February 6, 2016

National League of American Pen Women–Denver Branch

Meeting Minutes

February 6, 2016

At lunch Feb 2016

I. Ruthy Wexler called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.

II. Members in attendance were: Juliana Adams, Andrea Antico, Kelly Ann Compton, Ruthy Wexler, Florence Elliott, Ann Klaiman, A. Marie Kriss, Atlanta Sheridan, Virginia Small, Kathleen Visovatti, and Kay Taylor

III. No Guests

IV. Inspirational Reading: Ruthy read “I am a Lover” by Elizabeth Murray from the book Living Life in Full Bloom.

V. The Minutes for October, November, December, and January were approved.

VI. The January Treasurer Report was approved. Ann requested that we donate to Poetry-to-Go. Kriss motioned that we donate $150.00, and that was unanimously approved.

VII. Committee Reports:

A. Website: Virginia reported that the website is up-to-date and going well.

B. Tapestry: Kriss attempted speaking with Mackintosh Academy, the Denver Art Museum, and the Denver Children’s Museum about the possibility of giving the Tapestry for Peace a permanent home. The Denver Art Museum has a very active children’s activity section. Kriss was directed to speak with someone in the communications department. She continues to attempt contact with the Children’s Museum and the Mackintosh Academy.

C. The Blog: The blog is still on our website. Ann suggested that we put that on the back burner and take it off the agenda for now. She also reminded us that the original intent of the blog was to have an end product of some sort (Chapbook, Anthology, Reading Party).

D. Outreach:

1. Kay spoke about Ban the Box an organization working toward banning the box on job applications asking if the applicant has a felony background. Part of this work is telling the stories of the prisoners. Kay asked us to think about how we might become involved.

2. Kathleen brought up Words Beyond Bars, where volunteers lead book groups in prisons. Ruthy will contact them for a possible speaker.

VIII. Old Business:

A. Please call or visit Sophia. She would love to have visitors. Contact one of our Denver Branch officers for contact information.

B. We continue to collect emergency information for our members. If you have not done so yet, please contact Kelly Ann.

IX. New Business:

A. As Jody needs to withdraw from being hostess for our branch, it was decided that Ruthy will take care of the coffee and tea and everyone else will bring treats as they feel led.

B. Our annual guest critique session will be rescheduled for April as this will fit in better with writing class schedules. Andrea will let Kriss know as soon as possible if the Candlewyck Clubhouse will be available that day.

C. Tuesday, March 15 is “get the rooms scheduled at Eloise May Library” day. Andrea would like volunteers to help get the rooms scheduled. Callers need to have an Arapahoe library card.

VIII. Announcements:

A. Juliana announced her book is finished and will be out soon.

B. Ruthy is starting her portrait business back up.

IX. The meeting was adjourned at 11:02.

Our speaker after the meeting was Lyly, woman who became a refugee at age 10 with the fall of Saigon during the Viet Nam war. She shared her fascinating story and told us about her foundation which works with people in Viet Nam affected by the agent orange used during the war. She also spoke that in America she has learned that it’s not “me, me, me,” you have to share. “Every day Americans reach out to people, to refugees,” she said, “this is a gift that Americans take for granted.”

Respectfully submitted,

Ruthy Wexler, President

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