North Carolina Poetry Society

North Carolina Poetry Society Board Meeting Minutes September 17, 2004

Members Present: Ann Garbett, Guy York, Carolyn York, Carolyn Norris, Pat Riviere- Seel, Bill Griffin, Dave Manning, Sarah Claytor, Gail Williamson, Sue Farlow, Earl Huband, and guest ad hoc Julie Suk

Ann Garbett, president, opened the meeting by thanking everyone for coming out in a hurricane!

Ann made a motion to accept the minutes from the June 19, 2004 meeting. She also suggested that the minutes be put on the private sector of the website. Pat Riviere-Seel seconded it and the motion passed.

Committee Reports:

Treasurer: Bill Griffin gave his report. Sue Farlow made a motion to accept the report and Pat Riviere-Seel seconded it. The motion passed and a copy was put in the working notebook.

Constitution and By-Laws: Dave Manning, Susan Meyers, Janice Sullivan, and Sharon Sharpe worked on the constitution and by-laws. Dave Manning submitted major proposal changes in the constitution. Copies will be placed in the working notebook.

Membership: Guy and Carolyn York reported that we currently have 378 members. There was discussion about sharing our members’ addresses. We cannot give out our date base list for commercial purpose. However, we would give mailing labels to an organization, but not to an individual.

Newsletter: Priscilla Webster-Williams was absent, but Earl shared that the deadline for the newsletter would be Nov. 1. Pricilla wants to retire after the spring.

Brockman-Campbell Book Award: Sarah Claytor wants suggestions for judges for Brockman–Campbell Book Award for next year. The judges have to be from out of state and she will contact the NC Network with information about next year’s contest.

Adult Contest Coordinator: Carolyn Norris gave her report which will be placed in the working notebook.

Workshops: Gail Williamson gave her report. Dannye Romine Powell will be in Greensboro on Oct. 23. Mark Smith–Soto will do a workshop in April. She has written to Lynn Veach Sadler and Ella Johnston Hale. She has also been in touch with Joseph Bathanti. Workshop fees are $15.00 for members and $25.00 for non-members. Minutes – September 17 04 Page two

Webmaster: Earl Huband’s website statue report will be placed in the working notebook. The student site is ready to link. The board needs a proposed budget before the January meeting so members can look at it.

Ann suggested that there be an interview with each Brockman-Campbell winner sent to Earl as an attachment so it would be easier to upload. A permission form could be sent in the letter of congratulations.

Old Business:

At the May 21 meeting, Pat Riviere-Seel suggested establishing a policy manual so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel when issues arise. The manual would supplement what was already in the by-laws. Pat made a motion to create a policy manual that would be kept by the recording secretary and be available on the web. The policy manual would always be a work in progress. Sarah Claytor seconded it. The motion passed.

New Business:

Pat Riviere-Seel brought information about the Mountain Gathering. It will be October 16 at Mars Hill College and it is free of charge.

Ann Garbett reported that the same person who wanted the mailing list wanted her bio and book on our web site. However, this does not match the guidelines on the website. Bill Griffin will look at the guidelines and propose a revision. Ann also wants a committee to develop guidelines to publish interviews on the website. This could be coordinated with the newsletter editor. Some interviews could be in the newsletter and some could be on the website. Earl said the interviews should be preapproved. Pat suggested the wording of “submit an interview for consideration.” Ann said we should get an editorial board with at least three readers. Sarah, Sue and Bill will serve on editorial board with Ann.

Ann reported that Stephen Smith (who is in charge of programming at Weymouth) wants to pay a poet $500.00 to read on a Saturday evening aster a meeting, This is a way to promote Weymouth and involve the NCPS. Pat will work with him on this.

Pat made a motion to adjourn. Bill Griffin seconded it. The motion passed. NCPS Fall Meeting Weymouth – September 18, 1004

North Carolina Poetry Society president Ann Garbett opened the meeting with a welcome.

Bill Griffin gave the treasurer’s report and noted that we are in the black.

Carolyn York reported that we now have 378 members.

Cynthia Barnett from the North Carolina Writer’s Network introduced Tony Morris, whose Fugue’s End was the winner of the Mary Bell Campbell Award.

Pat Riviere-Seel introduced Sarah Claytor who coordinated the Brockman Campbell Book Award

Sarah introduced Julie Suk, who gave a presentation on “The Surly Sestina.”

Open mike followed with lunch afterwards.

Sarah introduced Julie Suk again as the winner of the Brockman Campbell Book Award and Julie read from The Dark Take Aim.

Pat Riviere-Seel adjourned the meeting for the reception and book signing by Tony Morris and Julie Suk.

An afternoon Open Mike took place after the reception.

Pat Riviere-Seel reminded members about the October Mountain Gathering at Mars Hill which is free of charge.

Ann Garbett closed the meeting.