Riverside Writers Minutes of January 9, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 1:07 pm by Larry Turner, presiding.
In attendance were thirteen members.
Successes—
Jon Wills will have two upcoming book signings: 20 January in Las Vegas at the Orleans Casino and
13 February at Borders in Central Park. He also has taken a job writing book reviews for the New York Journal
of Books. His first review is posted at: http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/
Judith Hill won First Honorable Mention for free verse in the Illinois State Poetry Society Annual Competition for
her poem “Panic at Milepost 42.”
Larry Turner won Third Prize for formal verse in the Illinois State Poetry Society Annual Competition for his poem
“Artists Remake the Snowflake” and First Honorable Mention for “Destination.”
Upcoming Events. Larry announced or reminded
of these upcoming events:
1.
Pennsylvania Poetry Contest. Deadline 1/15/10
2. Virginia Poetry Contest. Deadline 1/19/10
3. A RWC Anthology planning meeting will be held 7:00 pm, Wednesday, January 13 at
Borders in Central Park. All interested members are invited.
4. The VWC Board of Governors Meeting will be held 10:30 am, February 6 at Combs Hall
on the UMW campus. The public program, beginning at 1:00 pm, will be “Baudelaire in All Senses,”
featuring bilingual readings of poems by the student group Paris Mutuel together with images and music from the Paris of Baudelaire’s
time.
5. RWC will visit The Virginia Festival of the
Book on March 20.
6. The Celebration of Poetry will be held March
27 at the Downtown Library. The featured speaker will be Jeremy G. Larochelle, Assistant Professor of Spanish,
UMW.
7. The weekly critique group meets every Monday
at Borders.
8. The next meeting of the Riverside Writers
will be Saturday, February 13 in Meeting Room A.
Old Business—
1. Larry reminded members that 2010 dues are now due and should be mailed to Norma Redfern, Treasurer.
2. Jim Gaines invited members to the VWC Board of Governors Meeting, luncheon, and
public program described above. Jim also recommended a publication called “Poets and Writers”
and distributed subscription cards for same.
3.
Rod Vanderhoof
noted that winning 2009 Golden Nib entries will soon be posted on the VWC website.
New
Business—
1. Larry solicited volunteers to serve as the
RWC Chapter Representative to the VWC Board of Governors. Stephanie Fellinger and Rod Vanderhoof
indicated their willingness to be considered. Subsequent to the meeting, it was confirmed that Chris Valenti
will continue to serve as the RWC’s primary representative and Stephanie was approved by the Board as the designated
alternate.
2. Maxine Clark described the duties of the Snack
Coordinator and solicited a volunteer to relieve her of those responsibilities. Following discussion, it
was decided that snacks (and thus, a coordinator) were unnecessary.
Program.
Beginning at 1:38, in lieu of a traditional program, Larry facilitated an annual planning session. He
began with a review of major issues addressed at the 19 November Extended Board Meeting. Larry also contrasted
the differences of “Open Readings” and “Critique Sessions,” noting that the former is intended to
entertain vice solicit constructive feedback.
1. 2010 Meeting Proposal. The following breakdown was agreed upon:
- Planning (1/January)
- Christmas Party (1/December)
- Open Reading (4)
- Programs (4)
- Special Programs/Events (2). It was noted
that Special Programs (such as Workshops) need not coincide with regularly scheduled monthly meetings. It
was also decided that critique sessions would not be conducted during either Special Programs or the Christmas party.
2. Program Alternatives. The following suggestions were made: published
authors, publishing opportunities (Internet, self, alternative, traditional, etc.), new technologies, enjoying and interpreting
poetry, legal issues and seasonal themes. It was also suggested that RWC members could provide presentations
in lieu of or in addition to outside guests. To this end, four members volunteered to make 15-30 minute
presentations:
- John Wills: “Kindle”
- Maxine Clark: “Writer’s Block”
- Rachel Clay: “Memoirs”
- Burke Moeller: “Blogging and Twitter”
3. 2010 Special Programs/Events
- The Celebration of Poetry March 27 will be the first scheduled Special
Program/Event for 2010.
-
Other possibilities:
The Virginia Festival of the Book, Hanover Festival and the Mystery Novel Writing Workshop being researched by Liz Talbot.
- The group concluded that “Readings by George” was
not a suitable event.
4. By-Law Revision. Greg Mitchell
authored the by-laws and 2000 and is currently revising them to reflect changes made since their original publication.
5. Anthology.
The RWC will begin a new Anthology in 2010 and, as noted above, will meet 13 January to begin planning and form a committee.
6. Miscellaneous:
-
The group’s
consensus is that Saturday’s are preferred for workshops.
- Larry requested
a draft Program Year-in-Sight from Maxine. Burke Moeller suggested that it
was unnecessary to schedule the entire year at this time in view of the likelihood that new opportunities will arise.
The meeting broke for snacks at 2:22 and reconvened at 2:35
for a Critique session.
At 3:45, the meeting was adjourned.
Faithfully submitted,
Ollen Richey
Secretary
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