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History

The importance of the Historical Record.

We each have personal recollections of past events, personal memories, and vivid, imaginative accounts of the events of our association. These memories create a springboard for the stories that provide us a precious link to our past. In this activity, members learn the basics for, and the importance of why we need to record the events of our history. All members are the interviewers that seek to learn more about the past of the WNGEA. All members actively collect, and share stories from the experiences they had and have, that bring them closer to the heritage of the association and the Wisconsin National Guard. If you have any information, photos, etc., that may be of historical interest, please send it, or a copy to the WNGEA.

Official Events of historical value:

Date Of Event               Description of the historical value item .
-----------------------       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
   
April 2008-2010
Bonnie Moser assumed the Association Presidency . Jim Cieslewicz was elected as Vice President Gary Hans was elected as Treasurer, replacing Jim Krueck. Amy Jensen was elected as Recording Secretary.
July 2007
Bonnie Moser accepted the position of Vice President.
May 2007
Vice President David Dechant resigned.
April 2007
John Maino, Speaker at the 2007 Annual Conference was awarded an Honorary WNGEA membership for his work with the Wisconsin National Guard Units.
April 2007
Bob Serrahn was hired as the new Executive Director for the WNGEA, and will officially start on 1 May 2007
December
2006

Received new membership brochure designed by Jeff Rohloff, and started distribution using the USAA popup display boxes.

July 2006
Bonnie Moser, Executive Director Retired from fulltime, serving 20 years as Executive Director. She will continue as State Legislative Manager.
July 2006-2008
CSM (Ret) John Olson assumed the Association Presidency
April 2006
The Membership in annual meeting voted to increase the annual and life membership dues fees, to be effective 1 October.
April 2006
Rep Terry Musser was awarded an Honorary WNGEA membership at the state conference.
April 2006
The second time in our history, the Annual Conference was a joint Enlisted and Officer Association conference.
January 2006
All Membership services are now under the EANGUS Membership Services.
October 2005
The Executive Council approved the transfer of membership management to EANGUS, to be effective 1 January 2006.
July 2005
Bonnie Moser was mobilized in her reserve unit, and is stationed at Ft McCoy for one year. Bob Serrahn is filling in for her again.
July 2005
All policies were redone and put into a Master Policy Book with an operating instruction to manage all current and new policies.
July 2005
The WNGEA.ORG Web Site was officially launched.
October 2004
Wi Rep. Terry Musser was approved to receive a Honorary Membership.
October 2004
It was decided to authorize the Web Manager to design and build a web site for the association.
August 2004
Bonnie Moser went on a six month active duty tour at Ft McCoy. Bob Serrahn was asked to work the office in her absence.
July 2004-2006
SGM (Ret) Gary Hans assumed the Association Presidency
January 2003
Funds in excess of the annual budget will be ear marked for long term stability.
October 2002
Ways and Means Inventory was moved into the Executive Director Office in hope to reduce the amount and liquidate most of the old items.
July 2002-2004
SMSgt (Ret) Robert Serrahn assumed the Association Presidency.
October 2000
It was decided to move the Membership Secretary responsibility into the Executive Directors Office.
August 2000
The concept of a Junior Enlisted committee was introduced at the EANGUS conference. Each state should adopt this concept. Chad Spitz is the first state Junior Enlisted Chairperson.
July 2000-2002
MSG Mark Spitz assumed the Association Presidency.
January 2000
EANGUS increased national dues by $3.00. This will be effective January 2001. The WNGEA will increase dues effective then. There will be no increase in state dues. Policy letters will be updated for acceptance at the state annual conference.
November 1999
David Conis resigned as WNGEA president. VP Mark Spitz will assume the position of President. Lowell Koehler will act as temporary VP.
October 1999
The Battalion Representative concept for Executive Council membership was changed to a Regional Director concept. The Bylaws will be changed to reflect the changes.
July 1998-1999
SFC David Conis assumed the Association Presidency.
January 1998
The WNGEA received a $1000 scholarship from USAA. This is a new program sponsored for EANGUS.
April 1997
The Treasurer introduced a new policy on reimbursement and travel that was accepted.
July 1996
CSM Jim Krueck took over as Treasurer after a long and frustrating period of not having a good handle on the finances and budgets.
July 1996-1998
CSM Lowell Koehler assumed the Association Presidency.
March 1996
Started giving free 1 year memberships to non-prior Guardmembers in rank of E1 to E4.
January 1996
It was decided to go from four to three issues of the Bucky's Bulletin, and put the amount for the fourth issue in a contingency fund.
April 1995
The WNGEA and WNGA held the first combined annual meeting.
January 1995
A new publisher, Bar Graphics of Berlin was selected for printing the Bucky's Bulletin.
November 1994
A Program Action Team (PAT) was started with Col Bob Klinger as facilitator to brainstorm ways to increase membership.
July 1994
The WNGEA moved into the new TAG building and has had their first meeting in the new building.
July 1994-1996
MSgt Jeff Rohloff assumed the Association Presidency.
January 1993
Wayne Sedgwick recommended that instead of changing the Bylaws each time we change our dues rates, that all dues rates should be made by policy letter.
July 1993
Chaplain Bill Fitzpatrick established a book on honor, and will go back to 1972 to add those names to it.
October 1992
SMSgt Bob Serrahn presented a dues increase payment by rank structure. This is based on the 1992 pay chart where members would pay roughly one hours pay for their dues per year. Dues to be increased Jan 1993.
July 1992-1994
SGM William Krueck assumed the Association Presidency.
April 1991
It was announced that a new AG building will be constructed to replace the area of Bldg 600 and our office. We will have an area in the new building consisting of 240 sq ft. For this space the cost is $25,000. The cost is for the next 20 years. We must pay utilities. Lowell Koehler moved that we accept the proposal.
October 1990
It was agreed to co-host a one time state conference with the Officers Association in 1994 at the Holiday Inn West Madison.
July 1990
The idea of a Corporate and Associate membership was introduced by Bob Serrahn . Approval must be made in the Bylaws at the conference.
July 1990-1992
SFC Deanna Luedtke assumed the Association Presidency.
May 1989
Wisconsin is host of the Area V Caucus in LaCrosse for the first time.
April 1989
ADV is no longer the printer for the Bucky's Bulletin. Wayne Sedgwick is looking at Tetra Printers in Menomonee Falls. There will be no advertising in the publication.
April 1989
One of the scholarships will be name in honor of Gen Raymond Matera.
July 1988
Contest announced to rename the Bucky's Bulletin
July 1988-1990
CSM Donald Meister assumed the Association Presidency, a second term.
January 1988
A new printer has been chosen for the Bucky's Bulletin. ADV will start printing with the next issue. The cover will be printed in color.
January 1987
New self mailer membership applications have been designed and printed up. Distribution will be made after printing..
July 1986-1988
SGM Neil Thome assumed the Association Presidency.
July 1986
SP4 Bonnie Moser was hired as the Association Executive Director.
June 1986
The WNGA notified the WNGEA that if we want to maintain a non-profit status, we need to adjust our tax status, and rename some of our terminology.
June 1986
The WNGEA and WNGA met and established an agreement to share the Insurance Trust experience refund and other income each year 50/50.
June 1986
Three applications were received for the new Executive Director position. Selectee will have a six month probation period.
June 1986
A sustained membership system plan was introduced by the Membership Secretary, along with a new membership accounting program using a commercial database program (MS Access). Membership notices will be sent direct to the member. Membership cards will be printed and sent direct to the member. This eliminates the potential loosing of memberships at the unit level. Unit Representatives can concentrate on selling the association.
April 1986
A first for the WNGEA annual conferences. There were breakouts for each committee for attendees to visit and participate in.
March 1986
Disturbing news about Michael Muthig, Executive Secretary. He could not be contacted since December 1985, and was in trouble with the law and is no longer in the National Guard. He has been terminated. A new steering committee has been formed to select a new Executive Secretary.
July 1985
President hired the first Executive Secretary - Michael Muthig
July 1985
A new discount program brochure and display sticker has been designed and distributed.
March 1985
Authorization given to President to employ a full time Executive Secretary from recommendation of the ad hoc committee by 1 July 1985.
March 1985
Established an ad hoc committee to write a full time job description for a new Executive Secretary, send out advertising, interview candidates, and recommend the best person to the President.
January 1985
Moved to increase state annual dues to $6.00 on 1 Jan 1986, and $7.00 on 1 Jan 1988 to coincide with the EANGUS dues increase for all ranks.
January 1985
Business fiscal year was changed to January through December to coincide with the national dues year.
December 1984
The first ever Distinguished Service Award was presented to Rep. John D. Medinger of LaCrosse for his work and help for members of the National Guard.
September 1984
Request to change Bylaw to change membership from a fixed year of 1 July to 30 June to a flexible calendar year.
September 1984
The Chaplain and Historian positions were added to the Executive Council
September 1984
The TAG notified the WNGEA that he has approved a room at the state headquarters building. This will allow the WNGEA to have an official mailing address.
August 1984
SGM Wayne Sedgwick accepted to be the EANGUS Ways and Means Chairman.
April 1984
The WNGEA received the status of being Incorporated.
April 1984
State annual dues increased to $5.00 per member per year.
February 1984
The Wisconsin National Guard Distinctive vehicle license plate Assembly Bill 880 was passed into law, thanks to the hard work of MSG David Sartori.
January 1984
Special Position Name Tags were purchased for Executive Council members.
July 1984-1986
SMSgt Donald Adams assumed the Association Presidency.
November 1983
The Bucky's Bulletin will be published as a magazine and not a newsletter by Normandin Publishing.
August 1983
The WNGEA with 3132 members is number two in EANGUS behind Mississippi.
March 1983
The WNGEA switched publishers. The new publisher is now Normandin Publishers out of St. Paul, MN.
July 1982-1984
CSM Donald Meister assumed the Association Presidency.
October 1981
Guardian Publishing has been selected to print our conference books.
March 1981
It was moved that the WNGEA look into establishing a Wisconsin National Guard Museum.
January 1981
The WNGEA took on the project to support the restoration of all the flags from the Civil War that are in the State Capital
July 1980-1982
SGM Alan Seidl assumed the Association Presidency.
August 1980
The 1980 EANGUS National Conference, held at the Marc Plaza in Milwaukee was a success. 700 plus were in attendance.
March 1980
Automated membership cards were produced on the computer.
April 1980
Ray Kolata designed and developed a new membership packet for unit representatives.
March 1980
It was announced at the State conference that Wisconsin was number 3 in national membership.
January 1980
The 1980 EANGUS annual conference activity has gone into high gear, getting ready for Milwaukee 1980 in August.
August 1979
The WNGEA Auxiliary received their state charter at the EANGUS national conference in Phoenix, AZ
January 1979
The Awards Committee was organized and an awards system was set up.
April 1979
Membership records were entered on keypunch cards for the first automated membership system. It was used for listings only.
April 1979
The Bucky design was adopted by the Executive Council as the WNGEA logo.
October 1978
The organization for the 1980 EANGUS conference has begun in the state with SGM Wayne Sedgwick as general chairperson.
October 1978
Leinenkugal Brewery agreed to print a supply of distinctive beer cans with the Bucky logo on. Cost per case: $5.65., selling at $12.00 per case. 2500 cases were ordered.
October 1978
The First life membership policy was moved and adopted.
July 1978-1980
SGM Wayne Sedgwick assumed the Association Presidency.
August 1978
A discussion was brought up to have an official WNGEA publication.
July 1976-1978
MSgt William Fitzpatrick assumed the Association Presidency.
August 1975
The bid for 1978 EANGUS conference went to Hawaii. Wisconsin submitted a bid for the 1980 EANGUS conference for Milwaukee.
July 1974-1976
SFC Franklin Stoneburner assumed the Association Presidency.
October 1974
Wisconsin was considering to host the 1978 EANGUS conference. SGM Alan Seidl was considering to run for National Treasurer.
April 1973-1974
SGM Jim Abrahamson assumed the Association Presidency.
April 1973
The first annual WNGEA conference in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. This was the constitutional convention conference.
August 1972
The Birth of the Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association. The first official executive council meeting was held in the Madison Armory . The annual dues was $3.00 per member per year of which $1.00 went to EANGUS.
July 1972-1973
CSM David Ebert was elected as the first WNGEA President.
SGM Jimmy Abrahamson was the first Vice President
CSM Lawrence Murray was the first Recording Secretary
MSG Phillip Wermer was the first Treasurer
July 1972
A charter to organize as a state chapter was received from EANGUS.
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