Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
1001 Amber Avenue
Stevens Point, Wis.
(888) 465-4329  

Meeting Information:

Meeting: 9 a.m.
Board of Control President Eric Russell Presiding

I. Opening Remarks by Eric Russell
II. No Minutes for 2020-Cancelled Meeting Due to Covid
III. Treasurer's Report by Bernie Nikolay
IV. Special Election Notice and Elections Report by Kassie Mortimer
V. Open Forum
VI. Amendments Click Here for 2020 Amendments | Click Here for 2021 Amendments

VII. Director's Report       
VIII. Announcements
IX. Adjournment

Annual Meeting Preview - Click Here
Link to the 2020 Amendments Click Here
Link to the 2021 Amendments Click Here
Link to the 2021 Annual Report  Click Here

For changes to the membership's Constitution, Bylaws and Rules of Eligibility, a vote of the entire membership is required at the Annual Meeting each spring. Changes to the sport seasons regulations are advanced through the democratic committee structure. The Constitution contains information relating to the Association as an organization. The Bylaws encompass information relating to member high schools' responsibility concerning WIAA rules and regulations. The Rules of Eligibility embody information relating to the relationship of the student-athlete to the high school and the WIAA.
 
The Board of Control has the ultimate authority in determining the outcome of sport seasons rule recommendations and regulations. Among the advisory groups that provide input to the Board are the coaches advisory committees for each sport; the sports advisory committee, comprised of school athletic directors from each of the seven districts; the advisory council, consisting of school administrators from each elector district; and the executive staff. Other groups with advisory responsibilities include the medical advisory committee, sportsmanship committee and the officials advisory committee. The Season Regulations address, among other topics, definition of the sports seasons, participation, contest control and tournament procedures. View Organizational Structure
 
The National Federation of State High School Associations are the authority of the competition rules for sport contests (i.e. uniforms, length of contest, game rules). As a member of the NFHS, the WIAA adheres to those rules as a member in good standing. The WIAA, as well as all state associations in the NFHS, has input with an advisory role in the review and promulgation of the playing rules. The NFHS office is located in Indianapolis, Ind. Click here for the NFHS Rules Making Process.
 
Currently, the Association sponsors a State Tournaments for 25 sports with tournament series for baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling for boys, and basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, hockey, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball for girls.

Business Procedure:  Robert's Rules of Order shall govern if not inconsistent with the WIAA Constitution.
 
Authority:  The WIAA Constitution empowers the Board of Control to designate a time and place for an Annual Meeting for the purpose of conducting the business of this Association.  Written notice of the Annual Meeting shall be provided member high schools at least 30 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting.  Each member high school (Grades 9-12) shall be entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting, and this vote must be cast by the district administrator, chief executive officer, principal or other person designated by the local Board of Education or recognized governing body.  The Constitution states the President of the Board of Control will chair the meeting.
 
Recognition by the Chair:  A delegate may speak by going to a microphone, being recognized by the chair, give his or her full name and the name of the member school represented.

Motions:  All motions shall be in the affirmative.  If seconded, discussion follows.  When the question is called, a yes or no vote is made by paper ballot.
 
Debate on the Floor:  The chair has the authority to establish time limits on individual presentations so that all representative positions can be stated.
 
Resolutions:  The Constitution of the WIAA provides that "a proposed amendment to the Constitution, Bylaws or Rules of Eligibility of this Association may originate (1) at the Annual Meeting of this Association, (2) in the Board of Control, (3) in the Advisory Council or (4) by petition in writing by the district administrator or high school principal of at least 10 % of the member high schools."
 
The Constitution instructs Executive Director Dave Anderson to "distribute to member high schools of this Association an informational bulletin detailing the wording of proposed amendments and a brief description of their meaning, intent and the effect of passage."
 
All member schools received such an informational bulletin earlier and the same material was printed in the BULLETIN.  It also is part of the Annual Meeting handouts.
 
The Constitution further specifies that "member school representatives at the ensuing Annual Meeting (or a special emergency meeting) of this Association shall vote on the proposed amendment(s).  If the majority of schools vote in favor of the proposed amendment(s), it shall become effective no later than the next following issue of the BULLETIN, the official publication of this Association."
 
If a proposed amendment develops at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of schools represented, action to add it to the Constitution, Bylaws and Rules of Eligibility cannot be taken until the next Annual Meeting or, if the membership decrees, at a special emergency Annual Meeting.  This procedure protects the rights of non-represented schools which would not have had prior knowledge of such a proposal.
 
Voting:  All votes will be by written ballot.  Color-coded ballots are included in each delegate's packet.  Voting delegates have been appointed to serve as tellers, and they, with the help of the WIAA staff, will conduct the vote count.