A Message from President Anne Uecker, WCPC/MMC

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for Spring - and it seems like the weather is starting to agree.  The old standing joke was that in Wisconsin we have two seasons – winter and road construction.  I think in 2012 we have only one – ELECTION SEASON!  The Election Communications Committee has been busy keeping all of us up to date on last minute changes which are so helpful.  Thank you to the Committee for staying on top of things.

On February 3rd, the Executive Board met in Plover.  At the meeting, the Board approved the Strategic Plan, the Mission Statement, and worked on prioritizing the four major goals that came out of the Strategic Planning session held in December, 2011.

The Mission Statement represents what the Executive Board feels is the core value of WMCA:

WMCA is the premier source for the personal empowerment of Municipal Clerks of Wisconsin through education, professional development, and promotion of excellence.

The 4 goals that will be priorities for the Board are (in no particular order):

1.  Evaluate the Current WMCA Governance Model

2.  Enhance Communication with WMCA Members

3.  Extend the Professional Image and Influence of Municipal Clerks

4.  Complete WMCA Strategic Plan with Effective Communication

Each goal has a “champion” – someone who is going to work on it, perhaps form a small ad-hoc committee, and then present to the Executive Board the information gathered as well as action needed to be taken for  granted further discussion and implementation.  As you can see, none of these goals are small undertakings, but on the other hand, none are unattainable.
First Vice President Vikki Zuehlke and I are working on the WMCA Governance Model.  One of the items that we are reviewing is the number of WMCA Committees and the structure of each committee.  Things that we will be looking at are the value provided by committees; the structure of the committees; Executive Board orientation and training; use of Board and Committees to implement the Strategic Plan; the effectiveness of the Board structure – the nimbleness and flexibility of the Executive Board; enhancing communication from the Board to the membership; and finally working on succession planning.  These all came out of the Strategic Planning session held in December and were the consensus of the Board as things that needed to be addressed.  Vikki and I have taken a first look and will be meeting with other Board members to develop our responses/ideas/solutions to this goal.  Our main focus will start with our Committees and move forward from there.

I’ve used this metaphor before, but I am so excited to be sailing on a charted course with the adoption of the WMCA Strategic Plan.  WMCA has so much to offer each of us and the value we receive is immeasurable.  The Executive Board of today, and of the future, will have a great map to sail with.  That is not to say that stormy weather will not  interrupt the smooth sailing – but at least WMCA has a plan that will grow and change with the organization and keep us moving forward to be the BEST association we can be.

Anne Uecker, WCPC/MMC
WMCA President
Clerk/Treasurer
City of St. Francis
4235 S. Nicholson Ave.
St. Francis, WI  53235-5839

The picture above is the swearing in of 2011-2012 President Anne Uecker at the 2011 WMCA Annual Banquet at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.