THE MAKING OF WESA - A BRIEF HISTORY

After a generation of existence, it is only fitting that we pause and reflect on how it all happened; how a group of people who characteristically seem to be independent and non-joiners, could band together for their mutual benefit, and still be in existence since 1959.  To know this history is to better understand the unique character of the Wisconsin Electronic  Service Association.

 To trace the beginnings, we need to go back a few years before WESA was organized.  In 1952, a group of service dealers in Milwaukee formed an association called MARTS (Milwaukee Association of Radio & Television Services).  Several years later, MARTS decided to affiliate with NATESA (National Alliance of Television and Electronic Service Associations).  NATESA was the only national service association at that time.  In 1957, MARTS representatives attended a national convention of NATESA for the first time.  While in Chicago at this convention, they discovered another Wisconsin group from Green Bay was also present.  It was at this meeting that discussions originated regarding organization of a Wisconsin state association.  Since NATESA encouraged affiliating organizations to have uniformity in their names, MARTS changed their name to TESA Milwaukee, and Green Bay became TESA Green Bay.

While studying ways to develop membership in the state, the famous "Flying Squad" plan came into existence.  The "Flying Squad" was a group of four members who traveled to different areas of Wisconsin, presenting the program for development of a state association.

 In 1959, the organizational charter convention was held at the Ambassador Hotel in Milwaukee.  In writing the first constitution and by-laws, the authors very wisely decided that a member of TESA would be required to belong to the local chapter where one existed and to the national association with which TESA was affiliated.  This three-tiered structure has provided for a very cohesive organization with maximum benefits accruing to the member.  Perhaps the greatest single membership inducement at that time was the adoption of an outstanding major medical insurance plan.

 In the early sixties, TESA Wisconsin grew rapidly.  Chapters were formed in Kenosha, Racine, Sheboygan, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Jefferson-Dodge area, Madison and Janesville.  In later years, a chapter was formed in La Crosse.  Some of the early growth of TESA can certainly be attributed to the effort to get a licensing bill passed.  Bills were introduced in three successive sessions of the State Legislature.  In spite of the favorable response from State legislators and the favorable testimony at the hearings on the bills, all were ultimately defeated.

 WESA is very proud to have had three members from the Milwaukee Chapter elected to the presidency of the national association. No other chapter in the U.S. can boast of a similar record.  Numerous other members of WESA have served in National office.

 Along with the growth of TESA Wisconsin, many innovative programs, and service aids were developed.  Several areas in the state had TV and radio station liaison programs.  A large assortment of ID materials, playing cards, book matches, plastic bags, paper bags, decals, dealer labels, etc. were provided.  By 1970, the affairs of the association became so extensive that it was decided to engage a professional management firm to administer the every-day activities of TESA.  Association Management Services, Inc., was engaged to handle the routine activities and publish the TESA NEWS magazine.  This relationship turned out to be unsatisfactory and caused a rather serious disruption in the organization.

 However, as the old saying goes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going!"  With the caliber of leadership that WESA has been privileged to have over the years, TESA reorganized and came back stronger than ever.

About the same time, a committee had been working on a plan to unite the two existing national associations, NATESA and NEA (National Electronic Association).  NEA was a large group that had become disenchanted with NATESA and withdrew some years earlier.  WESA was a strong supporter of this merger effort and had a member on the study committee.  After discussions at three successive national conventions, it appeared that a merger was a certainty.  However, at the joint convention of NATESA and NEA, held in Kansas City, Kansas, 1973, the cause of national service associations in the U.S. suffered a devastating blow when the merger was voted down.  Following this action, TESA Wisconsin withdrew from NATESA and was the first state to join the newly organized National Electronic Sales & Service Dealers Association.  Later that year is when TESA Wisconsin developed a new identity, changing its name to Wisconsin Electronic Service Association.  With the name change, a new logo and an extensive line of public relations materials was developed.

 During the seventies, major membership drives were held in Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids, La Crosse, Madison, Rice Lake area, the Fox River valley, Platteville and the Janesville-Beloit area.

 During its lengthy history, WESA has developed many programs for the benefit of its membership.  Technical seminars, business management schools, special classes in technical schools, an apprenticeship program, helping each other with parts and repair information, could all be listed as some of the benefits.  But is highly probable that many of the members would describe the many wonderful friends they made through membership in the association as the best benefit they derived from their affiliation.

WESA has held successful conventions since 1959, each one seemingly better than the previous one.  The culmination of all conventions though, was the highly successful joint convention with NESDA and ISCET in 1983, held at the Olympia in Oconomowoc.

 In 1990, NESDA changed the procedure of mandatory membership for members of state groups.  With this new procedure in place, WESA also changed its membership requirements and made NESDA membership optional.

 With several charter members still active, and with the influx of many new and younger members, WESA remains a strong, effective, and respected association.  By working together, the profession can attain a level of success not available individually.

WESA  DEDICATES  ITSELF  TO  THE  ACHIEVEMENT  OF  THIS  GOAL!