Minutes of the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English Language Arts

Annual Business Meeting

Saturday, May 3, 2003

Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton, WI

 

 

I.                     Call to Order and Approval of Agenda

President Debbie Kinder called the meeting to order at 7:45 a.m. John Zbikowski moved to approve the agenda as published. Carol Conway-Gerhardt seconded the motion; the motion carried.

 

II.                   Secretary’s Report-Approval of the Minutes from April 27, 2002

Mary Hoppe moved to approve the minutes, and Cindy Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

 

III.                 Foundation Trust Officer Report

Scott Oates reported on Marty Wood’s behalf.   No Pooley Award was given this year, and Marty Wood is planning a summer meeting of Pooley trustees to discuss potential changes in the requirements and distribution of Pooley funds.

 

IV.                Treasurer’s Report

Scott Oates presented the 2003-2004 budget. (See attached sheet.) There was some discussion about how to allocate the travel money. Travel money has been used to subsidize the President’s and 1st Vice President’s travel to the national convention. Scott Oates suggested that the money be used to send a single person each year to the national convention to establish an institutional memory.  After further discussion, the consensus was to stay with the current process, but a final decision will be made at the fall board meeting.  Membership concerns were also discussed.   It has been very difficult to track paid membership and provide accurate lists to directors.  Scott Oates agreed to discuss this with Judy Knoll and see if there are any procedural revisions that could be made. Carol Conway-Gerhardt suggested that CESA Rebates should be retitled District Activities, and that change was made.  Carol Conway-Gerhardt made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report with the CESA title change.  Mary Hoppe seconded the motion; the motion carried.

 

V.                  Officer Reports

A.      2nd Vice President-Jackie Martindale

The convention theme for next year will be, “Linking Practice and Theory”.  It will be held in Appleton, on April 29-May 1. Jacki has ideas for speakers, and she will be working on setting the schedule.

B.      1st Vice President-Tom Scott

The convention went well, and Tom enjoyed working with WCA officer, Deano Pape.

C.      President-Debbie Kinder

Bill Schang was elected 2nd Vice-President. 

 

VI.                Committee Reports

A.      Membership

Scott Oates will be working with Judy Knoll to see if the organization can improve the system of tracking current members.

B.      Publication/Publicity

There will be no Spring Update, but there will be an enhanced fall Update.  Scott Oates suggested that incoming President, Tom Scott, send a letter to members in place of the Update, and  Tom Scott agreed.  The Update deadline for the fall issue was suggested as May 31, but Tom Scott will check with Roxanne Biffert to confirm that date.

C.      Professional Issues

Under the direction of Debbie Kinder, work is being done with PI-34 at the university level.

D.      Censorship/Intellectual Freedom

Catherine Conover will be the liaison to SLATE; Tom Scott will contact her.

E. Conference on English (CEL)

Tom Scott reported that WCTELA  has agreed to host CEL’s spring meeting in conjunction with WCTELA’s 2005 Spring Convention. Members were excited and pleased about the possibility.

F. Wisconsin Conference for English Education (WCEE)

No report was given.

G.      District Director Liaison

No report was given.

H.      Archivist

Helen Dale is the archivist, and materials should be sent to her.               

 

VII.              Liaison Report

A.      DPI Liaison Report

WCTELA is interested in seeing that Ellen Last’s  replacement is connected with the organization.  Tom Scott and Jacki Martindale will work on making that connection.

B.      Wisconsin Communication Association

WCA is eager to continue the joint convention.

 

VIII.            Old Business

A.    Convention Dates and Sites for 2004 and 2005

The 2004 convention will be in Appleton, at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.  The 2005 convention has not yet been decided, but Milwaukee is strongly being considered.

B.      Arts in Education Liaison

We are still looking for someone to fill this position. 

C.      Promising Young Writers Coordinator

Joanne Katzmarek has agreed to fill this position.

IX.                 New Business

A.      Officer Election

Bill Schang has been elected 2nd Vice President.

B.      District Director Nominations

CESAs 4 and 9 need directors.  Incoming President, Tom Scott, may appoint someone to fill John Kurschner’s position, given John’s recent resignation.

C.      Summer Retreat Plans

The retreat will be held at St. Benedict Center in Madison on  July 31-Aug. 1.  Tom Scott will be contacting those interested in  APT tickets for the Thursday night show.

D.      Fall and Winter meeting Dates

The fall meeting will be Sept. 19-20, 2003, and the winter meeting will be Feb. 6-7, 2004.   Both meetings will be in Stevens Point at the Holiday Inn.

E. Commendation of Outgoing President

John Zbikowski moved to commend Debbie Kinder for the excellent work she has done supporting the board and all members in their work, especially ensuring that decision makers have sound information on the concerns of English teachers and teacher educators. Carol Conway-Gerhardt seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. Thanks, Debbie!

X.                  Adjournment

Carol Conway-Gerhardt motioned to adjourn, and Scott Oates seconded the motion.  The meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.