Minutes of Annual Meeting - November 11, 2000, New Iberia, La.

CAFA's Annual Meeting was held at the New Iberia Recreation Center, 300 Park Dr., New Iberia, La. with approximately 75 members and guests attending.

President A. J. LeBlanc called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., Loubert Trahan offered a prayer for the group and Dudley Duhon led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and reminded all of us that today was Veteran's Day and to remember all veterans in our thoughts and prayers.

Secretary Shirley Leblanc read the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on November 6, 1999.  It
was moved by Dudley Duhon and seconded by John Melancon to accept and approve the minutes as read.  The motion was passed.

Loubert Trahan, Treasurer, reported on the financial status of CAFA.  The bank balance being $13,506.07.  A couple of items were brought to the attention of the members:
*  Family donations were $4200.00.
*  The total cost for the web site for one (1) year was $344.00, and that the cost for the next year
   will be $180.00 for the year.
*  St. Famille Project Collections and remitted was $550.00.
*  The amount deposited for the French Immersion Project was $8500.00 with $7963.34 remaining  to be spent.  Moved by Eddie Richard and seconded by Ray Leger to accept the Treasurer's report.  Motion passed.

French Immersion Project was reported by Eddie Richard.  He explained the reason and the idea for this project.  After CAFA did a survey of the French Immersion Schools, the top priority appeared to be the need for teaching materials, books, etc.  The second priority is for physical help from the community.

Eddie encouraged the members to go back to their individual families and encourage them to participate in the French Immersion Project.  He explained the method of contacting the schools and teachers by explaining the project to principals, teachers and Friends of Immersion.

Antoine LeBlanc shared the information that Canada sent 22 cases of books to CAFA to be used in the French Immersion Project.  These books were delivered to Nicole Boudreaux, Director of French Immersion, Lafayette School Board.

Guest speaker, Judge Allen Babineaux was introduced by President A. J. LeBlanc.  Judge Babineaux held everyone in attendance with a heartfelt speech and a reminder of who we are and where we came from and that it was destiny that brought us here to Louisiana.  He also reminded us that we are Americans, Louisianans and Acadians and that we should always be proud of who we are and that it is important not to limit ourselves to just one language.

He sees "Our" role as Americans is yet to come because we hear in America today that democracy is liberty and equality while the democracy that Acadian people believe in is liberty, equality and fraternity.  Judge Babineaux explained the meaning of fraternity by the festivals and reunions held in the area.  He also expressed his excitement and pleasure in the French Immersion Project being undertaken by CAFA.

Antoine LeBlanc reminded everyone about June 6th being Acadian Day in Louisiana.

Proclamations of Thanks were given to Eddie Richard and Loubert Trahan for their dedication and hard work by President Antoine LeBlanc.

President LeBlanc read the list of the 38 families belonging to CAFA.  Each family attending were given 2 voting ballots and cards.

President LeBlanc recommended the appointment of Loretta Jambon to fulfill the remaining 2 years of the term of Karen St. Germain after asking for nominations to fill that position with the stipulation being that person should be from the East section of Acadiana.  It was approved unanimously that Loretta Jambon fill the position.

Loubert Trahan reported that he attended the DeChamp Family organizational meeting.  They have expressed an interest in becoming a member of CAFA.  Loubert stated that he is not proposing to change CAFA's by-laws.  The present by-laws would permit such membership.  He felt that it may be just a little premature at this time, but may be something that we may think about for the future.

A. J. LeBlanc discussed various ideas that were brought up during the informal coffee sessions held bi-monthly:
*  In 2003 people of all cultures will be recognized during the celebration of the 200th year of the Louisiana Purchase.
*  Mini-reunions of family organizations could possibly be held during the 2003 celebrations.

With 38 families belonging to CAFA, the possibility is great for opening up family chapters throughout Louisiana.

Relie LeBlanc, President of the LeBlanc Family stated that their family is now planning a reunion in 2003.  Warren Perrin is presenting to the State of Louisiana a request from the LeBlanc Family for an umbrella type of liability insurance (along the same lines that was afforded to all families during CMA-1999). 

James Bourque stated that CAFA has a newsletter twice a year and hopefully the next one will be in the mail in the next 2 to 3 weeks.  All family news since the last newsletter and any new items of information are being accepted at this time.  He gave out the names of families that are being organized at this time in Nova Scotia for CMA 2004.

President LeBlanc then read the following Amendments to the By-Laws to be considered for change:
As it presently reads:

ARTICLE IX
3.  A vacancy created on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS by death, resignation or other cause will be filled by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors from nominations by members of the corporation.

It is hereby motioned to change to:
3.  A vacancy created on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS by death, resignation or other cause will be filled by a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors from nominations by Members of the corporation and be known as INTERIM DIRECTOR and will serve for the time remaining until the next annual meeting of the Corporation, at which time nominations will be opened and election held to fill the seat for the remaining years of the vacated seat.

NOTE:  Underlined portion is new language.

ARTICLE XI
It presently reads:

1.  There will be quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors.

It is hereby motioned to change to:

1.  There will be semi-annual meetings of the Board of Directors.

NOTE:  The change is underlined.

Johnny Comeaux made the motion to accept the change to ARTICLE IX and Relie LeBlanc seconded.  Motion passed.

John Melancon made the motion to accept the change to ARTICLE XI and Daniel Guidry seconded.  Motion passed.

Loubert Trahan brought up old business in regards to the $100.00 per family membership fee.  After discussion, James Bourque made the motion to set a one-time fee of $25.00 per family organization.  This was seconded by Sue Leger Neveau.  The motion passed.

The results of the voting ballots for 8 members to serve for 4 years on the Board of Directors were given:
   Ronald Blanchard - Blanchard Family
   James Bourque - Bourg, Bourque Family
   Johnny Comeaux - Comeaux Family
   Earline T. Conover - Broussard Family
   Betty Cormier- Ducharme  - Cormier Family
   Woodie Hebert, Hebert Family
   Shirley LeBlanc -Thibodeaux Family
   Ruby Melancon - Benoit Family

Shirley LeBlanc then reported on the Grand Pre Church replica being on display at Acadian Village during the Christmas Holidays and until June 2001 at which time it will be presented to Grand Pre Historical Park in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia. She also reported that the opening presentation of the replica given to Acadian Memorial will be sometimes in February 2001.

President LeBlanc announced that CAFA had received a check in the amount of $200.00 from the Thibodeaux Family and another check from Mr. & Mrs. John Allen LeBlanc in the amount of $500.00 for the French Immersion Project.  These two checks were received during the meeting.

Loubert Trahan moved and Ray Leger seconded the motion to adjourn the November 11, 2000 CAFA Annual Meeting.  The motion passed.

The Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

Upon the adjournment of the Annual Meeting, the new Board of Directors met shortly, and a motion was made by Johnny Comeaux that the present officers be reelected.  After asking for other nominations, 3 times, the nominations were closed, and the existing officers were elected by acclamation.  No other business was brought up, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.  After the adjournment, the new board and officers were photographed by some attending the meetings.  For a complete list of the officers, please go to the page Officers and Board.

Annual Meeting Photos

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