Letter from the President
Summer 2006
“My goal is simple. It is the complete understanding of the universe.” I agree with cosmologist Stephen Hawking’s sentiment, only my universe is the one we live in, Madison, Wisconsin.
Old structures have been a part of my personal universe ever since I can remember. I grew up in an 1890’s Queen Anne Painted Lady Victorian on Long Island, NY. One of my early achievements was restoring the porch of that Queen Anne. When I was 16, I started working in construction and later got my degree in construction management at UW Madison. After college, I worked as a journeyman carpenter on homes built from the late 18th century around Boston.
I like old buildings. I like the detail and the character. I like the stories old buildings tell. I like the smell of the old wood, dust, and plaster. I like that there are usually no square, plumb, or level surfaces. I like the way an old house feels.
I first heard of the Trust from Gary Tipler who’d hired me to help him fix up an apartment in his beautiful old house on East Main Street in the 1980’s. When I returned to Madison in 2001, I joined the Trust and after attending several board meetings, I was invited to sit on the board in early 2004.
As a board member, I got involved in a couple Trust committees, volunteered my time at events, took the tours, attended Landmark Commission meetings, and contributed to the strategic planning sessions with National Trust facilitator, Genell Scheurell. I was elected as Trust Secretary in 2005.
While I’d always intended to take a stronger leadership role in the Trust, I was surprised and deeply honored to be asked to be President. I’m looking forward to making a meaningful contribution over the next year. I’ll continue to confer with immediate past president, Joe Lusson, to advise me during the transition. Joe has done a wonderful job building a cohesive, decisive board, managing its ‘re-transformation’ by initiating and leading strategic planning sessions, and putting us in an advantageous position with a proactive stance.
There’s a lot I want to tackle.
Membership - I’d like to increase membership between 25% and 30% by May 2007. I want to see more member involvement, whether it’s limited to one event or helping on a committee.
Board - I’d like every board member to take an active role in something - an ad hoc or permanent committee or representing the Trust at neighborhood meetings or civic groups.
Fundraising - I want to increase our fundraising activities by working closely and partnering with other groups such as neighborhood and professional associations. I’d also like us to explore obtaining grants, donations from individuals and organizations, and/or sponsorships.
Visibility - I’d like to have more general membership meetings, increase our involvement in local events, encourage socials and ad hoc events, and continue to promote our outstanding tours.
Strategy - Our biggest challenge is the wanton destruction of historic buildings because of commercial, retail, and condominium development pressures. Housing developments on the city’s fringe have slowed dramatically, which may well indicate an upturn in the preservation and retrofitting of historic structures. We’re already seeing a promising effort on the isthmus to convert rental property back to single family homes.
That’s a glimpse at my universe. I look forward to the next two years, to getting to know a lot of you better and working together on our commitment of preserving our heritage through advocacy and education.
James Westring
President
Madison Trust for Historic Preservation
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