April 6, 2024

National League of American Pen Women—Denver Branch

April 6, 2024 Minutes

  1. Linda called the meeting to order at 9:36 a.m.
  2. Members present: Karen Gonzales, Linda Volin, Diane Chambers, Rachel Seekamp, Eleanor Binnings, Ann Klaiman, Sue Luxa, Carol Ehrlich, Kelly Ann Compton
  3. Guests present: Virginia Small (webmistress)
  4. Inspirational reading: Best books on discrimination and diversity in your writing—authors included Bob Marley, song “War”; R.L. Stine; Maya Angelo; Albert Einstein
  5. Minutes: The March minutes were approved.
  6. Treasurer’s report was approved. Members were reminded that annual dues will be collected during April, and they need to be received by Kelly Ann by April 30, 2024.
  7. Committee reports:
    1. Membership: Diane received a message that the Colorado Writers’ Café Meet-Up needs an organizer to run it as the man running the Message Board is quitting. If no one volunteers, the Meet-Up will become defunct.
    2. Election Results: Rachel sent out twenty-one ballots and received thirteen back. Rachel will send an announcement to members that everyone on the ballot was reelected.
    3. Zoom: Karen reported that Zoom seems to be working.
    4. Webmistress:
      1. Virginia spoke with Blue Host about costs, for three services we definitely need— domain protection (WHOIS=protects us from people looking for our name, addresses and phone numbers), SSL certificate (privacy protection against hackers), and privacy protection (ICANN).
      2. Diane shared that all of these protections will cost $92.94 with Blue Host. Members agreed that we should pay this. Our website cost with Blue Host is about $300.00 for two years. Virginia will double check this for us.
      3. Kelly Ann will check with National about whether our NLAPW branch has a 501.3C status.
      4. Virginia reported that the site is up to date and working well.
    5. Critique Group: The Intensive Critique group is open to our Denver Branch members and meets on alternating Fridays from 4:30–6:30. We currently have room for a couple more members to join us.
    6. Outreach:
      1. Linda sent out information regarding the NLAPW biennial and the Tapestry for Peace.
      2. Sue has contacted the project manager at Windcrest, Ania Stewart about the possibility of taking one of the tapestry sections to display in the new memory care facility, Bowen Landing.
    7. Historian: Rachel still doesn’t have the ephemera from our branch. Atlanta had said she would contact Aurora about getting the stuff to her.
    8. Programs: April—Irene Blea, PhD on integrating diversity into our writing; May—Polly Letofsky on four main options in publishing; June—Guest Critique; July—No meeting; August—Manuel Ramos on writing mysteries; September and October—TBD
  8. Old Business: We need to plan for the Guest Critique in June. Need a flyer made and distributed. Committee for the event includes Rachel, Diane, Linda with help from Eleanor (the venue) and Kelly Ann (the lunches)
  9. New Business:
    1. Contact Diane if interested in a book signing event at Bergen Park on May 18. It runs from 9:30–1:00.
    2. There is another event at Aspen Grove. Contact Diane if you want more information.
    3. Lyons Community Lit Fest is not accepting any more submissions.
    4. Sue Luxa suggested a writing contest for fellow Pen Women as a fund raiser. Diane suggested that Sue send out an e-mail about her idea.
  10. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

Following the business meeting, Dr. Irene Blea gave a wonderful presentation on integrating our environment, including diversity, into our writing and characters.

Respectfully submitted,

Kelly Ann Compton

Co-Secretary

error: Content is protected !!