Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
Thursday October 24, 2002

Members: Rosalind Minaji, Marie Patenaude, Tracey Cseresnyes, Julie Senecal Tremblay, Frank Torelli, Deborah Doody, Lori Prevec, Craig Sproats, Mary Finstad
Regrets: Susan McClure
Guests: Ted Karp, Greg Dwulit -CPF Ontario Executive

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:10 p.m.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES:

The minutes of September 23 were approved.

2. UPDATES:

Volunteer Hours:
Total = 110 (Marie at CPF conference, Roz prep for concert, etc.)

Treasurer's Report:
Expenditures:
$60 (Stage Crew at Westmount)
$123.05 (Hall Rental for Concert)
$269.10 (Photocopies of newsletter)
Deposits: $0
Balance on hand: $562.59

Membership:
Tracey reported that no new memberships were received in the month of September

Communications:
Roz presented the November newsletter. To be distributed next week. The newsletter will promote the upcoming concert and also contains tips for FI parents and a history of bilingualism in Canada. The upcoming Parent's French Course was also mentioned in the newsletter. Roz has contacted CPF Ontario and there is no decision yet on the W.R. McGilivary award winner.

3. SPECIAL EVENTS

French Concert on November 15:
Mariposa tickets and posters were distributed. Tickets will be sold in the six FI schools with CPF Executive. Roz has kept some extra tickets in case she is contacted through the newsletter and website. Ticket sellers are to organize times for the sale and write them on the posters. Tickets are to be sold on a first-come first-serve basis, regardless of whether people are CPF members. Ticket sellers will start a waiting list if they have more customers than they can accommodate. All excess tickets are to be returned to Roz who will re-distribute to those with a waiting list.
Westmount auditorium has been booked for the event. No food and drink is permitted. Roz reported she heard back from Ann Lederman and she had confirmed the date and content of the concert. There will be a mixture of French songs and some Quebecois stories in English. Roz will post directions to Westmount on the web site.

All CPF executives are to meet at Westmount at 6:00 p.m. on the 15th of November to assist with set-up. Roz will order 25 additional copies of Keys to French I and II to sell to the parents. The publication costs $4 for Part I and $5 for Part II. We will sell them for $8 each to off-set concert expenses. We will have a table to take tickets, a table with CPF information and selling memberships and a table to sell Keys to French. Parking is located at the rear of the building.

4. CPF NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Marie Patenaude reported on her attendance at the CPF National conference. Marie heard from Robin Wilson (past Chair of CPF National) of the effect that Roz and Julie had on the Heritage Canada staff when they came to Hamilton earlier this year. Roz and Julie stated strongly that dollars were needed for advocacy of the FI program. Later that month, CPF National was given a cheque for $100,000 to be spent on advocacy for the program. A large thanks goes to the meeting Roz and Julie had that impressed Mr. Lemoine so much.

Marie presented the press release from October 18, 2002 by the federal government on re-launching the FI program - their aim is to double the attendance in FI programs over the next 10 years.

Marie attended a panel discussion on the shortage of FSL teachers. The Panel was made up of cross Canada individuals - drastic action must occur to resolve the situation:
· Need better degree of communication between schools/administrations
· Not enough graduates from universities
· Need FSL to have a greater profile
· Need for stronger pool of secondary school graduates
· Need for more professional development & appropriate instructional resources
· Mobility of teachers - must attract from outside the province
· Funding formula needs to be more flexible
· More recruitment needed

Marie reported on speech by John Ralston Saul
· The atmosphere of bilingualism has profoundly changed French education in Canada
· FI has entered Act II - but we need to get secondary schools and universities more aligned so FI can be a continuation from high school -more university courses should be offered in French -not just French literature
· Business community ahead of the intellectual community
· Need for CPF to be in the fore-front, on the offensive, do not let ourselves get put into the defensive mode
· CPF - 27 years of success - need to stand together in the future

Marie brought back many posters and literature to be distributed by the CPF executive to their respective schools. Marie indicated that the conference was a great experience and she was happy to meet with other educators and parents who were facing the same issues as we are.

5. REPORT FROM CPF ONTARIO

Ted Karp - the new Executive Director of CPF Ontario reported on changes to the Ontario office. Program Development Officers Heather Sabbagh and Brenda Heenan have left the CPF Ontario Office and have been replaced with Greg Dwulit (full-time), and Bridgett D'Auzac (part-time). Members expressed thanks to Heather and Brenda for their help during the past year.

Ted reported on initiatives currently being brainstormed by the CPF Ontario Board
· Creating a pool of funds for Chapters looking to bring in French language performers
· Annual Cultural Programs - with co-sponsorship with local Chapters and CPF Ontario
· Looking to set up mini information sessions to get Chapters in the same area to mix more and see what each other are doing - possible dates to be Winter/Spring 2003
· More French camps - CPF Ontario could provide counselors trained in FI program - local chapters would provide site, and children - Hope this would expand membership as in British Columbia they have 5000 memberships and 4000 of those are members so kids can get into FI summer camps.
· Looking to increase number of schools with associate memberships - incentive will be materials they can borrow, i.e. FI kits that have videos, books, interactive CD's

Greg responded to questions about bringing the French Public Speaking Concours to Hamilton. He has been in touch with Claudette Simms. The H-W Board has not yet registered and until they do, CPF Ontario can proceed no further. Marie will contact Claudette to get things rolling so H-W can participate this year.

Roz mentioned need for CPF Ontario to provide speakers that local Chapters can draw upon for Parent Information Nights. Ted will contact Roz to discuss further. Roz also suggested that CPF Ontario compile a booklet of "Southern Ontario: School Trip Locations" that would offer French Language programs or tours in French - i.e. ROM, Science Centre, Pioneer Villages

6. SCHOOL BOARD NEWS:

Jim Murray, the government appointed supervisor for the H-W board was unaware that dollars meant for the FI program were being diverted both at the Board level as well as at the school level - whether anything happens remains to be seen. H-W is in for drastic freezing and cost cuts at levels never seen before - very serious. The Board Supervisor's report is expected next week.

7. BASIC FRENCH COURSE:

We have one instructor for the program. Marie still trying to confirm which night this instructor would prefer. In addition, the Principal at GR Allan thinks she can get a second teacher if the level of interest is sufficient. Marie was encouraged to follow this up. The course will be offered first to CPF members, then to other parents, but the initial sense is that we will fill up from our membership. The course takes about two hours each night.

Roz reported that the use of Norwood Park School could not occur without paying the user fee. Marie was going to speak to her principal Catherine Youngblud to see of GR Allan would allow a classroom to be used without a fee. Lori will also check with Earl Kitchener Principal. CPF believes this course benefits parents whose children are in the immersion program, and this then will directly impact their effectiveness with assisting their children in FI.

8. SCHOOL BOARD PARENT CONFERENCE:

The deadline for registering for the Parent Conference has been extended to October 26. Roz & Lori will wait for confirmation of the event before working on presentation materials. (As of November 1, the workshop on FI has been cancelled due to lack of registrants.)

9. CONTACTS WITH FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY:

Only thing currently upcoming in the French community is a Bean dinner, which is aimed at adults. CPF will not take part, as we are looking for contact to be both adult and children interactive.

10. OTHER BUSINESS:
No further business was addressed.

MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:30 P.M.

NEXT MEETING:

Wednesday November 20, 2002 7:00 P.M.
Norwood Park School Library