Spring Fling General Meeting Minutes

FLORIDA STATE POETS ASSOCIATION

Spring Fling General Meeting Minutes

Comfort Inn Suites, Orlando

April 16, 2016

The meeting was called to order by President Joe Cavanaugh at 9:00 AM. He welcomed everyone and thanked the sponsors for their support.

At the time of Roll Call, Pres. Joe Cavanaugh, Vice Pres. Walter Mims, Secretary Mary-Ann Westbrook and Treasurer Judy Krum were all present. Also in attendance was one member of Live Poets, five Members at Large, two from New River Poets, thirteen from Orlando, three Sunshine Poets and four Tomoka Poets. Big Bend, Miami, Poetry for the Love of it and Poetry Ocala were not represented.

Minutes of the last meeting, October 17, 2015, were read by the secretary. Joan Clark moved and Natalie Warrick seconded to accept the minutes as read. Approval was unanimous.

The financial report was given by the treasurer. Both the anthology and the FSPA poetry contest made profits. The fall Convention and Youth contest had short falls. As of April 12, 2016 the checking account balance is $6,606.43. Gary Broughman asked when exactly membership dues was due. A discussion of the Oct. 31st due date for FSPA and the deadline for NFSPS was lead by Judy and Joe. Elaine Person moved and Alice Friedman seconded to accept the financial report as presented. Approval was unanimous.

The Anthology report was read by Joe Cavanaugh as Patricia Stevenson-Gingrich was unable to attend. Submission dates for poems and photos for Anthology 34 are May 15 through July 15. 2016. There are some changes so please read the submission guidelines carefully. Patricia will be stepping down after Anthology 34 is complete. Gary Broughman will be the new Anthology Chair.

FSPA Poetry Contest Chair Mary Rogers-Grantham’s report read by Mary-Ann advised that entries may be made between May 1st and July 15, 2016. There are 24 categories with four of them offering $100 prizes. Info may be obtained by going to our website.

Historian Elaine Person checked with Baylor University re: poetry archives but their archives are for Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning. She encouraged everyone to put our anthologies into Florida Libraries. Some will accept invoices and pay for them and others will not. Check your library to see what they will accept.

Membership Chair Joey Everest sent a report listing all FSPA chapters and their enrollment. We have a total of 214 members to date.

Of Poets And Poetry report sent by Patricia Stevenson Gingrich explained that our newsletter is eight pages but may include an insert such as contest brochure or voting ballot. Many articles have further information that may be seen on the website. At this time FSPA will continue to produce both the print and electronic versions.

Youth Contest Chair Janet Watson reported almost one hundred more entries than last year. She announced the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award that is a new honor and incentive. With a generous donation Mr. Hopkins has made a renewable commitment for the next two years, providing cash awards and FSPA youth memberships for all 21 place winners in the seventh grade levels of our student competition.

Web Master Randall Krum reported that our internet domain has been renewed for the year January to January for the annual fee of $64.00. He handles email communication through Mail Chimp, maintains accurate and current email lists,  and creates programs for conventions and other printed items as required. In the last year our website has received 657,438 hits.

Linda Eve Diamond was introduced as our Facebook and Twitter operator.

The full transcripts of these reports are on file with these minutes for anyone who needs to see them.

Under Old Business the publicity committee chair Ken Clayton is working on and hoping to have publicity in local papers for our conventions.

Under New Business NFSPS 2016 delegates appointed are Mary-Ann Westbrook, Patricia Lieb, Elaine Person, Stephanie Andrews and Carl Johnson. FSPA Fall Convention 2016 will be hosted by Live Poets Society of Daytona Beach at the Plaza Hotel. Rooms will be $99.00 per night with free parking.    There was no volunteer for Spring Fling 2017 but having it in Fort Myers was suggested.  Mary Marcelle of Orlando Area Poets was appointed as Membership Chair.  The nominating Committee led by Alice Friedman announced their nominees for next years officers…President Mary-Ann Westbrook, Vice President Al Rocheleau, Secretary Alice Friedman, Treasurer Kevin Campbell. Voting will be by written ballot which will be sent out in OPAP.

There being no further business President Joe Cavanaugh declared the meeting adjourned at 10:00 AM.

Respectfully submitted

Mary-Ann Westbrook