Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English Language Arts
Executive Board Meeting Minutes
Saturday, February 7, 2004
Holiday Inn, Stevens Point
Members Present: Tom Scott, Cindy Johnson, John Zbikowski, Jacki Martindale, Marti Matyska, Lynn Aprill, Roxanne Biffert, Scott Oates
President Tom called the meeting to order at 8:55 a.m. Tom made some additions to the agenda. We introduced ourselves to the group.
II. Secretary’s Report – Chris Van Hoof (in absentia)
Correction – Spelling of Gerhard Fischer. Scott moved to accept the September 20, 2003 minutes as printed. Jackie seconded, and the motion carried.
Scott brought a written report. We will be running a deficit budget this year if all expenditures are used. We will discuss this further under “New Business”. We do have cash reserves to cover this. Conference manager expenditure and Treasurer expenditure changes ($100 and $50) have not yet taken place. Discussion ensued as to whether those changes can be made yet or at the annual meeting. John felt the membership needed to vote on this for it to go into effect. More discussion about timing. Lynn Aprill moved to accept the treasurer’s report, Cindy Johnson seconded, and the motion was carried.
Joanne Katzmarek got funding for Alphie Kohn from the district fund. We’re still pending on the districts who will be hosting at the convention. District 10 will be hosting with one other.
B. Membership – Scott Oates
We had a membership of 341
as of July. Cindy suggested we do a
longer membership time period than one year.
Membership has been in steady decline.
We need to think about the services that new teachers expect and the
audience we are trying to reach. Lynn
commented that the new membership form worked well this year.
C. Publications/Website
· The Fall Journal went out on time. A second journal is in progress, focusing on a school district. A grant was received to fund this second journal.
· Update – Good comments on last Update. Director’s corner was a good new addition. Roxanne wants to focus on interest articles. Directors need to encourage members to write articles. Stay on the lookout for teachers doing interesting things. Professional development would be a good issue to cover. A great amount of discussion went into the WCTELA awards and how the membership should be kept abreast of them. Marti and Carol will get something together for the website, and a postcard will be sent to the membership with website information and awards listed so the membership knows where to go for info. The next Update will be in September and will feature the convention, professional development, solicitation of new members, conference proposals.
· Website – Renewal of our site is due now. We voted to pay for 5 years at $15 per year instead of $35 per year renewal. John will contact the convention speakers to get pictures of them for the website
D. Publicity
No report
E. Professional Issues
No report
F. Censorship/Intellectual Freedom
No report
G. Wisconsin Conference on English Leadership – Tom Scott
Tom is the program chair for the national convention in Indianapolis, which runs after NCTELA convention. We received handouts about the CEL convention to share.
H. Wisconsin Conference on English Education
No report
I. Ad Hoc Committee on Finances – Scott Oates
· Membership renewal – Scott is working on getting software which will allow members to renew during any month. This will mean budgeting extra time for Judy to take care of membership each month instead of twice a year. Scott is looking at the cost for outsourcing for this, but we think it will be too expensive. The by-laws need to be changed to do this.
· Printing recommendations – One journal per year; less 300 level mailings per year; send out electronic communications like NCTE does quarterly
· Questions to consider – Where is our membership culturally, professionally, and socially? Suggestion – professional network table at the spring convention
V.
Liason Reports
A. DPI Update - Gerhard Fischer
Gerhard handed out his bio and introduced himself to the group. He discussed the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum, which is similar to the data retreat process for analyzing test scores and standards and assessment. NCREL will be offering support for this initiative through workshops, etc. NCREL is now LPA (Learning Point Associates). He also shared information on the Wisconsin Writing Assessment. The WCTELA would like to take a position on state vs. local assessment. We will work with the DPI to get info. On writing assessment into the hands of board members and create a listserve to compile our opinions to create a position.
B. Elections/Nominations
Debbie Kinder is still working on a slate.
C. Awards
No additional report; see Publications
D. Foundations
No report
E. Wisconsin Communication Association
No report
VI.
Other Reports
A. 2nd Vice President
No report
B. 1st Vice President – Jackie
Martindale
Jackie is working on getting speakers to combine theory and practice. WCA is struggling to get a speaker for Saturday. Friday’s panel discussion with Dr. Beech and Wisconsin writers will concentrate on writing about place. A debate is being planned by the WCA—Deano is in charge of this.
C. President – Tom Scott
No additional report
VII.
Old Business
A. Statement of Inclusion
No report
B. Miscellaneous
· After much debate, we will be having a summer board retreat, probably on August 12-13. The board members will pay for rooms, etc., to keep the WCTELA costs to a minimum.
· Marti reported that we have a place (Madison Marriott West) and a theme (Wisconsin Speaks) for next spring’s convention
VIII.
New business
A. Recommendation on the State’s Writing
Assessment Program
See DPI Update
B. Slate for positions
There is no one at this time for 2nd Vice President. We discussed several possibilities.
IX.
Adjournment
Scott Oates moved to adjourn; Cindy Johnson seconded. The meeting adjourned at
12:05 p.m.