Wisconsin Section, American Association of Physics Teachers
Minutes of the Annual Business Meeting
October 30, 2010, at UW – River Falls, River Falls, WI
After a fabulous “give away” session in Centennial Science Hall, we all headed over to the University Center, then up 3 flights of stairs for lunch. During the lunch, all of the members of MAAPT, WAPT, and SPS were all mixed up in different rooms. It was noted that during this “mixed-up” portion of lunch, several “secrets” were exchanged between groups (for example, WAPT members found out that MAAPT has a lot more money than WAPT). Then, we separated everyone out into their respective rooms…
Meeting Start Time: 1:19 pm (which is actually a few minutes late). President Steve Sahyun presiding. His first order of business was to thank the UWRF folks for a job well-done in bringing WAPT and MAAPT and SPS to UW – River Falls. These thanks, of course, go to all of the people working behind the scenes, as well.
1. Minutes of the last meeting (October 31st, 2009) – Erik Hendrickson
Motion to accept the minutes as distributed was made by Jim Madsen, seconded by Lowell McCann. Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
2. Treasurer’s Report for 2009-10 – Erik Hendrickson
Please see the full text, including a nice graph, of Erik’s Report, but a few items were highlighted…
A. It was reported that our 1-yr CD earned $84.74 last year. Expenses were described briefly, including the outlay to TransGroup (this was for shipping physics equipment and books to the Applied Sciences and Technology unit of the Universite Gaston Berger, in Saint-Louis, Senegal). It was noted that Jim Reardon will soon provide a brief description of how that endeavor went.
B. Due to this being a “joint” meeting, we did not put the “first timers” awards on the registration page this year, but we’ll make sure to do it next year.
C. Motion to accept the printed treasurer’s report as distributed was made by Paul Nevins, seconded by Larry Stookey. Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
3. Section Representative’s Report – Jim Mallmann
Please see the full text of Jim’s Report (which was distributed on bright orange paper), but he highlighted a few items…
A. Jim pointed out that the AAPT has adopted a new set of “7 core values”. These will be available on the website soon.
B. Jim noted that the Winter AAPT Meeting is in Jacksonville, FL, and the Summer Meeting is in Omaha, NE (which is close enough to drive to). Just to plan ahead, the following Winter Meeting is in Ontario, CA (which is in California, not Canada).
C. He reminded us that if anyone would like to serve on any of the national committees, he could nominate you. The National Office would like to get more members involved at the national level. Remember, even if you are not a member of a national committee, you can be a friend of a national committee (you still attend the meetings, get emails about the happenings, etc.).
D. Check out the posters and video (http://www.aapt.org/Resources/) which can be used to encourage students to become majors and future teachers and members of AAPT.
E. Motion to accept the report was made by Matt Evans, seconded by Gary Baier. Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
4. High School Representative’s Report – Gary Baier
Please see the full text of Gary’s Report (which was distributed on yellow paper), but he highlighted a few items…
A. E-mentoring is a new initiative. Trying to help out isolated teachers. 50 AAPT members (but only 2 of them are university profs) have already volunteered. As your physics teacher graduates to out into the work force, let them know about this program. It lasts 1 – 3 years, helping the new teachers ease into the classroom due to assistance from a veteran teacher.
B. The AP program continues to be revamped at the Federal level. The multiple choice questions will no longer have a penalty for wrong answers. They are still working on the new physics tests (adding some electricity problems) for 2013.
C. Discussions at Portland meeting: The NRC of National Academy of Sciences is working on a draft for science standards that should be released in early 2011. AAPT chose to acknowledge the effort, but did not support the draft as it was written (physical science is not a substitute for separate physics and chemistry subjects).
D. Motion to accept the report was made by Brad Hinaus, seconded by Jim Mallmann. Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
5. Two-Year College Representative’s Report – Roger Hanke
Again, please see Roger’s full written report (which was distributed on blaze orange paper), what follows are his highlights…
A. This is the third year of the implementation of the new statewide physics curriculum for associate degree programs at Wisconsin’s two-year technical colleges.
B. In the 16 technical colleges in Wisconsin, physics enrollment has dropped 50 – 66% during Roger’s 30 years in the system (most of it in the last 10 years), while overall enrollment has increased. This is partly due to the loss of manufacturing jobs in the state.
C. He is always looking for more input from the other 2-year campuses and he hopes that they can join in on the discussions of future directions, but there are just so many people who cannot make it to the meetings. AAPT has created a discussion group specifically for this reason. Go to the “Resources” page of the AAPT site (http://www.aapt.org/Resources/lists.cfm) and click on the link near the bottom of the page to join in. 48% of instructors at two year colleges are adjuncts and most departments are very small, which leads to a feeling of isolation. Roger encourages everyone to join this discussion group. We will also try to encourage more participation at WAPT next year: see item under New Business.
D. Roger will be retiring in June, thus we will need a new rep at some point in the near future (although he is willing to take on the duties for one more year).
E. Motion to accept the report was made by Lowell McCann, seconded by Matt Vonk. Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
6. Committee Reports
a) Awards Committee – Paul Nevins
None this year (difficult to do with a joint meeting).
If you think there’s someone deserving out there, make sure to share this information with any member of the Awards Committee at any time throughout the year.
Remember, there are national awards out there, as well. Think about nominating WAPT members for these, as well.
b) Publications/Promotions Committee – Jim Madsen
Nothing to report. Remember, we now have a Facebook page (please post things!). See item in New Business, as well.
c) Workshops Committee – Matt Vonk
There were 7 very good workshops this year! Hooray!! Many wonderful discussions were had. Start thinking of workshop ideas for next year!
A concern was raised: A somewhat sparse attendance in the workshops. It seems that having the parallel talk sessions going on at the same time meant fewer participants on Saturday. Maybe w should hold workshops on Friday morning (which used to be the case) and/or Saturday afternoon that do not conflict with the oral presentations. Thinking of next year in Stevens Point: Contact the SPASH Share Group and the Fox river Valley Group for ideas for new workshops (and ask them what might bring in teachers from the area to participate).
As you can see, the Workshops Committee will have lots to talk about this coming year, as always!
d) Assessment Committee – Paul Nevins
The committee did not find much to meet about this year besides the new national standards.
Motion to accept all of the committee reports en masse was made by Gary Baier, seconded by Matt Evans. Motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.
7. Old Business
a) 1st Timer Awards – Erik Hendrickson
Next year we will include the “1st timer” awards on the meeting registration page. The plan is to offer $50 awards to the first 10 people who register for their first WAPT meeting ever and for the first 2 people who register who are from a two year college. For people who are driving to the meeting and need lodging, the awards are $50. For local attendees, the award covers the cost of the meeting (dues, lunch, etc.). Make sure to invite new people from your schools to attend and sign up for these perks!
Another suggestion from last year: Erik (the Chair of the Physics & Astronomy Department at UWEC) sent out a welcoming e-mail to the department chairs of each of the colleges/universities in the state this past summer and again this fall. He will continue to reach out to this group to encourage more college professors and graduate students to attend.
b) Website – Matt Evans
The official WAPT webpage and the WAPT page on Facebook both look GREAT!! A resounding round of applause for Matt for doing such a great job on these was heard throughout the University Center building!
We are all hoping that these continue to be great places to learn about the happenings in WAPT.
8. Future Meeting Sites
2011: UW – Stevens Point (David Tamres) They would like to start their own 10-year cycle of hosting WAPT.
2012: UW – Platteville (Philip Young) They will have a new building that they would like to show off!
2013: UW – Eau Claire (Matt Evans) It’s been over 10 years and we should have a new student union to show off.
2014: Marquette (Melissa Vigil)?
2015: UW – La Crosse (Seth King) Try to run a joint meeting with MAAPT again?
9. New Business
A. Matt Evans & Jim Madsen – Monthly email “update” from WAPT
The Publications/Promotion Committee will be responsible for sending out a monthly email with updates regarding WAPT and with stories of interesting physics “stuff” that are happening. A motion to change the Publications/Promotion Committee charge to reflect this endeavor was made by Matt Evans, seconded by Gary Baier, and was passed unanimously by voice vote.
B. Matt Evans – Program Chair & meeting registration
The Program Chair (the person running the meeting) should be given a “free pass” to the meeting. This includes the meeting registration fee, workshop fees, and any lunch/dinner fees. A motion was made to make this so by Matt Evans, seconded by Lowell McCann, and was passed unanimously by voice vote.
10. Elections (Otherwise known as the railroading portion of the meeting!)
Awards Committee – Past-President (1-year term): Steve Sahyun
He was elected by a voice vote after being nominated automatically as Past President by Matt Evans and seconded by Jim Madsen.
Awards Committee – High School Representative (2nd year of a 2-year term): Paul Nevins
He was elected by a voice vote after being nominated by Matt Evans and seconded by Jim Madsen.
Awards Committee – College Representative (2-year term): Nathan Miller
He was elected by a voice vote after being nominated by Matt Evans and seconded by Jim Madsen.
Publications/Promotions Committee – Chair (3-year term): Jim Madsen
He was elected by a voice vote after being nominated by Matt Evans and seconded by Lowell McCann.
High School Representative (2-year term): Gary Baier
He was elected by a voice vote after being nominated by Jim Madsen and seconded by Matt Evans.
Secretary/Treasurer (3-year term): Erik Hendrickson
He was elected by a voice vote after being nominated by Jim Madsen and seconded by Matt Evans.
Vice President, Program Chair, Workshops Committee Chair (1-year term): Brad Hinaus
He was elected by a voice vote after being nominated by Steve Sahyun and seconded by Matt Evans. A loud uproar of clapping ensued! Thank you, in advance, Brad & UW – Stevens Point!! See you next year!
President: Matt Vonk
He was elected by an incredibly loud voice vote and much clapping after being nominated by Steve Sahyun and seconded by Matt Evans.
Not needed for elections this year…
Two-Year College Representative (entering 2nd year of 2-year term): Roger Hanke
Workshops Committee – High School Representative (entering 2nd year of 3-year term): Paul Nevins
Workshops Committee – College Representative (entering 2nd year of 3-year term): Mark Lattery
Workshops Committee – High School Representative (entering 3rd year of 3-year term): Nick Gagnon
Workshops Committee – College Representative (entering 3rd year of 3-year term): Brad Hinaus
Publications/Promotions Committee – High School Representative (entering 2nd year of 3-year term): Joe Zoller
Publications/Promotions Committee – College Representative (entering 2nd year of 3-year term): Matt Evans
Publications/Promotions Committee – High School Representative (entering 3rd year of 3-year term): Larry Stookey
Publications/Promotions Committee – College Representative (entering 3rd year of 3-year term): Ken Mendelson
Section Representative (entering 2nd year of 3-year term): Jim Mallmann
11. Closing Remarks & Adjournment
The following motion was made by Erik Hendrickson and seconded by Matt Evans:
A big THANK YOU to
Matt Vonk & UW – River Falls
for an absolutely
FANTASTIC MEETING!!!
The motion unanimously passed, as I could attest from the thunderously loud clapping of hands and pounding on the new tables!
The following motion was made by Matt Evans and seconded by Erik Hendrickson:
A big “Thank You!” to Steve Sahyun for running such an efficient Business Meeting!
This motion unanimously passed, as well.
The following motion was made by Gary Baier and seconded by Paul Nevins:
A little “Thank You!” to Matt Evans for his invaluable assistance in running the WAPT Meeting & the WAPT Business Meeting!
This small motion unanimously passed, as well, but mostly due to much laughter by all!
!!!See everyone at UW – Stevens Point next year!!!
Matt (the ever cost-conscious WAPT member) collected name tags from everyone as they left the building.
The meeting ended at 2:16 pm. Several of the remaining members chatted for a while and hoped everyone had a safe trip home…
Respectfully submitted,
Erik Hendrickson
Secretary/Treasurer