Minutes, correspondence, reports, bulletins, newsletters, and newspaper clippings document involvement in conferences, legislative activities, the publication of journals and newsletters, and associations with various other health organizations. Information on the earlier history of the organization consists primarily of biographical and historical sketches, pamphlets, brochures, and newspaper clippings compiled as part of the 1975 national conference in Milwaukee. Other early material includes a few copies of the WOTA journal and bulletin and miscellaneous annual reports of the president.
The records mainly document activities of the WOTA during the 1970s, during which time the WOTA was predominantly involved in conferences, legislative activities, distribution of publications, and associations with various health organizations. The early history of the WOTA and occupational therapy programs in Wisconsin health institutions is primarily documented by historical material compiled by the History Committee in 1975. Although there is little primary documentation here, the files concentrate on WOTA's early days when occupational therapy was one of the few professions open to women. The collection also includes a file of portraits of early members and photographs of WOTA activities and occupational therapy programs at various Wisconsin hospitals. Except for a few early publications and officers reports, other early material is scarce.
The records include constitutions, minutes, reports, and other officers' files; committee records; files on pertinent legislation, relations with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), and conference and meetings held in Wisconsin; publications and newsletters; survey files; and subject files; they are organized in eight series.
ORGANIZATIONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS include constitutions, executive board meeting minutes, and some financial reports and committee reports. The presidents' correspondence generally concerns routine administrative activities, although that officer's reports describe annual programs and events of the WOTA. Separately-filed COMMITTEE RECORDS include reports, minutes, and related material.
Records relating to RELATIONS WITH AOTA include correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and resolutions. Further information on relations with the national organization is contained in the material on CONFERENCES AND PROGRAMS. These files include correspondence and information on planning for various national conventions held in Wisconsin. Also filed here is the historical material compiled by the WOTA History Committee for the 1975 national convention. These include a history, The Way We Were in Wisconsin; clippings; speeches; publications; and correspondence (some of which is of a reminiscent character) related to the preparation of an exhibit and The Way We Were in Wisconsin.
The file of PUBLICATIONS includes the most complete documentation in the collection. Included are copies of a journal dating from the 1920s, bulletins and newsletters for the years 1934-1955, an index to the bulletins and newsletters (1939-1978), and a fundraising cookbook. Documentation concerning the general status of the profession may be found in a file of survey reports and in records pertaining to a number of health planning organizations in which WOTA was involved.
SUBJECT FILES contain correspondence, reports, newsletters, bulletins, meeting minutes, and bills concerning various issues and institutions with which the organization was involved.
