WCTE Winter 2008 Board Meeting

Stevens Point

Ramada/Country Spring Hotel

Saturday, February 16, 2008

 

Members Present:  JoAnne Katzmarek, Karen Kelley, Tom Pamperin, Lynn Aprill, Tom Scott, John Zbikowski, Marti Matyska, Bill Schang, Scott Oates, Carol Conway- Gerhardt, Trista Dauk, Barbara Dixson

 

President JoAnne Katzmarek called the meeting to order at 8:08 with a welcome to new members and a round of introductions.   The agenda was approved and video production co-chairs will be added to our summer agenda.

 

Katzmarek postponed approval of minutes until later in the meeting when all had had a chance to read them. 

 

Tom Scott submitted his first treasurer’s report along with an update of additional posting of recent deposits. John Zbikowski estimated we have 256 current members.

 

Minutes of the November 8 board meeting were then amended to switch award recipient from Donna Pasternak to Carol before their approval.

 

Committee Reports

 

WCEE

Barb Dixson discussed her efforts to get a CEE session on next fall’s conference.  She will plan for an early session before the keynote. All noted the need for developing this sector w/in our organization to draw from the 38 schools in Wisconsin with teacher-education programs.

 

Katzmarek called for a task force to coordinate with WSRA convention planners to piggyback on Kylene Beers’ presentation. Carol and Kathy offered to help Tom.

 

Communications

No report but according to the previous minutes, Ruth has plans for the next two issues.

 

Update

Trista plans to get a mailing out w/a call for convention sessions proposals, advertising awards, an article from DPI’s Emilie Amundson, and additional news. Book Thief could also be added as suggested reading. Other recommendations/articles should be sent to jdauk@msn.com   Scott Oates promised to pull together things on the DPI design/leadership teams and upcoming programs. Trista will shoot for March 1st deadline and welcomes a co-editor.

 

 

 

Printing/Mailing

Scott Oates reported everything seems to be working well. Due to our earlier convention, we will need to get the Journal spring issue out before school is out in the spring.  Donna suggested we send an email w/links about convention to everyone w/ 300 license. Other suggestions followed about getting convention info out ending with a decision to get a hard copy of convention preview to UW by April 15 for a postcard mailing by end of May. Carol suggested using CESA printing.  John will check on this.

 

 

Web Site  

John reported 20-25 hits per week and noted 10x more during week of conference.  He’s added a search box for our web site, explained the failure of our blog, and suggested a wiki be added.    Kathy will talk to one of her students about the creation of one.

 

Awards 

Carol noted the need for recommendations for the outstanding student teacher award.  Early notification of the winner of our first year teacher award might be helpful for those w/o seniority who might lose job after their first year. Electronic nominations to Carol’s email for both awards are due May 1st.  Archivist, Emily Tymus, or Carol Conway-Gerhardt should compile a list of our past awards winners to be added to our web site and copy Trista for our next Update. Katzmarek suggested giving one award before each keynote at our next convention.

 

DPI Liason

Emilie Amundson was absent. No report.  However, since Tom and Scott had just been in Madison Monday and Tuesday, they provided an update on their work on State Standards and two organizations, the American Diploma Project and Partnership for 21st Century Skills for Workplace (aka P21).  Focus groups will discuss proposed changes across the state. Tom will suggest using our membership for these groups.  John recommended proposing a resolution to convey our position to be voted upon at our annual meeting.

 

Promising Young Writing Awards

JoAnne reported she’s looking for someone to take over the state coordination of this NCTE writing competition for 8th graders.

 

Officers’ Report

 

District Director’s Liason

Lynn Aprill reported that WCTE had a full slate of District Directors, with at least one in each district for the first time in years, but John then reported Dianne Graf’s resignation.  Lynn suggested giving district directors more responsibility for doing programs within their districts.  Carol suggested charging them with getting email addresses of members in their districts.

 

Second VP

Donna announced 10/23/09 as the date for her convention at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee w/our board meeting on the 22nd.   Her conference theme will be “English, For a Change” (She will focus on both social justice issues and for changes w/in our practice.)  Linda Christensen,  Harry Noden, Keith Gilliard (Multi-cultural change incorporating writing), Sara Holbrook, and Bob Peterson are on her potential keynote speaker list.  Because the Milwaukee location will be more expensive, she’s recommending a small $5 increase in the registration fee.  First year teachers’ breakfast perhaps underwritten by Great Source is a possibility.

 

First 1st VP

Emily was absent but submitted her report earlier. Following its reading, was discussion about speakers. Jeff Wilhelm may charge in about $2500. Suggestions included bringing back Boys Lit specialist, Michael Smith, whom Tom Scott brought in for his conference, and new WI poet laureate. Tom Pamperin has a Michael Perry connection and suggested a new idea for sharing % of attendance/registration fee to secure an expensive keynote speaker more reasonably.

 

President

JoAnne expressed her pre-convention concern with awards i.e. questions about what’s covered for awards attendees and suggested a “manual” outlining the awards’ details.  She also suggested rethinking who does conventions—maybe using conference co-chairs or a committee. Discussion followed on considering a by-laws change. John shared that NCTE has a convention planner .pdf file on their web-site.

 

Old Business

John raised the question of who we’ll send to the June 22-24th NCTE regional meeting, location TBA.  John recommended sending Emily and Donna since they are first and second vice presidents. NCTE will pay 2/3 of expenses; WCTE, the balance. If either cannot go, JoAnne will replace them so we can get representation. John recommended asking newer board members first because this was a good leadership development opportunity.

 

New Business

JoAnne will organize our summer board meeting likely to be 7/18-7/19 (Fri—9AM Thru noon Sat) at Lowell Hall/Pyle Center. She will attempt to get someone from NCTE to assist us possibly on WCEE. We will also hope to get more info on the state’s special committee work to propose a resolution re: state standards and DPI partnership literacy.