Governor Walker Signs AB 224; New Options for Library and School Fund Management

Assembly Bill 224 was signed into law by Governor Walker on March 29. The bipartisan bill, authored by State Representatives Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) and Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) gives schools and libraries greater flexibility in the management of gifts and grants to their institutions.

Formerly, the state law had been amended to give public libraries the authority to transfer gifts and grants to a related foundation. This new law, Act 163, would expand the authority to schools and allow both types of institutions to transfer funds to community foundations. There are many benefits of working with a local community foundation, not least of which is their expertise in managing investment funds.

Read the complete news release from the Wisconsin Legislature.

For more on this topic, don't miss the WAPL Conference program, "Making the Most of Donor Dollars" on Thursday, May 10, which will discuss the benefits of using foundations to manage gifts and grants. Speakers are Victor Schultz, M&I Wealth Management of BMO Financial Group, formerly in private practice advising clients on creating trusts and foundations; Paula Kiely, Director, Milwaukee Public Library; Sharon Cook, Trustee, Milwaukee Public Library, and member of the Not-for-Profit Team at M&I Institutional Trust Services.

WAPL Conference Registration Is Open!

Spring is in the air, it must be time to register for the 2012 WAPL conference! Get ready for exciting programs, educational speakers, professional development and lots of fun with fellow colleagues! Mark your calendars for the 2012 WAPL conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point:

Date: May 9 – May 11

Location: Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center, Stevens Point

Registration and program information for the 2012 WAPL Conference can be found at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wapl/conferences/2012/registration.htm

Information about the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, Stevens Point can be found at http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/stevens-point/steaa/hoteldetail

--Tim Powers, WAPL Conference Publicity Chair
tim.powers@city.fitchburg.wi.us

Call for program proposals: WAPL Spring Conference!

The WAPL 2012 Spring Conference Planning Committee invites proposals for breakout sessions for “Share the Driving” – WAPL 2012: May 9 – 11, 2012 Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center 1001 Amber Avenue Stevens Point WI 54482
Proposals for presentations, panels and workshops are welcome. Possible topic ideas include (but are not limited to):
• Multigenerational programming
• Starting and nurturing a Friends’ Group
• Creative ways to work with Boards of Trustees
• Relationship building with municipalities
• Methods for delegating to staff
• Work flow management
• Community feedback on library services
• Collaborating with local resources for public relations
• Visioning with educational institutions
• Volunteer success stories
• Teamwork with other non-profits
• Libraries as early literacy builders
• Neighboring libraries working together
• Innovative ways of working with youth
• The current technological frontier
• Wakanheza—a winning concept for everyone
• Local authors and how to work with them

Sessions / programs generally run 60-75 minutes in length. Every WLA unit has a special perspective to offer as we assemble our programming.
DUE January 15, 2012

Please use the online proposal form (no login required):

Elizabeth M. Timmins, (etimmins@mail.owls.lib.wi.us) WAPL Spring Conference 2012 Program Chair. Questions?? Telephone 920-833-2725. Thank you and have a creative day!