Members: Roz Minaji, Deborah Doody, Kaywana Gargarello, Frank Torelli, Marie Patenaude, Dianne MacKenzie, Ron English, Susan McClure

Regrets: Tracey Cseresnyes, Carrie Crockett

The Chair called the meeting to order.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

Review of minutes
The minutes of March 2, 2005 were approved.

2. CHAPTER UPDATES

Volunteer Hours:

Total of 90

Treasurer's Report:

Treasurer's Report as of April 30th, 2005

Opening Balance March 31, 2005 2,408.02

Revenue
Etienne 2,000.00
SEVEC Refunds 300.00
Total Revenues April 2,300.00

Expenses
Diane Mackenzie #095 Newsletter 382.95
Carrie Crocket #96 Membership mailings 31.34
Christel Elliot #078 SEVEC refund 100.00
Concours prizes & SEVEC 295.91
Total Expenses April 810.20

Balance as of April 2005 3,897.82

Membership:
There may be a couple of new members from E'spirit d'école. Renewal forms are being sent to members. All new members receive Keys to French.

Communications:
Newsletter - require new photos for newsletter of kids. Good review of content in April newsletter. Newsletter to be taken to schools for distribution. Work to rule may have an impact on distribution of newsletters.

Chapter Chat:
Grants have been placed on hold. CPF Ontario received less funding from Heritage Canada in the amount of $38,000. Our grant applications for SEVEC (Rendevous), the St. Jean Picnic (Rendevous) and the newsletter grant are therefore on hold.

3. PAST CHAPTER EVENTS

Concours
Marie reported on the success of public school Concours that had taken place at Dalewood Middle School on March 24, 2005. It's great to see this event growing each year. Public board finalists will be heading to the official competition in Toronto on Saturday May 14.

4. ONGOING CHAPTER INITIATIVES

SEVEC
Deborah reported that we have settled with Deni Cavanaugh as of March 9, 2005, and paid for his time spent on interviews and out of pockets expenses. Deni has refunded paperwork and cheques to Deborah.

Application for Canada Youth Works had been made in January and we just received confirmation that the wage subsidy has been granted in the amount of $4,000 for the Coordinator and monitors (2 positions). Names must be submitted by April 30, 2005. Job description has been updated.

SEVEC Draft Budget was distributed for members to review. Estimates have been included on the attraction costs based on 92 participants. Total cost of $875 for SEVEC, we will attempt to decrease costs given the CYW grants.

Awaiting decision the Trillium funding application that had been submitted.

Home Interviews have been completed by Deborah, and there are three outstanding.
From the initial participant numbers we have lost five participants.

Information is being attained regarding the charitable number for donations, as CPF Hamilton does not have their own charitable numbers. We will request permission to use CPF Ontario's charitable donation number.

Frank Torelli drafted a Press Release for SEVEC, members reviewed and edited for submission.
Efforts to be interviewed for Cable 14 and radio are being made.

Discussion on need for additional participant numbers. Information Meetings are being held on April 19th at Glen Brae & April 20th at St. Joseph's as a final attempt to boost SEVEC numbers. Deborah will provide overview of SEVEC and brief presentation of program. Flyers are being distributed to core French students in all Hamilton schools this week to inform them of the exchange.

AGM
An Annual Report was mailed out to all members this year. AGM will be held as a regular meeting on May 26, 2005. Trade Show will be postponed until the Fall of 2005 to allow Executive to concentrate on SEVEC

Member Appreciation
We will be unable to proceed with a performer for the Member Appreciation at the St. Jean picnic at Pier 4 Park Sunday June 26 as funding for the Rendezvous Grants have been cancelled. The rental cost for the cotton candy machine and supplies is $154.00 and we will proceed with this rental. All CPF members will receive free cotton candy at the picnic.

Summer Camp Planning
Roz and Kaywana met with Lisa Breton, unfortunately the Board of the Centre Francais has decided not to proceed this year. This initiative will be placed on the books for next year.

5. PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES

Transportation Review
The Board is reviewing their policy on Transportation. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be the one at which the sub-committee will undertake the following process:
- List all board programs
- Describe the intent of each program
- Categorize or group the programs
- Discuss affordability and priority of transportation for various programs.
CPF Hamilton-Wentworth has prepared a formal submission to the Policy Review Committee asking that French Immersion be considered for busing.

Education Summit
Ron English shared with the members the Public Engagement Task Force - being held on April 30, 2005. Transportation for French Immersion will be discussed under Accessibility, and Ron is on this organizing committee.

FIAC
Roz reported that Anne Klaus provided statistics and there is a decrease in males over time within the French Immersion Program. Numbers of student drop out of the French Immersion Program at Grade 8, and take Core French in Grade 9. Discussion on funding per French Immersion Students was raised and K. Kroxall will take to Don Grant.

ARTFO Festival
Event highlighted in the April Newsletter. Event includes talent show, French book show, and art show. Takes place at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

6. SEPARATE SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES
Kaywana and Dianne continue to be vigilant in keeping parents and teachers informed of a possible change within the FI Model in Senior Kindergarten.

7. FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY EVENTS

CPF Ontario calls for Nominations to the Board. Any member interested, please email Marie Patenaude.