As I pondered my message for this letter, a reoccurring question continued to pass through my mind…what does GIPAW mean to me? Well for me, and likely many of you, it means networking with IT Professionals that face similar hurdles and taking advantage of the shared wealth of expertise and experiences that in itself is GIPAW. At the initial Board Meeting in December the following initiatives were identified to make this information more easily accessible.

Board objectives for 2009 include:

·         Develop a GIPAW On-line Discussion Forum

·         Bring back the popular hardware, software and salary surveys. Expect the hardware survey about 3/31, salary survey about 6/30, and the software survey 9/31. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Patty Francour at pfrancour@co.winnebago.wi.us.

·         Updating the members only section of the website with survey results and member Policies and Procedures. If you have recently adopted and/or updated Policies and procedures please forward them to Jim Pike at jpike@antigo-city.org.

·         Introduction of the New GIPAW Listserv. The listserv is available at http://lists.wi.gov/read/all_forums/, if you have any questions please feel free to contact Mark Delaski at markde@ci.green-bay.wi.us.

 I would like to welcome our new members to the board of directors,Janet Huppert from Pierce County, Richard Powell from the City of Two Rivers
and yours truly, in addition to extending my thanks to Robert Reath from Waupaca County, Tim Ullman from Door County and L. Allen Mundt from Waukesha County for their service on the board.

The 2009 GIPAW officers are:

·   Joseph Wenninger              Chairperson

·   Janet Huppert                     Vice-Chairperson

·   Ruth Otto                           Secretary

·   Mark Delaski                       Treasurer

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who attended the 2008 GIPAW annual conference held at the Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot, the turn out was fantastic as were the member case study presentations. We are hoping to utilize the same format this year. Mark Beveridge and Dave Hayden did their usual excellent job with arranging the convention center and vendor show. Please take time to thank them for their extra efforts.

The 2009 annual conference will be held May 13th – 15th at the Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay. Be sure to continue checking the GIPAW website as information will be posted as it becomes available.

The fall meeting has been scheduled for September 16th and 17th at the Best Western Grand Seasons in Waupaca. There has been a block of rooms reserved with a reservation cut off date of September 6th. The Best Western Grand Seasons telephone number is 715-258-9212, toll free at 877-880-1054; or e-mail at info@bestwesternwaupaca.com.

Please send this introductory letter to other government IT personnel who you think might benefit from our organization. Follow up with a phone call and invite them to join us at our annual conference and fall meeting. By increasing the size of our membership I am confident we can only enhance the overall experience with GIPAW for everyone.

Please keep in mind that the annual dues for 2009 are due by April 1st. The fee has been reduced to $50.00 as the general meetings have been reduced from two to one annually. For this nominal membership fee the registered government entity can send multiple employees to the fall meeting.

Don’t pass on this exceptional value to collaborate and network with fellow Wisconsin Government IT peers and participate in the GIPAW Online Forum, surveys, listserv, and policy and procedures.

To join or renew your membership, please visit www.GIPAW.org and complete the online membership form or download a membership form to be filled out. Mail your check and completed form to:

Ruth Otto, Director of Information Technology

Village of Pleasant Prairie

 8600 Green Bay Road
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

Phone: (262) 925-9638