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During 1996-97 WEMA was involved in many legislative activities, including meetings with DPI and the governor's office on budget concerns, technology initiatives, and the common school funding. WEMA members serve on the task force developing a Wisconsin Educational Technology Plan PK-12. The importance of cooperative efforts and collaboration with other groups becomes more and more evident, and WEMA participates with the School Board Association in a Legislative Day. Other WEMA activities during 1996 and 1997 include the development of new guidelines for the Media Grant Award , promotion of AASL's Count on Reading and I-Connect initiatives, planning for AECT Region VI Leadership conferences, and an excellent curriculum-focused Spring Conference in Green Bay with Dr. Jamie McKenzie and other national speakers. WEMA members vote in 1998 to affiliate with ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education, and an ISTE Advocate position to the Board. And under the able guidance of Mary Lou Zeige, Legislative Chair and conference Co-Chair, the 1998 conference was held for the first time in many years in Milwaukee. It was an outstanding conference with many people in attendance. WEMA celebrated its 50 years with a wonderful video highlighting the people and events of those years, a champagne awards banquet, and a display of pictures, publications and equipment from our history. With a membership of over 1100, paid staff and an office, nearly 30 active committees, a broadly conceived strategic plan, and able, committed member leaders, the association seems well prepared for its next fifty years of media and technology leadership in Wisconsin. All past and present WEMA leaders offer the association best wishes for its next fifty years.