National League of American Pen Women, Denver Branch
August 1, 2015
Minutes
President, Ruthy Wexler, called the meeting to order at 10:02 am.
Members present were Diane Chambers, Kathleen Visovatti, Kay Taylor, Andrea Antico, Beverly Chico, Marie Kriss, and Sophia Baldwin. No guests attended.
For our new member, Kathleen Visovatti, each of us introduced ourselves and gave a brief explanation on a current project we are working on, or a current idea we have for a project we want to begin.
Ruthy read an inspirational quote by Elizabeth Kubler Ross: “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
There was no business meeting last month, in July, so today we approved the minutes to the June meeting.
Kriss read the treasurer’s reports for June and July in Kelly Ann’s absence. The beginning balance for June was $2,726.09. The income was $95.00 for member dues, and the expenses were: $95.00 for a returned check with a $5 returned check fee, and $60 paid to National for dues. The ending balance was $2,566.09.
The July treasurer’s report had a beginning balance of $2,566.09 with expenses of $25 for the Castle Rock September meeting’s room rental. The ending balance was $2,541.09.
Committee Reports:
Blog: In Virginia’s absence, Sophia reported that the blog set up on our website has been revamped and looks nice. Ruthy said the blog program is currently on hold until the committee meets to decide how to proceed with our blog.
Tapestry: Kriss reported that, Mary Rueling, the enthusiast who is representing us in regard to the Tapestry being accepted to live at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, said that the Museum representatives have not yet made a decision to take the Tapestry. They are concerned about the Tapestry’s linear size, and they
are considering some options on how to use it before they make a decision. We would donate the Tapestry to the Museum and use the money we have allocated to handle the transport of the Tapestry.
Program: Ruthy announced that our joint meeting with the Pikes Peak Branch on September 19th, will be held at the New Hope Presbyterian Church in Castle Rock, from 9:00-2:30. We are calling it, “Celebrate Creativity,” and it will include lunch and a fun activity, as well as an opportunity for members of both branches to bring our books we have written, or arts and crafts we have made, to display and sell. A letter will be going out to all the members soon, with all of the information.
Andrea said that Kriss would contact Lyly Do again to find out when she can come to speak to us—hopefully she can come early in 2016.
Outreach Projects: Kathleen told us about a possible outreach project. A $25,000 grant from the Aspen Institute is funding a program called “Write Night,” where writers meet to critique poems and other things that prison inmates have written. Some of our members expressed interest in this program. If you are interested, contact Kathleen Visovatti and she will contact the program’s coordinator. Beverly suggested that we have the coordinator, Laura, come to speak to us at one of our meetings. Kathleen will ask Laura.
Announcements: Summer Writer’s Mingle, Tuesday, August, 4th, 5:00-8:00 pm at Fat Willey’s. Contact Polly Letofsky at: polly@mywordpublishing.com
Meeting adjourned at 11:05 am.
A presentation by four of the authors of An Independence Falls Sci-Fi Romance Series, on their collaboration of this series of super hero romance novels, and the first one to be published, “Sparked.” The authors of lilycahill.com are Alex Casola, Cory Chambers, Renee Coen, Elizabeth Crowne, and Livia Harper.
Respectfully submitted by
Diane Chambers
Vice President