The Focus of the
meeting was on keeping the family organizations going. Just as
FAFA was organized to keep the Acadian Family organizations in
Canada functioning after CMA 1994, CAFA was organized prior to the
conclusion of CMA Louisiana-1999 to assist the Acadian family
organizations in Louisiana. At the present, 37 of the 57
organized family reunion organizations are dues paying members of
CAFA. It was voted by the attending delegates to raise the
annual dues to CAFA to $100 per association. This would
begin January 1, 2000, although the CAFA Board of Directors
have indicated that with the excellent prospect of getting
sufficient sponsors, this could be tabled to such time that
the financial needs of CAFA would be greater. It had been
envisioned by the organizers that this organization could operate
without being a burden on its members, but rather by business
sponsorship.
After hearing from anyone with remarks or
questions, the gathering split up into 4 distinct gatherings for
round table discussions on: genealogy, newsletters, finances,
and keeping the Family Associations functioning and active.
Two of the main ideas were that each family association continue
having meetings and keeping in touch with their members. The
recommended manner for this would be by newsletter and mini-reunions
between the larger Congre Mondials.
Genealogy proved to be a very popular topic at
the reunions. One of the four breakout sessions in the
afternoon encouraged the family organizations to donate their data (GEDCOMS
and books being the most usable format) to libraries, specifically
the Acadian Memorial Library.
One of the board members gave a brief overview
of the new expansion program at the Grand Pre Visitors Center.
One of the rooms will be a Louisiana Room. We may be asked to
furnish artifacts and other material for the exhibits. It was
noted that the Deportation Cross, erected in 1924, in Grand Pre was
financed almost entirely by donations from Acadians in Louisiana.
The finance segment of the meeting covered
financing CAFA, as well as financing the individual family
organizations. The reports showed that though each family was
hoping to break even with their own reunions, the vast majority were
financial successes. It was also recommended that if
individuals or businesses desired to join CAFA, it would be
permissable. Such membership would be non-voting, and be at
$15.00 per year.
Remarks were made that very little news was
coming from Nova Scotia about CMA 2004. Eddie Richard then
explained that it was still very early and we need to exercise
patience. Mr. Richard further explained that
CAFA had been invited to send a delegate to attend a planning
meeting of the CMA-2004 Committee in Nova Scotia. This would
be for the election of the CMA 2004 Committee and officers,
and start laying the groundwork for CMA 2004.
A report on that trip follows this summation.
The subject of a Web Site for CAFA was
then explored at length and the officers were charged with securing
such a site. This site on the web would serve as the index to
all the Acadian family organizations. Tim Hebert volunteered
to host a small site pending the development of the complete site.
Costs were discussed, both for the site and to each individual
family, but no firm amount was agreed upon. This was done with
the hope that sponsorship would cover the complete cost.
(Note: since the meeting, the registration and sponsorship
have been accomplished. The new site will be: www.cafa.org.
The next topic was Insurance. Though
coverage was afforded to the families through a broad coverage
policy paid for by CMA 1999. The actual coverage was not as
broad as many family officers thought. This coverage is over.
The policy has expired. Therefore families holding functions,
especially with food, beverages (especially alcoholic), rides, etc.
should look into buying a liability policy. CAFA is looking
into the possibility of such a policy to cover its member
associations. This would be expensive and the member
associations would have to vote on such a matter, especially the
funding.
The representatives from two families, the
Comeaux and Robichaux families, came forward and donated $200
each to CAFA. A few others indicated that they would do
likewise.
After enjoying a delicious gumbo prepared by
Andy Soileau, the Board of Directors and Delegates reconvened and
voted on the motions that had been made by the whole group.
All were voted in the affirmative.
After discussion the Board voted to increase
the delegate strength to two delegates and two alternate delegates
from each member family. The recommendation is that each
family try to appoint a delegate and an alternate from each end of
the region.
The next item of business was the election of a
Board member to fill the seat vacated by the death of Errol Brent
Broussard. Lea Ann LeJeune was nominated and elected
unopposed.
The meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM.
Congres Nouvelle-Ecosse-2004
The first organizational meeting
for Congre Mondial-2004 was held on Nov. 18 and 19, 1999 in
Darthmouth, Nova Scotia.
This meeting was organized by Ron
Bourgeois and Vaughne Madden from Nova Scotia. Approximately
120 people from all parts of Nova Scotia attended. Mr. Leonard
Goguen and Mr. Robert Fernette from New Brunswick and Mr. Eddie
Richard from Louisiana were also present for the meeting. Mr.
Goguen is immediate past president of FAFA, an organization
dedicated to the continuance of Acadian Family organization.
Mr. Fernette was Chairman of CMA-1994 in New Brunswick. Mr.
Eddie Richard is Vice President of CAFA and was chairman of the
Family Reunion Committee-West for the just completed
CMA-Louisiana-1999.
Mr. Goguen, in his presentation to
the group, related their successful experiences in 1994 with the
over all organization for the Congre. Eddie, in his
presentation, also explained the planning and organization for the
reunions in Louisiana including finance, programs, family
reunions, and administration. Mr. Richard also explained the
details of the planning and assistance given to all 57 family
reunions held in Louisiana in 1999.
The group agreed that CAFA would
be the organization in Louisiana that would be recognized as the
organization to assist them with their Congre.
During the meeting a Board of
Directors was elected. One representative was elected from
each area of Nova Scotia. Elected are Neil Boucher, Jennifer
Bourque, Napolean Chiasson, Jos Cottreau, Michel
deNonCourt, Harley d'Entremont, Pauline d'Entremont, William Girroir,
Julie Oliver, and Allister Surette. Responsibilities and
Functions of the board were also approved.
"My opinion is that Ron and
Vaughne did a very good job in organizing their first meeting and
judging by the number of people attending, the interest and
enthusiasm shown, they are off to a very good start." said
Eddie.
Signed: Eddie Richard
