Minutes of the Hamilton-Wentworth Executive
Tuesday, September 24, 2009

Members: Rosalind Minaji, Kaywana Gargarello, Alicia Bragg, Cameron More, Christel Elliot, Louise Adam

Regrets: Debbie Edwards, Erin Cavarzan, Kyra Paterson, Dave Siefker

1. MINUTES

" Minutes of April 21, 09 were approved as recorded.

2. CHAPTER UPDATES

Chapter Executive Positions 2009/2010
" Alicia Bragg was introduced and welcomed and will be sharing the responsibility of membership secretary with Kaywana
" Cameron More will be acting as Treasurer on behalf of Myra Malley
" Congrats to Kaywana Gargarello who is now part of the Provincial Executive for CPF Ontario

Volunteer Hours
" Roz reported that the volunteer hours for the AGM and June picnic were recorded on line - thanks Roz!

Membership
" Kaywana to contact Ottawa for the exact number of new members for CPF Hamilton-Wentworth
" Roz mentioned that it's always a good idea to carry membership forms - good advice!

Treasurer's Report
" $240 was deposited to chequing account on September 23, 2009 - balance now at $3,667.59
" Savings account balance is $5.01 which will be left to keep it open (was used for exchange in the past)
" The Hamilton Community Credit Union has created a new category of business chequing accounts with the same features and benefits as other business chequing accounts without the monthly fee of $10 therefore the CPF account will remain at the Credit Union - the decision at the bank came about due to passionate feedback
" Thank you to Roz for keeping the website updated over the summer
" Cameron mentioned that he will check with his daughter to find out how to link the Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter to cpfont.on.ca
" It was noted that the domain page for cpfhamilton.ca is paid for 5 years
" Roz mentioned that the website needs to look the same as the Provincial one

Action Items:

" Roz reported that we are now eligible to receive the rebate CPF Ontario
" Cameron to inquire re establishing a link to CPF Ontario

Communications
" Kaywana suggested that a person/group develop a show rather than hire a singer/entertainer for future CPF events, i.e to replace the annual concert in March
" Kaywana suggested that a play might be the way to go - could be costly but Opera Hamilton might be a possibility
" Gregg LeRock is having a concert at Mohawk on March 2, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. - $10 per ticket - Roz contacted Gregg on behalf of CPF but he was not receptive to CPF sponsoring the event - he is doing the event on his own
" Roz mentioned that it would be a good idea to have one French Immersion Survival Night for all schools in a central area of Hamilton rather than the four events that took place earlier in the year - it was discussed that an entertainer would be great for the kids, parents to hear speakers, etc. and possibly French book sale - Louise suggested Dalewood as the facility has a gym, an auditorium and a foyer and the location is central
" Roz reported that Champlain Books in Toronto is now closed and that Beaux Books has relocated to Vancouver - CPF Ontario has advised that there is now a French on line book store
" Christel will contact On Line Books to see if they are interested in hosting a French book sale at Frenchapalooza
" Kaywana spoke to the committee about the possibility of a middle school social event - some suggestions were a trivia night, wii night, music/dance party perhaps in April 2010
" The library grant of $1,500 available to hold story time for 10 weeks for 10-15 children - it was a very successful event at the Hamilton Public Library in 2005 - we did not receive a grant for the Waterdown application in 2008 - an individual school could make application but most grants seem to be directed towards Chapters who have not received once in the past
" The Leadership Camp will take place in February 2010 - weekend retreat for grades 7 & 8 for approximately 60 students (north of Toronto)
" Roz mentioned that the AGM while poorly attended, was a great event due to the information re high scholarship exchange and the French Job Fair
" Thank you Roz for representing CPF at the annual Francofete at Gage Park in June - unfortunately, the location of the CPF table wasn't the greatest and there was another person selling cotton candy
" Christel indicated that the newsletter will be going out in mid to late October - it was noted that the newsletter costs are approximately $400 to $500 (3,500 to 4,000 copies) - items to include will be:
o PetitesPommes Camp
o FSL Consultant full-time appointment at the Separate School Board
o French Westfield Heritage tour on a Sunday in December
o Frenchapalooza (French Immersion Survival Night) on November 12, 2009 possibly at Dalewood Middle School (French book sale in foyer, entertainer for the children SK to Grade 2 in the gym, speakers for the parents in the auditorium)
o French for the future - essay contest

Action Items:

" Kaywana will look into an entertainer rather than a singer to replace the concert in March - possibly Helene Nicole
" Kaywana to recruit CPF member from Separate School Board
" Louise to approach David Hazell, Principal of Dalewood, re Frenchapalooza CPF French Survival Night on November 12, 2009 - will also inquire re parking due to the recreation centre and the possibility of guests donating $1 to the Dalewood Healthy Snack Program
" Christel to source out a company to host the French book sale for Frenchapalooza
" Roz to source out an entertainer and speakers (i.e. Hamilton Public Library, Christine Rees, etc.) for Frenchapalooza
" Roz to set up Facebook Group for CPF Hamilton-Wentworth - fan page
" Alicia to investigate copying costs for the newsletter through a contact

CPF Ontario News
" Kaywana reported CPF Ontario is proposing using the framework (of 5 basic goals) launched by CPF National as the structure for planning their year and in their application to Heritage Canada for funding
" At the conference there was a presentation on using Social Networking (Facebook & Twitter) to boost discussion and get people aware of issues - the presenter was shocked that CPF was not defined on Wikipedia
" CPF Ontario has been audited by Heritage Canada to see if we were an organization that efficiently used the funds they provided to achieve our mandates. There was a brief report on their comments, criticisms and review of our performance
" There was a question as to whether the National Conference is worth having every two years and Kaywana reported to the committee that she indicated to CPF Ontario that it is indeed very valuable

3. PROPOSED CHAPTER EVENTS

Event Planning
" Book sale in the fall possibly at Frenchapalooza
" French tour at either Whitehern, Dundurn Castle or Westfield Heritage at Christmas
" Winter French concert/event during March Break
" Sponsorship of Hamilton Reads French event
" Event for Middle School students
" Sponsored Concours Oratoire (prizes)

Action Items:

" Committee planning for the French Immersion Survival Night

4. SEPARATE SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES
" Kaywana reported that now that there is a FSL Consultant appointed full-time to the Separate School Board it may be easier to recruit a member for CPF Hamilton-Wentworth

5. PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES
" FIAC held it's first meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2009
" French Immersion enrolment is growing - official numbers will be ready by October 31st
" There is now a transportation consortium between the Public and Separate School Boards - General Manager is Kent Orr - Daryl Sage has accepted a position at TDSB
" There were some glitches regarding the bus lists on the first day of school but all worked out
" Secondary students are now eligible for a bus pass
" Dundas parents at the meeting asked advice re how to create a bus stop
" A bridge kit for French DRA (reading assessment) was developed over the summer - DRA scores in French Immersion are increasing
" Junior Writing Exemplars, French Read Aloud Kits, Kindergarten "Let's Talk About It" Series were developed for the French Immersion Program
" Ministry has indicated there will be funding for FSL - not sure of the amount
" Waterdown parents for French Immersion held a potluck picnic for K to Grade 2 families and it was very successful - 60 people attended the event held at Christie Conservation
" Sir Allan McNab students attended the Toronto International Film Festival with core French class
" French Library for kids on line - www.kidslearnfrench.com

6. FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY NEWS
None

7. OTHER BUSINESS
" Thank you Roz for the wonderful Volunteer gifts - very thoughtful!