Christine Leonard,

President of the American Club of Paris

Welcome to the American Club of Paris!

As I sat down to write this very first President’s Message, I tried to think where I would find inspiration in such challenging times as these.  Then it came to me - the spiritual founding father of the American Club of Paris- Benjamin Franklin.  In 1736, Franklin wrote, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and while he was, at the time, speaking about fire safety, I will use the axiom, like so many, in health terms.

We are facing a situation rarely seen in our lifetime.  A worldwide pandemic is raging and altering our lives in ways we could not foresee.  But let us wisely use this preventive measure of confinement to our advantage for surely without it we will be faced with yet greater danger and will require a greater cure.

So, let’s pick up the phone and call each other to check in and see if our friends and loved ones are safe, let’s wear masks, seriously medical or whimsically artisanal when we go out, let’s find new podcasts to learn something new.  Let’s take a little more time out of our day to keep in touch, be a good friend or neighbor, to help out a stranger, to simply up our game.

 In keeping with this attitude, I am happy to introduce our completely revamped ACP website.  It’s new and fresh and easier to navigate.  We have added new content and lots of images to keep you aware of everything that is going on with the American Club.  You can see past events, register for upcoming events, apply for membership and even make a donation to our prestigious Benjamin Franklin Circle, which still needs your support.

I’d like to especially thank our Second Vice-President and IT guru Dan Shields for his efforts and talent in bringing us this new site.  And to the entire Executive Committee without whose help, it would not be possible to bring you such a rich program of activities. I invite you to check back often on our site to see what is happening at the American Club.  And we all look forward to being able to meet again soon for Happy Hour at Gatsby’s or at the Interalliée for a special guest speaker luncheon.  Life in Paris will once again be a joy, if we all take care now.

Warmest wishes,

Christine Leonard

May 7, 2020