BC. BRITISH COLUMBIA PARENTS FOR FRENCH B.C.P.F. NOW HAS A PERMANENT OFFICE AND AN OFFICE MANAGER! In December, we rented a small downtown office from La Fédération des Franco- -Columbiens (F.F.C.} Since 1975 B.C.P.F. has grown to include 33 local chapters. This growth has increased the workload of the volunteer Board of Directors, and in order to carry on in an effec- tive manner we found it necessary to employ a part- time office manager. We were lucky to get Karen Kinsey, former CPF West Vancouver President. Karen is there part- time, and has an answering machine which she checks daily. The address is: 104 - 853 Richards Street, Vancouver, V6B 3B4 Telephone: 685-2707 This frees the Board members to sit on several Ministry of Education committees, attend and give workshops at the request of other organizations, and work in close collaberation with La Fédération des Franco- Colombiens and I’Association des Parents pour le Programme Cadre de Francais towards our common goals. 1985 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of Canadian Parents for French B.C. Chapter May 3, 4 and 5, 1985 at the Village Green Inn (542-3321) 4801 - 27th Street Vernon, B.C. {A.G.M. May 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m.} C.P.F. MEMBERSHIP In this uncertain educational climate of 1985, B.C.PF. is working around the clock at preparing and presenting briefs to schoo! boards and the Provincial Government aimed at protecting and improving French Language programs. In our relationships with governments, we generally take a non-political, well documented and constructive approach, which is undoubtedly why our input is requested and respected. It is certain that were it not for the virtually fulltime support and commitment of a number of very effective C.P.F.ers, French language programs in B.C. would not have expanded to the point at which they are today. Unfortunately, many parents feel that once their children are accepted in a French program they need have no further concern. Although it is natural that not all parents will take as active an interest in their children’s education, as some, these same parents are often the first to be out- raged and shocked when things don't turn out the way they expected them to. This is why they need to support C.PF., because those of us with the time, interest and knowledge about the pro- gram are looking at, and res- ponding to, questions that these same parents may never have yet considered. Ques- tions about: - Enrollment policies. - Federal and Provincial funding. - Restraint and the quality of French programs, and “‘Let’s talk about schools.” - Secondary Immersion - there are lots of problems to be worked out here before the Grade 3-4 bubble hits secondary. 1985 A.G.M. THEME: “FRENCH LANGUAGE EDUCATION A TRADITION FOR TOMORROW” This year’s A.G.M. in Vernon promises to be another great forum for discussion and information exchange. B.C.PF. will sponsor one or two delegates from each chapter and chapters are encouraged to sponsor additional delegates if possible. If you are interested in attending, contact your District Representative. The Registration deadline is April 15. The workshops and speakers are not, at presstime, ‘all confirmed, but will probably include: 1. More on C.P.F. and the Constitution - Dick Nesbitt, Lawyer. 2. Early and Late French Immersion - Tony Oldenhof, Vancouver French Co-ordinator. 3. Secondary Immersion - Lione! Daneault, Coquitlam French Co-ordinator. 4. Core French - Rick Woods - Kelowna French Co-ordinator. 5. Public Speaking and Running a Meeting - Lorna Dysart, Kelowna C.P.F. 6. Presenting a Brief - Linda Cumming, Richmond C.PF., Lynda Lightfoot, Past Chairman B.C.PF. 7. B.C.PF. Orientation - recommended for new members - Ann Buffam, Chairman B.C.PF. Provincial Newsletter MARCH/APRIL 1985 - Creating a pro-bilingual attitude. - Promoting French outside school - summer camps, field trips, resources. - Quebec exchange development and funding - negotiations. - Teacher qualifications and the need for French co-ordinators. - The local Universities - need to prepare for our bilingual children. Needless to say, these questions affect all our children, and all immersion and interested parents should belong to C.P.F. B.C.’s membership is the highest in Canada at 2400 families, but with enrollment now at about 12,760, it should be double that size. Please try to geta new member this month — the larger our membership, the more effective and credible we become AND DON'T FORGET TO RENEW! We also expect to hear addresses from Stewart Goodings, National President, and Dr. Geoff Mills. CALLING ALL ~ RESOLUTIONS! Resolutions must be presented, in writing, to the B.C.P.F. Secretary, Barbara Patterson, not later than April 12, 1985. They must be provincial in scope and be accompanied by background information setting out the rationale and giving supporting evidence. Resolutions received after the deadline will be considered emergency resolutions, and will require a two-thirds vote of members at the AGM to be considered. A simpie majority is required for approval.