News and Notes

UW Milwaukee German Day

During the past years, German Day has become a highly anticipated event, bringing over 400 students from various high schools to the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Students participate in a variety of competitions, depending on the chosen theme, and compete for the grand prize of a multi-standard DVD player.

Teachers often comment that this event helps to motivate students ("They came home pumped for German," as one teacher
put it), and gives more exposure to the German language (through articles in newsletters and other local papers). For teachers, this is a great opportunity to meet colleagues and exchange ideas.

This year's German Culture Day, held on October 18th at UWM, with the theme, Deutsch ist suess!, explored German culture through food. The focus was both on the German culinary heritage in Wisconsin as well as on traditional and nouvelle
cuisine in Germany. Competitions included pictionary, charade, Culture Bowl, logo design for a coffee mug, and a baking contest. In order to make German Day both fun as well as educational, we had invited area restaurants and local German heritage clubs to showcase their fare. A presentation by Trudy Paradies, author of German Milwaukee: It's History- It's Recipes, rounded off the event.
This year highschools were able to win prizes for first place in different categories, such as a "Welcome Prize" for the best new participating school or "Best Baked Goods" etc. Some teachers even received gift certificates as a token of appreciation for the far drive (up to 200 miles!).
 

Minutes of the Annual Meeting

The annual business meeting was held on Friday, Nov. 2nd 2007 at the Paper Valley Hotel.  About 60 members were present.

Due to illness of the secretary reading of the 2006 minutes was dispensed with. 2006 minutes will be posted on the chapter web site and
also emailed to the listserv as soon as I have a copy.

Financial report

Checkbook balance on January 1st was $1972.62, we received $735 from national for dues reimbursements.  Checks approved and written at the meeting for $140 to Daniel Minter for election expenses and $325 to attend the chapter presidents meeting were approved leaving a balance of $2206.62.

We are still investigating the location and status of the $997 savings account that was last listed on a fiscal year 2005 treasurers report.

New Business

Charles James has posted information on the 2008 Madison German Day on his web site.  A link will be provided on the chapter web site soon.

UW Whitewater is interested in organizing a similar function as is UW-Stevens Pont.  UW Milwaukee German Day was held in October.  Details on the UW Milwaukee German Day will be posted on the chapter web site.

The new DPI world language consultant spoke briefly to the meeting. Gerhard Fischer will be working with the executive council to see how
WIAATG can aid the Hessen Program.


Brent Peterson has volunteered to serve again as testing chair, but is looking for a willing university member to study from him in the hope of
taking over the role in future years.

Sabine Beirold announced details of the speaking contest.  Details are available on the chapter web site.

We voted to provide up to $200 to Northern Illinois as support for the Feb. Immersion weekend if they request the funds.

Discussion was held on the idea of setting a chapter budget and one will be set as soon as possible and posted on the web site and list serve.

Discussion was held on the by-laws and needed changes.  A proposal will be brought to the meeting next November.

New officers for 2008-2010

John Pustejovsky President
Bobette Leu Timmerman Vice President/President Elect
Charles James Treasurer
Anna Geiger Secretary
Daniel Minter Past President
Outgoing Officers - thank you for your service

Sarah Bleicher Treasurer
Amy Lechter Secretary


Discussion was also held about a chapter project for 2009. Interest in 2 choices Elementary German Programs K-8 or general advocacy was
indicated.  Exec. Council will have further discussion.  Goethe Institute in Chicago indicated strong support for the K-8 program
including the availability of seed money fund to leverage our application to national for a grant.

2006 Wisconsin Chapter American Association of Teachers of German

Annual Meeting

Friday November 3rd 2006

Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton WI

I. Call to order at 5:18 p.m.

II. Secretary’s Report-Minutes from previous meeting were read and approved

-54 people in attendance

III. Reports

  1. President: Daniel Minter

IV. Old Business – none

V. New Business

A. Speaker cancelled

B. John Stark: guest speaker from AATG

Promoted new website and listserv

Issues: declining number of members in AATG

Discussed endowment which supports students to Germany

  1. Brent Peterson: Testing Program

    1. Fewer test takers this year, fewer interviews. Call to get more students involved

    2. Discussion of timing (when to hold tests) might increase participation

  2. Sy Kreilen talked about Biedermeier

  3. Charles James: German Day at UW-Madison

    1. Thursday, April 26th 2007, 9-2pm.

    2. Encouraged more schools to attend

    3. Poster contest-collect sent-in posters

    4. Motto: Got Deutsch?

  4. John Pustejovsky: Goethe Institute Echo Seminar

    1. Introduced Bausteine Seminars-sponsored by the Goethe Haus

    2. Wants to get a group of teachers together to do regional Bausteine Seminars

  5. Bylaws

    1. Were voted on in 1992. Is there a need to change them? No need presented

  6. Listserv

    1. A reminder from Marge and Daniel to check with your school if you are not receiving emails

  7. Chapter Website

    1. discussion of our own on-line discussion

    2. everything is posted there that is necessary

    3. Check it the 1st of every month, especially for upcoming events.

  8. 2007 WAFLT Winter Workshop and Flesfest announcements

  9. Karen Fowdy handed out Swiss materials/resources

  10. Sabine Beirold: Speaking Contest

    1. 123 student participants

    2. $484.73 start, with a current balance of $725.85

    3. Fee is $4 with $2 staying in our region

    4. $1 for state and $1 for seed money

    5. Will be held in the LaCrosse area on March 5th 2007

    6. Milwaukee will be an early weekend in February, 2007

  11. 2007 Immersion Weekend

    1. 1st Weekend in February

    2. Topic: Medien at Camp Lake

  12. Reminder of Elections next year

  13. Door Prizes were given

  14. Reminder of the Hessen Exchange: applications due in February.

  1. Adjourned at 6:45pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Amy Letcher

Wisconsin Chapter AATG Secretary

November 4th, 2006