February 3, 2024

National League of American Pen Women—Denver Branch

February 3, 2024 Minutes

1. Linda Volin called the meeting to order at 9:35am.
2. Members in attendance: Diane Chambers, Atlanta Sheridan, Linda Volin, Andrea Antico, Karen Gonzales, Eleanor Binnings, Sue Luxa, Rachel Seekamp, Karen Gladstone, Ann Klaiman and Guest: Mary Lou Watson (Jahsasamut)?
3. Andrea Antico provided the inspirational reading by Sarah Edison Allen.
4. January Minutes accepted and approved. All in favor.
5. Treasurer’s Report: Balance of $639.44
   1. Diane was not present for membership report.
   2. Website report submitted by Virginia Small and read by Linda: “I included the information I was given regarding member updates and meeting updates. The site is up to date and working properly.”
   3. Critique Group: Meets every other Friday from 4:30-6:30pm on Zoom. Six are in the group and you must be a Pen Women member. There is room for two more. Two members submit writing for group to discuss.
   4. Tapestry: No updates. A suggestion to do a write up for Pen Women Magazine, to see if any national members are interested.
   5. Historian: Sue Luxa volunteered to take the position.
   6. Program presenters:

Today Tracee Garner on Getting Your Book Out.

No presenter found for March or May.

April 6 – Dr. Irene Blea on Integrating Diversity in Our Writing.

June will be a Guest Critique. Eleanor will check on her clubhouse. Carol can reserve Candlewyck if necessary.

Other presentation ideas are: Writing Tools / Query Letters / How to Stay Motivated.

6. New Officer elections for March. We need someone interested to find officers. Linda agrees to remain on the ballot as President; Diane agrees to be a choice as Vice President; and Karen as Co-Secretary. We’ll check to see if Kelly Ann would like to be on the ballot as Co-Secretary and Treasurer.
7. Old Business: Andrea read an article from Denver Post and wrote to George Washington High School, but no reply yet. Karen mentioned knowing a contact at Gateway High School and mentioned she and Manuel Ramos did an author talk there for the students in the library. Sue suggested Manuel Ramos as a Mystery writing presentation. Karen will contact him.
8. New Business: Linda mentioned the online National Pen Women meeting 2^nd Wednesday of each month and the National Pen Women Conference on April 26-28^th. Karen mentioned a partnership with Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors and Denver Woman’s Press Club planning some poetry, unknown writers contest activities and poetry festival this year. She also mentioned the Telling Tales at the Mercury Café every last Tuesday and will send members information.
9. The meeting was adjourned at 10:27AM.

Following the business meeting the presentation: Tracee Garner on Getting Your Book Out.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Gonzales, Co-Secretary