We've Moved!
The Federation's office has moved. Our new address is:Federation of Alliances Françaises, USA
53 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1225
Chicago IL 60604
Phone number has not changed:
1-800-6-FRANCE (1-800-637-2623
Email address has not changed:
federation@afusa.org
Click here for a link to the Protocol document signed by Pierre Hudelot of the Delegation Générale and Carole Crosby, past President of the Federation
Chapters and Regions - Please send us your information regarding changes in leadership, meetings and any other interesting information so we can post it.
Federation Business Cards
The Federation now offers business cards. Order yours here...
2007 Web Site Services
The Federation is expanding its member web services to include not only free hosting of chapter sites, but also the development of a new template which can be customized for each AF. More...
Welcome to the Federation!
Jane BernbachLe Mot de la Présidente - Bonne Année 2008!
Tous mes meilleurs voeux a tous.
My best wishes reach out to the great wide world of francophonie which remains a uniting force when so much of the world is in turmoil.
Here in our network we shall continue our mission of spreading an understanding of French culture with the teaching of the French language and the development of the many different programs to which you bring such enthusiasm and creativity. In the last weeks I have spoken French, sung French, listened to French, even taught un, deux, trois to my youngest grandchild. Thanks to your efforts there is a palpable interest in "things French" whether at a high intellectual level or at the more grass roots niveau of wine, brie and crepes. Nor am I forgetting the glass of champagne that many of you raised last night! As you make your New Year resolutions and we all know that some will fail, I encourage you to tell the Federation your needs for without information it is difficult for us to act. I would like you to remember that encouragement and financial aid are available and we are here to help you and support you however we can. I look forward to working with you en alliance.
Bonne Année
Jane Bernbach;
Présidente
Federation 2008 Meeting and Convention Update - Registration Form Available Here
The 2008 Federation Meeting and Convention will be held in Naples, FL from Oct 22-25, 2008, at the Naples Hilton Hotel. Take a look at the Meetings Page to see Mimi Gregory's welcome note and see our initial information on the Events.
The registration form is available. Please click on the link, download and fill out the form. When complete, mail or fax to Larissa Rolley at the Federation office at:
Federation of Alliances Françaises USA
53 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1225
Chicago, IL 60604
Tel: 1-800-6-FRANCE
Fax: 1-800-491-6980
The most important part of the meeting and convention are the workshops. Please plan on participating and conducting a workshop on a topic you think will be of interest to others. Download, print and fill out the Workshop Proposal form
and return it to Becca Brodarick, as per the directions on the form.
Regarding transportation from the Fort Meyers Regional Airport, the best company both price-wise and in terms of reliability is: "Maxi-Taxi".Their phone # is: (239) 598-2600. You can also book on line at www.maxitaxi.com.The price is: $44 for one person, $49.50 for two, $55 for three, $62 for four, etc. That is in a van that makes a maximum of 3 stops. By private car the cost is $66, $72, $77, etc.
Here's a letter from Becca Brodarick, detailing some of what she needs from you and what she can do for you to help prepare for your presentation the meeting.
Please contact Becca Brodarick or phone her at 502-836-7274 if you need more information or have questions. Mimi Gregory, President of the AF de Bonita Springs FL, will be managing the event and she can be contacted if you need information or have questions.
First Round Winners of 2008 Federation Cultural Development Grant Announced
The Federation is pleased to announce the winners of the First Round of the 2008 Cultural Development Grants. They are:- French Library/Alliance Française de Boston
- Alliance Française de Buffalo
- Alliance Française de Lafayette
- Alliance Française de Milwaukee
- Alliance Française de Minneapolis St Paul
- Alliance Française de Philadelphia
- Alliance Française de San Diego
- Alliance Française de San Francisco
- Alliance Française de Seattle
- Alliance Française de Tucson
The deadline for the second round of Cultural Development Grants is Dec. 1, 2008. If you have questions about the grants or need more information take a look at the Cultural Development Grants web page or contact Larissa Rolley, the Federation's Director of Operations, at:
Larissa Rolley
Directrice des Opérations
Federation of Alliances Françaises, U.S.A., Inc.
53 W. Jackson Blvd. Suite 1225
Chicago, IL 60604 USA
Tel: 1.800.6.FRANCE
1-312-431-1880
Fax: 1.800.491.6980
E-mail: federation@afusa.org
Give Your Members Their "Stamp of Approval"
The Federation of Alliances Françaises is pleased to offer to the reseau of Alliances Françaises - stamps and return stickers with the AF logo for your use in your chapter mailings. When you go to the Postage2go.com website, you will see that you can order Non-Profit Stamps and Stickers with the Alliance Française logo on them, per the photos. This is one of the logos provided by the AF de Paris.
There are 20 stickers per page and each page sells for $10.99. Your individual AF receives $1.00 in return for each page ordered. Each Stamp Sticker includes a Return Address and a USPS First-Class Postage Stamp. Simply Peel, Place, and Mail.
Postage2go puts the stamps in the mail the same day you order.
You will find that the website is user friendly and will save you time from waiting in long lines at the post office or some other retail location in order to purchase postage stamps, while maintaining less expensive shipping and handling costs. Additionally, 5% of its profits are donated to the Believe in Your Dreams Foundation www.believeinyourdreams.org
Please visit www.Postage2go.com today to order your AF logo stamps and stickers!
We thank the AF de St Louis and Jane Bernbach for bringing this opportunity to our attention. If you have any questions about this offer, please contact Paul Azzara at pja222@sbcglobal.net.
225th Anniversary Celebrations in France - La Paix de 1783
Join the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution
in a celebration of La Pais de 1783 - The Treaties of Paris and Versailles. The celebrations will be held from September 1-5, 2008, in Paris. Take a look at the schedule, presenters and invitation in the attached pdf describing the ceremonies and festivities which will take place in Paris to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the treaties proclaiming the birth of the United States of America..
A Great Deal and A Great Show...
Arielle de la Tour d'Auvergne
Ron Katz
The Federation is offering a $600 grant, using The Federation President's Bonus Grant, to motivate AF chapters around the US to sign up for Ron Katz and Arielle la Tour d'Auvergne's tour of the US from September 25 to October 8, 2008.
See the details on our website at this link.
Cost to each chapter is normally about $1,100 to cover transportion, their lecture fees, hotel stay for two nights and per diem expenses. With the $600 grant, the cost to each chapter will now only be $500 approximately.
The two collaborated on a wonderful book, French America:French Architecture From Colonialization To The Birth Of A Nation, available from Amazon.com.
If you want to sign up for the tour or need more information please contact Larissa Rolley or phone her at 1-800-6 FRANCE.
Grant Deadlines Coming and.... 2008 Prize Book Grant Awards Made
The Wurzberger Special Achievement Award deadline is September 1st.
The School Development Grant deadline is November 15th.
The Cultural Development Grant deadline is December 1.
Check out the details on both of these valuable grants and get your application prepared and submitted. Should you have any questions or need any help, please contact Larissa Rolley or phone her at 1-800-6 FRANCE.
Silk Tie and Bowtie
Federation Boutique Offers Alliance Françise Silk Tie and Bowtie
Incorporating the Alliance Française logo on a blue background, this was designed by the Lee Allison Company, a Chicago haberdasher and neckwear company. In a classic shape and handmade of fine quality silk twill, our cravate would be a perfect gift.
$70 for the long tie
$45 for the bowtie
Prices include shipping costs.
See details and get the Order Form on the Federation's Boutique Page.
à la carte Events Bulletin Board
French America
Take a look at the interesting list of offerings available to Federation members in the next few months at à la carte Bulletin Board. We'll be adding to this page regularly so make sure you note the URL and come back often to check out upcoming events. Those featured now are:
Let us know if there are events coming up that you think we should be publicizing. Contact Alexandra Stafford, Chair, à la carte Cultural Offerings at: eas401@aol.com.
The Federation of Alliances Françaises USA was founded more than one hundred years ago as an umbrella organization embracing all the Alliances Françaises (AFs) in the United States and Puerto Rico. The Federation is an independent 501(c)3 American tax-exempt not-for-profit association whose mission is to support and encourage Member Chapters in their promotion of the language and culture of French-speaking countries.
The Federation also promotes regional meetings and publishes both a magazine and a newsletter. Additional Alliances Françaises support includes the Educational Handbook, the resources of a Cultural Offerings à la carte Service, financial grants and awards to Member Chapters, reading guides for the annual "One Book - One Federation" selection, as well as other benefits described on this web site.