{"id":247416,"date":"2024-08-26T12:44:11","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T10:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/?p=247416"},"modified":"2024-08-26T12:44:13","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T10:44:13","slug":"monacousa-its-not-just-for-americans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2024\/08\/monacousa-its-not-just-for-americans\/","title":{"rendered":"MonacoUSA: It\u2019s not just for Americans!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since we last spoke to Annette Anderson in January there have been a few changes at MonacoUSA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The (noisy) work to accommodate the Tour de France paddocks was in full swing on quai Antoine 1er <\/em>in July when we caught up again with Annette Anderson, president of MonacoUSA, so we headed indoors to Marius, the restaurant at the address where the famous Stars\u2019n\u2019Bars was once the social hub for Americans (and others) in Monaco.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a reminder, Annette has been in Monaco for 35 years. Originally from Maine, and with a corporate background, she decided in her 30s that she \u201cneeded to radically change perspectives and changing job or state wasn\u2019t enough, so [she] moved to Europe one day with one suitcase and no hotel reservation.\u201d She had never been to Monaco before, only had high-school French, and although few spoke English in the Principality back then, she says she has \u201cnever felt at home other than here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She says the Principality wasn\u2019t as family-oriented back then but she sees it happening now. Annette feels that since the efforts of the Attractiveness Department have started to bear fruit, businesses have begun coming to Monaco and their executives have moved here with their families. The growth of the International School and the creation of the British school are testament to this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MonacoUSA predates her arrival in the Principality, as it has been in existence for 50 years with different formats and memberships. Prior to COVID there were roughly 150 paid-up members. When the pandemic hit, regular and informal meetings of its members were obviously impossible. The logical break in Monaco USA\u2019s activities was seen as a time to \u201cshake it up a little bit\u201d and restructure.  Annette told us that, since Moneyval, it has been much harder to meet government rules and regulations so the board has been working on an appropriate administrative structure on which to grow the membership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MonacoUSA, cheerleaders of the Principality\u2019s social scene for 50 years<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new board<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A  new board is in place since January, with a mix of experienced and dynamic new members. The group has gelled and is full of enthusiasm. Annette feels this year\u2019s 4th<\/sup> of July event<\/a> showed how well they work together. \u201cIt\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve seen a team work so cohesively and with such a sense of fun.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board is keen to offer a greater variety of events.\u00a0\u00a0As examples, Annette mentions basketball outings to support AS Monaco and events around the US election, which will include informational and bi-partisan conferences, for example on how to vote for expatriates, and explanations on the electoral college. There will also be the traditional event on election night itself. Past elections have seen some members stay up until the results were called, despite the time difference!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also want to widen their membership, which currently has a good mix of ages . It transpires that there are \u201cmore Americans in town than we were aware of, and they didn\u2019t know we existed.\u201d Under 30% of members are American and \u201cthe rest is a complete mix. It\u2019s not just for Americans. There\u2019s Monaco in the name! We want to be representative of the US, which is a melting pot, and we also want to be a celebration of Monaco. We\u2019re lucky and happy to be here, so we want to celebrate what makes Monaco special,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dynamic new team is now starting to accept membership applications again. The first members-only event was this year\u2019s Independence Day on July 4. It took place on the Place d\u2019Armes, with a mechanical bull, line dancing, cowboy hats, the whole nine yards! All of which was organised the Mayor\u2019s office who, keen to see it continue, has taken the event on since Stars\u2019n\u2019Bars closed. Annette applauded the initiative and said, \u201cthe sense of community was strong.\u201d Community and pride, as an American organisation, that Monaco would want to celebrate American independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be a number of members-only events to come. Others will be open to all-comers, with still others for members + guests. The different event formats have different aims. The members-only ones are an opportunity for people to invest in the association, for example by contributing a venue, in order to keep costs down, now that Stars\u2019n\u2019Bars is no longer available. The aim is also to create a core community to support the organisation, while not shutting others out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting involved<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One aspect Annette and the rest of the board are keen to get back to is volunteerism, to help other non-profits. As an example, several years ago the Jeune Chambre Economique\u2019s<\/em>  international conference was held in Monaco, and they needed hostesses, people to pick participants up, give out information, etc. so Monaco USA provided volunteers. “It\u2019s easy to write a cheque,” says Annette, “but we want to motivate our members to get personally involved. It\u2019s a greater investment & experience for the individual if they can contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MonacoUSA: celebrating Monaco’s liberation, 80 years on<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their next participation is September 3, commemorating the liberation of Monaco in 1944. The Palace is organising a major event to mark the 80th<\/sup> anniversary.   French & Monegasque non-profits have been very involved in past commemorations. There were US uniforms, US army jeeps flying US flags,  but with French or Monegasque people in them! \u201cWhich is great\u201d says Annette, \u201cbut the US should be supporting it too.\u201d So, this year Monaco USA is volunteering to help. A networking event for all-comers is being held at Castleroc, from 6 to 8 pm on September 3, and the dress code is\u2026 military! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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