National League of American Pen Women–Denver Branch
Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2014
I. Ruthy Wexler called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m.
II. Members in attendance were: Juliana Adams, Beverly Chico, Erika Christiansen, Kelly Ann Compton, Ruthy Denker/Wexler, Florence Elliott, Ann Klaiman, Marie Kriss, Nancy Peterson, Juanita Pope, Jo’el Roth, Virginia Small, and Kay Taylor.
III. Inspirational Reading: Juanita shared a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt—“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.
IV. The August Minutes were approved as written.
V. The August Treasurer’s Report was accepted. Our current balance is $2,732.13.
VI. Committee Reports:
A. The Blog Project:
1. Ann reported that blog activity seems to be dropping off. She questioned why. Summer? The topics?
2. The October topic will be Trick or Treat. So far, Erika and Virginia have signed up for this topic. Anyone else interested is welcome to submit
3. The November/December topic will be “The Magic of Cold.”
B. Website: No report.
C. Membership, Auditor, Budget: Virginia D. will be transferring from our Denver Branch to one in Atlanta. Pat Kennedy has submitted an application to move from Provisional status to Active status.
D. Programs: October —A continuance of Lorraine Walker Williams presentation on her poetic writing journey. We will meet at Eloise May Library.
E. Outreach Projects: The Dakota Ridge Craft Fair takes place October 18 and 19. Please let Kelly Ann know if you plan to participate.
VII. Old Business: None
IX. New Business: None
X. Announcements:
1. Beverly Chico, Nancy Peterson, and Andrea Antico have been invited to participate in the Arapahoe Library District Author Open House, at Southglenn Library on Saturday, October 4, 2:00-4:00.
2. Nancy Peterson will speak at the Colorado Association of Libraries convention, held at the Embassy Suites Hotel at the Ranch near Loveland, Colorado. She will speak and read from 3:00-3:30 p.m. Friday, October 17 at the Colorado Authors’ League booth. She will help staff the booth from 1-5.
3. Nancy will be signing and selling at the Colorado Authors’ League booth at the 2014 Mile High Holiday Mart sponsored by the Junior League. It takes place at the Marriott Denver Tech Center November 14-16.
4. Nancy will also give a presentation at the 26th Colorado Feminist Luncheon on Tuesday, November 18 held in the Warwick Hotel, 1776 Grant St., Denver 80203. Her presentation includes a display of World War II artifacts.
XI. The meeting was adjourned at 11:16.
Before the business meeting, we watched the DVD on the Tapestry for Peace. Kriss then led a discussion about the task of finding a home for the tapestry. The goal is to find a major city with a high traffic museum. Kriss has contacted the Smithsonian about the possibility of them taking the tapestry. Jo’el suggested we look at quilt museums as they would know how to store, repair and display the tapestry. The discussion also included looking into the Women’t History Museum in San Antonio and the Denver Art Museum. Suggestions were made to market the tapestry as educational and to turn photographs of the tapestry panels into postcards or notecards the various Pen Women branches could sell. Another suggestion was made that perhaps a showcase in a library or public building could rotate displaying the eleven panels throughout the year. This would mean less space would be required and perhaps make displaying the tapestry more viable for some venues.
Following the business meeting, member Jo’el Roth gave a presentation called “The Language of Disability” on how to make presentations and meetings accessible to all who attend. Thank you, Jo’el!
Respectively submitted,
Kelly Ann Compton, Secretary
