Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
Monday September 18, 2006

Members: Kaywana Gargarello, Frank Torelli, Rosalind Minaji

Guest: Deborah Edwards

Regrets: Susan McClure, Marie Patenaude, Dianne MacKenzie, Myra Malley

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

1. CHAPTER UPDATES

Volunteer Hours: 82

Treasurer's Report: As of September 18, 2006

Opening Balance May 15, 2006 4,385.35

Revenues
Greg LeRock 2,167.00
Cotton Candy Sales 85.00
Total Revenues May to September 2,252.00

Expenses
Gifts for Executive May-06 109.70
Cathedral -Catering Jun-06 90.50
Complete Rent-alls -Cotton Candy Machine 112.69
Centre Francais -Staircase Café Rental 207.80
Dianne MacKenzie -Printing & Mailing 698.60
Extension Cord Jul-06 25.00
Entertainer -St. Jean Picnic Jul-06 60.00
Total Cleared expenses May to September 1,304.29

Balance as of September 1, 06 5,333.06

Outstanding Expense for CPF National Conference 400.00
Balance as of September 18, 06 4,933.06

Action Items:
Noted that we also owe approximately $1500 for Keys to French agenda inserts. Invoice will be pending in October when final agenda counts are available.

Membership:
September membership list shows 65 families and 3 school memberships.

Myra is sending letters this week to all new members including Keys to French. Myra will also send letters to all existing members to tell them about this year's events and thank them for their continued support.

CPF Ontario is revising their membership rebate system to retain 25% of membership fees to support operation of the branch. This will result in a reduction of our membership rebate.

Action Items:
" Continue to investigate ways to increase membership base.
" Roz to contact CPF Ontario to see how many new members resulted from Camp Colombie.

Communications:
First newsletter for late October: Booksale/Trade show, teacher profile, keys to French agendas, summer camps, membership benefits, french bookclub, kids art class, swing lessons

Action Items:
" Articles to be submitted to Dianne by October 20.
" Dianne to prepare newsletter for distribution at next Executive meeting.

Executive Positions:
Since Neena has moved, we need to fill the treasurer position. Roz will continue to prepare financial statements until a replacement treasurer can be found.

2. PAST CHAPTER EVENTS

Summer Camp: (Dove La Colombie)
Kaywana and Roz both had children attend the camp. The children seemed to enjoy it. Location was nice and the teacher Carole was great with children. On the negative side, the camp was expensive for what was offered. Swimming was an extra charge and there were no additional trips. Children watched movies each day and there were too few kids to form proper age groups. Recommend that we pursue an alternate provider next summer.

Action Items:
" Roz to approach Summer Art Camp provider with view to partnering in 2007.
" Roz to provide feedback to CPF Ontario and Camp Dove.

Keys to French in Agendas:
Four schools participated in this initiative. Approximately 1,400 agendas were printed with the Keys to French insert (final numbers not yet available). Good feedback from teachers so far. Due to lack of communication with schools or misunderstandings, the agendas were all in English. This was disappointing. Recommend that the initiative not be repeated next year as we can make better use of funds elsewhere. Schools can be encouraged to approach Keys to French publishers directly if they wish to continue.

Action Items:
" Roz and Kaywana will continue to follow-up with schools to ensure final agenda counts are received.

3. FUTURE CHAPTER EVENTS

Planning for the 2006/2007 School Year:

EVENTS:
Book Sale/Trade Show at Norwood Park -November 23 3 to 7pm
French Tour of Dundurn Castle in December
Hamilton Reads French Author in January
Gregg LeRock Concerts on February 15 and 22
St. Jean Picnic

PROMOTIONS:
FI Info nights for Kindergarten parents
FI Grant money to be spent on mailings and advertisements in smaller papers not Spectator this year

ADVOCACY:
Accommodation issues for public school French Immersion (Waterdown, Dundas and Mountain)
Transportation Funding Formula -continue to follow-up with Province
Separate Schools -establish French Advisory Committee -improved voice for parents

4. CPF NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Dianne and Roz will represent the two Hamilton-Wentworth school boards at this year's conference in Ottawa from October 20 to 22. It was agreed that Roz would purchase a piece of local pottery for the silent auction.

5. TRADE SHOW/BOOKSALE

Permission has been received from Norwood Park to hold the event on Thursday November 23 from 3 to 7pm. They will organize alternate gym classes to free up the gym for us. Frank will fax invitations. Should also include Art camp organizer as well as any other new activities.

Action Items:
" Myra to request tables from last years source at the Board
" Roz to ask Marie if she will set up sale and order books from Champlain.
" Frank will send updated faxes.
" Kaywana will approach French Martial Arts group for a demo. Ask Swing class for a demonstration

6. FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY NEWS

The Centre de santé de communautaire is holding an open house on Wednesday October 4 and have sent us an invitation.

The Centre français is selling ad space in their French Services publication. Deadline for submissions is the end of September.

Action Items:
" Roz and Kaywana to attend open house.
" Kaywana to ask Dianne to prepare a 1/3 page ad for the French Centre publication.