The National League of American Pen Women, Inc.
National Board Meeting
January 21, 2012
National Board Meeting
January 21, 2012
The National Board was called to order by President Sharyn Grebehman at 9:37 A.M. with the following in attendance: Candace Long, Katie Witek, Marilyn Lewis-Alim, Bettie Jane Owen Wooten, Sandra Seaton Michel, Jamie Tate, Anna Di Bella, Meletha Everett, Sharyn Grebehman, Sandy Gardner, Trish Wootten, and Linda Nash.
Candace Long gave the invocation on Wisdom. The pledge to the flag followed.
Katie Witek, Bet Wooten, and Jamie Tate were appointed as readers of the minutes.
Sharyn gave her president’s report: The many projects being done by the different committees are most rewarding and either nearing completion or continuing as on-going. We had to have leaks in the roof repaired. It takes a specific expertise since we have a slate roof but it has been completed and is in good shape. The Finance Committee report will reflect some positive news for the 2010-2012 administration. We recognize that we have lost a number of members in the last number of years so we must all strive to increase our numbers from the National Level to the Branches. Our focus for the next few months will be on the Biennial. The membership roster is being updated and corrections being made. The last board meeting will be Wednesday April 18th 2:00 at Pen Arts.
On December 14, 2011, the new www.nlapw.org website went live. It now consists of 35 WordPress pages and links to 10 downloadable and printable PDF files. The 1st Vice President rewrote various pages of website content to reflect our current activities and to be more accessible to new visitors. The website is now updated on a daily basis.
The 1st Vice President, Treanor Baring, has asked Mark Leiber, a Cold Fusion programmer, to host the database and archive files from the former Cold Fusion website. Mr. Leiber, who works in the Georgetown area, has agreed to donate his time and server capabilities PRO BONO to the League.
Two QR codes were created for publication in the magazine as “surprise gifts” to the members. QR codes are the square mottled boxes that are similar to barcodes. Scanning a smart phone over them links to a website page or file that members can download and print—see your Spring issue to try out this technology.
The NLAPW twitter account is active and the 1st Vice President regularly tweets about current events, news and competitions. We have over 50 followers, including arts and non-profit organizations and individuals. We have retweets to over 65,000 followers.
2nd Vice President Katie Witek, reports that she will continue editing duties for the magazine, and will assist with the Biennial treasury, registration, and completing and disseminating the final Biennial schedule.
3rd Vice President Candace Long, has been finalizing the logistics to begin our Pilot Program in February and March.
Webinar #1 (Letters) Creating An Online Presence (Instructor: Lynne Spreen)
Tuesday, February 21 at 6 p.m. PT and 9 p.m.EST.
Participants will be introduced to Linkedln, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Glogs & Egooks and how these social networking tools can help you promote your product.
Webinar #2 (Art) “See What I’m Saying: What Children Tell Us Through Their Art” (Instructor: Myra Levick, Ph.d.)
Tuesday, March 20 at 6 p.m. PT and 9 p.m. EST.
Participants will see 35 drawings from children (K through 6th grade) and learn ways to assess the emotional health of today’s children.
The cost will be $20 for each participant.
There will be a 60/40 split of the proceeds; 60% to NLAPW and 40% to the instructor.
Sandra Michel read the treasurer’s report in Lorna Jean’s absence.
We are two-thirds of our way through the fiscal year and in the black.
Candace Long 4th Vice President, presented a printout of how the Finance Committee has trimmed the fat from our budget and a projection for future spending.
MOTION: 49
Sandra Michel moved that the Board authorize the Spring 2012 of The Pen Woman Magazine be published in the 2010-2012 administration.
Passed unanimously.
Jamie Tate, Art Chair, gave an update of the Biennial Art Exhibit and programming, an update on the Online Art Competition and the Web gallery editing.
Bet Wooten, By-Laws Chair, explained the rationale for the By-Laws amendments to be presented at the Biennial.
It was reported that Jill Chambers, Election Chair came to see if there were any write-ins to be on the ballots and there were none.
It was also reported that the paid membership roster is being updated.
Trish Wootten, Biennial Chair, gave a report on the Biennial.
Anna Di Bella, Outreach Chair, reported the committee awarded $200 for Poetry to students from Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts in October; presented $175 in Art awards to students from School in conjunction with exhibition at Pen Arts; presented a $300 Keyboard to Martha’s Table; and $100 Anticipated for Adopt-a-Library Project with the Smithsonian. The Committee is continuing to partnership with organizations previously contacted in addition to others as possible viable projects.
Marilyn Lewis-Alim, Publications Chair, reports that major activities during the fall of 2011 were the publication of the Pen Woman as a combined fall/winter issue and the design, development, and the publication of a new NLAPW website which went live in December. The YouTube Channel reached a milestone as it has been viewed over 2,000 times.
The fall/winter issue of the Pen Woman contained the 2010 Audit Report, proposed changes to the bylaws, biographies of candidates for Board positions, and Biennial Convention and competition information.
She stressed that we need to promote the Anthology and ask Branches to purchase some as special awards and to present to schools in their areas.
Recessed at 11:50 AM for lunch.
The Board reconvened at 1:15 p.m.
Linda Nash, Music Chair, reported that she had organized a concert/lecture for the community on Saturday January 21 at 7:00 at Pen Arts so that all may hear Peter Fraize, saxophonist, discuss and
His new DC “Organic Matter”.
She has also put together a schedule for music programming for the April Biennial including original performances for the Literary, Arts and Music luncheons, a concert of original music on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. on April 20 and music for the art show at the Sumner Museum.
MOTION: 50
Jamie Tate moved that we move the Bernice Schacter’s sculpture to a more protected location due to an apparent attempt to remove it, and then inform the artist of this decision.
Passed.
MOTION: 51
Sandra Michel moved that we rejoin the DuPont Circle Association.
Passed.
The Board adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
