Minutes of the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English Language Arts
Annual Business Meeting
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, WI

I. Call to Order
President Carol Conway-Gerhardt called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M.

II. Approval of the Agenda
After adding “Arts in Education” and deleting “NCTE Cosponsored Speaker Program” under new Business, a motion was made by Mary Hoppe and seconded by Mary Graber to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried.

III. Secretary’s Report-Approval of Minutes from April 27, 2001
Mary Sue Bethke made a motion to approve the minutes as edited, ( Lynn Aprill’s last name has two “L” s). The motion was seconded by Debbie Kinder. The motion carried.

IV. Foundation Trust Officer Report
1.) As reported by Marty Wood, the Pooley Fund is in good shape. The total invested assests are just over $40,000, and the accounts earned between 9.0- 9.2%. In addition, the cash account balance was $4, 438.59 as of March 28, 2002. The convention expenses of $2,400 will come from the cash account. Much thanks was given to Jack Kean’s past leadership. Tom Scott motioned to accept the report. It was seconded by Mary Hoppe, and the motion carried.
2.) Marty Wood also reported a need for new trustees to fill current and/or anticipated vacancies. A motion to accept the nominations of Mary Hoppe and Debbie Kinder was made by John Zbikowski and seconded by Scott Oates. The motion carried.

V. Treasurer’s Report
1.) Scott Oates presented a budget summary for 2001-2002 and a proposal for the 2002-2003 budget. (See attached proposal and summary for specific details.) Debbie Kinder motioned to have $10,000 of cash on hand placed into a one year, high interest CD. Marty Wood seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
2.) Amendments to the proposed budget included the following: The term “CESA “should be changed to “WCTELA Districts”, “Current Revenues” should be changed to “Cash on Hand”, and publications should increase by $200 (from $6,500 to $6,700) to cover the cost of printing and mailing election ballots.
3.) A motion to accept the proposed budget as amended was made by Debbie Kinder and seconded by Tom Scott. The motion carried.


VI. Officer Reports
A 2nd Vice President-Tom Scott
Tom Scott said the most immediate decision is whether the convention will remain in Appleton. A meeting will occur after the convention sessions today, and a decision will be made. Everyone interested in having input is encouraged to attend. The dates for next year’s convention are April 3-4, 2003.
B. 1st Vice President-Debbie Kinder
The convention seems to be successful, and a formal evaluation will occur after the event. Debbie Kinder commended Marti Matyska, Scott Oates, Judy Knoll, Eric Dimmitt, and Eric’s staff for all the help and work on the convention.
C. President-Carol Conway Gerhardt
1.) Carol reported that the organization began with the retreat at St. Benedict’s Center in Madison where goals for the organization, officers, and district director’s were established. WCTELA has worked toward those goals, and has made significant progress toward several including the following: fostering the implementation of the new curriculum guide, making connections with other groups, getting district director’s more active, and producing meaningful publications.
2.) A letter commending the organization for its efforts and convention from Millie Davis, on behalf of NCTE, was read.
3.) Carol gave the incoming president the task of reconsidering and updating the By-laws.

VII. Committee Reports
A. Membership
According to Scott Oates, WCTELA has an estimated membership of 320.
B. Publications/Publicity
1.) John Zbikowski has been working on updating and changing the web page. This year the Pooley Awards were on the webpage.
2.) Carol Conway Gerhardt commend Ruth Wood and Anne Stintson for their continued work with the English Journal.
C. Professional Issues
WCTELA met with Elizabeth Burmaster to discuss local writing assessment and statewide assessment in general.
D. Censorship/Intellectual Freedom
Emily Tymus, a teacher at Nicolet High School, represented WCTELA when she attended the Intellectual Freedom Institute.
E. Conference on English (CEL)
Tom Scott briefly explained the CoLearn Initiative. It is a computer based staff development project. NCTE is solicitiing CEL member participation.
G. Wisconsin Conference for English Education (WCEE)
Scott Oates and Helen Dale are the liasions for this group.
H. District Director Liaison (Reported by Bonnie F.)
Carol Conway Gerhardt recognized the appointment of Mary Graber as the new District Directors’ Liasion. Mary Graber said she looks forward to the new challenge.
I. Archivist
Helen Dale has agreed to be the archivist, but Carol Conway-Gerhardt will contact Tim Hirsch to confirm that he has given up the position.

VIII. DPI Liaison Report
Ellen Last reported that the DPI is under pressure from the US Department of Education to assess all standards of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations . This will require assessment of the oral language standards, and the DPI has proposed some possible ways to do that. Currently, the DPI is awaiting approval from the Department of Education before proceeding.

IX. Old Business
A. Convention Dates and Sites for 2003 and 2004
(See information under 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents’ reports)
B. Competitions
The organization is looking for leadership in some of these positions, so if anyone is interested, he/she should contact Debbie Kinder.

X. New Business
A. Officer Election
Jackie Martindale has been nominated for 2nd Vice President. There were no other nominations from the floor. Mary Sue Bethke moved to accept the nomination of Jackie Martindale as 2nd Vice President. Tom Scott seconded the motion; the motion carried. Jackie’s name will be submitted for elections.
B. District Director Nominations
There are currently Director openings in Districts 4, 9, and 10. If you know anyone in those districts that might be interested, please contact Mary Graber or Bonnie Frechette so a ballot can be formulated and distributed.
C. Regional Affiliate Representative
Debbie Kinder motioned, and Lynn Aprill seconded confirmation of Chris Van Hoof as the regional affiliate representative. The motion carried. D. Summer Retreat
The retreat will be at St. Benedict’s Center in Madison on Aug. 1-2. E. Fall and Winter Meetings
The fall and winter meetings will continue to be held at the Holidome in Stevens Point. The dates have been set as Sept. 13-14, and Feb. 7-8.
F. Arts in Education
Incoming President, Debbie Kinder, will appoint someone to this position.
G. Commendation of Outgoing President
Debbie Kinder moved to commend Carol Conway-Gerhardt for all of her efforts on behalf of WCTELA despite her numerous other obligations. Tom Scott seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. Thanks, Carol!
H. Commendation of Convention Chair
Mary Graber moved to commend Debbie Kinder and her committee for the incredible work they did on this year’s convention. The motion was seconded by Carol Conway-Gerhardt and unanimously approved. Thanks, Debbie!

XI. Adjournment
Mary Sue Bethke motioned for adjournment; it was seconded by John Zbikowski. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 A.M.