Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
Thursday May 15, 2003

Members: Rosalind Minaji, Marie Patenaude, Susan McClure, Kaywana Gargarello,
Deborah Doody, Julie Senecal-Tremblay, Tracey Cseresnyes
Guests: Eska Hawley, Jill Berko (both from St. Joseph's)
Regrets: Mary Finstad, Frank Torelli, Lori Prevec, Mike Lalich, Craig Sproats

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:05 p.m.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
The minutes of March 19/03 (Annual General Meeting) are forthcoming.
The minutes from the meeting held on April 24/03 were approved.

2. EXECUTIVE POSITIONS
Looking for members interested in filling the executive positions of Vice Chair and Special Events Co-ordinator.
Introduced new members taking on executive positions: Newsletter- Kaywana Gargarello and Mike Lalich; Membership Secretary- Carrie Crockett; Recording Secretary-Tracey Cseresnyes.

3. UPDATES

Volunteer Hours:
Total = 55 hours

Treasurer's Report:
Opening Balance: $1286.69
Expenditures: $5.00 Centre Francais membership
$46.00 photocoies
$28.70 gifts for speakers
$50.00 coffee for AGM
Revenue: $100.00 newsletter grant
$10.00 Keys to French
Balance on Hand: $1,266.99

4. BOOK SALE

Marie is looking for a volunteer to go to Libraire Champlain on Saturday June 24/03 in the afternoon to help pick out materials for the book sale. Deborah Doody will accompany Marie.

The book sale has been advertised in "Entre-Nous" May 2003 newletter for Centre Francais Hamilton Inc. A sign-up sheet to help at the sale was circulated, and Roz will contact those who haven't signed up

5. FRENCH COURSE
Roz will send in evaluation forms from course to CPF Ontario for the $400 rebate (one time only).
Feedback letter from Annette Ray received. Also revealed that not all the material was translated and Annette had compiled and added extra material to the course.
Lori, Marie, and Annette will work on modifying the course during the summer. 50 binders will be printed in August.
Two sessions of the course will be offered in the fall. Annette will teach one again at G.R. Allan on Monday nights starting Sept. 15/03. (No classes on Thanksgiving, during the Cycling Race- Oct. 6/03, and the Election-Nov. 10/03.) The second course will be offered on Tuesday nights starting Sept. 23/03, but not held during the weeks of the Cycling Race or Thanksgiving. Thus, both classes will end at the same time, and it will be arranged for both classes to come together to share in an 'end-of-course' conversational class. Roz will handle registration and call those on the waiting list before the newsletter is sent out.
Kaywana took a copy of the course material to show the second interested instructor. She will also confirm a second location. St. Joseph's rental is triple the cost of the Public Board classroom rental. Norwood Park (mountain location) may be an alternative consideration. Roz will approach the Norwood principal re: classroom use for the course, if needed.

6. FRENCH STORIES FOR FAMILIES
Hamilton Public Library is presenting a weekly program of stories, songs, and activities for children from birth to six years of age and their parents or caregivers. The two sessions take place at: Central Library, Mondays from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. and Westdale Library, Tuesdays from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. The sessions run for the weeks of July 7 through August 18/03 inclusive. Registration for this free program begins Tuesday, June 24/03 in person or by phone. The program was initiated in response to CPF's Ontario's offer of $2500.00 in funding for new French language children's books and is presented in partnership with the Hamilton Public Library and the Centre de Sante Communautaire through Ontario Early Years funding.

7. SCHOOL BOARD NEWS
Public Board:
-catchment review creating a lot of concern for parents
-Strathcona closing and students going to Earl Kitchener and Ryerson.
-Sue will offer Dean Alex support from CPF H-W with any FI issues.
Separate Board:
-main concern is location of Cathedral High School as some parents are concerned about the safety of the surrounding neighbourhood
-similar concerns shared with public board regarding how to encourage students to continue FI education into the secondary level.
-Sue will forward Kaywana Grade 9 course options for Immersion secondary students at Westdale Public School.

8. OTHER BUSINESS
Kaywana suggested creating a newspaper insert for the Spectator with sponsorships from local business, to promote FI and publicize available, supportive resources/organizations in the community. We felt this was a good idea for the coming school year.
Kaywana also has made contact with Susan Miller, who is willing to perform a puppet show in French. This could possibly be a good opening act for our next concert.
CPF will consider handing out CPF bumper stickers for parents of Grade 8 FI graduates, depending on feasibility. These are $1 each.
Pot luck supper at Roz's on Sunday July 6/03 for CPF executive and their families. Roz and Brian will supply burgers & dogs, and will bring sign-up sheet for other food at the next meeting.

Marie will fill out and send in membership application to Centre Francais Hamilton Inc.

Meeting adjourned: 8:48 p.m.

Next meeting: Wednesday June 25/03 at 8:00 p.m.
Sweetwater Café (264 Dundurn St.) to be confirmed