Vocational Service

As business leaders, Rotarians share their skills and expertise through vocational service, one of the Four Avenues of Service. Our vocational service efforts play a vital role in improving the quality of life for those hardworking members of the community who need direction and expertise. By participating in a number of vocational service activities — mentoring, career days, vocational awards, business assistance, or even talking about our jobs at a club meeting — you can turn our experience into an invaluable resource for others.

Establishing a Community College for Houma is one example of our dedication to Vocational and Technical Education for our people.

A Community College for Houma has been a top priority for Rotarian L. J. Folse for many years. Earlier efforts were met by concerns of negative impact on Nicholls University enrollment. With adoption of Louisiana’s Master Plan for Higher Education in 1995, the stage was set for a successful effort. Rotarian L. J. Folse agreed to chair The Chamber Post Secondary Committee in November of 2001, a goal was set to obtain a commitment in two years. With guidance from Rotarian Travis Lavigne, Dean of the Fletcher Technical College, and from Wm. Clifford Smith, member of the Louisiana Board of Regents, the committee chose to focus exclusively on the Community College issue. A concept was advanced by the LA Technical & Community College System (LCTCS) to expand the Fletcher Campus into a Technical Community College with its own Chancellor, reporting directly to the system president.