Loralei Gillian – Bayou Lafourche Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – September 23
The Rotary Club of Thibodaux was honored to have Loralei Gillian speak to us about tourism in Lafourche Parish. Loralei is the Executive Director of the Bayou Lafourche Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Loralei has recently been named the Executive Director and wants everyone in the area to appreciate what tourism brings to our region.
Many visitors come to our region where we have so much to offer. Visitors have come to our area from as far as Asia. We have swamp tours, fishing, music and even whiskey. Her office does many things to promote tourism such advertising in print media, on television, radio, the internet and social media. Some of the magazines in which The Bureau has advertised are Audubon, Texas Monthly, Southern Life and even a French magazine.
Loralei encouraged all of us to be tourist in our own area. There are so many things to enjoy that many locals have never experienced.
She spoke about the importance of funding the efforts of the visitors; bureau citing what is called the “Colorado Effect.” In 1993, the state of Colorado eliminated the twelve million dollar budget of the visitors’ bureau. Over the next seven years, the state of Colorado lost an estimated two billion tourism dollars. The budget was reinstated in 2000, and in 2007, twenty-eight million people visited the state. The promotion and advertising that the visitors’ bureau does is extremely important.
The importance of tourism cannot be overstated. Tourism effects jobs, culture, business development and revenue. One major push by Gillian is in the film industry. So, the visitor’s bureau is trying to reach out more to the film industry. Louisiana has now passed the state of California in the number of film production companies. Louisiana is now known as the “Hollywood of the South.”
October is a big month in Lafourche because of the number of festivals that are held. Loralei asked that we all support and promote tourism in this area. We are Real Cajun, Real Close.
North Lafourche Levee District
Thibodaux Rotary
December 17, 2013 Meeting
North Lafourche Levee District
Dwayne Bourgeois is the Executive Director of the North Lafourche Levee District. This levee district was formed in 1992 to provide flood protection for Northern Lafourche, eventually including the entire Parish north of the Intracoastal Canal in Larose.
This district protects over two thirds of Lafourche Parish population which is greater than 65,000 people. Our District has greater than 250 miles of levees & drainage canals and 40 pump stations. The main focus is to prevent flooding from heavy rainfalls, river events, tropical storms and hurricanes such as Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.
Coastal land loss puts North Lafourche at a higher risk for flooding and makes it more difficult to get the water out. The USGS estimates that Louisiana has lost 1,883 square miles. That is 25% of the State’s 1932 coastal footprint. The 2062 Projection has the Potential to lose up to 1,756 square miles of land over the next 50 years. Continue reading
The American Sugarcane League | Thibodaux Rotary Club
June 11, 2013
By: Luci Sposito
Herman Waguespack presented for the American Sugar Cane League (ASCL), which is a non-profit organization representing Louisiana sugar cane growers and processors.
Incorporated in 1922, the Louisiana sugar industry was threatened with extinction by cane diseases. Consequently, the league was formed with the mission to sustain success through effective research, positive legislation, public relations/promotion, and education. The ASCL’s office is located along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in Thibodaux.
In Louisiana, there are 22 parishes producing sugarcane which accounted for about 427,000 acres of cane. The state’s 475 farms and 11 raw sugar mills produced sugar valued at about one billion dollars. If an economic multiplier of 2.75 is used, it equates to approximately three billion in generated economic value.
Although acreage has remained relatively steady, three decades of mediocre prices caused many farm operators to sell. There were 35% less farms operating in 2012 compared to 2001. However, production has remained relatively steady due to existing mills getting larger and therefore more efficient.
Although production costs have risen over the years, the average farm size has increased which has created economies of scale and therefore efficiency.
To increase yields, sugarcane breeders have been able to develop varieties to grow in our sub-tropical environment and produce yields that rival production yields of tropical countries. Variety development is accomplished through cooperation of the ASCL, LSU, and USDA.
The improved varieties have helped the industry yield more tons of cane per acre. Researchers at LSU and USDA have world class facilities to conduct research and farming practices have been improved. Ultimately, continued research and improve practices help producers become more efficient.
What does this mean to our region? In Lafourche and Terrebonne, 37 farms (39,089 acres) plus 2 raw mills generate $80,982,400 in value to the area.
Student Government Day | Thibodaux Rotary Club
March 18, 2013
By: Kevin Gros
The Thibodaux Rotary Club is proud to sponsor the 2013 Student Government Day in Thibodaux, LA and Lafourche Parish. Each years students spend one day assuming the role of an elected official. Here they learn the ins and outs on how government operates on a city-wide and parish-wide basis.
The Thibodaux Rotary Club was fortunate to have Louisiana Lieutenant Governor “Jay” Dardenne, Jr as the guess speakers for this year’s student government day. You will find his talk timely, insightful and inspirational.
PART 1 – 2013 Student Government Day
PART 2 – 2013 Student Government Day
Danny Cavelle introduced his friend, Lieutenant Governor and former Secretary of State, Jay Dardenne to speak to the group about Leadership. Mr. Dardenne reminded us of the importance of public service and shred his thoughts about what makes and effective leader. He identified six characteristics that all successful leaders must possess:
Confidence – Those who aspire to be in a leadership position must be confident in what they do. It enables them to step up to a challenge and take it on. It’s important for others to be confident in their leaders and he distinguished between confidence and arrogance.
Honesty – It’s important for those in leadership positions to be honest with themselves to know they really want to step up into a leadership role.
Optimism – Mr. Darden talked about the inspiration he got from his early work with the MDA and told us about a child named Matthew Brown whom he met in Atlanta who showed him what it means to be truly optimistic how it can allow one to overcome tremendous challenges.
Integrity – A difficult word to define but an essential quality in a leader. Thomas More had it and it allowed him to stand up to Henry VIII during the protestant reformation when the King, in his effort to have a son to succeed him petitioned Thomas More the Lord Chancellor to change the law and allow the King to legally divorce and remarry. When Thomas More refused he was imprisoned and ultimately lost his life. What a good example of someone doing the right thing no matter how difficult the consequences are.
Communication – Especially listening is a quality of leadership often under-utilized by important to learning and growth. Good leaders recognize they don’t know all the answers and sometimes they can learn a thing or two by talking a little less and listening a little more.
Enthusiasm – Passion for something is important and leaders who possess this important quality will find it is contagious.
The first letter of each of the six leadership traits above spells C-H-O-I-C-E. We are reminded of the great opportunities afforded to us here in America and that all great leaders must make a conscious choice to offer themselves up for service.
The program continued with introductions of all the students participating in the program by Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete, Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph and Floyd Benoit with the Lafourche Parish School Board. The house was packed and despite running low on chicken and additional tables being set up, the presentation went smoothly and concluded on time.
Special thanks to Justice Weimer, Mayor Eschete, President Randolph and Superintendant Matthews for helping to make this event possible.
Thibodaux Rotary Club | Hugh Caffery-Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District
August 7, 2012
By: Amy Connor-Flores
Hugh Caffery, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, updated us on the state of Bayou Lafourche on Tuesday.
In recent decades the bed of Bayou Lafourche has been steadily building up, significantly reducing flow from the Mississippi River.
In 2011 the BLFWD held its first Bayou Lafourche Summit, bringing together 200 customers, partners, citizens, and elected officials to determine what needs to be done to achieve the District’s goal of getting freshwater to the people of the area and to the keep the Bayou clean and beautiful. They developed a Master Plan to provide guidance to the District as it attempts to manage Bayou Lafourche.
$200,000,000 CIAP Funding – The first dredge project is currently underway and has helped to identify additional areas near the current dredge project and above Thibodaux that will require work. Continue reading
Dan Borne’-The Power Of The Ask!
Dan Borne’: president of the Louisiana Chemical Association
Mr. Borne’ graduated from Thibodaux High School salutatorian and attended Nicholls where he was student body President and Mr. Nicholls and inducted to NSU Hall of Fame.
He attended LSU to work on his Masters in Mass Communications. Dan became the news anchorman for Channel 9. Later, he worked on the staff of two senior U.S. senators, Allen Ellender, and Russell Long.
Dan joined the Edwin Edwards administration as the governor’s chief assistant and executive secretary. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Baton Rouge General Hospital and General Health System, President of the Louisiana Arts and Science Center, and President of the Louisiana Council on Economic Education.
For the past 22 years, he has served as President of the Louisiana Chemical Association. Dan is an adjunct professor at L.S.U. and he is also President of the Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance, a group of over 500 businesses.
He is a member of the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation. Dan is the public address announcer in L.S.U.’s Tiger Stadium and also the courtside announcer in the P-Mac for basketball games.
Mr. Borne’ began by saying that we are in the Renaissance in manufacturing industries which will benefit our State tremendously. He further stated that God did not give us mountains like in Colorado or the white beaches of Florida but He gave us dead dinosaurs, Jurassic Park of minerals, oil, natural gas, and the incredible Mississippi River that provides commerce and brings Louisiana to the world and the world to Louisiana.
Over the last five years, the availability of natural gas has changed the manufacturing industry in the State, because now natural gas is plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
This has and will result in billions of dollars in investments along the river in several parishes and will reverberate into all the river parishes and those bordering the river parishes. It will create good jobs especially for young people who receive technical, manufacturing, and business degrees. He further added that “Renaissance of Manufacturing” is coming and it is because of natural gas and shell gas drilling in North Louisiana and Texas.
As an adjunct instructor at LSU, one of the questions Mr. Borne’ is often asked is “how did you get the job as PA announcer at LSU?” He explains the reason was that he asked for it. The message of the story was “Don’t ever be afraid to ask.” If at anytime there is ambiguity in life as to what we are suppose to be doing on the job, with the family, or at church or volunteer activities, ask what is the next thing that needs to be done and how can one help to do it.
Dan said that another life lesson is the power of one person. He further added that the power of knowing one’s role and playing it well and understanding what the role is in an organization is important. A good friend of his went for an audition and did not get the role he wanted but got a smaller role He asked for another role but was told that there were no small roles but there were small actors. Dan tells the students who are entering into an organization to understand their roles and the part they are suppose to play and not to be intimidated by people who have bigger roles because in the grand scheme of things there are no small parts/roles in any organization.
Leadership Lafourche
Simone Merloz Introduced the Director of Leadership Lafourche, Lin Kiger. Lin is also the Director of the Chamber of Lafourche and the Bayou Region. The program started in the 1990s, but had a brief absence in the past decade. Leadership Lafourche is a leadership immersion program designed to train cross-sections of Lafourche residents and workers for productive roles in the community. The program is focused on the future and well-being of Lafourche Parish, the communities within the parish and institutions within those communities.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Class of 2011. Parish residents and individuals who work in Lafourche are encouraged to consider participating in the eight month program.
Sponsored by the Chamber of Lafourche and the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lafourche began in 1993 and has trained hundreds of people from up and down the bayou.
Leadership Lafourche is a tuition-based program, subsidized by private and corporate donations. Individual tuition is $700, a very worthwhile investment. Class size is approximately 25 participants per year. Corporate sponsorship is also currently being accepted.
Topics of instruction include: Leadership, Culture and History, Education, Community Service and Healthcare, Government, Law Enforcement and Judicial, Environment and Economic Development, and Visioning. Sessions will be held on the second Wednesday of each month beginning in November, with an opening reception to be held on October 13.
The program has a strict attendance policy therefore applicants should have the full support of their families and employers before submitting the application.
The application deadline is quickly approaching. Interested individuals should contact the Chamber of Lafourche at 985-693-6700 or the Thibodaux Chamber at 985-446-1187 for more information or for applications. You can also download applications by Going to The Thibodaux Chamber website.
