WREA District 1 Meeting

The WREA District 1 meeting was held on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, in Rice Lake at Turtle Back Convention Center.  Approximately 60 district 1 members, invited speakers, and staff from the WREA office attended the meeting.
A panel of Wisconsin elected officials was first on the program.  Joe Baye was the moderator for a panel consisting of Senator Bob Jauch, Representatives Mick Milroy and Stephen Smith.  The panel commented on questions dealing with Public School Funding; Common Core Standards; The State Retirement System; and Communication with legislators from both sides of the aisle.
Next, the WREA presented retiring senator Bob Jauch with a plaque thanking him for his years of service to northern Wisconsin and his support to public education.
Following a short break, Dr. Bernie Hughes, Professor Emeritus from UW Superior presented on staying active during retirement years.  Dr. Hughes will be turning 90 this September.  His talk was filled with memories of this growing up, years in education, and time since he has retired.
Prior to lunch, the WREA District 1 Foundation Challenge Award winners were presented.  With the change from fall to spring district meetings, two winners were presented to the group.  Last years winner was Rice Lake Middle School and this years was Rhinelander High School.  Steve Hoersten from the Rice Lake MS presented the winning program and Susan Hampton, along with two students from Rhinelander, presented their winning program.
Following lunch, Nancy Cramer, District Manager of MASA made a short presentation of some of the available benefits for WREA members.
After Nancy's presentation a panel of WREA members presented their views on grassroots legislative contacts and what they thought should be WREA's involvement in lobbying for education legislation.  On this panel was Joe Baye, John Bigley, Bob Opsahl, and Terry Derleth.  The moderator for this group was David Bennett.
Those attending took a short afternoon break, then Ginny Pedersen and Lynne Kagelmann, both of the WREA State Membership Committee, made a presentation (Dog and Pony Show!) on the WREA Membership Toolkit developed by the committee.  They used hand puppets of a dog and a pony to help get their points across to the audience.  A set of these puppets was given as a door prize for those attending.
The meeting wrapped up with presentation of volunteer checks recognizing unit members for volunteer hours, door prizes of plants from tables, hand puppets, and dice from the casino, along with parting statements from John Osterloth, BCREA president, and Vic Bekkum, WREA president.

Legislative Panel

Dave Bennett and Vic Bekkum presenting award to Senator Bob Jauch

Dr. Bernie Hughes

Steve Hoersten - Rice Lake MS

Rhineland HS getting award

Vic Bekkum presenting Little Red Wagon Award

Nancy Cramer - MASA

Grassroots panel

Lynne Kagelmann - Membership Comm.

Ginny Pedersen - Membership Comm.

May 1st BCREA Meeting - Cumberland

About 60 members of BCREA met at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cumberland on Thursday, May 1st.   David Bennett, WREA Executive Director, was the featured speaker.  In informed the group on the history of the WREA, the lobbying efforts of the group, and other information concerning members of the organization.  He answered many questions directed at him from the members.
There were several items discussed and voted on during the business meeting.  The District 1 meeting will be taking place at Turtle Back in Rice Lake on Wednesday, May 7th.  BCREA will be hosting this event.  Volunteers are needed to help with this event and several members came forward to help.  The WREA State Convention will be held in Middleton on September 23rd and 24th.  John Osterloth volunteered to be the delegate representing BCREA.  There was a motion and second to provide financial help to those attending the convention.  This was passed by the members.
The summer picnic for the BCREA is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23rd at the Narrows Park in Rice Lake.  Members are to arrive at about 4 pm with the meal being served at 4:30 pm.  BCREA will be providing the meat, plates, napkins, etc.  Members are to bring a dish to pass and their own beverages.  Calls will be made prior to the picnic to get reservations and remind members of the event.
BCREA is still in need of a member to volunteer to be president-elect for 2014/16.  An member interested in this position is to contact an officer.  If member(s) know of a possible candidate, please let us know.
The group recognized one of our members at this meeting.  Mildred Carlson, who turns 100 this September was able to attend this meeting.  The members were pleased she was able to attend.  Two visitors were at the meeting.  Sharon Mosansky, retired custodian from Riverview in Barron and Jan Helgeson, retired 3rd and 5th grade teacher from Cumberland.
The officers of BCREA will be meeting in June to plan next years events.  Look for information on 2014/15 coming out in late August prior to our September meeting.

Dave Bennett - WREA Executive Director

Millie Carlson

Sharon Moseansky

Jan Helgeson