MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Paper Discovery Center
CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRPERSON TOM SUTTER
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 35
BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:
Mark & Karen Moderson, Tom Sutter, Christine Williams, James Richter, Laura Leimer, Brian Schneider, Dave Buss.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS:
•OCTOBER 19TH MEETING. Cindy Czarnik-Neimeyer, Appleton’s Bellaire Ct. neighborhood.
•NOVEMBER 16 Emily Gilbert of The Appleton Public Library will discuss the history of the library
•DECEMBER NO MEETING
•JANUARY OPEN
APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION:
•Officers and Committee Chairs for the organization are as follows:
A. President - Thomas Sutter
B. Vice President - Christine Williams
C. Secretary – James Richter
D. Treasurer – Jack Voight
E. Mark and Karen Moderson, Principal Organizers
F. Brian Schneider, Technical Resources
G. David Buss, Research Specialist
PRESIDENT SUTTER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A. Sutter verified that arrangements have been made with John Zimmerman of Conkey’s to use their former store for a second Christmas At Conkey’s event on November 22, 2011. We will be pursuing similar format to last year. Exhibitors and volunteers needed.
B. Mark Moderson is running a Mini AHS History Fair at the Ridgeview Highlands, interested exhibitors should contact him.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
A. Williams brought special attention to a program that will be presented at the Boys and Girls Club, Neenah, on 9/22/11. Speaker will be Edwin Bergstrom, who designed the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
B. Also alerted the audience to our own Nancy Barker who will be doing her presentation titled “What’s Haunted in the Valley” on her WHBY Radio program on 10/26/11 at 11:00 a.m.
C. Reminds us of our two upcoming History Fairs on December 3, 2011, and March 3, 2012.
UPCOMING HISTORY FAIRS:
Jim Richter, History Fair Chairman, advises that the AHS Board has formally agreed to proceed with two History Fairs in the coming Appleton Downtown Winter Farm Market season. Richter has reserved December 3, 2011, and March 3, 2012. Issues discussed:
(1) Mark and Karen Moderson are again our principal organizers. They will be in touch with those who had booths at prior events.
(2) Richter asked the audience if they would like to continue the format we used last season. Unanimous support to continue our blend of Historical Exhibits along with displays by area Historical organizations.
(3) Richter then asked the audience for what new ideas and exhibits they would like to see in coming events. Received 18 suggestions for different exhibitors and programs that the committee will be looking into.
REMINDER TO CHECK THE AHS WEBSITE REGULARLY:
To reach our Web Site go to www.appletonhistory.org
PROGRAM SPEAKER – Janice Krahn, Corporate Archivist and Historian for Thrivent Financial – the History of the Aid Association for Lutherans.
•Janice Krahn Background:
AShe served as a long term Administrative Assistant with the company first known as Aid Association for Lutherans and later as Thrivent.
BShowing interest in preserving the company’s history, top management appointed her as Corporate Archivist and Historian.
CShe basically started out with several boxes of unprotected pictures and records, which have evolved into protected archives stored in their own, large, temperature and humidity controlled room.
•Krahn’s Story of the History of A.A.L./Thrivent:
A. Showed us a power point on significant figures that affected company growth as well as the several buildings that have served as the company’s headquarters.
B. She pointed out that the firm has always been recognized as a distinguished example of a business run on Christian principles.
•Krahn’s Observations:
A. In the late 1890’s Mr. & Mrs. Albert Voecks and Lutherans in the Appleton area saw the need for and were committed to providing insurance for local Lutheran families.
B. Soon Mr. G.D. Siegler, Superintendent of Schools, joined forces with the Voecks.
C. William Zuehlke, the Appleton Postmaster, was approached by Albert
Voecks and Siegler to pursue development of an insurance company. He was asked to participate because of his accounting background. He also got 6 other Appleton leaders to participate.
D. The group checked the State Insurance Commission and found they would need 500 paid signatories to charter a new company.
E. Initially some 200 paid signatories came forth. A Mr. John Grupe joined the group and was personally responsible for signing some 268 additional members.
F. Churches at that time were contacted, but most viewed insurance as an evil thing at that time.
G. Nonetheless by October of 1899 the group got the 500 signatories needed and A.A.L. was formally chartered.
H. Mr. Albert Voecks was chosen as the lst President of the Aid Association for Lutherans.
I. In its earliest days and until 1905 the Voecks home just two blocks east of the Tuttle Press plant on Pacific Street served as the Corporate Office.
J. Mrs. Caroline Voecks served as the first Secretary of A.A.L.
K. In 1905 the company made a significant policy change in beginning sales of insurance directly to women.
L. From 1905 to 1914 the A.A.L. office was housed on the second floor of the Commercial Bank Building (site of the current Zuehlke Building).
M. In 1914 the office moved to the second floor of the lst National Bank Building at the northwest corner of College Avenue and Appleton Street.
N. With steady growth the company built the 5 story Home Office building at the northeast corner of College Avenue and Superior Street in 1922. The building was dedicated in 1923.
O. In 1939 the company provided a large employee picnic. At this event the first Miss A.A.L. was crowned-which became an annual tradition.
P. In 1950 the company expanded the Home Office building east to include a 10 story addition.
Q. In the 1950’s Mr. Tholen served as President.
R. In the late 1950’s Otto Rettner was President.
S. In 1954 the company made a sweeping operational change by going to automated billing.
T. During the 60’s Walter Rugland was President and many sweeping changes were made.
U. In 1966 company went to selling to Lutherans of all synods.
V. Rugland and his staff began drug abuse programs in the 1970’s which brought television star Art Linkletter to Appleton for an event in 1974.
W. With continued growth the company built and opened its new Ballard Road complex in 1977. President Schiebe directed that move and also started the firm’s Universal Life Insurance Program.
X. In 1985 Mr. Gunderson became company President.
Y. In 1986 the firm began offering Mutual Fund products.
Z. In 1995 the 4th story was added to the main building at the Ballard Road complex.
AA. In 2000 the company merged with Lutheran Brotherhood of the twin cities and was renamed Thrivent. John Gilbert served as President during this period.
DRAWING AGAIN HELD FOR AN AHS MEMBERSHIP:
President Sutter held another drawing and awarded a DVD of last month’s meeting, which included the program on the History of Appleton’s dams, locks and canals, to Nancy Walkowski.
SITE CHOSEN FOR THIS MEETING:
Due to the subject matter and an expected high turnout of members and guests, we again chose the lower level of the Paper Discovery Center for our September meeting. Atlas Coffee Mill still provided beverages and pastries.
NEXT MONTH’S MEETING:
The Appleton Historical Society’s next regular meeting will be held on October 19th.
Respectfully, James L. Richter AHS Secretary 9/30/11