Minutes of the Annual Business Meeting
October 12, 2024, at Rockford University
After many wonderful morning talks and excellent workshops, we gathered in PSoB Room 124 to have lunch during the Take Five session (cool demos!). The sandwiches were tasty, and the conversations were great (always good to see everyone again, and to meet new people!)! Then we headed to PSoB 122 for the business meeting (while the ISAAPT folks headed to PSoB 126 for their business meeting).
Meeting Start Time: 1:03 pm (which was nearly on time, but herding cats is difficult, we had to go find Ozgur in the hallway). The first order of business was to thank this year’s organizers (Deepshikha Shukla and Marianna Ruggerio) and the Rockford folks for a job well-done in bringing WAPT to northern Illinois. These thanks, of course, go to all of the people working behind the scenes, as well.
1. Minutes of the last meeting: November 4, 2023 (Marquette University) – Erik Hendrickson
See the purple sheet. Minutes were accepted.
2. Treasurer’s Report for 2023-24 – Erik Hendrickson
A. See green sheet. Still have approximately $3600 for WAPT Business (supporting future meetings, etc.).
B. Everyone was reminded that officers can ask for up to $200 for traveling to AAPT Meetings.
C. The treasurer’s report was accepted.
3. Section Representative’s Report –Melissa Vigil
At the last three national meetings: the national office is trying to determine which local sections are still active. The Section Reps were asked about what their local sections were doing to keep things running. We are trying to get back on the “good” list (there was a break in communication with the retirement of Jim Mallmann). It was pointed out that we need to keep our website more updated, and Melissa said she I going to work on this. Reminded us that the Winer Meeting is in St. Louis.
4. High School Representative’s Report – None
No one was present to give this report.
5. Two-Year College Representative’s Report – None
No one was present to give this report.
6. Committee Reports – None (comments are Erik’s)
a) Awards Committee
If you think there is someone deserving of a WAPT award, make sure to share this information with any officer at any time throughout the year. We continue to look for and recognize excellence in the Wisconsin physics education community.
Remember, there are also national AAPT awards out there. Think about nominating WAPT members for these, as well.
b) Publications/Promotions Committee
Looking for someone to lead this effort.
c) Workshops Committee
Start thinking of workshop ideas for next year! Another thing to think about for future meetings: Should we compensate workshop leaders and invited speakers? Maybe something for next year’s New Business…
7. Old Business
a) None.
8. Future Meeting Sites
2025: UW – La Crosse – Jennifer Docktor (she will get us dates soon)
2026: UW – River Falls? – Jolene Armstrong
2027: UW – Eau Claire – Erik Hendrickson
2028: UW – Whitewater – Steven Sahyun
Start thinking of the possibility of hosting at your school…
9. New Business
A. Shrinking attendance at WAPT Meetings
There is concern regarding the overall health of the discipline, especially when looking at the attendance of our Meetings. There are very few new folks attending each year (even when offering to eliminate all registration fees). How can we reach more people and how can we stay connected during the year? Melissa mentioned that working on our website would be helpful. Maybe we could start a Physics Bolg? Include a link on our website. Post our best cool demo videos! What about working with WSST? Should we have a booth or provide fliers for participants? WSST was at UW – La Crosse this year, so Jennifer went to see what connections she could make. She mentioned that it was a much larger meeting (used the downtown convention center). Maybe we could join forces with WSST and hold our meetings with them? The next few WSST meetings are: April ’25 in Oshkosh, March ‘26 in Appleton, April ’27 in Green Bay, March ’28 in Middleton. Is there any way to get a list of physics teachers in the state or some other assistance from DPI? Jennifer worked with DPI on a grant this summer, so she mentioned that she will see what her contacts might suggest. What about a Demo Showcase at future meetings? Or maybe the local high school teachers would be more apt to come if there were more Make & Take workshops? Can we have presentations Zoomed in (virtual)? Each of us should be working with our Education programs, getting the future teachers informed about WAPT. If you have other ideas, please pass them along!
10. Elections (With so few in attendance, these weren’t really elections, but rather people volunteering or being assigned.
Awards Committee:
(Usually: Past President – one-year term; High School Rep. – two-year term; College Rep. – two-year term)
Melissa Vigil, Erik Hendrickson
Workshops Committee:
(Usually: Chair/Vice President – one-year term; High School Rep. – three-year term; College Rep. – three-year term)
Jennifer Docktor
Publications/Promotions Committee:
(Usually: Chair – three-year term; High School Rep. – three-year term; College Rep. three-year term)
Melissa Vigil
Officers (the terms are “usual”, but for now let’s just go with annual):
Secretary/Treasurer (3-year term): Erik Hendrickson
Two-Year College Representative(2-year term): ?
High School Representative (2-year term): ?
Section Representative (3-year term): Melissa Vigil
Vice President, Program Chair, Workshops Committee Chair (1-year term): Jennifer Docktor
See you next year at UW – LaCrosse!!
President (1-year term): Melissa Vigil
11. Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Thanks to all attendees for helping to make this a wonderful meeting!
A big THANK YOU toDeepshikha Shukla & Rockford University
for an absolutely FANTASTIC MEETING!!!
!!!See everyone at Rockford next year!!!
The meeting ended at 1:35 pm. A workshop was supposed to start in the room at 1:30 pm! Everyone started heading to a workshop or home…
Respectfully submitted,
Erik Hendrickson
Secretary/Treasurer