Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
September 1, 2004

Members: Roz Minaji, Deborah Doody, Kaywana Gargarello, Tracey Cseresnyes, Dianne MacKenzie, Carrie Crockett
Regrets: Marie Patenaude, Frank Torelli, Mary Finstad, Yolanda Czyzewski-Bragues, Susan McClure, Yvonne Swiston

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

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of June 23, 2004 were approved.

2. UPDATES

Volunteer Hours: 50

Treasurer's Report:
Expenses: $ 48.84 -Display boards & spray glue
$107.21 -Mailing expenses (library materials & memberships)
$396.75 -Newsletter printing

Membership Updates: Carrie Crockett

There are currently 101 members. Eight new members joined over the summer. There are 42 renewals going out this month (37 of these from last fall's French Course). We now have 3 school memberships (Dalewood, Ryerson & Glen Echo).

Communications: Roz Minaji & Dianne MacKenzie

Web Site:
French Course registration forms have been posted on the web site.

Display Boards:
Roz has prepared two new display boards to be used at Meet the Teacher Nights etc. We now have 3 useable displays.

Fall Newsletter
Dianne has revamped the appearance of the newsletter. Thanks Dianne for a very professional looking publication. It was suggested that Dianne change the photos in the masthead each issue so that kids would recognize their peers and teachers. First few photos can come from Executive member kids as others would need to sign an agreement. September newsletter was sorted to be delivered the first week of school.
Next issue will be in October: French Movies, Day in French, SEVEC, French Keyboard

CPF Pamphlet:
Dianne and Roz have prepared a pamphlet to be used for recruiting new members. Dianne will print 1,000 copies on acid green coloured paper (to match our bookmarks). Carrie will send copies of the pamphlets with the membership renewals. Carrie has also sent materials to the public library and will arrange to send some additional pamphlets as they run out.

3. CHAPTER EVENTS

Meeting with French Centre Staff -Roz Minaji
Roz met with Lisa Breton, the General Director of the French Centre on August 24. Ms Breton has been with the Centre since March and wants to increase the level of outreach to the French Immersion community. Roz told her about CPF events planned for the upcoming year and it turns out there are a number of events that CPF and the French Centre can work together on and cross-promote.

French Film Festival: This event will take place at the Staircase Theatre between March 3 and 6. French films for both adults and children will be shown. All films will have English subtitles. We can work with the French Centre to include FI school groups for the Thursday and Friday daytime shows.

French Summer Camp: The Centre used to run a camp and is interested in exploring the possibilities for 2005. Roz explained that CPF Ontario offers a $1,000 grant in return for CPF memberships.

ARTFO: FI students are welcome to compete in the talent show. The French Centre will be looking at prep classes for possible participants.

Franco Renconte: Regular social gatherings for adults at the Staircase Café are being explored. These would feature French entertainers and French conversation.

Other information: College Boreal has recently opened a campus in Hamilton and will be offering French lessons for adults. The campus is located on Main Street near Wentworth. Champlain books may be opening a small outlet in the ACFO offices.

Lisa is also interested in hearing about our events and activities. She would like to attend the SEVEC information night and is interested in attending a FIAC meeting to introduce herself.

SEVEC Planning -Deborah Doody
Debbie has been in touch with Deni Cavanagh, the French teacher from Kitchener who organizes the SEVEC trip for kids from Kitchener and London. He will be happy to help us in exchange for some help in starting a CPF Chapter in Kitchener-Waterloo. Debbie has organized an information night for Tuesday September 21, 7pm at Norwood Park to gauge the level of student interest and parent support in Hamilton. CPF Executive has an ambitious agenda for 2004-2005 and we cannot take this on alone. The exchange needs parents to fundraise, take part in registration and matching of the students, and some to go on the exchange with our students.

A reminder will be sent home the week of September 13 with middle school students. The reminder will include a sign-in sheet for volunteers to submit at the meeting. We will take stock after the meeting and see whether this event will go ahead.

Attendance at October & November CPF Conferences
Names were drawn to select representatives for the two conferences:
Provincial Conference (October 22 & 23): Roz & Dianne
National Conference (November 11 to 14): Kaywana (with Carrie as second representative if space
becomes available for a second rep.)
Roz will send in registration form for November with our $200 fee.

4. FINALIZE MEETING DATES FOR 2004

The following meeting dates have been set and booked for Fortinos Community Room.
Thursday October 7
Thursday November 4
Thursday December 2

5. ASSIGNMENT OF EXECUTIVE MEMBERS TO EVENTS/TASKS

Budget & Accounting Deborah Doody
Membership Drive & Renewals Carrie Crockett
Web Site Roz Minaji
Media Promotion & Event Publicity Dianne MacKenzie
FIAC Representative Roz Minaji
Meeting Minutes Susan McClure
Newsletters (5 issues) Dianne MacKenzie, Roz Minaji
French Course Logistics Roz Minaji
SEVEC Exchange Deborah Doody, Susan McClure
Summer Camp Liaison Kaywana Gargarello
French Films (Oct, Jan, March, May) Roz Minaji
High & Middle School FI Promotion All
Meet the Teacher Nights (Fall) All
Day in French in Hamilton Mary Finstad
Book Sale (November) Marie Patenaude, Kaywana Gargarello
Etienne Concerts (February) Kaywana Gargarello, Tracey Cseresnyes
FI Information Nights All
AGM/Parent Information Night Tracey Cseresnyes, Mary Finstad, Roz Minaji
Le Concours (April & May) Marie Patenaude, Dianne MacKenzie
Member Appreciation Event (May) Carrie Crockett, Frank Torelli

3. FINALIZE MEETING CALENDAR

September:
" 1st issue of CPF Newsletter
" Sept 21: start up meeting of parents for SEVEC exchange in summer of 2005
" CPF members attend Meet the Teacher nights at FI schools
" Membership renewal drive with new promotional pamphlet
Oct. to Dec.:
" Level One French Course (2 locations)
October:
" 2nd issue of CPF Newsletter
" CPF Provincial Conference
October 17:
" French Films for Children at the Staircase Theatre
(Possibly combined with a French language tour of Dundurn Castle and trip to a willing restaurant to form a "Day in French in Hamilton" package.)
November:
" November 17: Librairie Champlain French Book Sale St. Joseph's School
" SEVEC meeting/fundraising
" CPF National Conference

January:
" 3rd issue of CPF newsletter
" French films for Children at the Staircase Theatre
Feb. to April:
" Level Two French Course (1 location)
February:
" Kindergarten Information Nights (promotion of French Immersion)
" French Concert for elementary school children
" SEVEC meeting
March:
" 4th issue of CPF newsletter
" Local Le Concours public speaking contests
" French Films for Children (combine with Centre Francais film festival)
" Member Appreciation Event with francophone children's' performer
April:
" Parent Information Night with guest speakers (theme -francophone community)
" Provincial Concours
May:
" 5th issue of CPF newsletter
" Camp registration
" French Films for Children
June:
" Final SEVEC meetings
" Camp logistics & registrations
Summer:
" SEVEC exchange with Quebec,
" Summer camp in Hamilton

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Next Meeting Thursday October 7, 2004
Fortinos Community Room: Mall Road 7:00 p.m.