January 2026 Meeting Minutes

by | Jan 26, 2026 | Meetings

Northern Virginia Writers Club

January 2026 Meeting Minutes

1/17/2026         1:00 PM

  1. Call to order
    1. Meeting started at 1:17 PM
  2. Roll call
    1. In-person attendees: 33
    2. Online attendees: 6
    3. Newcomers: 9
  3. Triumphs and failures: 8
  4. Approval of minutes from last meeting
    1. J. George motioned to approve
    2. Isabelle Missud seconded
    3. Unanimously approved
  5. President Carolyn McBride
    1. Elections will be held after officer reports
    2. Coordinator position for Golden Nib is open
    3. Indie bookstore – Kate Goggin working with Lois Wren and will take over coordinating with Daydrift.
    4. You can find speakers for future meetings on website
  6. Vice President Casie White
    1. Nothing to report
  7. Treasurer A.J. George
    1. The corporation incurred a negative change in net assets of ($1,032.58) for the year end 2025. Current net assets as of 12/31/25 are $4,646.27.
    2. The Board has yet to approve the budget for 2026.
  8. Secretary Kevin Connor
    1. Not present
  9. Membership Chair Isabelle Missud
    1. Currently we have 66 members; 15 are new in 2026; 51 have renewed
    2. If you haven’t renewed, do it.
  10. Event Coordinators: Lois Wren, David Wessel, Kate Goggin, Jennifer Milder, Marissa Naggi, Patricia DiVecchio
    1. Lois Wren
      1. This year we have Springfield, Georgetown, and Tysons Barnes and Nobles.
        1. Tysons: only taking fantasy, thriller and science fiction
        2. Springfield: starts in March, then every other week. List provided of writers that have had past success
        3. Georgetown: no consignment and they have a review team. Required to be published through Ingram Spark
        4. We also have Gainesville, One Loudoun, and Fair Lakes – Due to past negative behavior, One Loudoun will not take any repeat authors.
          1. Writers must adhere to established guidelines when doing book signings. Failure to do so reflects negatively on club and risks future signings for all authors.
      2. David Wessel:
        1. Working on first annual Winter Book Festival to be held February 28th at a library in Old Town (details on club website). As this is the first Winter Book Festival to be held at library, he is collecting lessons learned. Intent is to do one annually, but it will depend on the success of the first festival. Twenty authors have signed up. If any authors have not renewed membership or paid the $25 event fee, please do so ASAP. Will drop those that do not pay as there is a waiting list.
          1. Carolyn McBride has an event poster for download on website. If you live in Alexandria and want to help post posters in surrounding area, please contact David Wessel. Also please send out to network of friends to raise awareness of the event.
        2. Starting to work on 2-3 festivals/fairs. They generally run May -October. Will send first call for writers at the end of January. Will not reserve spots to be fair to all members. Email: davidkwesselauthor@gmail.com
        3. Whenever you have a table at an event, please download/print NVWC poster from website and place on table to raise awareness about the club.
      3. Kate Goggin – independent bookstores – not present
      4. Jennifer Milder- coordinates with Elaine’s in Old Town – not present
      5. Marissa Naggi- hosts Jump On and Write Zoom sessions
        1. Jump on and Write Zoom sessions available: Wednesday and Friday 0730-0830 am and Monday 0830-0930 pm.
        2. Writers Room open. Please get on and interact so we can build up our writing community. Genre groups are formed to assist writers with connecting with similar authors. Could create critique groups from there.
          1. So far, we have a poetry and memoir critique group (Toby Dorr). Lori Eaton also hosts a query support group.
      6. Website Coordinator – Carolyn McBride
        1. New membership system is up and taking renewals. Will purge in February and you’ll lose access if you’ve not renewed (Feb. 28th is deadline).
      7. Social Media Coordinator – Allie Nelson – not present
  11. New Business
    1. Chairman of the Board – Jason Maddux
      1. Thanks to all officers for their work
      2. Amendments to Bylaws
        1. Changed to an annualized membership
        2. Changes can be found on website. Will need to announce at 2 consecutive meetings and then vote. Reach out to board or officers for questions.
      3. Topic: Officer Elections
        1. Nominations for the Office of Secretary
          1. Nominations:
            1. Stacey Porcaro
              1. A.J. George seconded nomination
              2. No other nominations; nominations closed
              3. Votes noted in the affirmative
        2. Nominations for the Office of Treasurer
            1. Nominations:
              1. J. George
                1. Marissa Naggi seconded the nomination
                2. No other nominations; nominations closed
                3. A.J. George accepts nomination
                4. Votes noted in the affirmative
        3. Nominations for the Office of Vice President.
            1. Nominations:
              1. Marissa Naggi
                1. Isabelle Missud seconded the nomination
                2. No other nominations; nominations closed
                3. Marissa Naggi accepts nomination
                4. Votes noted in the affirmative
        4. Nominations for the Office of President
            1. Nominations:
              1. Carolyn McBride
                1. Stacey Porcaro seconded the nomination
                2. No other nominations; nominations closed
                3. Carolyn McBride accepts nomination
                4. Votes noted in the affirmative
        5. Elections are closed.
        6. Golden Nib position open – Lori Eaton appointed
  1. Business from the Floor
    1. Jason Maddux – next year is club’s 20th anniversary. Start thinking of how we want to celebrate.
  2. Meeting adjourned at 2:27 PM