Mardi Apéro Virtuel – Every Tuesday at 6

Jeudi Non-judgmental Français – Every Thursday at 5, followed by Jr Member Chat

We care about our members’ spiritual well-being in times of social distancing, so we’re hosting Mardi Apéro Virtuel, Jeudi Non-judgmental Français and Jr Member Chat via Zoom.

May 26th at 6 pm

Ambassador Gérard Araud, former Ambassador of France to the United States, discusses his 40-year career in some of France’s most prestigious diplomatic postings, as recounted in his book “Passeport Diplomatique.”

Read Maureen Dowd’s interview in this New York Times article.

Après quarante ans passés au Quai d’Orsay à occuper les postes les plus prestigieux de la diplomatie française, Gérard Araud analyse ici la longue séquence historique dont il a été un acteur et un témoin privilégié  :
«  Ma carrière, commencée un an après l’élection de Ronald Reagan et conclue deux ans après celle de Donald Trump, s’est inscrite dans un moment particulier de l’histoire qu’à défaut d’un autre terme, j’appelle le « néo-libéralisme ». Fondé, en économie, sur la souveraineté du marché, sur la méfiance vis-à-vis de l’État et sur l’ouverture des frontières et, en politique étrangère, sur la conviction de la supériorité des valeurs de l’Occident. Ses mémoires se lisent comme un essai, clair et érudit, confrontant les analyses pour expliquer l’effondrement d’un monde et comprendre celui qui vient. A la théorie s’ajoute un grand art du trait et du portrait. L’ambassadeur, à la manière d’un moraliste, incarne les anecdotes, conte incidents et situations cocasses, distille conseils aux jeunes diplomates et avis sur les ministres et les Présidents qu’il a servis.

Haut-fonctionnaire iconoclaste, connu pour son franc-parler, son humour fin et sans concession, Gérard Araud emmène le lecteur dans les coulisses de la diplomatie  : il nous donne le sentiment, soudain, d’être au cœur de la machine, d’en comprendre les rouages et les complexités (le chapitre des négociations sur le nucléaire iranien, notamment, est particulièrement passionnant).

Un ouvrage incontournable pour ceux qui veulent comprendre comment se fait la politique de notre pays sur la scène internationale.

Join us Tuesdays, 6:00 pm, for Mardi Apéro Virtuel
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 746 830 157
Password required, sent via e-newsletter to members, request it at info@parisamericanclub.org.

Prepare in advance and login five minutes before 6 pm, especially first-time participants:

• Logging in from a laptop is better, but a phone or tablet work, keep in mind your background, avoid glare;
• Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom and that your audio (speaker and microphone) and camera are working on both your device and in Zoom;
• Hit download app when prompted, then enter meeting ID and password, click use computer audio;
• Format: 10-minute mutual greetings and updates, 15-minute presentation, 10-minute questions and comments;
• Etiquette: MUTE your Zoom app (bottom left of screen) during the presentation and only un-mute to ask a question or comment, give others the opportunity to speak;
• Enjoy your favorite apéro and hors d’oeuvres;
• The apéro will end at 6:45.

June 2nd | Mardi Apéro Virtuel: Francis Dubois, La Marseillaise… et plus si affinités

June 9th | Mardi Apéro Virtuel: Simon Herfray, leçon de soufflé

June 16th | Mardi Apéro Virtuel: TBA

June 23rd | Mardi Apéro Virtuel: TBA

June 30th | Mardi Apéro Virtuel: TBA

Jeudi Non-judgmental Français is an opportunity to practice your (possibly fractured) French at all levels around various weekly topics.

“The French conversation hour was great. Made me realize that I need to speak French more (as in more than never). Mathieu you’re a fantastic moderator!” –Terrence M. Bennett, Attorney-at-Law, Bennett & Samios

May 21st at at 5:00 pm
Jeudi Non-judgmental Français: French conversation at all levels, moderated by Mathieu Legendre.

This week, tell us about a recollection of a vacation (un souvenir de vacances) and what you miss most during these times of confinement (ce qui vous manque le plus dans cette période de confinement) , while practicing your (fractured) French. Franglais allowed!

Last week, the group discussed favorite French idioms, expressions and argot, then preferred books, such as Molière and Le Petit Prince.

Mathieu Legendre was born and raised in Meaux and studied law in Paris II Assas.  At 25, he founded his own practice with two partners and took the lead of the real estate/construction department. At the same time, he got involved in the public life of his city, leading a group of young political activists and joining the city board after the 2014 local elections, where he oversaw digital policy. In 2011, Mathieu came to New York and met his future wife. After marrying in Meaux, they moved back to New York in 2016; Mathieu is now a PAC Board Member, an entrepreneur, and a French teacher for corporate clients.

Join Zoom Meeting here.

Meeting ID: 845 6342 2678

Password required, sent via e-newsletter to members, request it at info@parisamericanclub.org.

Junior Member Chat immediately following the Jeudi Non-judgmental Français, same login. Discuss your current situation, plans for the future and how you are surviving le confinement.

Calendar of Live Meetings 2020 (As of 5/21/20)

Registration generally opens one month in advance of each event, so mark your calendar and come back to register once open.