adding Steve was a major turning point in the Association’s life.  “It has led to steady improvement in the learning value of our meetings, in the value of our website resources, and in our ability to sustain and grow learning themes over time and between quarterly meetings.”   It also changed the executive director’s role.  Since the staff change, the Association’s formal and informal advocacy efforts have expanded.  The executive director’s report to the Wisconsin ethics board reflects a 35% increase in the year following the assistant director’s addition to the staff.  After three years, lobby-related hours have increased by almost 60%.34

Less measurable but just as important, the director’s and Association’s role has expanded in building other types of partnership activities.  Some of the key activities over the new decade have included:

·          the executive director addressing approximately 1,000 members of  the Wisconsin Counties Association in fall, 2001, to reinforce our partnership and their leadership in appointing district board members;

·          district board members committing to attend and participate in WTCS board meetings and events and creating a working group to seek new opportunities for partnership with the state board;

·          reaching out to Wisconsin’s two tribal colleges to encourage their participation in ACCT;

·          active participation of the WSG student government president in Boards Association meetings and of the Association executive director in WSG meetings;

·          through the interdistrict/interagency cooperation committee, board member support and participation in the development of the WTCS insurance trust, eTech college of Wisconsin, and CCBenefits socioeconomic benefits study; and

·          the Association’s leadership realizing an extraordinary 5,000 square foot interactive showcase of WTCS programs and opportunities as part of the WI Association of School Boards convention in January, 2001.

The 2001 Wisconsin Association of School Boards convention brought dozens of technical college faculty, staff, students, and board members together with interactive technology and hands-on demonstrations around clusters of learning programs.  Hundreds of visitors attempted virtual surgery, ran an “ultrasound” machine, explored a virtual firearms range, and interacted with youth apprenticeship students, among many other exhibits and demonstrations.  Omnitech Computer Corporation loaned the exhibition 40 new computer systems through MATC-Milwaukee, and donated several new laptop computers to be awarded as door prizes to visitors’ school districts.

Technology Drives Change

As office and communications technology has changed, the Association has moved rapidly to an electronic-based communications system.  Two district boards, Chippewa Valley and Western Wisconsin, began a pilot program of “paperless” communication with the Association through email and the internet in 2003.  The experiment has become almost invisible, however, the Association’s communication with members and partners is increasingly electronic.

The Association website, www.districtboards.org, has quickly evolved in its capability, having undergone both a major redesign and regular improvements.

The early 2000 years are also marked by bringing office systems and Association operations to a new level.  Led by Marge Linse, Chippewa Valley, the Association reviewed, rewrote and adopted reworked bylaws, policies, and procedures, staff position descriptions, and a first-ever person