Business Agent Report

by Bill Kingsley
First things first… We are always looking to reduce our costs and spend our Member’s money wiser while maintaining necessary insurance and licensing coverage that serves our Membership.

At Executive Training held in early November, several discussions included how to increase current and new Member inclusion during physical distancing and safely meeting during these coronavirus concerns.

Doris Weber and Damon Payne did a great job of presenting ZOOM Video & Chat webcasting. This is a great low cost, easy to use software program that will allow (in time) virtually any of us to attend any ABATE of WI meeting using our mobile or computing devices. Many of you may already be using it (or a similar program) already to stay connected with family, friends, or other organizations.

ZOOM has great potential for ABATE. ZOOM can be used for smaller meetings (regional, committee, remote locations) to larger statewide meetings and events. Some of the benefits are; more member inclusion, no limits on any meeting you choose to attend, regional meetings can either be in-person, virtual or both, full interaction, the list is endless… Think about the possibility of attending the monthly BOD meeting from the comfort of your home or get with other ABATE Brothers and Sisters to tune in together.

Regional Reps attending and District Directors have been asked to start incorporating these ZOOM meetings into their regular meeting formats. We are going to start by crawling with Zoom before we try walk and run. Please check it out and stay open minded to how we can all benefit by using ZOOM. Another presentation is planned for Officer Training in February.

Regional Reps – Please be sure to budget and plan for your appropriate raffle/event licensing for 2021. Ken Nelson will be presenting more info at Officer Training. Ken’s program really is a must attend for each region to become more knowledgeable of the licensing requirements. Be sure to sit in on it.

As I become acclimated to this new role and its responsibilities, I will be posting pertinent information in my newsletter articles for the members (at all levels of participation) to use and become more knowledgeable of the behind the scenes details. Sometimes there may not be much news to report, however, I will try to find something timely and of interest. Contact me if you have a topic you would like to see covered.

Should you have any questions regarding Insurance or Licensing (Raffles, fundraising, etc.) please contact me. My info is listed towards the end of this lovely newsletter. I may not have the answer, but I will get you the answer.

See you at the next Big One!
Bill