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A
Steering Committee was formed to take on the first recommendation
and form an organization that could accomplish the other
recommended goals. The members of this committee represented
local conservation groups, municipal planners, University
of Wisconsin Extension, Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), the Oshkosh Area Community Fund, and
the League of Women Voters. Funding to initiate the Winnebago
Lakes Council came from the DNR and the Lake Poygan Sportsmen’s
Club.
Incorporation
papers and an interim board were established in December
2004. The following individuals served on the interim
board during 2005 or 2006: Bob Beckstrom, LuAnn Bird,
Paul Fowler, Greg Keil, Michael Lizotte, Jack Quigley,
Nile Roeder, Dan Rudebeck, Jan Scalpone, Dani Stolley,
and Bob Wojcik. Their efforts were supported by numerous
advisors, contracted staff, and volunteers, including
Robin McLennan, Mark Sesing, Catherine Neiswender, Chad
Cook, Leslie Taylor, Mike Patterson, Linda Grishaber,
Zaiga Maasen, Jeanne Shiras, Art Techlow, Kendall Kamke,
Dick Sachs, Eric Fowle, Tim Badtke, Scott Engel, Carolyn
Blassingame, Kathy Propp, and Tiffany Nytes.
The
interim board accomplished several key milestones. A
kick-off breakfast forum was held in Oshkosh in June
2005, signing up 30 founding members. The first quarterly
newsletter was mailed out in January 2006 with an initial
run of 10,000 copies, distributed with help from “On
the Water” magazine. The River Alliance of Wisconsin
provided leadership development training in January
2006, which helped develop goals for membership and
projects. The Council established seasonal events for
members with a winter Winnebago Lakes Gathering, a summer
Recognition Picnic, and a fall Annual Meeting. In
2006 we obtained federal 501(c)(3) tax exemption status
as a non-profit organization. The first Board of Directors
was elected in October 2006 at the Annual Meeting.
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