Wyoming Writers, Inc.
Minutes 3/19/23
1 - Call to Order 3:01 p.m.
- Attending - Alan O’Hashi, Andrew Call, Melissa Cook, Megan Stratford, Jessica Jackson, Aaron Volner, Nicole Kelley
- Melissa: finishing audiobook and publishing a public domain history book; Andrew: participating in the art walk in Laramie; Meghan: started second collection of poetry; Jessica: teaching 7th-12th English; Nicole: apply for principal positions & interviews & possible therapeutic daycare - busy since December; Aaron: first narration job for an audiobook; Donovin is driving today; Alan: finished a memoir about his life in the medical system, short but fun
2 - Approval of the Minutes - January 8, 2023 - Melissa Cook - Began with a review of the minutes from online and 11/20/22. Treasurer report by Nicole Kelley showed a $38,059.23 balance in the accounts. Old business included the writing contest with Christine Williams, Venue update with details from Lynn Carlson. Andrew Call updated the board on the faculty and keynote speaker. Vendor discussion on tables and fees. Raffles & Baskets were discussed for the silent auction. Andrew Call is working on lining up the Laramie bookstore. Alan O’Hashi has an offer out to a photographer. Alan O’Hashi, Aaron Volner and Donovin Sprague will work on the marketing. A motion was passed for the creation of a new logo for WWI to be presented to the membership at the 50th conference. A flash anthology will be put together by Christine Williams and Andrew Call. New business included information on the CNA Surety, the change for the IRS representative to Nicole Kelley and the next meeting date.
Online minutes 1/8/23 - 3/19/23 - No motions were made. A financial report from January showed $38,059.23 and March showed $37,528.64. A record of the email discussions was logged.
Minutes were passed by Consensus.
3 - Treasurer’s Report - Nicole Kelley presented the accounts are at $37,528.64. Sponsorship money has not come in yet. She can’t tell exactly how much came in for the conference because the checking account doesn’t give details on the deposit.
4 - Unfinished Business
- WWI conference
* Schedule - Discussion about who to have come and visit from the local government and agencies. A couple of board members rejected politicians coming to speak to avoid looking like an endorsement. Speaker schedule was reviewed. Fieen sessions beginning on Friday and ending on Sunday. Awards are at lunch. Sandwich buffet for lunch. 9-10:15 membership meeting. One session on Friday. ree slots on Saturday. One session on Sunday. We studied the schedule and moved events around to be best accommodating. Andrew Call will host Friday’s Open Mic and Melissa Cook will host Saturday’s. Pitch sessions over lunch and during the critique sessions amounting to 16 pitch session for each agent. Landy will be attending the conference. Friday night dinner is on the plaza with food trucks. Pitches will be held in Andrew Call and Alan O’Hashi’s hotel rooms.
* Registration - conference and rooms, (overflow at the Downtowner a block from the Plains) Aaron Volner will make the registration live when the changes are completed.
* Bookstore - Writing Heights, 70-30 split
* Sponsors - Visit Cheyenne, Hawthorn Tree, WCF, Plains Hotel - Late sponsors will be advertised on the web. Sponsors were given a ticket to the banquet. If they want a table they can have one.
* Vendors - Tables will be available for a fee of $100.
* Door Prizes - Put out a call to members to donate copies of their books for door prizes. Rock Springs Women’s Group basket will be considered a sponsorship and it will be given away as the grand door prizes.
* Conference Fee - Early bird $235, regular $270, $25 for the banquet meal & $30 for guest ticket
* Writing Contest - Not as many entries this year - 75% drop. Announcement went out 25 days late. We are planning for one hundred attendees and there is a concern that this could foreshadow conference attendance. We still have advertisement to put out.
5 - New Business
* Reimbursement for the board - registration fees will be waived (during registration ask for invoiced), $98 for lodging, $0.65 per mile
* Openings on the board - Jessica Jackson, Meghan Stratford, Nichole Kelley, Donovin Sprague (possible), Melissa Cook (for sure next year) - Nomination committee headed by Andrew Call
* Next meeting - May 21, 2023 3 p.m. unless we don’t need it
6 - Adjournment 4:55 p.m.