History

A group of about 20 religious educators, priests, sisters and two lay people formed a support group. At that time there was one staff person in the diocese for religious education – Sr. Jean Jarvis.

Association of Religious Education Coordinators (ARC) – full and part-time professional religious education coordinators was about 50, the Diocesan Religious Education Department (headed by Fr. Dave Kasperek) had a staff of 10. The five districts were formed. ARC was one of the first such organizations in the country! Each district had two reps on the ARC-GB Board.

ARC had 120 members by 1977. ARC was integral to such accomplishments as the Green Bay Plan (provided direction for the field of RE during this period.) Helped to provide workshops and in-services for catechist throughout the diocese. ARC also helped to develop and establish the present certification system.

Members of ARC joined religious educators from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Diocese of Madison, LaCrosse, and Superior at a meeting in Madison. This group formed the first state-wide organization of religious educators in the country, Wisconsin Directors of Religious Education Federation (WDREF).

The name changed from ARC to Green Bay Association of Religious Education Administrators (GB-AREA) for two reasons: first the term administrators was more inclusive of all personnel in the field and secondly there was confusion between the organization and ARC – Association for Retarded Citizens.