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CAFA HOLDS ANNUALMEETING IN NEW IBERIANovember 3, 2001 |
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Confederation of Associations of Families Acadian, Inc. CAFA’S Annual Meeting was held at
the New Iberia Recreation Center, New Iberia, LA with approximately 75
members and guests attending . Ronald Blanchard, James Bourque, Johnny Comeaux, Earline Conover, Dudley Duhon, Daniel Guidry, Woody Hebert, Loretta Jambon, Lea Anne LeJeune, Antoine LeBlanc, Shirley LeBlanc, Ruby Melancon, Eddie Richard, Loubert Trahan. Absent Betty Ducharme. President A. J. LeBlanc called the meeting to order at 10:10 A.M.. He welconed all and expressed our anticipation and participation of the upcoming Louisiana Purchase 2003 Celebration and CMA 2004. French Immersion students from Mytrle Place School, Lafayette, LA led members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in French. Loubert Trahan offered a prayer in French for the group. Moved by Dudley Duhon and seconded by Woody Hebert to accept and approve the minutes as read. Motion passed. Loubert Trahan, Treasurer, reported on the financial status of CAFA with the present bank balance. The family membership at this time consists 40 families. Moved by Lea Anne LeJeune; seconded by James Bourque to accept theTreasurer's report. The motion passed. The French Immersion Project was reported by Eddie Richard. The top priorities still appeared to be the need for teaching materials, books and etc.. The second priority is for physical help from the community. by more involvement. Eddie encouraged the members to continue encouraging the various families to participate in the French Immersion Project. Our Project received a huge boost from the Government Province of Quebec in a contribution of $10,000. All schools that are participating in the French Immersion Program were notified by mail and followed-up with phone calls as needed in regards to the distribution of these funds. Eddie reported that 27 schools were notified and 3 had not responded at this time. Eddie was curious to the fact that most of us know the French language but continue to speak English during our coffee breaks. He challenged us all to use the French language during the coffee break. Antoine LeBlanc shared the information that Canada sent 21 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. Loubert Trahan commented that he had approximately 15 boxes of basically religious books and if anyone knows of a Catholic oriented school that would be interested contact him. Woody Hebert, President of the Association of Hébert’s of the World presented to Eddie Richard a check in the amount of $1000.00 for the French Immersion Project. Louisiana Purchase Celebration 2003 - Eddie Richard reported that the application was ready to be submitted and the hard cash from the state is about $47,000 with inkind donations that amount should double. The idea is to get all families to meet in one central location in Lafayette. Each family would sponsor a booth offering food and/or genealogy as some of the suggestions. The second day possibly be in St. Martinville, Louisiana with a Mass and other programs. Eddie stated that the Commission would be meeting sometimes in the near future and he hoped that our application was accepted. Introduced by A. J. LeBlanc was guest speaker Kirby Jambon, French Immersion Teacher in the Lafayette Parish School system who was representing David Cheramie of CODOFIL. Mr. Jambon spoke on the needs of the French Immersion Program in Louisiana by stressing that the commitment to French education in Louisiana is strong and growing but it is always endangered. Kirby stated to the membership that the best way that CAFA could help in the French Immersion Program was to encourage our Louisiana citizens to become French teachers. He noted that we need the involvement of Acadian teachers to teach Acadian French. The older the program becomes the more people take it for granted. There is a need for funds to books and materials in French. The costs to translate English reading books to French reading books is very costly. He also pointed out that when the maximum time is spent in French the program works. Studies show that at the end of the 5th grade students involved in the French Immersion Program scored as high as non-French classes plus they have a second language. He remarked that “it has nothing to do with social status - THE PROGRAM WORKS”, the kids get to read and write in two languages. Studies also show that the sooner you begin a second language with a child the better. It’s a fact that speaking two languages is good and we need to preserve our French language in Louisiana. Kirby Jambon thanked CAFA for all it has done and continuing to do for the preservation of the French language in Louisiana. James Bourque reported on CMA 2004 - Family Reunions. Some families are organized; while others are becoming organized and there are some that hope to organize in the near future. James suggested that we view CAFA’s website www.cafa.org for updates. He hopefully will get the newsletter out in January or early February. Newsletters will be sent to officers of each family and it is the responsibility of each family to notify their respective members to the information in the newsletter. James personally asked that we to all contact our respective families in Nova Scotia for additional information. Remember how difficult it was for us in the early days of planning for CMA 1999 and how excited we were when we heard from Canada. They are waiting for us to contact them. He also stressed to send USA funds in form of a check or Postal Money Order. A. J. LeBlanc introduced Gary LeBlanc as one of our young people working for the future of the French language and culture. James Bourque moved and Allen Simon seconded to adjourn the November 3, 2001 CAFA Annual Meeting. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 11:45 A.M. Respectfully submitted Shirley LeBlanc CAFA Secretary -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confederation of Associations of Families Acadian, Inc. CAFA’S Annual Board Meeting was held at the New Iberia Recreation Center, New Iberia, LA. Roll call was noted with the
following Board members in attendance: James Bourque made the motion and Johnny Comeaux seconded to accept the minutes as read. Motion passed. Loubert Trahan discussed the convenience and the potential savings by some vendors in purchasing books and supplies for our French Immersion Program Project if CAFA would obtain and use a major credit card. Eddie Richard made the motion and James Bourque seconded to obtain a major credit card. Motion carried Accountant on Tax Free status is still in line to be approved was reported by Loubert Trahan. James Bourque made the motion and Johnny Comeaux seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 11:55 A.M. Respectfully submitted by: Shirley LeBlanc, CAFA Secretary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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