Members Present: John Richards, Ed Peterson, Kelly Hibbs, Ted Gerber, Steve Zelinski, Tom Berg

Others Present: Michael Kornmann, John Stroschine

Press: Chet Newman, Sentinel Nancy Jappe, Inter County Leader

CALL TO ORDER:

Meeting called to order by President Steve Zelinski at 3:30 pm in Room 162/163 of the Burnett County Government Center on November 5, 2003.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion to approve the September 30, 2003 minutes with corrections (Tom Berg present and called meeting to order) made by Ed Peterson; seconded by John Richards. Motion carried.

VOUCHERS & FINANCIAL REPORT:

No vouchers were presented.

Michael Kornmann presented the Financial Report.

OLD BUSINESS:

Superior Days

Michael Kornmann went over the top five issues identified at issues identification meeting held at the Government Center on October 16. The top five issues were: 1) Preservation of shared revenues; 2) Funding for ATV enforcement, trails and educations; 3) K – 12 funding; 4) Local distribution of tribal gaming funds; 5) Funding for a Burnett County drug/alcohol rehabilitation center.

High school students will pick one issue and research it to be presented in Superior at the December 10 Issues Forum at 7:00 p.m. Ten students will go to the Forum.

Work & Play Campaign

Michael Kornmann announced the proofs are almost done.

Northwest Regional Planning Commission

John Stroschine presented his report.

Great Wisconsin Birding Trail

Michael Kornmann shared information on the Great Wisconsin Birding Trail. The idea is have five auto based tours throughout the State. The Crex Center in Grantsburg has been designated the gateway to the Northwoods Trail. A four-day Grand Opening is scheduled for May 20 – 23, 2004. GEM Grants will be applied for to help fund this event. If BCDA wants to be a part of this event, matching funds to the grants will be needed.

Any Other Old Business

No other old business was presented.

NEW BUSINESS:

Strategic Planning – Session One – BCDA History

Michael Kornmann began by handing out materials and reading parts of the Articles of Incorporation for the Burnett County Development Association. The Articles cover a very broad scope with a lot of opportunity. BCDA is supposed to have members and set dues each year.

Kornmann also distributed materials on the life cycle of an organization. The cycles were read to the members, who were then asked where they though the BCDA was (what cycle).

Ted Gerber saw it as being in the end of midlife and beginning decline. Those cycles are defined as follows:

Midlife: The membership expands and changes, and the culture of the organization is taken for granted. Conflicts and competition for time grow with other community organizations.
Outsiders will continually seek to join if the organization is perceived as vital. Leaders must be aggressive, plan new things and use ingenious ways to present ideas (special campaigns, drives and events). Seasonal fluctuations in programs and activities must be recognized along with a larger cyclical change whereby people may eventually tire of the organization. Organizations can adapt by making some changes in direction and purpose. Changes may come about through electing officers from members who were not part of the initiating core. Continuing to elect founding embers as officers usually perpetrates the original organization.

Decline: Members lose interest and are no longer willing to attend meetings or they participate half-heartedly. Officers and members complain a lot and criticize each other. Meetings dwindle in number. Public interest drops. Members agree that “strong leadership” is needed but can’t find that leadership. Plans and policies must change to conform to newer demands or higher standards or both. Individuals need to be encouraged to become more involved in goal setting and responsibilities and to take greater ownership. If a small clique has dominated and chained the organization to an outdated past, either that leadership must change, or new leadership must emerge. The group eventually faces the question of demise or rebirth.

John Richards gave some history of BCDA since he became a member.

The idea is to decide where the BCDA is as an organization and in which direction it will go.

Set Next Meeting Date:
Next meeting date set for Wednesday, December 3, 2003 at 3:30 p.m. in Room 165 of the Burnett County Government Center.

Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn meeting made by Ted Gerber; seconded by John Richards. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. by Steve Zelinski.