A moment of silence was observed by all in attendance for those the 2nd has lost in 2008
Presentation of Colors: Color Sergeant Robert Schwandt
Oath given to 3 new members, oath given by Pete Seielsatd
(Those members that passed away) Ernst Frankenberg (original founder of the 2nd)
Ted Gardner Battery B Steve Scott Battery B Jim Bieberman Battery B (if there was anyone else, please get me the name(s)
so I may add them to the list.
Several copies of the 2008 minutes were passed around, plus printed in the Fuglemen.
Motion made by Bill Wojahn to accept minutes as recorded
2nd by Gary Klas
Motion passed:
 

2008 minutes accepted as recorded (no discussion or changes made)
Treasurer’s report: given by Scott Frank
Receipts:
Member Dues $ 2700.00
Co. K School Day Insurance Rider $60.00
Donations $00.00
Total Receipts $2760.00
Disbursements:
Fuglemen Costs and Postage: $00.00
Hall Rent: $100.00
Membership Cards $00.00
Association Liability Insurance $1502.00
Co. K School Day Insurance Rider $55.00
Scholarship $500.00
Taxes (WI Dept. of Financial Institutions) $10.00
Memorial Flowers $75.00
10% Contingency Fund for Increased CODB $224.00
Total Disbursements $2466.00

Net Income/ (Loss) $294.00

Beginning Balance $5382.09
Add Receipts $2760.00
Less Disbursement -$2466.00
Ending Balance-12/31/2008 $5676.09
Motion made by Gary Klas to accept treasurer’s report
2nd by Terry Brown
Motion passed treasurer’s report (2008) accepted as given (no discussion or changes made)

President’s/Commander’s report: given by Pete Seielsatad
Pete gave 3 goals that were either met, or needed continued work
1) Communication has been met; it is the key to the organization. We must continue to use tools that are available (i.e. telephone, e-mails, and the Fuglemen)
2) Authenticity is a goal that still needs to be addressed, it has become better, but things to watch for is non period items that have been found in camps (i.e. plastic, non-period containers, etc) uniforms and equipment is an issue that still needs work, for help see your company recruiter, or Tom Klas.
3) Recruiting needs to be addressed, with more time lines (World War II as an example) competing for recruits we must be more diligent in our efforts. Pete used example from Co. E (Dave Seilski ran an add in the local Green Bay paper that reached an estimated 110,000 people) to help in recruiting efforts.
4) Pete was very pleased with the way the 2nd handled themselves at the National event at Gettysburg. The 2nd received many positive reports from other units. Pete thanked the members for there participation and professionalism, on behalf of the entire leadership.
Secretaries report: given by David Dresang Jr/Scott Sonntag
Before the report was given Pete Seielstad told the members that David had and was going through some serious medical issues, and he was very pleased to see David, not only at the meeting, but continuing his duties, the members gave David a standing ovation (which David was very overwhelmed and grateful)
David explained a little about the problems that he still faced, but recognized the efforts on many of the membership to help keep his spirits up, and a special thank you to Scott Sonntag for taking on many of the duties while David was recuperating.
1) David reported that the Association had in 2008 146 paid members, and 26 members from Co. H that although they didn’t pay dues directly to the Association were still members, they had 26 members in 2008 which brought the total to 176 members in the 2nd Wisconsin.
2) He outlined the 3 different rosters, and explained what each roster meant, and the importance to have 3 to make information easier to come by.
3) He also explained about the membership/medical cards.
Membership cards are to be given to members at time of dues paid; he also mentioned that there seemed to be a lax in getting those cards out to the members.
4) Medical cards are on a volunteer basis only.
5) Application forms need to be filled out entirely, including the area of company affiliation and who recruited that person, if neither is filled out, and then the application will be forwarded onto the nearest company.
6) Calendar of events need to be turned in quickly, any event listed is an open invitation to all members to help out. If you do not wish other sister companies to join in, do not send that event in.
 

Company Officers Report:
Company A: given by Scott Frank
Voted December 20th, 2008 to be non-active with the Association. Those who wish to remain active with Association can still register as Co.A. Tom Klas/Andy Seymour has offered to maintain a roster on the Association because of lack of attendance at events and even the meeting was cited as reasons for the move. Only 4 voting members exist, and two were at the meeting.
It was voted to liquidate belongings to those who will put them to use. Funds were donated to a NPO historic related organization.
Co. A is trying to reorganize; anyone showing up at an event will fall in with another company.
Pete spoke up and told Company A that they are always welcomed at any event, that they will always be an active company, they will fall in with other sister companies.
Company B: given by Jeff Blakely
10 years ago, Company B invited the Venture crew to join them and has been very successful.
The Company is very solid, but numbers are down. Working on recruiting.
Company C: given by Bill Acheson
They are having their annual meeting the following week, so they have nothing to report at this time.
Company E: given by Doug Rasmussen
E has 44 military on the roster; they had 5 new members join last year, and so far, 3 new members this year.
E has 12 civilians that are active in some form (i.e. laundress impression) the ladies are also very active in Company E’s many school events.
E has decided to come-up with their own by-laws (not to supersede the Association’s) Women have been given the right to vote on non-military matters.
This coming year 2 more events have been cancelled Hazelwood Historic House and Cudahy (sponsored by the 10th Tennessee) E has picked up a new event at Pinecrest in Manitowoc in conjunction with the 5th Wisconsin.
Company G: given by Gary Klas
They had a good time, and look forward to more this coming season.
Company H: given by Tom Bispo
No report, other than they have sent in their roster
Company K: given by Craig Mickelson
They had their annual meeting 2 weeks ago; they have 26 paid members, and 4 new members (they expect more members to pay dues in the next few weeks)
Their main school event is May 15th at Bluemound Park, they expect somewhere around 2,000 students to show, and are looking for help if anyone can come, and they would appreciate it. They will have a catered picnic afterwards, but they need to know how many will be in attendance.
Battery B: given by Terry Brown
The Battery had a very good season, and a very safe season!
Brant Doty has been elected the new Battery Commander.
The Battery is the host unit for 2 events, Sauk City, and Menominee Falls, would like to invite as many of the membership to come out and help support them.
The Battery has 18 on the roster, they have 2 new members, but their numbers are down. They will have a new Command structure; their annual meeting is February 14th.
Skirmish Team: given by Gary Van Kauwenbergh
The roster did not change from 2007; they have 29 members on the roster. Gary expects a slight rise in membership this coming year.
The skirmish team is involved in 7 different categories
Musket team, carbine team, revolver, smoothbore, Henry rifle, cannon and mortar:
Musket A team finished 3rd, and we fielded the only “B” team to compete in 2008
Carbine team finished (A) team 2nd (B) team 1st
Revolver team finished 1st
Smoothbore 1st
Cannon finished 2nd at Boscobel
Motor finished 4th at Boscobel
Anyone from the 2nd can participate with the skirmish team.
The skirmish team has been able to put a team in every line since 1995!
Election of Civilian Officers
Association Treasurer 3 year term
Present Treasurer: Scott Frank
Nominations open
Gary Klas Nominated Scott Frank
2nd by Drew Young
No other nominations given
Bob Mann made motion to cast unanimous vote for Scott Frank
2nd by Jeff Blakely
Motion passed
Scott Frank Association Treasurer
Corporate Secretary 3 year term
Present Corporate Secretary David Dresang Jr.
Nominations open
Gary Klas nominated David Dresang Jr
2nd by Jeff Blakely
No other nominations given
Terry Brown made motion to cast unanimous vote for David Dresang Jr.
2nd by Robert Schwandt
Motion passed
David Dresang Jr Corporate Secretary
Election of Military Officers:
Major of Infantry 3 year term
Present Major Doug Rasmussen
Nominations open
Terry Brown nominated Doug Rasmussen
2nd by Scott Frank
Bill Wojahn nominated Jeff Blakely
2nd by Craig Mickelson
Lyle Laufenberg made motion to close nominations
2nd by Scott Frank
Each nominee was given a chance to speak to members about his reason to become Major.
Nominees were asked to leave room. Vote was done by show of hands.
Vote was counted and nominees were asked to rejoin meeting.
Pete Seielstad announced the choice for Major of Infantry
Doug Rasmussen was re-elected as Major of Infantry
Major of Artillery 3 year term
Present Major Terry Brown
Nominations open
Gary Klas nominated Terry Brown
2nd by Jeff Blakely
No other nominations given
Skip McCutchin made motion to cast unanimous vote for Terry Brown
2nd by Lyle Laufernberg
Terry Brown re-elected as Major of Artillery
 

Old Business
1) Insurance policy
a) Gary Van Kauwenbergh was asked (last year) to check on the possibility of changing our existing insurance to another carrier. His results are with Eastern Insurance Company who deals with groups such as Reenactors. The cost would be
a) $828.10 or `
b) $931.10 it improves the amount of coverage we have now. (It also covers terrorism)
1) This insurance does not include any riders (extra rider is $100.00 per rider)
2) Our present coverage (Mangold Insurance)
a) Scott Frank is presently in charge of renewing our insurance
1) Our present insurance costs are
a) $1551.00 (which includes a special rider for Co. K’s school event)
b) Our present insurance is for liability only
c) We presently have a $1,000,000 umbrella
Gary Klas asked if the insurance covered the damaged down at the Waukesha event when several windows were damaged, and Terry Brown said they were fully covered.
Motion was made to table the insurance issue till the next meeting, a committee to be formed to review the insurance matter.
Jeff Blakely made motion
2nd by Robert Schwandt
Bob Mann made an amendment to have it done by February 15th when the insurance comes due
Amendment accepted
Open for discussion
Question was brought up, are members outside of Wisconsin (Company C in particular) covered by insurance.
The answer, any dues paying member is covered by insurance at an event.
Members who agreed to be on committee are:
Terry Brown, Scott Frank, Scott Sonntag (advisor) Gary Van Kauwenbergh (advisor)
It was decided to let those on the committee decide which policy to go with.
Motion carried
2) Dues
Scott Frank discussion on dues and where the Association stands
a) worse case scenario it would cost each member $9.00 for insurance
b) best case scenario $7.50 per person for insurance
c) Hall rental $100.00
d) Scholarship fund $500.00 which equals $2.50 per person to cover
e) Other funds (i.e. memorials, extra costs for running Association)
f) Total cost to run the Association per year $2,500
g) Association has roughly $5,400 in bank
h) Insurance has more than doubled over the last several years
Open discussion for options on dues
Gary Klas: $20.00 per person will cover everything, Gary then told how (in the past) they came up with the different dollar amounts, such as $20.00 for single membership, and then if more than one in household and to make it accessible for families, each extra household member would only pay $8.00.
Scott Sonntag, there is nothing in the handbook, you are either a member, or you’re not, no such thing as an Associate member.
Andy Seymour made motion to raise dues to $20.00 for all members
2nd by Jeff Blakely
Bob Mann amendment:
Raise of dues to take place in 2010, amendment accepted
Discussion ensued
Gary Van Kauwenbergh, raising dues straight across the board is too much, and can place a burden on those families that have more than one or two members in the same family.
Terry Brown suggests that a special family rate of $30.00 is more than acceptable. If only 2 members from the same household, it would only raise dues by $2.00, if more members of the same household, it would make it much more affordable.
Terry Brown amendment:
Individual dues $20.00 Military only
Family $30.00
Terry Brown amendment:
Family dues military membership $30.00
All amendments accepted
Motion made to keep single military dues at $20.00
Family military dues will be $30.00
New rating system to begin in year 2010
Motion passed
3) Scholarship Program
Discussion on the scholarship, last year was a 3 way tie, with Terry Brown was fourth judge to break tie.
The same person has won the scholarship all 3 years that the program has been going on.
Jeff Blakely made motion to give out (2) $500.00 scholarships starting with this coming year
2nd by Scott Frank
Motion passed
The 2nd Wisconsin will award 2 scholarships this coming year
4) Fugelmen
No report given
Suggestions made to be forwarded to Jim Dumke
Bob Mann suggested that dates for upcoming events should be placed on the front page.
Gary Klas suggested that a table of contents be added to make it easier for persons to find a specific topic
Jim Johnson added that a directory could be added where it would lead you to a specific article by hitting a certain topic; it would make it easier to access.
5) Website
Pete Seielstad: The website is a great source of information/ an excellent recruiting tool
Jim Johnson: The website had more than 1,250,000 hits this past year, and record set with more than 150,000 hits in one month. The Fugelmen is also on the website.
6) Wade House
Jeff Murray was a special guest. He came to speak about the Wade House and what the staff is doing to help change things.
They are expanding outreach, trying to get other units involved before they hold their meetings.
Anyone is invited to join the reenactor committee. The committee meetings have been October and will go through May
Many reenactors are on the e-mail for updates and to give suggestions, a list was sent around for those who wanted to sign up for these updates.
1st meeting in 2009 will be on Lincoln’s birthday.
Wisconsin has a commission to help celebrate Lincoln’s birthday.
Several scenarios have been discussed. Wade house would like to do an early war impression “A call to arms”
1st Manassas has been discussed, also to commemorate Lincoln’s bi-centennial, there will be scenarios like, Lincoln’s early decisions, early speeches. The back-up plan is to do Perryville 62’ campaign
Fritz Klien has been asked to portray Lincoln to help celebrate his birthday.
We will be using the far west battlefield.
Camp sites will not change, except for the possibility of the Confederates.
Jeff also invited all or anyone to be part of the committee.
The opening of the event will move up to 9 am
2 battles each day, with the battle times 11am and 2 pm
Ice will be made available again this year.
The event is scheduled for September 26th & 27th with September 25th for the school day program.
On Sunday the camps will close a little earlier so those who need to leave earlier can do so. Vehicles will be allowed in at 4 pm on Sunday, the event will still go until 5pm
7) Handbook Committee
No report
New Business
1) Remembrance Day Gettysburg Pa. November 21st
Craig Mickelson suggested that the Association make an effort to attend this year’s Remembrance Day. Co. K has 5 members going, and has a block of 7 rooms.
2) Sauk City June 20th-21st
Skip McCutchin pushed for the Association to attend the Sauk City event. It is on a private park on the Wisconsin River, there will be a catered dinner on Saturday night. Each company that attends will receive a $150.00 bounty. The event is sponsored by the Sauk City Historical Society. Camps are open 9am-4pm on Saturday, and 9am-3:30pm on Sunday, there will be medical scenarios, the crew from the Carondelot will be invited, this is considered a reenactor friendly event, if enough are in attendance, there will be a skirmish.
3) Association Max effort event calendar
Nominations for the Association Max effort event
Jeff Blakely nominated Wade House
2nd by Dave Sielski
No other nominations given
Wade House Association Max effort event September 25th-27th
Nominations for National event
Atlanta Ga Labor Day weekend
Gettysburg Pa living History August 1st-2nd
Fresno Ca
Spotsylvania May 2nd-3rd
By show of hands the national event is:
Gettysburg Pa living History August 1st-2nd
BHB
Gettysburg Pa living history August 1st-2nd
Company Max effort event
Co. C deferred, the next in line is Company E, they have chosen
Menominee Falls Old Falls Village July 17th-19th
4) Recruiting
Pete Seielstad:
E does an excellent job, Dave Sielski: E has it own website, one of recruiting tools is placing ads in the paper.
Pete Seielstad, each company needs to do better; they need to look for new ways in recruiting.
Jeff Blakely suggested setting up recruiting booths at events, manned by reenactors. Get some sort of pamphlets, and have other forms of information available.
5) Need to categorize Association property
The Association has many different types of property, (at this time) there is no record of what property or value the property is worth. The association Secretary to take on the responsibility of itemizing property.
6) Repair of old Association Flags
Robert Schwandt (color sergeant) does the Association want to continue to repair the old Association flags, and to what point.
Motion was made to set aside $100.00 for upkeep of flags
Motion made by Scott Sonntag
2nd by Andy Seymour
Motion passed $100.00 set aside for up keep and repair of the flags
7) Limitation of Treasury
Gary Klas made motion that the Association treasury not to exceed $7,500
Bill Wojahn made motion to annually pick for battlefield preservation with a spenditure of $200-$300.00
Bill withdrew motion
Craig Mickelson: discussion on cap for treasury.
Gary Klas: In the case of the 2nd Wisconsin break-up, all of the money should go to Historic preservation.
Discussion then ensued on the treasury with many different ideas on what to do with any money left in the treasury.
a) Amendment: any money at the end of any fiscal year where the treasury exceeds $7,500 then goes for Historic preservation.
b) Amendment: any money that is not earmarked for a special project goes to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum
c) Amendment: 60 days (at end of fiscal year) should be given to decide where the extra money should go
Gary Klas accepted amendments
2nd by Bill Wojahn
Motion voted on and passed
d) Final motion, any money in the treasury that exceeds $7,500 at the end of fiscal year then either goes for special project, or Wisconsin veterans Museum, 60 days given to (at the end of the fiscal year) decide where extra money will go. The general membership will vote on where the extra money should go at the annual meeting.
Final motion passed
8) Tiffany Flag
Jim Johnson the Milwaukee Civil War Round table was helping in getting a replica of the Tiffany Iron Brigade Flag.
9) 2008 Tax Form
Scott Frank notified that each company needs to turn in their tax forms to him so he can fill it out for the Association. If it goes 3 years without being filled in the Association will loose its non-profit status and be disbanded. The form is 990-EZ, this needs to be done.
10) Pinecrest Manitowoc WI
Scott Sonntag informed the Association that the 5th Wisconsin has invited the 2nd to a new event to be held at Pinecrest in Manitowoc WI August 15th-16th
11) Association annual meeting
Pete Seielstad has informed the membership that the next Association meeting will be January 30th, 2010 held once again at Fox Lake
12) Hall payment
Pete suggested payment of $100.00 for use of the hall
Terry Brown made motion to spend $100.00 for use of the hall
2nd by Lyle Laufenbergh
Motion passed
13) Handbook Committee
Andy Seymour current e-mail address needs to be updated for the handbook committee
14) Opening up the 2nd to outside groups
Bill Wojahn suggested that the 2nd open up the possibility of allowing outside groups to join the 2nd Wisconsin, yet keeping their own identity.
This opened up discussion on the drawbacks, and how these groups would act, and the fact they would have to fall in under the 2nd’s by-laws and rules.
Ugejesha Pirocanac motion to table this for next time
2nd by Robert Schwandt
Motion made to adjourn meeting
Motion made by Bill Wojahn
2nd by Robert Schwandt

Meeting adjourned 2:05 pm





Those in attendance
Charles Bagneski Co. E Jeff Blakely Co. K Brant Doty Battery B
David Dresang Jr Co. E Tom Fillmore Co. B Scott Frank Co. A
Tim Grover Co. K Rob Heibler Co. K Wally Hlaban Battery B
Gary Klas Co. G Richard Laddusire Co. E Lyle Laufenberg Battery B
Pat Lynch Co. K Bob Mann Co. K Skip McCutchin Battery B
Craig Mickelson Co. K Ugljesha Pirocanac Co. K Doug Rasmussen Co. E
Robert Schwandt Co. E Ryan Schwartz Co. K Paul Seielstad Co. B
Pete Seielstad Co. B Andy Seymour Co. A Dave Sielski Co. E
Scott Sonntag Co. A John Thielmann Co. K John Utterback Battery B
Gary Van Kauwenbergh Battery B Bill Wojahn Co. B Drew Young Co. E
Jeff Murray (special guest) Wade House