Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
Monday, March 23, 2009

Members: Kaywana Gargarello, Frank Torelli, Rosalind Minaji, Debbie Edwards, Christel Elliot, Erin Cavarzan, Louise Adam

Regrets: Dianne MacKenzie, Myra Malley, Kyra Paterson, Dave Siefker, Alicia Bragg, Danusia Burdyk

Action Items:
" Kaywana to forward minutes of this meeting to Barbara Mison at CPF Ontario.

1. RECRUITING EXECUTIVES
Rosalind began the meeting stressing the need to find new executives; pointing out that we need to find ways to attract and KEEP volunteers, engage and invite them to take ownership of our mission.
Some ideas on attracting new executives:
" Send a letter to each parent Council with a customized list of how CPF has benefited their school.
" Have SK teachers reinforce the importance of joining CPF at the one on one interview.
" Make announcements at "Meet the Teacher Nights"
Some ideas on involving new recruits:
" Have duties rotate i.e. reporting events to CPF Ontario
" Encourage new recruits to take the lead on events or take the lead on new events.

2. CHAPTER UPDATES

.1 Volunteer Hours:
Rosalind Minaji: 20
Frank Torelli: 8
Christel Elliott 7
Kaywana Gargarello 20
Debbie Edwards 14

.2 Membership Report:
" 91 Memberships
" 10 new since January
" 12 lost

Action Items:
" Roz to confirm that Alicia Bragg will be putting her name forward for Membership Secretary.

.3 Treasurer's Report
" Report attached
" Our concert sponsor has not come through. We hope she will still be able to cut us a cheque.
" We are presently operating in the red, however the following cheques are expected to bring us back into the black ($300 concert rebate, $588 advertising grant, $1,600 concert from Etienne)
Action Items:
" Kaywana to follow up with Barb Mison at CPF Ontario to see if concert cheque ($1,600) has been mailed
" Roz to confirm that Myra will be putting her name forward as the Treasurer.

.4 Communication
" Christel has put her name forward as the new Communication Officer.
" Next Newsletter scheduled for April 21st (to be distributed at our next meeting)
o CPF AGM - Information to be confirmed
o Film Festival winners- Rosalind
o Concours Winners - Rosalind
o French Storytime -Rosalind
o Leadership camp - Kaywana
o Concert Review - Kaywana
o East End Book Sale Report - Rosalind
Action Items:
" Kaywana to contact Dianne and get Communication Templates
" All Newsletter articles to be submitted to Rosalind by Friday, April 3, 2009.
" Louise Adam has volunteered to be Recording Secretary for Executive meetings starting in April.

3. PAST CHAPTER EVENTS

.1 Hamilton Reads
" We had 15 children and 10 adults at the Westdale Library Event.
" Chantale Groulx and Jennifer McNaughton were fantastic and we would support bringing them back next year. Their style was very entertaining and original. They used a combination of mime and theatre to bring their stories to life with huge exaggerated gestures and facial expressions.

.2 Concert:
" 1,600 students attended the 2 concerts.
" The entertainer required a 1000 seat theatre, which required more expenses, and the Chapter felt the need to purchase cancellation insurance due to the large outlay of money. As a result we will avoid situations such as these in the future.
" It was noted that the price of the tickets + the cost of bussing made the event an expensive one relative to other field trips.
" The performers were well received, Beebo was a pleasant discovery and Etiene 'rocked' the house.

.3 French Immersion Information Nights:
" Norwood Park held their information night on January 22 (before the publication of our fliers and Newsletters. Only 12 people attended, but registration numbers are strong.
" Earl Kitchener was over 30 people. Lawfield & Dundana - registration numbers are solid
" Fessenden - 18 people registered in February. Principal is dedicated to recruiting enough people to make this new F.I. site continue. - Discussion followed that CPF Hamilton should support the move to include the Meadowland in their catchment area, which would in turn reduce the numbers eligible to attend Norwood Park which is experiencing over-crowding.
" Sts. Peter & Paul & St. Joseph's information nights were well attended.
" St. Eugene was not very well attended - numbers are said to be decreasing at this site.

.3 Concours:
" CPF Hamilton provided wrist bands and prizes for the Public Board's Competition. The Catholic Board holds their French Public Speaking contest every other year, and this is an off year.
" Saltfleet is hosting a French Public speaking competition for Hamilton Core French students - it is hoped that they will continue to the competitive level at the Provincial level.

4. UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS

.1 East End French Book Sale:
" Principal at A. M. Cunningham has requested that we host a French Book sale in the east of the City.
" Rosalind has contacted Beaux Books and has set a date for the book sale.
" April 8th, 2009; 2-6 pm at A. M. Cunningham.
Action Items:
" Kaywana to send posters to principal at St. Eugene, and ask that it be included in the April Newsletter.
" Christel to see if she can place free ads in local newspapers & on Channel 14.
" Louise will confirm whether she can attend the sale to sell CPF memberships

.2 French Courses at Norwood Park:
" Norwood Park has requested that CPF Hamilton provide the Level 2 French Report on French Course; as a continuation of the Level I French Course they offered last year.
" CPF requires people taking the course to become Members, and Norwood Park will reimburse CPF Hamilton Wentworth for the $25 course manuals.
Action Items:
" Rosalind confirm the number of French Manuals required, and place the order.

.3 AGM:
" High School Information Night
" Proposed date May 21, 2009
" Presentations by Westdale & Cathedral FI staff
" Presentation about the International Baccalaureate Program at Westdale
" Possible Presenters: F.I. Graduate, Canada Exchange Program, High School Students, Cathedral Film Festival winners.
Action Items:
" Kaywana to see if Sts. Peter & Paul available and ask Cathedral to present.
" Rosalind to ask Westdale staff to present

5. FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY

Franco-Fete: Tabled