Welcome to the Appalachian Writers Association
AWA will host for the first time a Virtual Conference in July 2009
Presently, plans are underway to continue with the ABOY Awards and the Contest Awards.
2008 AWA Conference Business Meeting Minutes posted below
A "Virtual AWA Conference" for 2009 will permit us time to reassess the directions our organization can pursue.
AWA Celebrated 25 Years in 2008 - Founded in 1983, the Appalachian Writers Association established a program of preserving Appalachian literary heritage through promoting the works of new authors and celebrating established writers. The AWA seeks members from throughout Appalachia who write in a wide range of genre and disciplines, from storytellers to lyricists, from academics to popular writers. Our membership includes people from all experiences, stages of career, and ages, as well. As you explore our site, we hope that you will consider joining us.
Minutes from the 2008 AWA Conference Business Meeting July 12, 2008
Appalachian Writer’s Association
2008 Business Meeting
July 12, 2008
Morehead State University
Members in attendance: Christina Walton (presiding), T. Alan Holmes, Jimmy Clark Harris, Delilah O’Haynes, Les Brown, Trish Ayers, Shan Ayers
Meeting called to order at 4:40pm with Dr. Walton presiding. Dr. Walton proceeded to read the minutes from the 2007 business meeting. Following some discussion concerning the posting of materials on the AWA website and updating the membership and email rolls for more accuracy, the minutes were approved as read.
It was moved and seconded that the newsletter would be posted on the AWA website, as well as emailed to each current member. This motion carried.
Dr. Walton reported that there was a paid membership of 69 as of the date of this meeting.
Dr. Walton made a Treasurer’s report beginning by stating that the AWA funds were transferred from King’s College in November 2007, totaling $2039.00. As of the date of this meeting, the account balance is $4530.97. Conference expenses had not been deducted as of this date.
Dr. Walton reported that there were 35 registrants to the 2008 AWA Conference.
Trish Ayers shared an idea that at the next conference, the AWA sponsor an “open to the public” book signing so that locals could meet the assembled authors.
There was concern expressed about sessions being cancelled at last year’s conference without receiving notification from the session leader. Therefore, those in attendance at this year’s business meeting agreed that no conference session should be cancelled without the conference Program Chair receiving such a request from the Session leader.
Dr. Walton reported that there had been low interest in this conference from Morehead State University academic departments, especially English and Appalachian Studies. This was a concern to those in attendance. There was also a question raised as to the future of the AWA Conference should Dr. Walton leave MoSU (as she is actively searching for a position elsewhere due to budget cuts at MoSU).
All in attendance agreed that paramount to the future of the AWA was that the membership needed to work on increasing membership. Many ideas were shared including word of mouth, publishing informational brochures, and increasing the association’s web presence.
Alan Holmes expressed his concerns about low attendance and low participation from this year’s host institution. He suggested that, perhaps, it was appropriate to move the AWA to a web presence only without holding a physical conference. His idea suggested maintaining membership fees, contest entry fees, and donation receipts all to go toward supporting the contests, awards, and, perhaps, a website independent from a college/university server.
Out of this conversation came an idea that the AWA president retain a three-year term in office but only host a conference in the third year.
Jimmy Carl Harris moved to suspend the 2009 conference but maintain the organization and all contests and awards. The motion was seconded. The following discussion was all centered on this being necessary due to continuing low attendance and rising travel costs. The question was called and the motion was approved.
Due to the late hour, 6:00pm) Dr. Walton suspended business so that the attendees could assemble for the banquet and keynote presentation.
The Business meeting was reconvened at 8:05pm, with Dr. Walton presiding. She asked that the recording secretary read the minutes from the preceding portion of the meeting. Following this reading, and there being no questions, the business continued.
Delilah O’Haynes reported that she had accepted responsibility for scholarships to the AWA conference for when the conference was closer to her institution. Now that the conference was not near her she asked the responsibility for scholarships move, with the presidency, to the state, or institution, where the AWA president resides. All present agreed that scholarships, being used to get high school and/or college students to the conference, were a good idea. However, in that the 2009 conference had been suspended, it was decided that scholarship dispersal should also be suspended until a conference schedule resumes. The scholarship funds can continue to grow but better record keeping must be implemented.
Alan Holmes made a report on the need for the AWA to develop and maintain a set of by-laws. The assembled members agreed to accept the Holmes report as distributed in that it can serve to inform the membership as a set of by-laws are developed. A complete copy of the Holmes report resides with Dr. Walton.
Dr. Walton reported that Garry Barker had begun to market the AWA in his column, “Head of the Holler.” Dr. Walton also reported that she had placed an advertisement in “The Writer” magazine. With regard to marketing and public relations, the assembled membership expressed interest in the association developing brochures, flyers and a web presence with more attraction. Delilah O’Haynes indicated that she would speak to her graphic artist and pick up the tab for the designing of a new AWA brochure.
Les Brown reported that this year’s silent auction raised $100-$110. Dr. Walton will provide an exact tally.
Dr. Walton spoke about holding a Quilt Raffle at the next conference but there were questions about legalities.
Other ideas mentions included
A manual for the President
Clearer guidelines for Contests and means to get manuscripts to judges
Announcements and Connections Page on Website
Workshops at conference and submission guidelines
Listing of all publishers that AWA authors work with
Website updates and revisions
Contract, membership form, registration form revisions
Conference evaluation form revision
Given the late hour, and the fact that MoSU personnel were closing the building where we were meeting, Dr. Walton adjourned the assembly at 9:50pm
Respectfully submitted,
Shan Ayers
Recording Secretary Pro Tempore
