Prairie Hearts Minutes

October 13, 2007 meeting

Present: Robyn Bielawski, Lynn Crandall, Lynn Dick, HiDee Ekstrom

Sharing

• Lynn Dick sent an email to a published author she enjoyed reading.  The author personally responded.  Lynn shared the email with us.

Old Business

• Just Desserts – Extend deadline for entries to October 31.  Send electronic files to Lisa.  As of our meeting time, there were three entries (that we knew of).  All members are encouraged to enter.
• Muse Postings – HiDee reminded members that muse postings can be shared on the Newsletter Editor loop, where they can be forwarded to other chapter email loops or reprinted in chapter newsletters.  HiDee, Lynn C., and Robyn gave permission to post their musings.  All members are encouraged to send muse postings to HiDee if they would like to share them.  You can share as many or as few postings as you would like.  Remember that anything picked up by other chapters can be used as publishing credits, and it gets your name out there.
• Update on bylaws – HiDee has printed all the materials provided by RWA and is in the process of updating Prairie Hearts bylaws.  She intends to post sections to the loop for input and approval. 
• Awards – approved by members present.  For 2007, we will present three awards at our Christmas luncheon:  President’s pin, Inspiration, and A for Effort.  The President’s pin is a service pin that the president has the authority to present.  The Inspiration Award will be given to a member has been inspirational to the chapter and/or its members.  The A for Effort Award will be given to a member for her writing efforts.  Members present suggested an inspirational bookmark for the Inspiration Award, and a writing tool (pen?) for the A for Effort Award.  Total cost is anticipated to be $15-20.  An announcement will be made on the loop, nominations sent to Lynn, and then members will vote on the awards.  Also, members present agreed to not present a Volunteer Award at this time since we don’t really have any opportunities for members to volunteer for the chapter.
• Newsletter – HiDee plans to have the October/November/December issue available at the November meeting.  Robyn intends to submit an article for this issue.  Lynn Dick will work on an article for the January/February/March 2008 issue.
• Website info/update:  Robyn has done a great job updating the website!  It’s good to have current information online.  We have bios for some members but not all.  Discussion of adding member pages – not necessarily a separate website for each member, but rather a page listing our name, bio and our publishing credits.  Robyn can add these pages.  We agreed to start with a list of articles written for our newsletter.  HiDee is going to send a list to Robyn for reference.  It was also agreed that our meeting minutes will be posted on the chapter blog page. 

New Business

• Policy & Procedures Manual – To date, we have not had any problems, but developing a P&P Manual now could alleviate future problems.  Discussion included stating membership qualifications, unacceptable behavior and the consequences, and defining what we believe constitutes “published”.  HiDee is going to send out a list of headings from the Bylaws that can be used as a starting point for what should be in our P&P manual .  Lynn Crandall is also going to look up sample P&P manuals for reference.  More discussion to follow.
• Novel in a Month – Robyn shared a handout with information about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and encouraged everyone to give it a try.  She participated last year (while planning her wedding!) and made the goal of 50,000 words.  This year pep talks will be given by Neil Gaiman and Sue Grafton.  No editing – just write!  Participating and making progress is a great sense of accomplishment.  NaNoWriMo runs November 1-30. For more information, contact Robyn.
• Online courses – Robyn and Lynn Dick shared their experiences with online classes.  Robyn took four last month; some were very useful, others were not.  Lynn took one class last month; she was disappointed in it.  Both will consider taking other classes.
• Profile in July – Prairie Hearts will be profiled in the July issue of RWA’s E-notes!  Lynn Crandall suggested that we do a project – maybe something for literacy, or hold a mini-workshop.  She is going to check back issues of E-notes to see what kind of things other chapters have done.  Lynn also suggested maybe having a theme for 2008 for our meetings.  How could we do this?  For example if the theme was characterization, HiDee suggested each month, one member could share her thoughts on characterization.  Other suggestions are welcome.
• Christmas Party – Tentatively set for 3:30 PM on Saturday December 1.  Lynn Crandall will check to see if Kennedy’s is open at that time.  There will be more discussion of this on the loop.
• Market Research Position – Lynn Crandall suggested this new position.  A member who keeps up-to-date with market news (what do publishers want?) can keep us informed.  She nominated Lynn Dick, and Lynn graciously agreed to the position.  Lynn will present her first Market News in November.
• Critiques – Lynn Crandall brought pages.