Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles: A Recipe for Community Invigoration
Well, folks, gather around and let’s talk about what happens when thirty extraordinary industrialists get together under the utmost noble banner of the Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles. You know, the only club where you can have a laugh and still be ‘service-minded’—it’s like a family reunion with a dash of philanthropy and a sprinkle of golf madness!
Rotary in Action
Now, the club’s president, Franck Lacape, took it upon himself to unveil the many *not-so-hidden* treasures of this organization’s initiatives—because nothing says ‘let’s change the world’ quite like a career forum at your local high school. Incredibly, 872 students graced the careers forum from the Sud-Médoc high school, which is a bit like trying to wrangle a herd of cats if those cats were armed with aspirations!
But wait, there’s more! They have interview simulations for young guns from the agricultural high school because nothing says “I want to be a success” quite like rehearsing answers to questions about your favorite vegetable. And let’s not forget the eloquence competition—because everyone knows that the youth of today are just itching to learn how to ‘eloquently’ tell their parents why they won’t get a proper job!
Hats off to the “Student Exchange” program, and a day at the circus school—because what says teamwork and resilience quite like learning to juggle while firing cannonballs! And to make sure they aren’t just throwing in some shenanigans, the Rotary Club also mobilizes for a good cause with a collection for the Food Bank and a generous Neurodon.
We wouldn’t want to forget their international escapades either. They’ve been knee-deep in humanitarian actions in Senegal for eighteen years, transforming a poor bush village just 30 km from Saly. They’ve built a health center, equipped a school, and even bestowed upon the village a mill! Now, I don’t know about you, but I think a mill adds that ‘je ne sais quoi’ to any village. Who needs a Starbucks when you can sip on freshly ground local beans under a palm tree?
And let’s get to their *Pharmadagascar* project. Yep, you heard correctly. Three pharmacy students taking on the big leagues to conduct important health education and prevention. Is it just me, or does that sound like a feel-good movie waiting to happen? “The Pharmacist Avengers,” perhaps?
Of course, the club is also planting rose bushes and offering beehives because, in the world of Rotary, a little pollination goes a long way. You can’t contribute to community wellness without some floral decoration, can you? And I’m pretty sure the bees are in on the philanthropic action too, buzzing around gathering donations for the next big Rotary barbecue—or, I mean, fundraising event!
In a shocking twist, you’ll never guess how these altruistic developers manage to fund their endless stream of kindness. Through good old-fashioned fundraising, of course! With activities that include wine sales, golf tournaments, and garage sales—because nothing spices up a rotary meeting quite like a bit of wine-fueled chit-chat over the last remnants of a yard sale. “Is that a lamp? No, don’t let it go for less than ten euros!”
Finally, let’s spotlight their recent heartwarming gesture—three thousand euros handed over to Dr. Soisic Paranon, the medical manager of the pediatric Smur at the local children’s hospital. Because if there’s anything we can agree on, it’s that we could all do with more comfort and safety during those “unstable” trips to the hospital. So, here’s to the Rotary at Bordeaux Les Jalles, making sure toddlers have better mattresses than some Airbnb outings. Who said charity doesn’t begin at home?
So next time you glance at your calendar and see “Rotary meeting,” remember—there’s more than just a sprinkle of seriousness involved in this club. It’s a blend of good deeds, laughter, and the occasional glass of wine. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
On Wednesday, November 13, the Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles, formed from the merger of Blanquefort and Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, convened with approximately thirty industrialists. The gathering aimed to enhance awareness about the club’s mission, encapsulated in the motto “serve first,” and to encourage these business leaders to actively participate in community service initiatives within the northwest quadrant of the metropolis.
Rotary in action
President Franck Lacape highlighted the club’s impactful projects, notably the careers forum held at the Sud-Médoc high school, which engaged 105 professionals and attracted an impressive turnout of 872 enthusiastic students. He also emphasized the importance of interview simulations conducted for youth at the agricultural high school, the stimulating eloquence competition, and the enriching “Student exchange” program. Another noteworthy initiative was a special day at the circus school for 15 children through the CCAS of Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, alongside vital contributions to the Food Bank and the Neurodon charity events.
Furthermore, the Rotary Club has been involved in significant international exchanges and humanitarian endeavors for nearly two decades. Their dedicated efforts in a remote village located 30 km from Saly in Senegal have led to the establishment of a health center, a well, and the supply of 15 computers to a local school, as well as providing facilities for teachers. Additionally, the Pharmadagascar project, spearheaded annually by three pharmacy students, focuses on health education and prevention initiatives.
The environment also remains a top priority for the club. The Rotarians have engaged in local efforts by planting rose bushes and providing beehives to schools, promoting environmental awareness among students. The club emphasizes creating cherished moments of conviviality with families throughout their community outreach.
To support these extensive projects, the Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles hosts various activities and events aimed at fundraising beyond the contributions from its members. These events include wine sales, golf tournaments, and garage sales, alongside soliciting donations to sustain their charitable works.
Illustrating their commitment to community welfare, for the third consecutive year, the Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles presented a check for a substantial sum of 3,000 euros to Dr. Soisic Paranon, the medical manager of the pediatric Smur at the children’s hospital. This funding is specifically earmarked to enhance the comfort and safety of “unstable” children aged 0 to 12 during their transport to the hospital. The club has already facilitated the acquisition of critical items, such as a respirator and specialized mattresses for young patients.
What are some key community initiatives led by the Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles in recent months?
**Interview with Franck Lacape, President of Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Franck! The Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles has been very active in the community. Can you tell us a bit about your mission and some of the key events you’ve recently hosted?
**Franck Lacape:** Absolutely! Our mission revolves around the Rotary motto, “service first.” Our aim is not only to engage members but also to uplift the community around us. Recently, we organized a careers forum at Sud-Médoc High School that attracted 872 students. It was incredible to see so much enthusiasm from the youth and 105 professionals who participated as mentors.
**Editor:** That’s impressive! I hear you also have initiatives like interview simulations and an eloquence competition for young students. Can you explain the impact of these programs?
**Franck Lacape:** Yes! The interview simulations help students prepare for job interviews, offering them a realistic experience. It’s essential for building confidence as they enter the job market. The eloquence competition, on the other hand, encourages youngsters to express themselves clearly—an invaluable skill in any field. These initiatives not only help them professionally but also personally as they learn to articulate their thoughts.
**Editor:** And it seems like there’s a fun twist to some of these activities, like the day at the circus school! How does that fit into the mission of the Rotary Club?
**Franck Lacape:** Fun is a vital component of our community engagement! The circus school experience fosters teamwork, resilience, and creativity while keeping it lighthearted. It’s all about creating memorable experiences that resonate with our youth.
**Editor:** In addition to local initiatives, the club is also involved in international humanitarian efforts. Could you share more about your work in Senegal and the Pharmadagascar project?
**Franck Lacape:** Certainly! In Senegal, we’ve been working for eighteen years to transform a small village, building a health center and equipping a school. Our goal has always been to empower the community. As for Pharmadagascar, we have pharmacy students who are conducting health education, blending academic knowledge with real-world application. These projects embody our commitment to making a global impact.
**Editor:** It’s inspiring to see such commitment from your club. You also mentioned some interesting fundraising activities, like wine sales and golf tournaments. Do you think these fundraising efforts add to the fun of your service work?
**Franck Lacape:** They definitely do! Fundraising should have an element of enjoyment. Our members love coming together for these events, and it creates a sense of community among us. Plus, the funds raised go a long way, enabling us to support more initiatives like our generous donation to the pediatric Smur at the local children’s hospital.
**Editor:** Lastly, with the merger of Blanquefort and Saint-Médard-en-Jalles into the Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles, what do you hope to achieve moving forward?
**Franck Lacape:** Our merger signifies a stronger commitment to our community. We hope to foster more collaboration among members and be a beacon for local initiatives. By bringing together diverse skills and ideas, we can amplify our impact even further!
**Editor:** Thank you, Franck! It’s clear that the Rotary Club of Bordeaux Les Jalles is making a big difference, and your passion for service is contagious. We look forward to seeing more great work from the club!
**Franck Lacape:** Thank you for having me! We are excited for the road ahead.
