Wisconsin Downtown Action Council
Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, August 22, 2008
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Schreiber Anderson Associates, 717 John Nolen Drive, Madison, Wisconsin
MISSION: Wisconsin Downtown Action Council (EDAC) is a statewide organization established to facilitate the revitalization of Wisconsin
downtowns as vibrant social and economic centers.
We will pursue our mission through a mix of strategies including developing partnerships with other organizations, information sharing, and
facilitating networking and peer learning.
It is our vision that all Wisconsin communities will recognize and support their downtowns as special places and work together for the
betterment of all Wisconsin downtowns.
Attendees:
Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Tim Anderson, Jennifer Andrews, Kevin Pomeroy, Sarah Hoover, Steve Steinhoff, Dan
Roarty, Mike Stumpf and Sue Bessert (board); Kaye Tenerelli (board) joined in phone call
for part of the meeting; Bill Ryan, Chuck Law and Jim Engle (advisors); unable to attend:
Gary Becker, Devin Sutherland, Jason Gilman and Mary Ann Wepfer (board)
9:30 – 10 a.m. New board meeting orientation was held with Dan, Mike and Tim.
Open meeting; welcome new board members; sandwich selections – Tim (10 – 10:05)
Review June 13th board meeting minutes – Tim (10:05 – 10:10)
Treasurer report – (10:10 – 10:15)
Committee Reports (15 minutes each; 30 minutes for development)

Membership/Development (Gary, chair; Tim, Mary Ann, Devin and Jason)

Communication (Jennifer, chair; Kevin, Kaye and Steve)

Strategic Alliance (Tim and Sue, co-chairs; Sarah and Gary)

Education (Steve, chair; Sarah, Jason and Kaye)
Webinar Project discussion - Chuck Law (11:45 – 12:30)
Wisconsin Main Street partnership discussion – Jim Engle (12:30 - 1)
Unfinished Business – (1 – 1:30)
 Review/Approve Conflict of Interest
 Review/Approve Board terms and renewal
 Review/Approve Downtown Bill
New Business – (1:30 – 2)
 Board Education
 2009 Work Plan – Discussion/Questions
Adjourn
(Lunch will be brought in around noon.)
Meeting Minutes
1. & 2. Open meeting, welcome
and review last meeting minutes –
Discussion: Tim A. opened the meeting with introductions.
Conclusions: Kevin P. made a motion to approve the last meeting minutes; Sarah H. seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
3. Treasurer’s report
Discussion: The three documents prepared for the meeting were reviewed (balance sheet, profit and loss and
cash flow statement). The financials were dated August 13, 2008. There were some questions about the
expenditures and without the treasurer present at the meeting, the board suggested a check detail sheet could
resolve this issue in the future.
Conclusions: Sarah H. made a motion to accept and place the financials on file; Jennifer A.
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Action items:
Person responsible:
Deadline:
Preparation of a check detail for future meetings.
Mary Ann W.
Future
mtgs
4. Committee Reports:
Membership/Development (Gary) – 15 minutes (membership) + 30 minutes (development)
Discussion: The group reviewed the written report that the Executive Committee compiled with the latest work
by this committee. It was observed that the committee must be aggressive and stay on task with its goal for
50 members this year. Ideas were shared among those present on ways the other committees could assist
with membership. The committee needs to request specific help, if it’s needed. A co-chair may help this
committee; committee representation at the board meetings is important.
Development Committee: Tim A. reported the aggressive timetable for fund raising to hire a paid staff
person to implement the organization’s work. Three year pledges, grants, revenue generating opportunities
and events have been identified as strategies with a search and hire in summer 2009. Tasks and next steps
have begun. The next telephone meeting with this committee is Sept. 12 th. Discussion revolved around the
importance of 501(c)3 charitable status for receipt of foundation grants.
Conclusions:
1. The board needs two reports from the Membership Committee: One of current members and one of
potential members.
2. Another conclusion is for the Membership Committee to work toward a regional membership strategy in
the state. Use the current board members in various areas of the state.
3. Development Committee: Prepare a job description for the paid staff position.
4. Development Committee: Prepare a compelling fundraising statement.
5. Steve S. made a motion requesting the Executive Committee prepare a report with the
pros and cons of 501(c)3 status with a recommendation. Kevin P. seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
6. Development Committee: Discuss this topic again in October.
Action items:
Person responsible:
Deadline:
7. 1. Strategic Alliance Committee members will assist in getting
memberships from identified partners.
Committee: Gary, Sarah,
Tim and Sue
ASAP
2. Communications Committee will prepare an “alligator
speech” for all members including board to use with
recruitment.
Communications
Committee; Jennifer
(chair)
3. Membership Committee members need to report their
follow-up phone calls/contacts with the full board (See
Jason’s report).
Gary Becker
4. Submit a report of Membership List (who’s a member) to the
board for each board meeting.
5. Update job moves and changes and share with the board
the current lists of members and potential members.
Mary Ann, treasurer will
submit report to Sue,
secretary; then Sue
submits to all board
members
Secretary, Sue B.
6. Prepare a staff job description and compelling statement for
fundraising.
Tim Anderson
7. Show the board the pros and cons of 501(c)3 status.
Executive Committee
Next
meeting
ASAP
New
procedure
effective
now
Now
October
October
Communications
(Jennifer) – 15 minutes
Discussion: Jennifer A. reported that the newsletter is going out prior to the next Community Visit. The
committee is still considering a blog area on the website. Kevin P. distributed a password for all board
members. The password-protected area has board archive documents. Kevin has added many reports and is
continuing to add as far back as his files go. The board members commended this work. Tim A. said Bill Ryan
has told him that there are two very good potential candidates for an internship this fall.
Conclusions:
1. Jennifer reiterated the need for two reports: current list of members and the potential member list.
2. The committee was challenged to prepare a strategy on increasing the organization’s visibility.
Action items:
Person responsible:
Deadline:
See action items in the Membership Committee report.
Education
(Steve) – 15 minutes
Advisors Bill Ryan, Jim Engle and Chuck
Law joined the meeting at this time.
Discussion: Steve S. said the main focus of the committee was in the preparations for the Superior, Wisconsin
Community Visit on Friday, October 3. Three case studies will be part of the day, along with a tour of the
redeveloped New York building and a luncheon with regional leaders. A reception on Thursday evening from 7
– 9 p.m. at The Thirsty Pagan Brewing Company is also planned. Bill Ryan offered to present market study
results during the workshop. In other topics, Steve said WDAC will be represented at the September 18 and 19
Upper Midwest APA meeting here in Madison. Steve and two others are invited to moderate a session.
Director for a Governor’s Conference in 2009 will be clear after the October Summit Meeting.
Conclusions:
1. The board meeting is from 2 to 3 p.m. on October 3rd.
2. Both Tim A. and Mike S. volunteered to moderate a session and share WDAC materials. Newly printed
WDAC brochures were mailed to all board members and extras given to Kevin P. for the APA meeting.
3. Kevin P will staff the WDAC vendor table that will also have other organization materials (Wisconsin
Main Street, CED, 1000 Friends). Kevin was given the authorization to prepare a banner for the
display.
4. Board discussion is currently leaning in the direction of participation in some way with the IDA
convention in Milwaukee next year. This may take the place of a Governor’s Conference in 2009.
Action items:
1. Make a contact to the Milwaukee BID staff with regard to
involvement with the International Downtown Association
convention in Milwaukee in 2009.
Strategic Alliance
(Tim/Sue) – 15 minutes
Person responsible:
Deadline:
Sarah and Steve
October
Discussion: Sue B. said the Organizational Summit meeting is planned for Wednesday, October 15, 2008;
exact time to be determined (likely 3 or 4 p.m.) The location is in Wausau, Wisconsin – same location as the
“2008 Recapturing your Downtown” conference sponsored by UWSP and other statewide organizations. The
Summit will be held the day before the conference. Our committee has been in contact with Jim Rosenberg for
arrangements. Bill Rizzo has agreed to moderate the session. Tim Anderson is meeting with Bill Rizzo. A
Summit meeting agenda was in the report along with the identified partners who will be invited. All WDAC
board members are strongly encouraged to attend. Our costs will be for travel for Bill Rizzo and refreshments
for the meeting. Bill Ryan, Chuck Law and Jim Engle have agreed to attend. In another topic, the committee
is working on preparing a memorandum of understanding, a key element to strategic partnerships and
collaborations.
Action items:
Person responsible:
Deadline:
1. Prepare facts of the Summit for a statewide press release.
Sue will send to Jennifer
September
5. & 6. Webinar Series and WI Main
Street Discussions with Chuck Law,
Bill Ryan and Jim Engle
Discussion: Tim A. introduced our advisors. Chuck Law provided background on distance peer learning
concept as a way to build a community of learners. He described how far-reaching the Webinar series will lead
including recording the series for future use and posting notes in a “running dialogue” between programs. The
regional concept would involve WDAC board members hosting the programs in his/her community that will
build networking experiences. Chuck prepared a handout and distributed it at the meeting; the content was
drawn for a 2005 WDAC survey. The board was encouraged to review it and assist with topic for the series.
Bill Ryan and Chuck Law noted they are looking at nation speakers that an individual community could not
otherwise see/hear. A document of the 2007-2008 series was distributed to all present.
WDAC has been asked to fund between $750 and $1500 to assist in the start up costs. The funds needed are
put toward a student’s work to coordinate the speakers and the series. It’s the understanding that all WDAC
members would get a half price discount on the individual sessions or the series. The Department of
Commerce will also be asked to fund $750.
In another discussion, Jim Engle brought up three main topics regarding the state Main Street Program:
1. Governor’s Conference – Issues with the Wausau conference make it difficult to host another
conference. Could this conference move to another location? More information on this topic will likely
be discussed at the Summit.
2. Strategy discussion to work together to serve non-Main Street communities – Discussion included
starting a program that’s in Minnesota called, “Governor’s Design Team.” It’s run by volunteer
professionals who act in a “Resource Team Visit” role providing observations and recommendations to
small towns in need of Main Street assistance. Horse-power for launching the program could come
from Main Street and WDAC with educators coming from UW Extension. The WDAC membership could
be a base of support as well.
3. Issue of high turnover of Main Street executive directors in the state – Discussion revolved around the
sometimes lack of support by the Cities/towns. WDAC could consider a strategy to “court” city mayors
and stress the importance of strong downtowns. Possible consideration of some sort of continuing
credits for Main Street executive directors.
Conclusions:
1. The WDAC Education Committee will have a role as a resource for the Webinar Series.
2. The series will take place in spring and fall for a range of six or eight one-hour sessions.
3. Kevin P. made a motion for WDAC to contribute up to $1500 toward the Webinar Series
depending on commitment of the series by the Department of Commerce. The WDAC
members would receive a half price discount. Sarah H. seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
Action items:
Person responsible:
Deadline:
1. Email possible topics for the Webinar Series to Bill Ryan.
All board members
ASAP
7. Unfinished Business
1. Review/Approve Conflict of Interest
2. Review/Approve Board
terms/renewal
3. Review/Approve Downtown Bill
8. New Business
1. Board Education
2. 2009 Work Plan –
Discussion/Questions
7. Unfinished Business
Discussion:
3. Sarah H. provided the latest information on the Bill, AB 599; it was “adversely disposed of” as it wasn’t
acted on last session.
Conclusions:
2. Sarah H. made a motion to adjust the current board terms of the WDAC board:

Kevin Pomeroy, Mary Ann Wepfer, Tim Anderson and Sue Bessert – 2007 to 2009;

Jennifer Andrews, Sarah Hoover, Devin Sutherland, Gary Becker, Jason Gilman, Steve
Steinhoff and Kay Tenerelli – 2008 to 2010;

Michael Stumpf and Dan Roarty – 2009 to 2011.
A term begins in January. Mike Stumpf seconded the motion. The motion carried.
3. Sarah will touch base with Rep. Shilling and forward any appropriate information to Kevin for admission on
the organization website.
Action items:
1. Dan R. agreed to check into a source for a conflict of interest form and bring to the next meeting.
8. New Business
1. Board Education – Steve S. noted the meeting today with strategic discussions provided a good amount of
education or additional information he had been seeking. It was noted that with more concise committee
reports, the board meetings could be shortened. An idea to provide a reporting template was discussed.
2. 2009 Work Plan – Discussion/Questions – The Executive Committee will prepare discussion questions to
prepare for the 2009 work plan.
Adjourn - Before the meeting was adjourned, all were reminded of the next meeting in Superior with a 2 p.m.
board meeting. Our next meeting after that is December 5th in Madison. Steve S. made a motion to
adjourn the meeting; Mike Stumpf seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was
adjourned at 2:08 p.m.