service and are grateful they are both planning to continue to serve the AFLCR as non-board volunteers.
In the election portion of the meeting, the members reelected Pam and Bill to new terms. The members also elected two new board members:
Tony Stamper is well known in our community for his participation in events and classes. He has studied French in several immersion courses in France.
And Jim Spink, a Burlington lawyer and mediator, is well traveled and has an abiding interest in French culture and language. As an AFLCR board member, he will look for ways to bring more young people into our community.
At their next meeting, the new board will elect officers: president (or co-presidents), treasurer, and secretary.
As always, we are on the lookout for new volunteers and new board members. Thanks to all the AFLCR members who attended, and we hope you
enjoyed the post-meeting refreshments.
The new AFLCR board: Tony Stamper, Pam Hunt, Bill Pence, Jim Spink, and Steve Barrett
Leave a Comment