Since its creation, the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne has established itself as a major player in the local associative landscape, combining commitment and solidarity to meet the diverse needs of the community. This year 2026 marks an important milestone with the arrival of a new captain at its helm, embodying a fresh breath while ensuring the continuity of social initiatives already well rooted. The club, driven by passionate volunteers, continues its missions with a constant concern for unity and efficiency with the beneficiaries.
In this spirit, Jean-Paul Petit-Frère, with a rich professional experience and a personal background closely linked to the Chaumont region, recently took over the presidency of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne. An active member since 2024, he succeeds Jean-Michel Figard, under whose presidency the club deployed flagship actions such as the tulip sale against cancer or the traditional chefs’ soup in favor of the Telethon. This transfer of power perfectly illustrates the values of commitment and service that animate this local club.
The role of captain at the head of a Lions Club goes beyond mere administrative function. It is an essential responsibility, synonymous with enlightened leadership and collective mobilization. This new mandate promises stimulating challenges to meet the expectations of an attentive and supportive community. The Lions Club Chaumont Champagne, through this change in governance, affirms its determination to strengthen its social impact and renew its energy in the service of the public cause.
The unique journey of Jean-Paul Petit-Frère, new captain of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne
Jean-Paul Petit-Frère has been an engaged actor in the life of Chaumont for 25 years, having combined a professional career marked by rigor and a strong personal involvement in his territory. A former buyer at Alstom in Paris-La Défense, his experience in the railway sector forged his sense of negotiation and management, key skills to effectively lead an associative organization.
The trigger happened in 2001, the year a meeting transformed his trajectory: that with Mickaela Hamdam, his partner and local entrepreneur. Together, they built an entrepreneurial adventure centered on local commerce with two well-established shops in Chaumont, “Grain de Malice” for women’s fashion launched in 2010, then “Territoire d’Homme” in 2016. This joint project testifies to a spirit of collaboration and adaptation to local market needs.
Faced with an unforeseen health issue affecting his wife, Jean-Paul adopted a proactive stance, giving up his responsibilities in commerce to strengthen the management of “Grain de Malice”. This decision illustrating a sense of duty and family support led to a new phase of life, with an active retirement now devoted to community service, particularly through the Lions Club.
His entry into the club in July 2024 was made possible thanks to Gérard Guy, his sponsor, an emblematic figure and former committed member. Thanks to this successful integration, Jean-Paul quickly climbed the ranks within the association, demonstrating great listening and organizational skills. This background and experience will allow him to confidently assume the presidency of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne, offering him the opportunity to combine management and volunteering within a strong associative dynamic.
The challenges and ambitions of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne under new leadership
At the crossroads between heritage and innovation, the task entrusted to President Jean-Paul Petit-Frère is of crucial importance. The club, known for its involvement in various socially oriented actions, must now combine the sustainability of past successes with the imperative to adapt its projects to the social and economic changes of its territory.
The announced mandate is based on two fundamental pillars: the continuity of already validated approaches and the consultation with all members. This participative philosophy aims to promote a solid collective commitment, ensuring the coherence and effectiveness of the actions undertaken.
Among the emblematic initiatives that the new captain plans to continue are:
- The annual tulip campaign against cancer, an essential fundraiser to support research and help affected families.
- The chefs’ soup, a culinary event in favor of the Telethon, mobilizing local talents for a cause of national scale.
- The regular distribution of bread at the Restos du Cœur, ensuring food support for the most deprived.
- The sponsorship of holidays for children in precarious situations, forming a concretely social commitment.
- The partnership with the Haute-Marne Association for Family Support, to expand social action in the territory.
In these projects, emphasis will be placed on valuing volunteers, whose motivation is the cornerstone of the club’s success. The new captain also intends to open new horizons by exploring innovative paths to meet the emerging needs of the associative environment and the populations it serves.
Volunteering and commitment: the driving force of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne
The Lions Club Chaumont Champagne has long been part of a tradition of volunteer service. Members, often from diverse professional backgrounds, devote a significant part of their time to developing solidarity actions, thus responding to the Lions Club motto “We Serve”. This sense of volunteering, fueled by deep commitment to the community, forms the strength and specificity of the movement.
The captain, as a leader, plays a crucial role in the cohesion and motivation of these volunteers. He must reconcile demands, listening, and recognition within a dynamic collective, but sometimes solicited by many external requests. The ability to unite around a clear vision reflects the quality of leadership desired by Jean-Paul Petit-Frère.
Over the years, the club has built a climate of trust and openness among its members. They participate in the practical organization of events, fundraising, and awareness-raising among concerned audiences. This personal investment is all the more crucial as financial resources remain limited, conditioning the number and scope of possible actions.
Commitment is also manifested by support for partner associations, notably Restos du Cœur or local family aid initiatives. The multiplying effect of the Lions Club volunteering is measured by its capacity to mobilize but also to sustainably transmit solidarity values in the local fabric. Through this, the club contributes not only to punctual aid but also to strengthening social ties in Chaumont and its surroundings.
Highlights and examples of notable actions carried out by the Lions Club in Chaumont
Each year, the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne actively participates in numerous social and charitable events, demonstrating its anchoring in local life and its role as a driving force in the associative network. Under successive presidencies, several operations have particularly marked public opinion and directly benefited populations in difficulty.
The previous mandate of Jean-Michel Figard thus saw the organization of a gospel concert in the Cavalier church, gathering an audience sensitive to the cause and contributing to solidarity through music. Another highlight was the Chefs’ Soup, an event bringing together restaurateurs and cooks to prepare shared dishes, the profits of which allowed a donation of 2,000 euros to the French Association Against Myopathies.
The “Tulips Against Cancer” operation stood out for its generosity, with a significant donation of 10,000 euros to Doctor Briandet, head of pediatric oncology in Dijon. This contribution notably enabled an outing to Lyon for children of the service, a gesture carrying hope and comfort. In parallel, the Lions Club provided more than 2,000 euros worth of food to the Chaumont Restos du Cœur, a vital support for families in need.
It is also worth noting that the club sponsored seven young people from Chaumont to allow them to participate in a summer camp at Val André, a socially inclusive initiative offering moments of escape and well-being essential for them. This type of action concretely illustrates the primary mission of the Lions Club: to be attentive to the most vulnerable and promote their integration through service.
List of annual highlights:
- Concerts and cultural events with a solidarity focus
- Collections and awareness campaigns against cancer
- Food support actions for deprived people
- Organization of holidays or outings for disadvantaged children
- Partnership with local associations to broaden social impact
Future prospects: strengthening the social impact of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne
The presidency of Jean-Paul Petit-Frère opens a promising new period for the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne. In a context where associative engagement evolves both under the influence of digital technologies and societal changes, the club must know how to reinvent itself without ever betraying its DNA.
Among the planned directions, the desire to expand the volunteer base is paramount. Attracting new members, notably among young people and working professionals, represents a strategic challenge to ensure the long-term viability of activities. This implies the establishment of ongoing dialogue and tools facilitating exchange and involvement in projects.
The consultation announced by the new captain also aims to open spaces for collective reflection to define upcoming priorities. Whether it is to intensify the fight against exclusion, promote education or support environmental initiatives, the Lions Club wishes to diversify its actions in order to respond more targetedly to the expectations of local society.
Communication and visibility of the club will also be strengthened, by organizing events open to the general public and through a more assertive presence on social networks. This effort must allow better valorization of the volunteers’ work and the results achieved, thus encouraging other actors to join this solidarity dynamic.
Ultimately, this new leadership aims to carry a dynamic, human and pragmatic vision, relying on a solid tradition to give renewed momentum to the founding mission of the Lions Club: to serve the community with rigor, enthusiasm, and generosity.
What is the main role of a president at the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne?
The president ensures leadership, organizes and leads solidarity actions, while bringing volunteers together around the club-service projects and mission.
How to become a member of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne?
Membership is generally by sponsorship from a current member, followed by progressive integration within the club’s activities. Commitment to community service is the fundamental criterion.
What are the emblematic actions of the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne?
The club notably organizes the tulip sale against cancer, the chefs’ soup for the Telethon, supports the Restos du Cœur, and offers summer camps to disadvantaged children.
How does the Lions Club Chaumont Champagne adapt to current challenges?
The club relies on internal consultation, renewal of volunteers, and innovation in its projects to effectively meet the evolving needs of the community.
What is the importance of volunteering within the Lions Club?
Volunteering is at the very heart of the club, without which its social and solidarity actions could not exist. It represents an essential value, embodying commitment and solidarity.