What is AGORA CLUB International?
AGORA CLUB International is a service-club for woman from the age of 42 and older with different professions, hobbies and interests; AGORA CLUB International is a platform where all Past Cicles (being Agora and Tangent member countries) and interested ladies can meet. AGORA CLUB International is represented in many countries all over the world. AGORA CLUB International is working together in respect with Ladies' Circle, Round Table and 41 club International. The spoken language on international meetings and in correspondence in English.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
-To link together all National Associations of Agora Club International.
-To promote , co-ordinate and develop the friendship wich unites them around the motto "Donner et Tolérer."(Service and Tolerance)
-To be non-political and non-sectarian.
Motto:
"Donner et Tolérer" wich means " Service and Tolerance" in English.
Agora : A place where friends got together in ancient Greece to socialise.
MEMBERS
Members of Agora Club International are woman who participate in several interesting social, cultural and international activities. They try and help others to exchange with woman from other countries. Agora memberss come from Ladies'Circle , 41 clubs partners and woman sharing the same values. Every individual club in each country chooses its own composition, with the sole commitment that the members subscribe to the aims of AGORA CLUB International and make an effort in achieving these. Membership is only possible upon invitation.
HISTORY
In 1987 a group of former memebers of Ladies' Circle created the first Agora Club in Lille, France. In 1988 the French National Board was founded. In 1993 the fisrt club in the Netherlands was founded, followed by a club in Belgium the year after.In June 1996, the first Annual International Council took place in Strasbourg, France.
Today Agora Club International has clubs in Belgium, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, South Africa, and Switserland. New clubs are in formation in USA and Zambia and many others show interest.
SERVICE
Every Agora Club individually decides how it will participate in "service". The philosophy of service is not just helping in major service projects, but being ready to help people that are less fortunate, especially woman and children . The aims are also to encourage communication between the different international Clubs.
MEETINGS
Every local club meets monthly in a restaurant, or someone's house or wherever is convenient. The activities differ per club and per country . Despite these differences all clubs have in common that the members learn from each other about all kind of subject . This happens through lectures, discussions or exchanges abroad. There is of course plenty of time for recreation, sports and fun, with the possible participation of families and partners.
ORGANISATION
Every year a new board is selected internationally, nationally and localy. These boards consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and the immediate Past-President.
Agora Local Club : the local board organizes monthly meetings and is responsible to invite new members. Activities are being arganized by Committees. A club can decide to be a service club, but this is not an obligation.
Agora National Club: Unites all local clubs. The national board of each country organizes an annual general meeting, open to all members. This AGM is a forum for communication between the three levels in the organization (local, national, international). The National Board is responsible fot chartering new clubs.
Agora Club International(ACI): unites all member countries. Every year in October , an ACI Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held in the future ACI President's country with the help of her local club. The main function of the international Boardx is to promote Agora Club worldwide, and to consequently charter new member countries. To ensure good communication with all Agora clubs, an electronic international newsletter appears once or twice a year,in wich members can share their experiences and publish their achievements of the year.
All information can be found on the international website. www.agoraclubinternational.com