Annual Report 2017/2018 Contents 3 about the writers’ guild of alberta 4 president’s report 5 Executive director’s report 6 Youth committee 7 Fund development committee 8 report on activities 12 wga events 14 wga literary awards 15 important acknowledgments 16 donors 17 staff and board 18 committees and volunteers 19 treasurer’s report and financial statements Front cover photos, clockwise from left: Todd Babiak gives a keynote address at the 2017 conference. Photo by Monique de St. Croix. Candas Jane Dorsey accepts the Golden Pen Award at the 2017 Alberta Literary Awards Gala. Photo by Monique de St. Croix. Left to right: Aritha van Herk, Samantha Warwick, and Denise Chong at the April 3, 2018 Calgary event. Photo by Monique de St. Croix. 2 about the writers’ guild of alberta The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) In 2018 we have such as retreats. was formed in October 1980 on SAIT • Reduced rates for workshops, campus to provide a meeting ground 1008 members conferences, and other literary events. and collective voice for all the writers hailing from • Subscription to the weekly email of the province. Our members write newsletter WriteClick. in every genre and at every level of 106 communities • Subscription to the quarterly magazine expertise. across Alberta. WestWord. • Access to the Manuscript Reading The WGA helps give Alberta writers craft; Service. a sense of unity and community, V. Knowledge and ongoing development • Opportunity to apply for the and is the largest provincial writers’ are fundamental to creative growth. Mentorship Program. organization in Canada. • Support for starting critiquing groups. Membership • Support for planning WGA events in WGA Vision Statement WGA membership is open to all writers rural communities. An Alberta where past, present, and resident or formerly resident of Alberta. • Access to the members-only section future contributions of writers are Membership, valid for 12 months from of the WGA website and a profile in the supported, acknowledged, and valued. the date of purchase, is available for Member Directory. $80, $50 for seniors (age 60+), or $40 for • Discounted subscription rates for WGA Mission Statement low income. Post-secondary students select Alberta literary magazines. The Writers’ Guild of Alberta’s mission may receive free membership for the • Subscription Box sampler of Alberta is to inspire, connect, support, duration of their studies. Lifetime literary magazines (for an additional encourage, and promote writers and membership may be awarded in $25) writing, to safeguard the freedom to recognition of service to the Alberta write and to read, and to advocate for writing community. As of 2018, we have the well-being of writers. the following number of members: • 386 Regular During our 2017/2018 sea- WGA Values and Guiding Beliefs • 291 Senior son we presented The WGA believes that: • 255 Student I. The literary arts are essential to • 61 Low Income 46 events and the well-being of all individuals, • 15 Lifetime programs, Approximately one third of our communities, and the economy of attracted Alberta; members reside in Edmonton, one II. Working in partnership with other third in Calgary, and one third in other 1899 participants, organizations contributes to the Alberta communities. and hired quality of life in Alberta; III. Networking and collaboration WGA members receive the following 179 artists. are beneficial to innovation and the benefits: creative process; • Free or discounted entrance to monthly IV. A free and safe environment is events in Edmonton and Calgary. essential for writers to pursue their • Members-only programs and events 3 President’s Report My introduction to the Writers’ Guild of have halted operations of the Fund be delving into the report, its findings Alberta was at a conference three years Development Committee. It was decided and recommendations, in an effort to ago. Before that time I was not aware of the best way to serve the WGA was to improve our operations. the great writing community across all of have all Board members participate Alberta. In that Annual General Meeting in strategizing fund development. I would also like to give special I was elected to the Board of Directors. That being said, if you are the type of recognition to the Youth Committee The following years I was elected to Vice individual who is passionate about fund whose efforts and activities have President, then President. I have been a development, please contact us. been drawing increasing attention part of companies and non-profit groups and attendance. Their dedication alike, from technology to sports groups, At the previous Annual General and passion for writing gives us all and none of them have compared to the Meeting, the membership tasked the confidence that the future of writing in level of professionalism, respect, and Board of Directors to strike a task Alberta is strong and growing. dedication found in the Writers’ Guild force, its goal to explore how equity of Alberta. Despite our differences I and inclusiveness can be addressed Once again, I would like to thank Carol have found a great willingness to accept within our association and the writing Holmes and the rest of the WGA staff for and encourage others. It is still my community in general. I’m proud to say their hard work, skill, and persistence. unwavering belief that we are greater that the members of the Equity Task They are truly the living heart of the together than we could ever be apart. Force and the WGA staff have completed WGA. their task and presented a thorough and This year the Board of Directors has thought provoking final report to the One final thanks I would like to give been busy navigating the somewhat Board. I’m also proud to say the report goes to Anne Logan, who will be leaving turbulent waters of operating an arts confirms that the WGA already has some the Board this year. She has held many organization in Alberta. excellent equity practices, affirming positions in her five years of service, all our commitment to helping all writers. with spectacular skill. Her leadership, First, for logistics reasons, we In the coming months the Board will intelligence, and humour will be missed. As for myself, I look forward to serving in my role as Past President over the next year. If you happen to see me at the conference, gala, or any other place feel free to stop and say hello. I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors in the coming year. Dustin Archibald President The 2017/2018 Board of Directors at the 2017 AGM. Clockwise from left: Joan Crate, Falon Reed, Dustin Archibald, Alison Clarke, Carol Parchewsky, Anne Logan. Photo by Monique de St. Croix. 4 Executive Director’s Report The 2017/2018 year has been a and individual donors. Please see the distributed in 2017 to rights holders, a productive time for the WGA. The Youth listing of support in this report and 46% decline from 2016, and licensing Committee has been active and we have offer your thanks. royalties collected from the education a growing number of young writers in sector have declined by 89% since 2012. A our membership, a regular venue has While funds have increased, we will review of the Copyright Act is underway been secured to host member nights in remain vigilant in our spending and by the Standing Committee on Industry, Edmonton, and WestWord has published engage actively in fundraising and Science and Technology. For ways you two issues with a new design and format. sponsorship to cover program costs in can make your voice known please Please review the full annual report to particular for those of the mentorship check the Access Copyright website and see where the WGA has been active, and program, rural outreach, the Borderlines watch for postings in WriteClick. if you have questions or comments do be program and its expansion to Calgary, in touch. I would be happy to talk. and the Literary Awards. If you have In closing, I would like to thank the suggestions for support or would like board for their ongoing support and An Equity task force was struck as per a to discuss, please contact me, your guidance with a special thanks to Anne motion at the 2017 AGM. Thank you to assistance would be appreciated Logan for her five years of incredible task force members Alison Clarke, Rona guidance and inspiration; to the staff for Altrows, Victoria Bailey, Stuart McKay, I attended the Access Copyright AGM their hard work, skill, and diligence; to Catalina Morales, and Julie Sedivy for in April. The impact of the inclusion of our funders, sponsors, and donors, and their insight, energy and hard work. A education in the “fair dealing” exemption to you, our members. March snowstorm extended the term in the Copyright Modernization Act of of the task force with the in-person 2012 remained a focus of the meeting. I wish you all the best with your writing. meeting held in April. A report with Since 2012, creators and publishers recommendations has been submitted have seen a drastic reduction in their Carol Holmes and tabled for a full review by board and income for the use of their work by Executive Director staff in the months ahead. the education sector: $6,744,000 was The WGA received Canada Council operational funding for the first time with $35,000 to be received annually for a three-year term beginning 2017/2018. This funding, along with that of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development, and the Edmonton Arts Council, are a significant contribution to the operational costs of the WGA. We are grateful for the support provided for program costs through grants, foundations, sponsors Carol and Lulu at the WGA head office in Edmonton.