Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter Meeting
Monday January 9, 2008

Members: Kaywana Gargarello, Frank Torelli, Rosalind Minaji, Myra Malley, Nancy Armstrong, Danusia Burdyk-Husak, Andrea Johnson & Maureen Parlatore

Regrets: Dianne MacKenzie, Deborah Edwards, Deborah Doody

Action Items:
• Kaywana to forward minutes of this meeting and October’s meeting to Barbara Mison at CPF Ontario.

1. CHAPTER UPDATES
Volunteer Hours: Total 116

Membership Report:
• Report Attached.
• Mailing to “invite a friend to become a member” was carried out.

Treasurer’s Report
• Report attached
Action Items:
• Frank to show SEVEC expenses and revenues as separate line items, as SEVEC is intended to be
revenue neutral.

Communication:
Newsletter: The January 2008 Newsletter to be distributed no later than January 20, 2008.
Items for the Newsletter:
• French Immersion Information Nights – dates, locations, & times.
• Camp de Leadership Espirit 2008
• Hamilton Reads in French
• Tobermory Trip (article submitted by student)
• Westdale Secondary adds Civics in French (article submitted by student)
• Francophone Film Festival
• Report on annual Dundurn Castle Christmas tour- in French.
• “Gotta Love that French” – concert update
• SEVEC Exchange 2008 – update
• Dundana School wins $500 performer grant
• French Concert in Grimsby
• Encounters with Canada competition
• Catechism Classes offered in French

JK Pamphlets: to all JK students in both boards advertising the F.I. information nights and espousing the benefits of French Immersion. “French Information Night” Grant has been increased by CPF Ontario to $950, thus allowing us to continue providing the pamphlet to all JK students (approx. 4,000)

Action Items:
• Dianne to update pamphlets with this year’s dates, print and deliver to Catholic Board and Roz by
January 25.

2. PAST CHAPTER EVENTS

CPF Ontario Conference: Roz & Kaywana provided a brief review of the conference.
• Described the round table talk: Survival Night, the binder, and the best idea-stickers in the agendas
for announcements/reminders.
• Found a possible new French book retailer for our book sale: Beaux Books

Dundurn Castle Tour: 25-30 people came- 1guide. Earlier time worked better (not too dark). The tour was in jeopardy of be cancelled due to a lack of reservations, however last minute promotions at the book sale saved the day – and in the end the attendance was quite good.

French Book Sale: Trade Show was cancelled this year in deference to the volunteer hours needed to plan the SEVEC 2008 exchange. This year we raised $380.71; the reduced amount (for the past 2 years) may be due to the 5% discount offered to Members.

3. UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS

SEVEC:
• dates have changed from 2 week exchange to 3 weeks in order to confirm a ‘twin’ was available in Quebec for our group during the summer.
• The price increased to $600 ($575 for members) because of extended time.
• $950 deposit for Tall Ship Cruise.
• Deborah Doody is starting home interviews this month

Action Items:
• Kaywana to see if Cathedral is still available for the new dates.
• Crystal to check and confirm prices for local trips

Hamilton Reads:
Our Chapter is once again sponsoring an author. This year we requested that that the reading take place at a more convenient location for our members – as such it will be held on Saturday, January 26, at 1:00pm, at the Westdale library. The event is recommended for children ages 2-6, and we will be sponsoring local French language author Brigitte Cazabon.

Action Items:
• Myra will attend to assess the attendance, take a picture for the Newsletter and present the cheque
($250.00).

SK French Information Nights:
Catholic dates have been set; the public Board has a new French Consultant who is still working out the times.

Action Items:
• Roz to follow up with Consultant to confirm Public Board dates.
• Kaywana, Dianne & Mary to co-ordinate attendance at Catholic Info nights.
• Andrea to confirm if she can attend Glen Echo.
• Presenters should coordinate literature and display boards ahead of time.
• Myra to mail Posters to Daycares
• Dianne to ensure pamphlets & Newsletters are printed and distributed to all JK students prior to F.I.
information nights.

Gotta Love that French:
Fliers advertising the concerts and the available dates have been sent to both Boards, and Helene has faxed 150 fliers to French Teachers. We are hoping that January and the Newsletter will bring more bookings

Action Items:
• Kaywana to send Roz a blurb about the concert for the web.
• Kaywana to send Andrea the flier and the available dates
• Kaywana will send an updated flier and the availability calendar to the 2 Board contacts.

4. SEPARATE BOARD ISSUES
November’s “French Immersion Parent Information Night” (FIPIN) was attended by Monica Ferenzy (CPF Ontario President) who showed our organization as being informed, connected and attentive to the issues at hand. The information provided by Monica inferred the power our Chapter can wield in being part of powerful National Organization.
The meeting was attended by only a few parents, but felt open and co-operative. The next meeting will be in announced for the Spring. Issues such as Teacher qualifications, Teacher resources, garnering more funding through F.I. in JK and shared bussing were discussed.

Action Items:
Kaywana to follow up on:
• whether Keys to French is being provided to each student.
• Whether the board is hosting the French Public speaking competition
• Whether the other ½ position for a French Resource Teacher has been filled.

5. PUBLIC BOARD ISSUES

ANCASTER: A group of Ancaster parents are lobbying for a French Immersion site in the locale. Frank attended and spoke at the Board of Trustees meeting in support of their effort. The Board voted to conduct a survey to gauge interest. The Board of Trustees is to consider the expansion later in January.
Action Items:
Roz will monitor the situation.

TRANSPORTATION: The two school boards have not yet reached an agreement over shared
transportation system. Hamilton is one of one only two areas in the Province that will not meet the
September 2008 deadline. Coordinated busing may lead to changes in FI bussing for both Boards.

Action Items:
Roz will continue to monitor the situation and raise it at FIAC

6. FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY
The Francophone Community is hosting a French Film festival in February – we await further details

Next Meeting March 19, 2008
At R. F. Lintack Offices