WALCE MEETING MINUTES
MAY 16, 2002
STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN

Board Members Present: Troy Kuphal, Tom Sweeney, Shawn Stocks, Penny Pohle, Rick Mechelke, Dan O’Connell, Mark Jenks, Paul Tollard, Don Franke.  Absent:  Dale Olson, Greg Baneck.

Advisors Present:  Don Houtman, Andy Yencha, Pat Murphy.

Call To Order:  Troy Kuphal, President called the meeting to order.  Introductions of new and old area  representatives and board members was presented by Troy.

 Minutes:  Motion was made by Don Franke to accept the February 28, 2002 minutes as written.  Dan O’Connell seconded motion.  Motion carried on voice vote.

 Treasurer’s Report:  Tom Sweeney reviewed the Register Report, Cash Flow Reports.  Shawn Stocks made a motion to approve the Cash Flow Report & Register Report.  Paul Tollard seconded the motion.  Motion carried on voice vote.

 2002 Budget Review:  The committee summarized the 2002 budget. Recommendation that Tom revise report format to be easier to read and understand.  Tom agreed this needed and will have a CPA help him set up a program that is compatible for WALCE. 

 Membership Update:  Rick Mechelke suggested to update the new employees in the state.  If the membership can be updated every year is will be much easier to keep track of employees.  Troy will contact a person to set up a web environment so we can keep the membership active.

 Troy went over the communication policy that was sent out in the area representatives folders.  Don Houtman is going to check on status of employee addresses and e-mails.  Don will send everything to the area representatives.  Shawn will send out an e-mail to everyone with the updates. 

 2002 Conference Review:  Reviewed all evaluations that were handed in at the conference.  Great reports and a lot of helpful ideas for 2003. 

 2003 Conference Committee:  The conference will be held in LaCrosse.  Vice President Dale Olson will be chair of this committee.  Planning committee will consist of hosting county and surrounding counties.  WALCE members and agency representatives will be appointed to the planning committee. 

 2004 Conference:  The conference will be held in Milwaukee County.  Different facilities will be looked at and brought to the WALCE Committee.  A facility needs to be booked soon because of competition.

 Strategic Plan:  Minutes were handed out from Internal Issues Committee of Jan. 10 & 11, 2002.  Status: Final recommendation was to “Form a joint WALCE/WLWCA Committee to explore options which will improve the effectiveness and accountability of both organizations through the joining of resources.”  Several attempts were made, but the WLWCA board appears to feel everything is fine the way it is, so it has not been a successful venture. Don Franke suggested that we reconvene the Internal Issues Committee and explore a different direction.  The Board discussed it further and concluded the same. Things to explore include a need for dividing up duties and responsibilities based on diverse membership needs, taking stands on issues vs. preparing position papers, etc.  Troy recommended providing the IIC with more specific tasks and questions. 

 Paul Tollard suggests that membership has not changed that much.  Create a more effective WALCE with more participation.  Pat Murphy also suggested to give WALCE the time for strengthening the organization.  We should have a membership goal of 300.   Troy will take the lead to form an Internal Legislative Issues Committee.

The Association could make better use of the Web Site. Area reps were asked to explore WALCE’s site and come up with recommendations for the next meeting.

 Committee Appointments:  A new list of committee appointments. See attached.

 Legislative Update:  See attached Summary of Proposals for staff funding.  Troy Kuphal will keep in touch with all issues of this.

 Nonpoint Rules:   ATCP 50 – the senate committee opposed rules based on some critical issues.  We are not sure what changes will be at this time.

 Proposed State working agreement between NRCS, WLWCA and WALCE:  Don expressed disappointed that WALCE was not consulted in the construction of a working agreement that included there own organization and questioned its value to us.. Troy indicated he would like to pursue meaningful changes to the working agreement before deciding whether or not to sign.

 Regional NACD Conference.  A policy is needed for board members attending conferences.  Prior approval for all members attending needs to be brought to the WALCE Board before booking or registering for this Conference/Meeting.  A motion made by Rick Mechelke to require full attendance at meeting and a full report to be brought to the annual WALCE meeting. Discussion:  Rick clarified that each person should be authorized by the board to attend the entire conference and attend as many as possible sessions.  A report needs to be given at the next board meeting after the NACD Conference and at the WALCE annual meeting.   Paul Tollard seconded the motion as clarified by Rick Mechelke.  Motion carried by voice vote.

 Agency Reports:

DATCP – NA

DNR – NA

 NRCS – Pat Murphy reported on the Farm Bill and Nutrient Management and  Conservation Planner Certification.  Applications for Certification will be sent out soon.  Various training sites through out the state are being established.

 UWEX – Andy Yencha told the committee that multi agency grant money of $250,000 for grazing initiatives.  A call is out for Nutrient Management education program for farmers is $100,000.   Andy handed out the local Basin Educators.  Publication on new standards will be coming out soon.

 Next Meeting Date:  July 11,2002 at the Annex Building in Stevens Point.  Additional meetings will be August 22, 2002 at the Schmeeckle Reserve, October 24, 2002 at Schmeeckle Reserve, December at WLWCA Conference in Manitowoc.

 Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn made by Dan O’Connell.  Seconded by Mark Jenks.  Motion carried by voice vote.

Respectively Submitted:  Shawn Stocks, WALCE Secretary