Illinois Section
American Association of Physics Teachers

Minutes of the Fall Council Meeting
Joliet Junior College, Room 2013
October 27, 2001

The meeting was called to order by President Charles Schulz at 7:06 a.m. Those in attendance were Roger Reeves, Diana Roth, Duane Ingram, Kimberly Shaw, Cliff Parker, Win Htwe, John Askill, Bruce McCart, Gary Wolber, Ann Brandon, Debby Lojkutz, Curt Hieggelke, Ken Mellendorf, Dave Renneke, Kelly Roos, Narendra Jaggi and Carl Wenning. Also in attendance was guest John Hubisz, AAPT president.

Secretary-Treasurer Report: The Minutes of the spring Council meeting were presented and approved. The Treasurer's Report, showing a balance of $2,131.32 as of October 24, 2001, was approved.

Newsletter Report: Roger Reeves noted that things are going well with the production of the Illinois Physics Teacher newsletter and that he hopes to continue getting the newsletter out about a month before meetings.

Section Representative Report: Curt Hieggelke summarized his written report by stating that there is an effort being undertaken currently to regularize the relations between regional associations and the national office now that a new constitution and bylaws have been adopted. This is a concern about "uniformity of section procedures." There is some concern about the possibility of double votes of members who belong to two regional associations, issues regarding liability concerns at conferences, uniform reporting procedures, and uniform terms for leadership council memberships. John Hubisz pointed out benefits associated with "regularization." Curt noted that the ISAAPT is in good condition and it is unlikely that any significant changes in our structure will have to occur. Cliff Parker motioned, it was seconded, and carried (SMC) that the ISAAPT push through its representative at the national level for uniformity of procedures. Curt also pointed out the ISAAPT membership has been asked to provide input for a survey about national meetings. Preferences relating to survey questions were discussed. Secretary Wenning will forward the Executive Council's recommendations. Lastly, Curt pointed out that section reps might not be supported by their schools when attending the national summer meetings, and that the ISAAPT should be prepared to handle some of the associated costs of representation.

Publicity Chair, Section Editor, and Webmaster Report: Dave Renneke noted that the section's web page was working nicely, and has hidden components such as Excel spreadsheets for use by meeting hosts. Curt noted that Dave's work is deeply appreciated by the membership. There was a round of approval.

Committee for the Distinguished Service Citation Report: Ann Brandon noted that things had gone well with the nomination and selection process this year. She further noted that Roger Malcolm, Carl Wenning, and Roger Reeves (this year's recipient) would be handling the award next year.  Fred Zurheide graciously arranged for the plaque again this year and would be happy to continue this service to ISAAPT.

Committee for the High School Teacher Award Report: Gary Wolber noted that the ISTA Spectrum had been asked to carry the announcements for award nominations, and that efforts would begin to contact all state school superintendents through regional offices of education. Carl will provide Gary contact information. Gary said that he would be stepping down from heading the high school award program after this spring and that he would need to be replaced.

Representative to the AAPT High School Committee Report: Ann Brandon noted that the awards program for physics photos and videos was very successful this year, and that several award winning pictures had graced the covers of The Physics Teacher and Announcer recently. It was then noted that two scholarship award programs had been recently announced for high school physics teacher candidates: the Lotze Scholarship and the Knowles Science Teaching Fellowship. The Foundation can also provide funding for high school physics teachers to attend summer workshops. Carl will forward information about these programs to the Council membership through the list server.

Nominations Report: Narendra Jaggi noted that he had been able to get four excellent candidates to run for Council positions: Gary Wolber, Rock Island High School, President-Elect; Elisabeth Langford, Springfield Southeast High School, high school rep; Bill Hogan, Joliet Junior College, 2-year college rep; and Ray Bugayong, McMurray College, 4-year college rep. These individuals (who were duly elected by unanimous acclamation at the noontime general membership meeting) will replace Gary Wolber, Curt Hieggelke, and Gary Gladding whose terms as representatives are slated to expire with the election. Curt who was appointed temporary section rep after the retirement of Conley Stutz, was reappointed (and later duly elected).

Old Business: (a) It was noted that all future meetings on the ISAAPT docket will take place as slated. The spring meeting in 2002 at Eastern Illinois University will be held on April 5-6. The fall 2002 meeting at Millikin University will take place on October 18-19. The spring 2003 meeting at Knox College will take place April 11-12. The fall 2003 meeting at Illinois State University will be held immediately on the heels of and in cooperation with the Illinois Association of Chemistry Teachers, many of whose members also teach physics. The meeting will take place in mid-October. The spring 2004 meeting at the University of Illinois is tentative. The fall 2004 meeting at Bradley University has had the "tentative" label removed. (b) Duane Ingram noted that the ISAAPT/IAI ad hoc committee for developing a transfer physics major for community college students has met and has worked out a tentative solution to the problem. Curt moved that the Chicago Section be asked to add representatives to the committee so that the committee might more adequately represent the membership of that section. It was MSC that this be done so; Duane will ask for time on the agenda of the afternoon meeting of the Chicago Section. After the committee has been reformulated and the final draft proposal approved, it will survey major institutions in Illinois about the adequacy of the proposal. (c) Carl reported that the ISAAPT Guidebook program had awarded 6 books to ISU students during the fall, and that no other requests had been received following the announcement in the recent Illinois Physics Teacher.

New Business: (a) Carl noted that a very significant number of individuals on the rolls of the ISAAPT membership had not paid dues for years. He recommended that procedures for dues be regularized. It was suggested that dues payments be annualized, with notices sent out to those whose dues are in arrears. It was suggested by Roger Reeves that mailing labels have a dues renewal statement on them. Curt suggested an option for prepayment for several years worth of dues. It was also suggested that a lifetime membership be made available. Curt moved that Carl and the past two secretary/treasurers (Roger Reeves and Dave Renneke) be appointed to an ad hoc committee to address this concern about dues collection, and make a report at the next Executive Council meeting. The motion was seconded and carried. (b) Dave Renneke was reappointed publicity chair. (c) Roger Reeves was reappointed newsletter editor.

Announcement: Curt noted that the AAPT guidelines for 2-year programs had recently been updated. He suggested that everyone might benefit from looking at this new document.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.

Carl J. Wenning
Secretary-Treasurer

Last edited:  October 31, 2001