Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
Wednesday January 10, 2007

Members: Kaywana Gargarello, Frank Torelli, Rosalind Minaji, Myra Malley, Dianne MacKenzie

Regrets: Marie Patenaude, Deborah Doody, Debbie Edwards

Guests: Mary McLeod, Michele Sculllion-Mindorff

The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. She welcomed Mary McLeod from Sts. Peter & Paul school and provided her with a brief overview of CPF activities. Michele Scullion-Mindorff was welcomed at 8pm.

1. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of November 1, 2006 were approved.

2. CHAPTER UPDATES

Volunteer Hours: 102

Action Items:
" Kaywana will complete the volunteer hour form for the booksale, Dundurn Castle tour, Catholic School Board meeting and tonight's executive meeting on the CPF Ontario web site.

Membership:
Myra has completed mailings to lapsed members as well as all existing members informing them of this year's activities and initiatives. 11 memberships were sold at the book sale. Roz has contacted Barbara Mison to find out how many new memberships resulted from the summer camp. CPF Ontario has launched a new membership drive. Draw prize for those applying for new or renewed memberships between now and March 31, 2007. For one year membership, the prize is a Science North pass and two night stay at Holiday Inn Sudbury. For a three year membership, the prize is a three night stay at Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City.

Action Items:
" Kaywana and Roz will co-ordinate list of names and addresses of FSL community members including new trustees, FSL consultants etc. so that memberships to be purchased in February.
" Roz will e-mail copies of the CPF Ontario contest to all executive. Copies should be distributed at FI information nights in February.
" Roz will post the CPF Ontario contest details on our web site.

Communications:
January Newsletters are completed. Lead stories are Gregg LeRock and Hamilton Reads.

CPF Ontario have invited CPF members to apply for the new Province of Ontario Parent Board. This 20 member board will represent parents from across the province as advisors to the Minister of Education. Anyone can apply and CPF Ontario would like to have a CPF member on the Board.

Kaywana reported that Cathedral students will compete in the CPF Provincial Concours in 2007. This is the first time that Hamilton has entered secondary students in the public speaking contest.

Executive Positions:
No volunteers for treasurer or recording secretary. It was noted that there are some other possible executive members who cannot make a Wednesday night meeting. Nancy Armstrong from Earl Kitchener, Deborah Edwards from Norwood Park and Lisa Whitfield from St. Josephs are all potential members. It was decided that future meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month, starting on March 1, 2007

Treasurer's Report:

As of January 10, 2007
Opening Balance November 1, 2006 4,929.23

Revenues
Champlain Bookstore (APM Book Distribution) 426.46
CPF Ontario (Newsletter Grant) 100.00
Total Revenues May to September 526.46

Expenses
Special Events Rentals (tables) 259.35
Centre Francais (Membership 5.00
Dianne MacKenzie (November newsletter printing) 543.38
CPF British Columbia (wristbands) 141.12
Concours Books Librairie Champlain 149.83
Myra Malley (Mailing costs) 165.36
Le Regionale (advertisement) 270.00
CPF National (State of French reports) 10.00
Centre Francais (advertisement) 150.00
Dianne MacKenzie (January newsletter printing) 499.02
St. Joseph's School (advertisement) 52.00
Total Expenses November to January 2,245.06

Balance as of November 1, 06 3,210.63

3. REVIEW OF PAST CHAPTER EVENTS

Book Sale/Trade Show:
It was agreed that the Trade Show was a useful event and that it should be repeated again next year. The attendance at this year's event was somewhat disappointing. The sales were lower than at past book sales. The mental barrier of the escarpment seems difficult to get parents to cross. It was agreed that next year's event will be held in west Hamilton again. Other thoughts for next year: More materials for the stroller set as there seemed to be many parents will very young children. Also some parents were looking for more becherelles, workbooks, game books and materials for Grade 8 to 10 kids.

Total sales profits were $426.46 Costs for table rental was $259.35 It was agreed that renting the tables was a positive decision and should be done in future years. Cost of advertisement in Le Regionale was $270.00 While the advertisement was attractive and it was nice to have our text translated for future use, the ad did not seem to attract any francophone participants. We will not place an ad next year. There was a loss of about $103 for the event -but the event was viewed as a service to the community rather than a fundraiser, so was not expected to generate revenue.

French Tour of Dundurn Castle:
The tour went very well with approximately 15 participants. It is a great tradition which we should continue to offer each year. For next year, it might be better to start the tour a little sooner in the afternoon. The 4pm tour meant that the castle was quite dark when we finished. Having the tour sign and stickers was very helpful. A photo has been included in the newsletter.

4. CPF NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Rosalind provided a brief overview of two workshops she attended at the Ottawa conference in October.

One workshop was on volunteer recruitment and focused on the importance of:
a) making personal requests for help -broaden the list of candidates to non-members such as grandparents, former students, retirees, teachers in training
b) providing clear orientation and training
c) making new volunteers feel like full participants (not outsiders)
d) providing recognition of work done
e) allowing volunteers to bow out gracefully when their circumstances change

The second workshop was about building your membership and had the following tips:
a) carry a CPF membership form with you at all times!
b) make sure all your chapter materials include a membership form
c) contact lapsed members and ask them to join again
d) sell your advocacy and the fact that your chapter is helping to sustain the program
e) offer special courses and camps which only members can access
f) strike a deal with a local organization to offer discounts to CPF members
g) offer a gift basket draw for local parents (including French dictionary, materials, etc.)

5. UPCOMING EVENTS

Hamilton Reads: (January 24)

This year's French children's author is Brigitte Cazabon who is a teacher in the Hamilton francophone board. The title of Brigitte's book is: "En avion, j'ai rencontré" Her presentation will include an interactive component with an opportunity for each child to make their own book. The CPF sponsored event takes place at the coin de la famille (French Early Years Centre 460 Main St. E. 3rd Floor) on Wednesday January 24 at 6:45pm. CPF will be paying $200 to the author (by cheque on the night of the performance.)

Action Items:
" Roz will attend and present the cheque before the performance.
" Due to the FIAC meeting on the same night, she cannot stay for the event. Another volunteer with young children would be appreciated.

Gregg LeRock Concerts: (February 15 & 22)
Kaywana has confirmed Gregg LeRock dates for February and has booked Bishop Ryan and GP Vanier as the venues. We still need to follow up on ticket sales and promotion for the Bishop Ryan events which are not selling very well. So far the Vanier concert is 90% sold in the afternoon and 70% sold in the morning. We will look at Bishop Ryan again in two weeks to see if this venue can be retained.

The cost of each concert is $6.00 plus transportation and they take place at 10am and 1pm each day. Volunteers are needed to direct buses, hang signs and provide security. One volunteer is needed for Bishop Ryan as the auditorium is separate from the rest of the school. At Vanier, we will need to monitor snow and dirt being tracked into the gym as the students are sitting on the floor.

Action Items:
" Volunteers for Vanier: Mary McLeod & Dianne MacKenzie all day, Myra Malley in afternoon
" Volunteer for Bishop Ryan: Kaywana all day

Kindergarten Information Nights: (February)

It was suggested that the various school reps should have business cards to hand out to parents at the FI information nights, so that when issues come up, parents know who their CPF contact is. Kaywana, Dianne and Mary requested that cards be prepared for them. It was also suggested that CPF contacts put a one paragraph outline in the September issue of their school newsletter to introduce themselves, the role of CPF and give their contact information.

Action Items:
" Dianne will print 500 copies of the general green CPF H-W brochure
" Dianne will update and distribute the JK information flyers for public and separate school boards
" Dianne will prepare a business card template.
" Roz will update the letter and poster and Myra will complete the mailing to all local daycares
" Volunteers for Info Nights are as follows:
Public board (6:30pm):
Wednesday, February 7th at Norwood Park -Roz Minaji
Monday, February 12th at A.M. Cunningham -Debbie Edwards
Tuesday, February 13th at G.R. Allan -Frank Torelli
Wednesday, February 21st at Glen Echo School -Roz Minaji
Monday, February 26th at Earl Kitchener School -Myra Malley
Separate board (7:00pm):
Tuesday February 20th at St. Eugene -Dianne MacKenzie
Wednesday February 21st at Sts. Peter & Paul -Dianne MacKenzie & Mary McLeod
Thursday February 22nd at St. Joseph -Kaywana Gargarello

6. PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES

On January 22, the public Board will meeting to discuss the addition of FI program sites in Dundas, Waterdown and Hamilton Mountain. Debbie Edwards will be attending on behalf of CPF. This could be a very exciting and historic night for French Immersion in Hamilton -the first program sites outside of the old City of Hamilton boundaries!

Action Items:
" Debbie Edwards will attend the Board meeting and report back to CPF.
" Roz to follow up at FIAC on January 24.

7. SEPARATE SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES

A French Advisory meeting was held in the Fall, but was very poorly attended. Kaywana and Dianne were present and made presentations about FI issues. There was a general discussion of ways to engage the separate school parent population in future.

8. FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY ISSUES

The Staircase Café will be reopening as a local centre of francophone events and activities. Kaywana will contact Claudette Mickelsons for information about upcoming events.

NOTE: After the meeting, the following information was obtained:
January 19th - 7:00 movie AMELIE at the Staircase - (subtitles)
February 9th - 7:00 ST. VALENTINE'S - movie CHOCOLAT at 7:00 followed with chocolate goodies (truffles, cake, chocolate fudge, chocolate martinis, etc.) should be a fun night. The movie is English with French subtitles.
Film Festival - starts February 28th - March 4th (28 Feb, 1 Mar and 2 Mar will be for the schools. Festival gala will be on Friday March 2nd

9. OTHER BUSINESS

None

Meeting Adjourned: 9:00pm

Next Meeting: Thursday March 1, 2007