Welcome from President Anne Spry at 1:07 P.M. Saturday, January 15
Words of encouragement - Anne shared inspirations for authors as encouragement from a book called "The Gifts of Writing." Anne used a paraphrased quote suggesting that writing, art, and music bypass our brains and go directly to our emotions. She also assures us though writers’ desks may be an example of chaos, the mess is a part of the creative process. Writing itself takes us into new territory and can be exciting and rewarding on many levels.
Participating today are: Anne Spry, Max Dunavan, Roger Droz, Barbara Brady, Thea Rademacher, Barbara Waterman- Peters, Carol Yoho, Ruth Maus, Reaonna Hemmingway, Duane Johnson, and Audrey Bosley.
Secretary’s Report: A motion was made and seconded that we approve the December 2021 minutes as posted on the website and that motion passed. Check the past minutes on the web page.
Treasurer’s Report: A motion was made and seconded that we approve the Treasurers report as posted: The motion was passed. Prior to passage there were two questions from Ruth related to membership dues which were explained to participants. There are a few outstanding smaller checks that will decrease that balance.
Member author goals for the coming year: Authors were given the opportunity to share their personal 2022 writing goals for the year and most plan to actively work on rewrites, new writing projects, participate in the KAC writers contest and Yearbook submissions. Many plan to enter more contests or submit for publication. Thea also shared information of free contest submissions and opportunities to write. Check for those in the District 1 newsletter.
Planning District 1 events for 2022. Anne asked us what we wanted for speakers, workshops, and projects this coming year and the group generated 16 topical areas including naming specific speakers and topics. Screenplay workshop and learning about the certification process for “story tellers” from the Mid-Continent library is suggested. Continuing to develop district 1 partners and some type of open mic night events were discussed.
On the topic of the District 1 Newsletter discussion revealed that our newsletter is highly prized and appreciated by membership because it is so well done, being informative, aesthetically edited and pleasing, and a great marketing tool. District members can help the editor by keeping her informed of their publishing successes and other work encouraging or promoting writing. The newsletter can be used to promote your efforts.
Creation of a welcome letter for new members: Anne wants us to have an inviting letter for all new members encouraging their participation and informing them of opportunities available to them. Max will tackle the draft of this letter and bring it back to the membership and the Membership and Marketing Committee.
Open mic night: An active, lively, and broad discussion by members went a long way in identifying our interests, how we define an open mic event(s) for our purposes, as well as our concerns in shaping thoughts. A motion was made and seconded that Duane Johnson and Max Dunavan consider the discussion input and come back to the February or March district 1 meeting with further information and a model(s) for membership consideration. One stipulation is that the event not be on a weekend.
A Distric1 1 Anthology project report: Max Dunavan and Barbara Waterman-Peters presented the outcome and possible timeline with project benefits and concerns: The goal was to continue and possibly enable the members to determine whether we progress with such a project. The committee envisioned an opportunity for members to produce a handsome volume highlighting member writing which we would be proud to own and perhaps distribute broadly. The minutes of the committee meeting were presented by Max and Barbara further explained the vision. Again, there was a lively and defining discussion about the pros and cons and various topics within the notes. Additional ideas were brought forwards by members during discussion. Authors appeared to prefer more lengthy submissions. All seemed to prefer a lengthened production date and leisurely schedule. It was clear that we would be using expertise of the member participants to make this happen and many of the tasks will require discussions as we move along. A motion was made by Max that we “pursue creation of an anthology for completion in 2023.” Barbara and Reaona both seconded the motion and the motion passed with a simple show of hands. Max and Barbra will work toward that goal.
Meeting adjourned at 3:05P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for February 19th 1:00 P.M. as a ZOOM meeting. As long as Covid levels stay high we will likely be using a Zoom format.
Secretary’s Note : Important to remember: SET ASIDE TIME TO CHECK out the District 1 Facebook page, the KAC state webpage and our own newsletter emailed to every member to see what’s happening and get updates and opportunities. If you can’t receive District 1 email and need print copies, let us know.
Words of encouragement - Anne shared inspirations for authors as encouragement from a book called "The Gifts of Writing." Anne used a paraphrased quote suggesting that writing, art, and music bypass our brains and go directly to our emotions. She also assures us though writers’ desks may be an example of chaos, the mess is a part of the creative process. Writing itself takes us into new territory and can be exciting and rewarding on many levels.
Participating today are: Anne Spry, Max Dunavan, Roger Droz, Barbara Brady, Thea Rademacher, Barbara Waterman- Peters, Carol Yoho, Ruth Maus, Reaonna Hemmingway, Duane Johnson, and Audrey Bosley.
Secretary’s Report: A motion was made and seconded that we approve the December 2021 minutes as posted on the website and that motion passed. Check the past minutes on the web page.
Treasurer’s Report: A motion was made and seconded that we approve the Treasurers report as posted: The motion was passed. Prior to passage there were two questions from Ruth related to membership dues which were explained to participants. There are a few outstanding smaller checks that will decrease that balance.
Member author goals for the coming year: Authors were given the opportunity to share their personal 2022 writing goals for the year and most plan to actively work on rewrites, new writing projects, participate in the KAC writers contest and Yearbook submissions. Many plan to enter more contests or submit for publication. Thea also shared information of free contest submissions and opportunities to write. Check for those in the District 1 newsletter.
Planning District 1 events for 2022. Anne asked us what we wanted for speakers, workshops, and projects this coming year and the group generated 16 topical areas including naming specific speakers and topics. Screenplay workshop and learning about the certification process for “story tellers” from the Mid-Continent library is suggested. Continuing to develop district 1 partners and some type of open mic night events were discussed.
On the topic of the District 1 Newsletter discussion revealed that our newsletter is highly prized and appreciated by membership because it is so well done, being informative, aesthetically edited and pleasing, and a great marketing tool. District members can help the editor by keeping her informed of their publishing successes and other work encouraging or promoting writing. The newsletter can be used to promote your efforts.
Creation of a welcome letter for new members: Anne wants us to have an inviting letter for all new members encouraging their participation and informing them of opportunities available to them. Max will tackle the draft of this letter and bring it back to the membership and the Membership and Marketing Committee.
Open mic night: An active, lively, and broad discussion by members went a long way in identifying our interests, how we define an open mic event(s) for our purposes, as well as our concerns in shaping thoughts. A motion was made and seconded that Duane Johnson and Max Dunavan consider the discussion input and come back to the February or March district 1 meeting with further information and a model(s) for membership consideration. One stipulation is that the event not be on a weekend.
A Distric1 1 Anthology project report: Max Dunavan and Barbara Waterman-Peters presented the outcome and possible timeline with project benefits and concerns: The goal was to continue and possibly enable the members to determine whether we progress with such a project. The committee envisioned an opportunity for members to produce a handsome volume highlighting member writing which we would be proud to own and perhaps distribute broadly. The minutes of the committee meeting were presented by Max and Barbara further explained the vision. Again, there was a lively and defining discussion about the pros and cons and various topics within the notes. Additional ideas were brought forwards by members during discussion. Authors appeared to prefer more lengthy submissions. All seemed to prefer a lengthened production date and leisurely schedule. It was clear that we would be using expertise of the member participants to make this happen and many of the tasks will require discussions as we move along. A motion was made by Max that we “pursue creation of an anthology for completion in 2023.” Barbara and Reaona both seconded the motion and the motion passed with a simple show of hands. Max and Barbra will work toward that goal.
Meeting adjourned at 3:05P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for February 19th 1:00 P.M. as a ZOOM meeting. As long as Covid levels stay high we will likely be using a Zoom format.
Secretary’s Note : Important to remember: SET ASIDE TIME TO CHECK out the District 1 Facebook page, the KAC state webpage and our own newsletter emailed to every member to see what’s happening and get updates and opportunities. If you can’t receive District 1 email and need print copies, let us know.