wsma board perspective
Thoughts, Hopes and Aspirations Gregg Butler, WSMA Board Member
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Welcome back to your next, and possibly your best school year ever. We are in one of those rare professions that gets a new start every year. How fortunate we are to get a clean slate, a do-over, a fresh begin- ning, an opportunity to try all the new things that we thought of, or learned this past summer, or an opportunity to do the things that we were going to do differently last year, and didn’t get to do. Now is our chance! Usually our articles try to inspire readers, who are mostly educators, to- wards the magazine’s theme for the issue, or to share some newly learned theory, or technique for our readers to try in their classrooms. I have none of those goals on my mind today, as I write this. I wanted to take this opportunity to simply share with you my thoughts, hopes and aspirations for WSMA, a wonderful organization that I have had the privilege to serve for over 30 years on its board of directors.
I started teaching music in Fall Creek, WI in 1972 and loved it. Along with that love I soon knew that I aspired to become a school leader, and after five years in the classroom began my first principalship. Over the next 24 years I enjoyed going to school each day with hundreds of middle level students, and then went on to a district leadership position and con- tinue now to work in an alternative high school for Eau Claire County students in need of this special service. Early in my leadership years, a colleague mentioned that the WSMA Board of Directors posi- tion for our region of the state was about to have an election. This was the perfect opportunity for me to continue my pas- sion of school leadership, but be able to influence and participate on a statewide board of directors for my “other” passion of school music. I “won” the election that fall and honestly don’t even recall if there was anyone else running against me, but anyway, my term started and I instantly felt a strong bond with WSMA. So here I am over 30 years later sharing my thoughts on the organization.
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I am convinced that the strongest asset of our organization is the staff itself. We employ a work group that has an endless commitment for music education and the students and teachers whom we serve. These are hard working and committed individuals who bring their own areas of talent and expertise into the office every day. They are dedicated to serving our membership and are constantly looking for ways to become more effective as resources to you, our members. The staff is led by a highly competent executive director that is hired and supervised by the board. The challenge that I see in this area deals with our ability to attract and maintain a quality staff over time. We need to compensate our employees fairly while offering them an attractive environment of professional growth and support.
Another asset of our organization is the Wisconsin Center for Music Education itself, our home, our building, in Wau- nakee. If you’ve never had the opportunity to visit, do so. It’s the office of WSMA, WMEA and WFSM (our foundation). It is a wonderful facility that was built over 10 years ago. It continues to serve us well, but like any facility it is and will remain a challenge now and in the future to keep it in excellent condition with preventative maintenance and upkeep. Allocating fi- nances toward this goal will be imperative to maintain what we presently have. I am always impressed with all of the activi- ties that happen at the center. Meetings, performances and workshops all happen there on a regular basis. A variety of pro- fessional development opportunities are offered there throughout the school year and summer.
One of the many strengths of WSMA is the board of directors itself. Membership includes superintendents, principals and others who serve three-year terms. It also includes the executive committee of WMEA. They come from all areas of the state. These are passionate people who strongly value music and the arts
“We are in one of those
rare professions that get a new start every year.”
and want to make sure that Wisconsin students receive the strongest experiences possible. The full board meets twice yearly and committees meet more frequently throughout the year. In addition to the supervision of the executive director, and developing a strategic plan, the board is charged with passing rules and regulations in many areas of our operation. The board prides itself on taking recommendations from the many committees that serve both WSMA and WMEA. Dedicated and talented teachers make up the majority of committee membership for both orga- nizations.
Financial challenges will always face the organization and our board is committed to spending money wisely and conser- vatively, while still providing quality services to our members and fair salaries to our employees. The stewardship of our member’s finances is critical to our long- term growth and strength. We certainly need to continue to seek more public and private support to ensure that our goals can be achieved.
It continues to be a pleasure and a privi- lege to serve on the WSMA Board of Directors. The experience has allowed me over the past 30 years to stay involved in music education and be able to support the mission of our organization. I am able to continue advocating for the students of Wisconsin and the quality music and arts programs that they deserve. Maybe I’ll go another 30 years.
Gregg Butler is a long-time member of the WSMA Board of Directors. Email:
gbutler11@gmail.com
September 2017
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