About the Alliance Française de Portland
Who We Are
The Alliance Française de Portland is a chartered member of an international non-profit organization founded in Paris in 1883 to promote French language and culture. Today, there are 1000 chapters in over 130 countries. Founded in 1933, the Portland chapter fell dormant during WWII, was reinstated in 1983, and was later chartered as a teaching Alliance. We currently rank 8th of the 114 Alliances in the U. S. and are the only Alliance in Oregon.
Our Mission
The mission of the Alliance Française de Portland is to promote the French language and culture. We open new avenues of expression to our community of members.
Our Vision
Where Portland gathers to speak – and learn– French.
Alliance Board Officers and Members
- President
- François Wevers
- Vice President
- Jason Herzog
- Treasurer
- Judy Kafoury
- Secretary
- Lori Williams
- Member
- Leslie Averill
- Member
- Maxine Borcherding
- Member
- Jim Chapman
Honorary Board of Directors
- Claudine Fisher
- Dominique Geulin
- Susannah Mars
- Merrill McPeak
- Beverly Voytko
- Linda Witt (Executive Director Emerita, Newsletter Editor Quoi de Neuf )
- We are an independently financed 501(c)(3) non-profit institution with a volunteer board of directors and are not financed by the French or any other government.
Administrative Staff
- Executive Director
- Sherry Charles
- Director of Education and Culture
- Elene Zedginidze
- Director of Curriculum
- Linda Fuchs
- Office Coordinator
- Donald Meyer
Volunteer Staff
- Librarian
- Sherri Roberts
- Grants and Culture
- Jamie McPartland
Teaching Staff
The Alliance hires teachers with FLE experience and CIEP/CECR C1/C2-level fluency in French. Candidates must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States and generally must be local recruits. The Alliance does not sponsor visas or provide relocation. Send employment inquiries to info@afportland.org.
Anti-discrimination statement: The Alliance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of its programs or activities.
The Alliance Française Network Worldwide
La Fondation Alliance Française - Paris
The Fondation Alliance Française, headquartered in Paris, directs the Alliance network worldwide. There are currently 834 Alliances in 132 countries.
Délégation Générale de l’Alliance Française – USA
Based in Washington DC, the Délégation supports the mission of the Fondation Alliance Française in the United States.
La Fédération des Alliances Françaises aux Etats-Unis
The Portland Alliance is a member of the nonprofit Federation, a network supporting the activities of the 114 chartered Alliances in the United States.