Double presidency handover at the Rotary Club
Aurore and Patrick Rohmer now preside over the Rotary clubs of Carqueiranne Le Pradet and Toulon Ponant after a double handover.
Aurore and Patrick Rohmer have taken the respective presidency of the Rotary clubs of Carqueiranne Le Pradet and Toulon Ponant during a convivial evening.
It was in the elegant setting of the restaurant Les Jardins de la Mer in Hyères that around a hundred guests gathered for an exceptional evening marking the double presidency handover of the Rotary clubs of Toulon Ponant and Carqueiranne Le Pradet. An event that symbolised the passing of the torch and the renewal of the Rotary commitment in the territory.
Patrick Rohmer thus succeeded Philippe Berlatier at the head of Rotary Toulon Ponant, while his wife, Aurore Rohmer, took over from Denis Mayot as president of Rotary Carqueiranne Le Pradet.
A ceremony attended by prominent figures
The evening brought together many Rotarians from the clubs in the Toulon area and distinguished guests. Didier Benoit, Governor of the District, as well as several Past-Governors and an assistant to the Governor made the trip.
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The local political world was also well represented with the presence of Hervé Stassinos, Mayor of Le Pradet, Mylène Soriano, Municipal Councillor of Le Pradet, as well as Monique and Antoine Fogu, respectively Deputy Mayor and Municipal Councillor of Carqueiranne.
Sylvain Otejacques, from CAVAVIN in Hyères, a partner of the club's events, was also present.
After an aperitif, the outgoing presidents, Denis Mayot and Philippe Berlatier, looked back on the actions carried out during their term, before the highlight of the official transmission of the presidential collars.
Aurore Rohmer: humility and the strength of the collective
It was with humour that Aurore Rohmer began her inaugural speech, promising to be brief.
"Firstly because we are experiencing a double handover tonight, and secondly because giving a microphone to Rotarians always carries a risk of exceeding the time limit," she slipped in with a smile.
Expressing her pride in succeeding Denis Mayot, she stressed that the wealth of a club lies in the diversity of its members. For her, a president is nothing without their team, made up of members who "give of their time, their energy and a lot of heart."
She presented the board that will support her for the 2026-2027 year, composed of Lilia Musico (secretary), Leslie Baccino (assistant secretary), Virginie Renier (treasurer and President-elect 2027-2028), Cathy Rosi (assistant treasurer), Christian Giberti (protocol), Corinne Bovy Cristoforetti (assistant protocol) and Philippe Payen (membership chair).
She concluded by paying a warm tribute to Robert Reboa, doyen and founder of Rotary Toulon Ponant, reminding everyone that friendship and the desire to act for others are at the heart of the Rotary commitment.
Patrick Rohmer, an Alsatian accent
With great emotion, Patrick Rohmer received in turn the president's collar of Rotary Toulon Ponant. After praising the work of his predecessor, he humorously announced an "important change": the arrival of an Alsatian accent in the presidency, promising a new flavour.
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It was a way of recalling the essence of Rotary: people from different backgrounds united by the same values.
He thanked his sponsor, Robert Reboa, for his perseverance in convincing him to join the movement. He then presented his board: Robert Reboa (honorary president), Fabien Herbet (vice-president), Pierre Jouan (secretary), Jacques Jouan (treasurer), Vincent Maurel (protocol chief), Janot Boukrani (actions manager), Alain Gazzera (Rotary Foundation manager), Fabien Cristoforetti (trainer), Gilles Boussu and Jean-Luc Javelaud (vocational service).
His ambition for the coming year is to continue the club's momentum, focusing on targeted actions to avoid dispersion. Quoting Henry Ford, he recalled his vision:
"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, working together is success."
The ceremony, closed by speeches from Hervé Stassinos and Governor Didier Benoit, ended with a convivial dinner, launching a new year of actions and friendship for both clubs.
Photos Frédéric VALANTIN.