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2021 Events

Wed, Jan 20, 6:30 pm: Speaker Consul General Jérémie Robert

Jérémie Robert, 43, took office as Consul General in New York on September 3, 2020. Since September 2018, he was advisor for Africa, Development and Global Affairs in the office of the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves le Drian. In this capacity, he contributed to the renewal of France’s relations with Africa and the rebuilding of its development policy, and worked on the management of the crisis in the Sahel. He has worked for France’s global priorities, in particular the preservation of global public goods such as global health, climate and biodiversity.

During his career at the Quai d’Orsay, which he began in 2003, he served in the Africa and Indian Ocean Department, on Sudan (2003-2006) during the Darfur crisis ; in Nairobi, as France’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme and Adviser on Somalia (2006-2009) ; in New Delhi (2011-2014) as Coordinator of the Political Chancellery ; in Yaoundé (2014-2016) as Number Two of our Embassy in Cameroon and as Assistant Director for West Africa (2016-2018). He worked for the European Union in Kenya (2010-2011).

Jérémie Robert is a graduate of the Institut Politiques de Strasbourg and holds a master’s degree in international relations. He is married and father of two children.

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 and Non-judgmental Français will end at approximately 6:45.

“Mardi Apéro Virtuel is brilliant. This kind of connection is so important in a time like this. It is not just a distraction, but a human need to see others and hear others. Perfect, of course would be face-to-face, but we should let “perfect” be the enemy of “good”. And, this was very, very good.” –Gene Detroyer, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Strategy, European School of Economics, John Hopkins University

“I wanted to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed participating in the PAC Mardi Apéro meetings these last few weeks. So very kind of you to include me among this dynamic, inspiring and caring group of people ~ I’ve learned so many new and interesting things and am grateful for this unique opportunity. Yesterday’s presentation and discussion with Bénédicte de Montlaur was absolutely fantastic.” –Mollie Hinckley

“Amid civil unrest, all that looting, and meanwhile the pandemic, you were still able to hold un apéro virtuel. I believe it was particularly appreciated for just those reasons providing a safe and interesting space. Thank you for inviting me! Francis’s talk was informative and lively as ever. The clip you showed of “La Marseillaise” during “Casablanca” was a highlight for me–bravo! Some of the comments from “regulars” were thought-provoking. I’ll consider joining the Paris-American Club” –Judith Oringer

Tribute to former Paris American Club President from 1999 to 2015
Kevin MacCarthy

Kevin MacCarthy passed away of natural causes on December 3rd, 2020 in New York City at the age of 79.

Kevin was a fifth generation Washingtonian where he attended Gonzaga College High School. He continued his education at the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, MA. After graduation, Kevin spent a year in Metz, France, teaching English in a French high school, becoming completely fluent in French.

Kevin’s love of French culture and the French language continued for the remainder of his life. Upon his return to America, Kevin became a Special Agent in the FBI and, while taking night classes, he obtained a law degree from The Catholic University of America. Kevin then moved to New York City, where he founded his own firm, Kevin MacCarthy Associates, which specialized in international law. A unique highlight in Kevin’s life was his opportunity to serve as the NYC-based manager of the French companies, Métalliers Champenois and Atelier Gohard, during the period, 1984 – 1987, when, at the request of the Statue of Liberty Foundation, they recreated the original Bartholdi torch and flame of the Statue of Liberty. In the restoration of the statue, the torch and flame were the only items that were replaced through a design that kept with Bartholdi’s own drawings. Upon seeing how the new flame turned out to be such a magnificent work of art, Kevin successfully engaged the International Herald Tribune to join him in making a second flame, identical to the one on Liberty Island, and presenting it as a sign of “amitié” to the French People. This second Liberty Flame was installed at the Place de l’Alma in Paris by the then Mayor of Paris, Jacques Chirac, on May 10, 1989.

One of Kevin’s last trips outside of his NYC apartment was a visit to Liberty Island where he proudly had his picture taken in front of the statue which held “his” torch and flame. Additionally, Kevin was honored to serve as president of the Paris American Club in New York City for 15 years.

He leaves behind his wife, Mireille MacCarthy, his two daughters Nathalie and Valérie, and his three grandchildren upon whom he doted, Gabriel, Sebastian, and Ariana.

Feb 9th, 6:30 | Non-judgmental Français is an opportunity to practice your (possibly fractured) French at all levels around various topics.

Le sujet de la semaine sera annoncé.

Récemment, nous avons parlé des programmes de télévision en France, des fêtes, de la liberté d’expression, des élections aux EU, de l’ONU, de l’écologie et les gestes individuels pour sauver la planète, de la mer, des loisirs, de la mode, du vocabulaire autour du vin et de notre poésie préférée. Le groupe a aussi abordé des sujets comme: Comment rendre notre société plus inclusive, moins raciste? On a raconté notre dé-confinement et ses défis, la période d’histoire préférée, les habitudes personnelles, les vacances, des expressions et l’argot. Vous trouverez ici la liste des faux-amis et les femmes françaises préférées.

Mathieu Legendre is a French member of the Paris American Club and sits on its board. Living in New York since 2016, Mathieu, a former lawyer and political activist, is now spending his time between writing books about French history and teaching French to American francophiles.

“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

Calendar of Live and On-line Meetings 2021 (As of 1/13/21)

Meetings will take place on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 pm unless otherwise specified. Speakers at live events will also be broadcast via Zoom.

Date	Event	Speaker/Topic	Venue
Jan 12	Français	TBA	Zoom
Jan 20, Wed	6:30	Annual Meeting, Honorary Guest M. le Consul Général, Jérémie Robert, Memorial for Kevin MacCarthy	Zoom
Feb 9	Français	TBA	Zoom
Feb 16	Dinner	Mardi Gras, Paul Grenshaw, La Escadrille de Lafayette	NAC
Mar 9	Français	TBA	Zoom
Mar 16	Reception	New Members 2020/21	Château Village
April 13	Français	TBA	Zoom
April 20	Fête	April in Paris	TBA
May 11	Français	TBA	Zoom
May 18	Dinner	TBA	NAC
June 6, Sun	Brunch	Roland Garros Finals	Monte’s
June 8	Français	TBA	Zoom
June 15	Lunch	TBA	TBA
July 13	Français	TBA	Zoom
July 14, Wed	TBA	Bastille Day	TBA
Aug 10	Français	TBA	Zoom
Aug 17	Cocktail	Après-work Apéro, Summer en ville	Le Baratin
Sept 14	Français	TBA	Zoom
Sept 19, Sun	Lunch	Palio & Pétanque	Minetta St
Sept 21	Dinner	TBA	NAC
Oct 12	Français	TBA	Zoom
Oct 19	Dinner	TBA	NAC
Nov 9	Français	TBA	Zoom
Nov 16	Cocktail	Soirée d’automne	TBA
Dec 7	Français	TBA	Zoom
Dec 14	Fête	Holiday Party	TBA