Monday June 14.
Today I had the best experience of the whole Richter project. It was unexpected and exciting at the same time. Let me explain...
One of my French professors, Mme Agré, suggested me to look into the Rotary Club and the Lions Club for my investigation since they are both "high-class" groups dedicated to charitable giving. So I went to their websites and sent emails, and emails, and emails... but I never got any response from any of the 5 Rotary Clubs in Cannes.
I decided, then, to go to one of their meetings to try to get some questions answered. I went to the hotel where they meet (Hôtel Gray d'Albion in downtown Cannes) 40 minutes prior to the meeting. I really needed to talk to them!
In comparison to my other interviews, this was going to take place at a fancy place. The smell of mimosas filled the air and a meeting room was being prepared for the Rotary Club. The 15 minutes that passed before the first member arrived seemed like an eternity. I was nervous of what would happen. Would someone agree to give me an interview? Or would they feel like I had invaded their personal space?
The first member arrived early (she was a very well-dressed older lady), so I decided to attack. And she proudly talked to me about the Rotary Club! As the other members began to arrive, she quickly introduced me to them and they would sit with me to tell me a little bit about the group. I can't even describe their kindness and spirit of helpfulness.
I was even more surprised when they invited my to their meeting! I sat at the big table and got to hear the presentation of another charitable association: Un Enfant Par la Main. The Cannes representative of this organization was looking for financial support from the Rotarians, so I got to listen to lots of information about them. Perhaps individual members would "adopt/sponsor" a child in a 3rd world country, or perhaps the Club would give a determined amount of money to the association each year. But that would be decided at next week's meeting.
Then they invited me to stay for dinner.
Long story made short: I stayed there for a total of 3 hours, met some really nice people, had an incredible evening, and got a lot of good info for my investigation. It was the greatest night of all!