FELMERS O. CHANEY ADVOCACY BOARD
FCAB PodCast
Check out the
Next Board Meeting
Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
5:00pm
Note early start time
Deitch-- Recommended Strategies for Sheriffs and Jails to Respond to the COVID-19 Crisis
Click Here to Read More
Reverend Joe Ellwanger Wins National Association of Social Workers Public Service Award
Congratulations Reverend Ellwanger!
Felmers Chaney Advocacy Board (FCAB) Stands with:
ACLU against expanding Wisconsin's systems of mass incarceration and building a new prison
Click Here to read more.
Book Club Reading:
FCAB Stands with Parkland & 80% of Wisconsinites on Universal Background Checks and Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Click Here for More Information
Members of the Felmers Chaney Advocacy Board
"When the prison gates slam behind an inmate, he does not lose his human quality; his mind does not become closed to ideas; his intellect does not cease to feed on a free and open interchange of opinions; his yearning for self-respect does not end; nor is his quest for self-realization concluded. If anything, the needs for identity and self-respect are more compelling in the dehumanizing prison environment. Whether an O. Henry writing his short stories in a jail cell or a frightened young inmate writing his family, a prisoner needs a medium for self-expression. It is the role of the First Amendment and this Court to protect those precious personal rights by which we satisfy such basic yearnings of the human spirit." - Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall, concurring opinion in Procurnier v Martinez 416 U.S. 396 (1974).
OUR PURPOSE, GOALS & MISSION
FCAB is dedicated to advocating in behalf of reducing recidivism, enhancing re-integration, and to lowering state budget costs due to incarceration. Additionally, it is dedicated to disseminating to the lay public and to decision-makers pertinent information that can assist in achieving those goals, and it serves as a contact point with the community at large to share information and respond to issues that are brought to the board's attention.
Mission Management. FCAB shall achieve its goals by maintaining a continual awareness of the conditions, needs, and concerns of the broader Milwaukee Metropolitan Community; and by the coordination of its activities, within a framework of collaboration with affiliated and selected other organizations and with community groups having a similar purpose. All of FCAB's activities shall be conducted in a manner consistent with, and in compliance with, the purpose, objectives, and limitations as set forth in the by-laws.
As of March 3, 2015, the Felmers O. Chaney Advocacy Board (FCAB) is an independent body and is not affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections or any other governmental body or institution. FCAB is an advocacy board comprised of private citizens guided by a shared concern for social justice, corrections policy, and the successful re-entry of former inmates as they return to their communities. All documents on this site pre-dating March 3, 2015 are historical and in reference to FCAB’s prior incarnation as a Wisconsin Department of Corrections affiliated citizens advisory board.
Click on the History tab for a chronology of the evolution of the Board.
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Executive Committee
WENDY VOLZ DANIELS
Chair
Executive Committee
REV. JOSEPH ELLWANGER
2nd Secretary
Executive Committee
GEORGETTE WILLIAMS
1st Secretary/2nd Treasurer
In Memory Of Felmers O. Chaney
(1918-2021)
In Memory Of Dr. R.L. McNeely, Esq.
(1946-2020)
Chairman Emeritus
In Memory Of Barry Givens (1949-2019)
Chairman Emeritus
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
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ATTY. LARRY R. COTE
Executive Committee
Executive Committee
ATTY. BARBARA BECKER
Associate Members
DR. DAN BLINKA, ESQUIRE
CINDY WILLIAMS
SHARON F. SKINNER, PH.D.
1st Treasurer
Associate Members
ANGELA TURNER
HONORABLE KRISTY YANG
Associate Members
Dr. Dan Blinka, Esq.
Eduardo Borda, Esq.
Hon. Jonathan Brostoff, Esq.
Atty. Larry Cote
Hon. Christopher Dee, Esq.
Atty. Reyna Morales
Fred Royal
Danielle Shelton, Esq.
Atty. Tearman Spencer
Dr. Stan Stojkovic
Angela Turner
Cindy Williams
Hon. Kristy Yang
Standing Members
Dr. Michael Carriere
Molly Collins
David McGinnis
Hon. Lindsey Draper
Roberta Gaither
James Hall, Esq.
Dr. Thomas LeBel
Dr. Thomas Lifvendahl
David McGinnis
Atty. N. Lynette McNeely
Sharlen Moore
Patricia Obletz
Rev. Paul Rebey
Jacqueline Rice
Dr. Robert Smith
Affiliate Member
Sherman Park Community Association (SPCA)
FCAB Committees
2023
Prison Initiative
Task Force
Robert Smith (chair)
Michael Carriere
Sharon Skinner
Georgette Williams
Dan Blinka
Assist in program development; fundraising
Technology & Communication Committee
Sharon Skinner (chair)
Barbara Becker
James Hall
N. Lynette McNeely
Prepare “Reasons to Join FCAB” Document and any other Orientation Materials
Solicit New Members Per
Needs of Board
Committee to Regularize Contributions to FCAB’s Treasury for Website & Other Expenses as They Emerge
Acknowledge via Flowers, etc., Those Experiencing Duress
Podcasts
Keep FCAB Website Current
Secretary Meeting
Committee
Wendy Volz Daniels
Rev. Joe Ellwanger
Tom LeBel
Meet with DOC
Secretary on quarterly basis.
Present FCAB’s Recommendations to Secretary
Prison Oversight
Wendy Volz Daniels (chair)
Rev J. Ellwanger
Tom LeBel
Gretchen Schuldt (Turners)
Explore Issues; Disseminate Info; Promote legislation
Explore Oversight
Police Oversight
Molly Collins
Fred Royal
Book Club
Georgette Williams (chair)
Wendy Volz Daniels
Tom LeBel
Sharon Skinner
Read Pertinent Books; Educate FCAB; Promote Get-to-Know Each Other Readings/Socials
Revocations
Committee
Rev. Joe Ellwanger
Tom LeBel
Publicize
How to Reduce
Unneccesary Revocations
Promote probation to be used more frequently as alternative to imprisonment; reform victimless revocations; modify earned release standards; give technical parole violators punishments other than prison.
Disseminate information vis op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, advertised panel discussions, radio and T.V. appearances, town hall meetings, etc.
LegislativeCommittee
Wendy Volz Daniels
FCAB Interface w/ Rep. Goyke’s Ofc
Publicize facts as disclosed in Goyke’s presentation both countywide and statewide via pamphlet; work in conjunction w/ Goyke’s office on other projects such as a webpage w/ everyone’s web sites and basic info
Re-Entry Committee
Rev. J. Ellwanger
Wendy Volz Daniels
Juvenile Justice (NEW)
Wendy Volz Daniels (chair)
Wisconsin Decarceration Platform Representative
Gretchen Schuldt
Mental Health Committee (New)
Patricia Obletz (chair)
Lindsey Draper
N. Lynette McNeely
Sharon Skinner
Community Justice
Council Representative
Fire & Police Commission Representative
vacant
CONTACT US
HOW TO CONTACT US
ABOUT OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Members. FCAB members shall serve as voting members of FCAB; serve on committees as appointed; have ad hoc and other duties that assist FCAB in achieving its objectives; and be expected to attend all FCAB meetings. All FCAB voting members shall serve FCAB in their individual capacities: No voting members serve FCAB in their professional capacities.
The principal officers of the Board shall be a chairman, 1st vice-chairman, 2nd vice-chairman, 1st secretary, 2nd secretary, and treasurer. The Board may have other officers or assistant officers as the Board may from time to time elect. Any two or more of said offices may be held by the same person, except that the offices of chairman, 1st vice-chairman, and 2nd vice-chairman, may not be held by the same person, the offices of chairman, 1st and 2nd secretary, may not be held jointly, and the treasurer may not simultaneously hold the office of chairman.
Associate Members. FCAB associate members shall be non-voting members of FCAB who are expected to assist FCAB from time to time on a pro tempore basis to achieve FCAB's purpose and goals as same are identified herein in Section 2.01. Associate members are eligible to serve on committees as appointed, but are not expected to attend all meetings of the Board. Associate members are expected to be opinion leaders, either lay or professional, such as community advocates, religious leaders, politicians, or others possessing special expertise or organizational affiliations useful to the accomplishment of FCAB's purpose and goals, such as, but not limited to, research social scientists, foundation officials, professional fundraisers, and grant persons. Associate members are not required to reside within Milwaukee’s PMSA. Associate members may be removed from FCAB by a simple majority vote.