NOTE: There are new FAQ’s on the last page…your
burning question might be addressed this month.
Membership
meeting
Our
membership meeting on Friday, October 27, was attended by 60 members. Discussions included our fiscal situation
and membership, which are both strong.
Teachers, department chairs and officers were introduced and everyone
enjoyed food catered by Tom Anderson of Gourmet Grocers. Plans for the holiday party were bantered
about and a movement to bring back the wine and cheese tasting seemed to gather
for be held December 15 at noon, let Veronica Bergonzoni know. (see Livret for contact info)
Thad
Carver shared a delightful presentation about the history of La Causerie—which
is nearly 100 years old! You missed a
treat if you didn’t hear his presentation because Thad adds wonderful touches
of humor to everything he does. But you can
read about our history in our membership roster…minus Thad’s nice flourishes,
of course.
Speaking
of our membership roster, the “Livret” as it is called (pronounced
lee-VRAY)
was distributed at the meeting. If you were not present to get your copy, you
can pick one up near the coffee service in future weeks. Ask an officer if you can’t find a one
(they’re stored in our space in room 107).
Volunteer
Needed for One-time Task
Want a
short-term volunteer job that you can do sitting down? We are looking for someone to gently sift
through the La Causerie scrapbooks to select some interesting photos and
artifacts to share on the website. Our
webmaster Don Erickson is willing to participate, but since he’s brand new to
our group (well, as a student anyway) he’d like a more experienced member to
help. Let Inez know if you’re
interested.
Other
Volunteer Input
From time to time we have small, one-time things
that you can help us with, like printing handouts for a meeting through your
office, or setting up chairs and tables for a program or party. Please let us
know if you are willing to help out. Just hit your reply button!
Additions
and Corrections to the Livret
We have
some updates, corrections and additions to the Livret. You can pencil them into your copy or pick
up correction stickers (that you can paste into your book) at the coffee
service table. Note these changes:
Marta
Diaz’ email has changed
Sybil McClary’s email has changed
Please
add these two Associate Members to your Livret:
Margery Handy French
Julia M. Boutross French
Call
for Programs
A
special request was made at the membership meeting for program suggestions.
Normally six programs are offered each year in each language. These cultural programs generally include a
foreign language speaker talking about any topic that might be of interest to
our members. The program lasts about 30
minutes, with time for questions and answers and a dutch treat lunch afterwards. If you have an idea for a program or the
name of a possible speaker, let Joan Daniels or Inez Pennington know.
We had a fabulous response to our request for
snack donations and for volunteers to help set up and take down classroom
chairs, boards and tables. This is
really appreciated by our officers and members. You’re the best!
If you didn’t get the opportunity to help, let
Veronica Bergonzoni know that you’re available (see Livret for contact info). Or sign
up at the coffee service table.
Nov.
3 Classes Meet, Spanish Program at
Noon, christina Sell will make a
presentation (in spanish)
Nov.
10 Classes Meet, Italian Program at
noon, our own Tiziano Cherubini, on Pinocchio (in Italian)
Nov. 17 Classes Meet, French Program at noon (TBA)
Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Holiday; no classes
Dec. 1 Classes Meet
Dec. 8 Classes Meet, Italian Program at noon (TBA)
Dec. 15 All Classes Meet (except noon lab); Holiday Party at noon
Dec. 22 Christmas Holiday; no
classes
Dec. 29 New Year’s Holiday; no classes
Jan. 5 Classes resume
Then tell your department
chair.
Have a
facilities issue?
Then tell a board member, not
someone who works at the church. They
request that La Causerie issues, suggestions and requests be funneled through
Inez.
Executive Board Members
2006-2007
President: Inez
Pennington (see Livret for contact info)
First VP: Linda
Rei (Membership Chairman) (see Livret for
contact info)
Second VP: Veronica Bergonzoni (also
Chair of Hospitality) (see Livret for contact info)
Secretary: Joan Daniels (Program
Chair) (see Livret for contact info)
Asst. Secy: Dalene Bradford (newsletter / publicity) (see Livret for contact
info)
Treasurer: Linda Lyon (see Livret for contact info)
Asst. Treas: Mary
Lew McCarty (Textbook Chair) (see Livret for contact info)
More FAQ’s we’ve heard this year
Why do I have to fill out a “drop and
add form” to change a class? This isn’t
college.
Several of our classes are at peak enrollment. Keeping track of class sizes relates not
only to maintaining a good student/teacher ratio but also the very practical
issue of having enough space for another person to fit in. Would you rather
fill out a form, or enter a class where there is no chair for you?
Also, your officers don’t think it is fair for the
teachers to have to deal with this on the spot (that is, deciding whether to
turn someone away or let someone squeeze in).
The drop and add forms are the only way the Board can figure out what’s
happening with enrollment, class size and changing needs. If you see a better way, let Linda Rei, our
membership coordinator know.
Why isn’t La Causerie more organized,
like a school or college?
Yes, we also hear the flip side of the first
question. Some folks want to know why
we’re so “loosey-goosey” about some things.
If you want to help figure out the answers to these two questions,
there’s a place waiting for you on the (all
volunteer) Board next year. Remember,
there is no paid administration; we are completely run by volunteers. With so
many details of running a school, some things will naturally fall through the
cracks. We appreciate your help!
When do classes actually begin and
end?
Most classes begin on the hour and end at ten till
the hour. (The obvious exceptions are
the one and a half-hour French classes.)
Fifty minute classes allow students to change classes efficiently. Since most rooms don’t have clocks, students
should remind teachers ten minutes before the class ends. Teachers should then assign any homework and
end the session so the next class can begin on time.
How do I know if classes are canceled
due to snow, ice or inclement weather?
La Causerie Française
follows the Shawnee Mission School District’s decision about canceling
classes. If the Shawnee Mission District
closes its schools due to bad weather, La Causerie will also be closed. Please listen to the list of school closings
on television and radio. Please do NOT
call officers for this information.