France/ In Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc, the twinning committee will go to Germany in 2024

The Twinning and External Relations Committee of Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc (Loire-Atlantique) invited all its members to its general meeting on Friday, November 17, 2023. Despite a financial deficit, the organization plans to send its members to Germany in the summer of 2024.

On Friday November 17, 2023, the general meeting of the town's twinning and external relations committee was held in Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc (Loire-Atlantique ). President Loïc Colas reported on the past year's activities, with a negative balance sheet presented by treasurer Daniel Noury.

This deficit was due partly to the cancellation of English courses for lack of participants, and German courses with only four members, which is too few. There were also unforeseen costs, such as the delivery of the work of art offered to the Germans for the 30th anniversary of the twinning, which required an additional €600.

Heading for Germany in summer 2024

Plans for the coming year were unveiled, with the continuation of the German courses: with the low number of participants, additional people would have to be recruited to break even.

The English courses have been cancelled, once again, due to lack of interest. The festive evening will be held again on Friday, December 8, as will the belote tournament on February 18, which generates interesting profits for the association.

Members of the Twinning Committee will be visiting Germany this summer, probably from August 21 to 26, although the exact dates have yet to be confirmed. The Stammish, a bar-style get-together, brings together people who want to speak German: either for the pleasure of speaking the language, or for a beginner, or to consolidate or refresh their knowledge. The operation began this year and went well, so it will be repeated. The idea is now to offer a Tea-Time with the same aim in English.

Election of the new board

The AGM concluded with the election of the new Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Pierre Viaud was elected Chairman, Laurence Colas Vice-Chairman, Étienne Viaud Treasurer and Daniel Noury Assistant Treasurer. Pauline Héraut is secretary and Christine Viaud, assistant secretary. The handover sees a younger generation become involved in the association.

Source: www.ouest-france.fr