Structure:
The Gonzales Committee on Cultural Affairs (GCCA) is a subcommittee of the Gonzales Tourist Commission. It is supported by the infrastructure of the City of Gonzales for the purpose of enhancing the lives and environment of the citizens Gonzales and surrounding communities.
Purpose:
The GCCA promotes the City of Gonzales internationally. This includes festivals, schools, churches, art associations, businesses, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other institutions which make up the culture of the city. This effort of “promotion” enhances our lives by bringing the young and the old in touch with people and places far away in an attempt to broaden their perspective of life, themselves, and their view of the world around them. We want Gonzales to grow and prosper. We are helping accomplish this by adding quality to the lives of people in the Gonzales area; thereby attracting more fresh and successful to our area.
Organization:
The Committee is composed of a group of private citizens, and annually elects a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and other chairmen responsible for certain events and responsibilities such as publicity, trips, etc. The group meets every month and keeps accurate financial records and minutes of meetings.
Mechanism:
Once every two years we host a group from our twin city, Meylan, in France. Gonzales families invite families from Meylan to stay in their homes for an “up close & personal” view of life in Gonzales, Louisiana. The GCCA organizes a week of activities to immerse our visitors in the local culture of Louisiana. Fundraisers are held to pay for the costs of activities of the visiting group. Local members are responsible for their own activity fees. Likewise, Gonzales citizens are invited every other year to experience the same kind of hospitality in Meylan that we offer to the French. All international travel arrangements are organized by the traveling group and paid for individually by each person traveling. No fundraisers are used to differ these travel costs.
Result:
As Gonzales hosts their visitors, a unique cultural experience is fostered as Gonzales citizens interact & exchange ideas & viewpoints with new & old friends from afar. We take advantage of an opportunity to have a grand old time and show these visitors just how South Louisianians enjoy life. The French leave with memories of good times in Gonzales, LA, and take back new and different ideas of people and life itself. All of us, who have been graciously received in Meylan, come back with stories that never fade and ideas that may never have been. Some go only once and talk about it forever. Others have gone every time and look forward to the next visit. During these cultural exchanges, Gonzales citizens and Meylan citizens form relationships that survive the test of time and distance. The everyday thought of having friends over seas is enough to keep our minds and hearts open.