Author: Virginia

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minutes

February 1, 2020

National League of American Pen Women—Denver Branch

2-1-20 Minutes

  1. Diane called the meeting to order at 10:23.
  2. Members in attendance were: Diane Chambers, Cindy Massey, Kay Taylor, Ann Klaiman, Ray Cobin, Atlanta Sheridan, Beverly Chico, Andrea Antico, Carol Erhlich, and Kelly Ann Compton
  3. Guest in attendance: Linda Volin
  4. The January Minutes were approved.
  5. The January Treasurer Report was approved. Our current balance is $815.47.
  6. Committee Reports
    1. Budget: Kay shared a proposed budget
    2. Website: Please make sure that up-to-date information about your self is given to Virginia
    3. Membership: We have one person interested in joining.
    4. Outreach, Tapestry: The contest is in progress, but there has not been a lot of response as of yet. Diane will send out more e-mails.
    5. Programs:
      1. Today Larry Yoder will speak on the bookstore industry.
      2. March 7, Alexandra O’Connell will present a workshop on “Tips to Improve Your Writing”
      3. April 4 will be our Guest Critique.
      4. May 2nd: TBA—Dr. Kara Taczak possible presentation on the mechanics of writing.
  7. Old Business:
    1. Ray shared that with the proposed budget, he can now move forward with grant writing.
    2. Poor Richards Book Shoppe—Let Ray know if you are interested in participating in an author event at the Book Shoppe which will be held toward the end of May. Diane asked that she be given a date and time for the event.
  8. New Business:
    1. Elections: Cindy volunteered to be the person to poll members regarding nominations for the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer in our branch.
    2. Need volunteers to write reviews of the newest books of our members. Carol reviewed Andrea’s book; Ann will review Carol’s book.
    3. Need volunteers for Guest Critique jobs: The flyer designed, printed/distributed; organize drinks/room/lunch orders. Diane asked if members would be willing to pay a couple of extra dollars for their lunches to help cover the guests’ lunch costs. Everyone said they would. Here are the volunteers so far: Andrea=room; Kelly Ann=lunch; Atlanta=printing flyers; Kelly Ann or Atlanta will get a digital copy of the old flyer from Virginia.
  9. Announcements:
    1. Beverly: Will be moving to Washington DC
    2. Carol: Finished her poetry book and it is in the process of being published

After the meeting, Larry Yoder of The Bookies bookstore spoke about the current status of the publishing industry and how bookstores work in regard to getting books to sell.

Respectfully submitted,

Kelly Ann Compton, Secretary

Categories
Chapter news minutes

December 7, 2019

National League of American Pen Women—Denver Branch

Minutes

December 7, 2019

  1. Diane called the meeting to order at 10:53 AM
  2. Inspirational sharing: Members shared some inspirational events from their lives.
  3. No Guests present
  4. No minutes available to approve
  5. Treasurer’s report was approved.
  6. Committee Reports:
    1. Website: Get your bio and event information to Virginia so she can put them on the website. Ray and Diane shared that having your name and bio on the website is something publishers like to see.
    2. Membership: Diane said she puts our meeting notices on the Colorado Writers Café website to hopefully bring prospective members to our meetings. She also has flyers for people to put up in the community.
    3. Outreach: Tapestry— the contest is in progress, but so far no response. Diane will send out reminder e-mails in January.
    4. Programs:
      1. January 4, 2020–Sally Stitch presents on “How to Critique Other People’s Writing” — Eloise May Library (A discussion on why we need this presentation on critiquing took place.)
      2. February 1–Larry Voder from The Bookies, presenter on basics of bookstore operation and how it relates to traditional published books and self published books getting in bookstores—Koelbel Library
      3. March 7–Alexandra O’Connell presents a workshop, “Tips to Improve Your Writing” (Discussion on how long her workshop should be. 1.5 hours? 2.0 hours?
      4. April 4–Guest Critique
  7. Old Business: None
  8. New Business: Grant survey results included the two biggest “wants” being outreach and speakers. We need to expand our branch, we need to raise money. Ray is looking at grants such as: The Chinook Fund, some grants are awarded via Denver and Aurora themselves, and Bill Pulte, who has been giving away millions of dollars. What is our purpose of outreach? To recruit new members. Ann brought up the fact that organizations giving money are most likely want to give money to those who are helping people in need in some way. A discussion on the need to hold some sort of fund raiser.
  9. Branch Announcements:
    1. Carol has entered the current Pen Women writing competition
    2. Beverly will be a moderator on headwear on women who are Jewish, and Sheik women.
  10. The meeting was adjourned at 12:02

Following the meeting, we had our annual Winter Potluck and White Elephant book exchange.

Respectively submitted by,

Kelly Ann Compton

Secretary/Treasurer

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Uncategorized

January 4, 2020

NLAPW Denver Branch

January 4, 2020

Minutes

  1. President, Diane Chambers, called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.II
  2. Guests, Elaine Harding and Shara Oliman were introduced.
  3. Diane read an inspirational piece by Elizabeth Gilbert on how to shake off failure of a project in order to keep living a creative life. The key is to “forget about the last project, and go searching with an open heart for the next one.”
  4. Approval of the minutes and treasurer’s report were postponed until the next meeting due to secretary/treasurer, Kelly Ann Compton, being out sick.
  5. For committee reports:
    1. Budget: Kay Taylor reported that she will work on a budget to report on at our next meeting.
    2. Website: Diane reminded everyone to make sure to get their bios and photos to Virginia Small to post on our website.
    3. Membership, Diane was pleased to announce that our two guests today, both found out about our organization by on-line searches, which shows that we are visible and people are finding their way to us, as well as by way of word of mouth.
    4. Diane announced that the position of Historian is vacant, and asked if someone would volunteer to take photos. Ray volunteered.
    5. Tapestry Contest: Diane reported that the tapestry contest is underway, although Ruthy was not present to report as to what kind of response she has received so far.
    6. Programs: February program will be by Larry Yoder. March will feature a workshop by Aexandra O’Connell, and April will be our Guest Critique.
  6. Old Business: Ray Cober gave an update on his grant search including deadlines. The Chinook Fund is one we will apply for. Ray asked for assistance with writing the grant. Andrea and Diane volunteered.
  7. New Business: Diane reported that the National Organization achieved raising over $25,000, and was awarded with a matching grant of $25,000 by the McGrath Family Trust. Also, of significance is the announcement by president Evelyn Wofford, that our organization is finally gaining more members than we are losing. Diane reminded everyone to vote in the election for the National officers.
  8. Announcements: Karen Gonzalez announced the Denver Women’s Press Club Unknown Writer’s Contest.
  9. Meeting adjourned at 10:50. Presentation on critiquing was by Sally Stitch.

Respectfully Submitted, by Ray Cober, and Diane Chambers

Categories
meetings minutes

February 3, 2018

National League of American Pen Women
Denver Branch

Minutes February 3, 2018

I. Ann called the meeting to order at 11:07.

II. Members in Attendance: Andrea Antico, Beverly Chico, Donna Clark, Kelly Ann Compton, Ann Klaiman, Sue Luxa, Virginia Small, Cathy Wield, Diane Chambers (for Emeritus voting and presentation)

III. Guest Critique in April:

a. Everyone was asked to take some Guest Critique flyers to pass out. They were also asked to write down how many they took and where they plan on distributing the flyers.

b. The Guest Critique will be held at Candlewyck Apartments in the Community Room on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

c. Kelly Ann will be in charge of lunch orders. Everyone agreed to ask Etai’s if we can forego the desserts again and Kelly Ann and someone else will provide the dessert.

d. We will ask people to sign up to bring morning snacks, both sweet and savory.

IV. National League of American Pen Women Elections:

a. Ann shared that Sandy Chapman is concerned about the proposed changes in the way a vote is taken when making changes to the bylaws. She was on the panel that worked hard to get the procedure changed so ALL NLAPW members vote on proposed amendments to the bylaws. The last item to on the ballot proposes changing this by having voting on proposed amendments take place at biennials and voted on ONLY by those who attend the biennial. This is an unfair practice as it includes only a minority of members in the vote. Sandy is asking that we vote no on that amendment change.

b. Please remember to vote in the National NLAPW elections. Ballots are available at www.nlapw.org and in The Pen Woman Magazine. (Webmistress note: The ballot is no longer on the national site.)

V. Emeritus status for Kriss

a. Everyone was given a copy of the completed nomination form. The form was completed by Ann and Beverly.

b. Ann explained what Emeritus status is, and that it is a Denver Branch honor, not a National honor. She then read the names of our seven current Emeritus members.

c. Beverly feels that Kriss is the most deserving person to hold Emeritus status; it is because of Kriss that the Denver Branch still exists.

d. All members present voted aye for Kriss to be given Emeritus status.

e. A letterhead will be made using our Denver Branch logo and a letter written to go to Kriss. Ann and Beverly will write the letter.

VI. NLAPW April 2018 Biennial: Sue suggested that we take donations to help Kelly attend the biennial. Everyone voted aye on giving her $300.00 from Denver Branch to help with hotel expenses and then everyone who wants to make a personal donation can send her a check to help with the other expenses.

VII. Poetry-to-Go: Ann shared the history of Poetry-to-Go and asked if we want to continue supporting it. She reminded us that in giving our monetary support, our name and logo will go on the posters that are hung inside the RTD buses. We have given $100 in the past. Kelly Ann will check to see when we last gave and let Ann know.

VIII. The meeting was adjourned at 11:33.

Speaker Laurie Marr Wasmund: Author of White Winter Trilogy which takes place during WWI. These historical fiction novels take place from 1917-1925 in Colorado and France. Laurie spoke on how she used public records to research her books. Has tried to base her characters on real people (two of which were her great uncle and grandfather). She shared excerpts from her book after sharing some of what she learned in her research. The entire presentation was a delightful lesson in Colorado and WWI history.

Author and historian Laure Marr Wasmund

Respectfully submitted,

Kelly Ann Compton
Secretary

Categories
Chapter news meetings minutes

January 6, 2018

National League of American Pen Women
Denver Branch
Minutes

January 6, 2018

President Ruthy Wexler called the meeting to order at 10:10 am, at her home.

Present were Diane Chambers, Andrea Antico, Cathy Wield, Karen Gonzales, Carol Ehrlich, and a guest of Karen’s, Margaret Rundiks.

Ruthy opened the meeting by reading an inspirational piece by Shari Caudron about why we should write our stories. One reason she states is “When you tell another person your story, you are breaking down the artificial barrier that separates the “I” from the “you” and creating a sacred “we.” You are establishing a space where our common experiences connect us, instead of allowing the differences to divide. In this way, stories create understanding, teach us about our common humanity, and help us realize, on a visceral level, that we are not alone.”

Approval of Minutes and Treasurer’s Report:

Due to the absence of our Secretary and Treasurer, Kelly Ann Compton the approval of the December meeting minutes and the reading of the December Treasurer’s report are postponed until the next meeting.

Committee Reports:

Website: There was no report from our webmaster, Virginia Small.

Membership: Diane Chambers welcomed Cathy Weild as our newest member by presenting her with her NLAPW certificate and a rose. Andrea Antico reminded Cathy that our National organization has a book review committee and accepts books authored and submitted by members.

Diane said that our membership is growing due to members reaching out to friends and bringing them to our meetings as guests. The guests are becoming inspired by our group of ladies and are consequently, joining our branch. Diane congratulated the members on their efforts to bring new members and urged us all to continue doing so.

Tapestry: Ruthy showed us the photo of a panel of the Tapestry that is newly on display at a high school in Pueblo.

New Business:

Ruthy brought up the issue regarding our need to find a permanent or more consistent location for our meetings, instead of changing the location each time. There was discussion about reserving the Englewood Library and paying the $30 fee for the luxury of being able to block reserve a number of consecutive months. Others suggested we try contacting the Denver Public Library administration again about

securing a space on a no fee basis, as we are a book related non-profit organization. Ruthy said she will make some calls this week about this.

Ruthy said that now is the time we need to get busy working on the plans for our Guest Critique which is coming up in April. Virginia made the flyer last year and we should be able to use the same flyer this year, by making a few changes. Diane will contact Virginia about preparing a new flyer for us.

Announcements: Karen Gonzales is anxiously awaiting to hear the results of the Lee and Low writing competition for authors of color to which she submitted and entry.

Diane is also awaiting to hear results of the Vinnie Ream writing competition, to which she submitted an entry.

Diane urged all members to get our work out there and enter contests.

A suggestion for the February meeting is for us to bring our published books, homemade crafts, or other work of ours to “Show & Tell” before the business meeting.

Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am. followed by a presentation by Hannah Schechter on her socratic.

Respectfully submitted by,

Diane Chambers

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