National League of American Pen Women–Denver Branch
Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2013
I. Diane Chambers called the meeting to order at 10:38 AM.
II. Members in attendance were: Andrea Antico, Diane Chambers, Donna Clark, Kelly Ann Compton, Ruthy Wexler, Florence Elliott, A. Marie Kriss, Sue Luxa, Lorrie Reed, Jo’el Roth, Shirley Ann Sheets, and Sheila Wright.
III. Everyone introduced themselves, including guest Virginia Daily.
IV. An Inspirational Reading on peace was read by Lorrie Reed.
V. The October Minutes were approved as written.
VI. The August Treasurer’s Report was accepted. Our current balance is $2,548.00.
VII. Committee Reports:
A. Membership, Auditor, Budget:
1. Since it is late in the membership year, Kriss is suggesting that prospective members join in February to avoid having to pay two full year’s worth of dues in a relatively short time.
B. Tapestry for Peace: No new news
C. Programs: Kriss and Andrea are looking into facilities to hold our meetings. We are looking for free or inexpensive.
1. December—Holiday party, book exchange, and pot luck at Gwen Scott’s house. We will also have poetry readings by all the members whose poems were published in the Greenwich Pen Women book Women’s Voices of the 21st Century: Experiences That Shape Women.
2. January—Sophia will present on her book, A Lebanese Immigrant’s Daughter
3. February—Kathryn Winograd from the creative writing department at ACC will speak on publishing or will do a workshop on Lyric Essay.
4. March–Guest Critiques
5. April–Beverly Chico will present on her newly published book Hats and Headwear Around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia
6. May–TBA
7. June–Planning meeting
VIII. Outreach Project Updates
A. Kelly shared about our members experience at the Dakota Ridge High School Craft Fair which took place October 12 & 13. Business was slow, but everyone present at the fair made some sales. Ann Klaiman put a down payment on our booth spot for next year. Discussion as to whether we will return to the DRHS Craft Fair next year will take place at a future meeting.
B. Ruthy reported that she will be sending out the log-in information for the Fair Networking Organization website.
IX. Old Business:
A. Shirley Ann Sheets has a spoon and a flower plate that people left at her house the last time we met there.
B. At our last meeting, we agreed to purchase a plant as a gift for the woman storing the Tapestry for Peace for us. Kriss will be the one to make the purchase and delivery.
X. New Business:
A. The winter session of the Intensive Critique Group will begin in January.
B. Diane asked if there continues to be interest in a group publishing project. The answer was “yes.” The group also began to answer the question “What would be the purpose of the publication?” Two thoughts were: 1) getting the word out about our branch; and 2) Giving the publication as a gift to guest speakers and new members.
XI. Branch Announcements:
A. Andrea and Virginia’s book, Buster the Bully: A Change in the Weather Helps Him Change His Ways, is out. Congratulations, Andrea and Virginia! FYI: Andrea wrote the story and Virginia illustrated it.
B. Jo’el is currently teaching groups on how to hold workshops for all disabilities. She wrote an article on this which has been published in a counseling magazine.
C. The Castle Rock Writers Conference is on November 23.
XII. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 am.
Today’s meeting was followed with a wonderful presentation by Polly Letofsky, author of The Adventures of One Woman’s Walk Around the world and owner of My Word Publishing, Self-Publishing Project Management & Consulting
Respectively submitted,
Kelly Ann Compton, Secretary