June 2025 Meeting Minutes

by | Jun 26, 2025 | Meetings

Northern Virginia Writers Club

June 2025 Meeting Minutes

6/21/25         1:00 PM

  1. Call to order
    1. Meeting started at 1PM
  2. Roll call
    1. In-person: 18
    2. On Zoom: 9
  3. Newcomer introductions first
  4. Triumphs and failures
  5. Approval of minutes from last meeting
    1. Kevin Connor motion to approve
    2. Michelle McBeth 2nd
    3. Unanimously approved
  6. Officer’s Reports
  7. President Carolyn McBride
    1. VWC Board of Governors Mtg 5/20/2025 update
      1. Symposium registration open: https://www.virginiawritersclub.org/2025-VWC-Symposium; Aug. 2 9 am-5 pm.; carpool from my house in Woodbridge leave by 7 am; early bird members $65 to 6/30 ($75 later; $85 non-members); 20 speakers in auditorium and classrooms; quality and number of applicants way above last 2 years in terms of published books and # of PhDs; also advertising and sponsorship opportunities
      2. Looking for VWC social media manager for first time, want to expand presence beyond FB
    2. T-shirt designs
      1. Call for recommendations for quality on-demand printing, like Bonfire.com for non-profit fundraising
      2. Michelle recommended Threadless
    3. Interest in weekly Zoom writing sprints? (survey for best day/time)
      1. Local in-person options: shut-up and write in Arlington; big city, little words in Falls Church
      2. Recommendation to set up critique groups within the group
    4. Expertise required for login management for website
      1. Carolyn recommends hiring someone in lieu of Summer picnic
      2. Scott Frost recommends using Discord; NVWC has one but has low user count
  8. Vice President Casie White
    1. Absent
  9. Treasurer AJ George
    1. Absent
  10. Secretary Kevin Connor
    1. Nothing to report
  11. Membership Chair Isabelle Missud
  12. Event Coordinators: Lois Wren, David Wessel, Jennifer Milder, Patricia DiVecchio
    1. Fredericksburg Fall Festival Oct. 11-12 added
    2. Taste of Fairfax on Sunday September 11 in Fair Oaks Mall is a possibility
  13. Website Coordinators: Carolyn McBride, Toby Dorr
    1. Call for help with website login management setup – want to automate password management and ultimately membership management
  14. Social Media Coordinator Allie Nelson
    1. First two Brainstorm & Brew meetups – Godfrey’s, Busboys & Poets
  15. Golden Nib Coordinator Suzanne Davenport
    1. Absent
  16. Old Business
    1. None noted
  17. New Business
    1. None noted
  18. Upcoming writing resources/contests
    1. Jeff Higgins book launch events for The Havana Syndrome
      1. Barnes & Noble Potomac Yard, June 22 1-3 pm
      2. Elaine’s Launch Party, June 26 6-9 pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launch-the-havana-syndrome-by-jeffrey-james-higgins-tickets-1378342372139
    2. Book vending machine at Eastern Market from Night Gingko Press: https://www.litboxbooks.com/contact-7
  19. Business from the Floor
    1. None
  20. 15-minute networking
  21. Featured speaker: Mary Catherine Jones, owner and executive producer of The Audiobook Experience at Voice Over Vermont production studio
  22.  Adjournment
    1. Meeting adjourned at 3PM