Transitions
The New Year Brings New Beginnings (and Some New Opportunities!)
Yes, the Guild has some new beginnings to report. And because there are new beginnings, some Guild members are transitioning into new functions. Our annual election of officers in January, for instance, brought the Guild a new president!
Diane Revell
“Wait”—you may be thinking—“didn’t the last Transitions column begin with this woman’s picture?” Well, yes, in fact it did. And so did the Transitions column before that. Diane Revell has been a woman on the move, and now she’s moved to the very top of the organization, and the Guild is all the better for it.
A year ago, we reported that Diane was transitioning out of her long-held position as Guild secretary. At that time, we listed some of the many other activities she had participated in as the Guild grew and developed, such as working with the attorney and other members to help the Guild achieve its status as a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation under IRS Code section 501(c)(3), as well as helping to write the by-laws that keep us operating legally.
Six months ago, we reported Diane had soon found a new role for herself as the author of “A New Member Guide” chock full of helpful information for new Guild members (here’s a link to it). In addition, she had transitioned into the role of the facilitator for the Kohala Writers Group after its founder, Eila Algood, had moved on. (Diane will continue to facilitate the writers’ group during her term as president.)
And now this! What is her secret, you may wonder. Is it ambition? Nope. But her leadership abilities are clearly delineated in all her previous services to the Guild. Where do they come from? Well…she was “the big sister” in a multi-child household when she was growing up. Maybe that had something to do with it. Or maybe not. Wherever her leadership skills came from, as our ongoing vice president, Bruce Stern said when Diane was elected: “Under the leadership of President Diane Revell, we all are looking forward to a successful year for the Guild and its members.”
A year ago, we reported that Diane was transitioning out of her long-held position as Guild secretary. At that time, we listed some of the many other activities she had participated in as the Guild grew and developed, such as working with the attorney and other members to help the Guild achieve its status as a tax-exempt nonprofit corporation under IRS Code section 501(c)(3), as well as helping to write the by-laws that keep us operating legally.
Six months ago, we reported Diane had soon found a new role for herself as the author of “A New Member Guide” chock full of helpful information for new Guild members (here’s a link to it). In addition, she had transitioned into the role of the facilitator for the Kohala Writers Group after its founder, Eila Algood, had moved on. (Diane will continue to facilitate the writers’ group during her term as president.)
And now this! What is her secret, you may wonder. Is it ambition? Nope. But her leadership abilities are clearly delineated in all her previous services to the Guild. Where do they come from? Well…she was “the big sister” in a multi-child household when she was growing up. Maybe that had something to do with it. Or maybe not. Wherever her leadership skills came from, as our ongoing vice president, Bruce Stern said when Diane was elected: “Under the leadership of President Diane Revell, we all are looking forward to a successful year for the Guild and its members.”
Frank Reilly
Some of you may know Frank Reilly from the many devoted hours he has served as one of the team that organized and facilitated the Guild’s online writers support group, Readings and Responses, which is available to Guild members.
Each year, shortly after its election of officers at its Annual Meeting in January, the Guild holds an Annual Planning Meeting at which the newly-constituted board solicits ideas from members for new projects for the new year. At the 2023 Annual Planning Meeting, Frank stepped up with a proposal to organize a writers group specifically for Kauai Island, where Frank lives.
Kauai island had been fertile ground for writers and writing activity for many years culminating in the organization of the annual Kauai Writers Conference, which draws attendees from far and near. Frank had noticed that much of the on-going local activity had been greatly diminished in recent years, however, in part because some of the organizers of the local writers support groups had moved away, and in part because Covid-19 had diminished enthusiasm for in-person meetings of any kind.
Frank presented a written proposal to the Hawaii Writers Guild board meeting in February outlining his proposal and volunteering to take on the project himself. The board approved the project and sent Frank some updated trifold brochures he could use to highlight the benefits of Guild membership and Frank set about spreading the word.
On April 6, 2023, Frank held the first meeting of an online Readings and Responses group specifically aimed at Kauai Island writers. His project has begun. Now his plan is to build the group slowly, through personal contact, to ensure that it will grow in an orderly and cohesive fashion. Eventually, he hopes, as Covid-19 fades away, the group will encompass in-person activities which will strengthen the ties even more among Kauai writers.
Good luck, Frank!
[NOTE: The Annual Planning Meeting yielded some other interesting ideas for projects which are still in the formative stages. As they develop, we’ll report on them in future issues of Member News.]
Each year, shortly after its election of officers at its Annual Meeting in January, the Guild holds an Annual Planning Meeting at which the newly-constituted board solicits ideas from members for new projects for the new year. At the 2023 Annual Planning Meeting, Frank stepped up with a proposal to organize a writers group specifically for Kauai Island, where Frank lives.
Kauai island had been fertile ground for writers and writing activity for many years culminating in the organization of the annual Kauai Writers Conference, which draws attendees from far and near. Frank had noticed that much of the on-going local activity had been greatly diminished in recent years, however, in part because some of the organizers of the local writers support groups had moved away, and in part because Covid-19 had diminished enthusiasm for in-person meetings of any kind.
Frank presented a written proposal to the Hawaii Writers Guild board meeting in February outlining his proposal and volunteering to take on the project himself. The board approved the project and sent Frank some updated trifold brochures he could use to highlight the benefits of Guild membership and Frank set about spreading the word.
On April 6, 2023, Frank held the first meeting of an online Readings and Responses group specifically aimed at Kauai Island writers. His project has begun. Now his plan is to build the group slowly, through personal contact, to ensure that it will grow in an orderly and cohesive fashion. Eventually, he hopes, as Covid-19 fades away, the group will encompass in-person activities which will strengthen the ties even more among Kauai writers.
Good luck, Frank!
[NOTE: The Annual Planning Meeting yielded some other interesting ideas for projects which are still in the formative stages. As they develop, we’ll report on them in future issues of Member News.]
Margaret Zacharias
June 2023 will mark the third anniversary of the Hawaii Writers Guild online writers support group, Readings and Responses. Guild member Margaret Zacharias, who has worked tirelessly from the outset as a volunteer facilitator, web host, Zoom scheduler and communications coordinator for this important group that has been available to all HWG members has notified President Diane Revell that she, Margaret, has decided that the time has come for her to move on.
Beginning in June, the Board will need a new volunteer to perform these important duties going forward if it is to be able to continue offering an Open Forum, drop-in online writers’ group to all HWG members. (If you want to know just how important this group is for our members, take a look at the note appended to the Published! Congrats to Don Mules story in this issue)
Although busy after a move to a new state, Margaret is willing to orient a new person who is willing to take over. Are you that person? Readings and Responses has been a very important benefit available to HWG members. Whoever takes over these responsibilities will be making it possible for the Guild to continue to offer this key benefit to all of our members.
If you are willing to take on these responsibilities, please contact our president, Diane Revell, so arrangements can be made to get you oriented so there can be a smooth transition. Diane’s email address is here.
Thank you, Margaret, for your service during these past three years. You have set a wonderful example for whoever chooses to follow in your footsteps.
Beginning in June, the Board will need a new volunteer to perform these important duties going forward if it is to be able to continue offering an Open Forum, drop-in online writers’ group to all HWG members. (If you want to know just how important this group is for our members, take a look at the note appended to the Published! Congrats to Don Mules story in this issue)
Although busy after a move to a new state, Margaret is willing to orient a new person who is willing to take over. Are you that person? Readings and Responses has been a very important benefit available to HWG members. Whoever takes over these responsibilities will be making it possible for the Guild to continue to offer this key benefit to all of our members.
If you are willing to take on these responsibilities, please contact our president, Diane Revell, so arrangements can be made to get you oriented so there can be a smooth transition. Diane’s email address is here.
Thank you, Margaret, for your service during these past three years. You have set a wonderful example for whoever chooses to follow in your footsteps.
Here are some other reminders for those of you who are looking for ways to get more involved in facilitating Guild activities:
--We are still looking for someone to take over managing the Guild’s two Facebook accounts, the one open to the public and the one open to members only. If you like working with social media, please contact Joy Fisher at [email protected] .
--We still need assistance in re-establishing in-person readings and other events under the auspices of our Events Committee. If this is something you would like to assist with, please contact our President, Diane Revell, and let her know what you would be interested in doing to help.
--We are still looking for someone to take over managing the Guild’s two Facebook accounts, the one open to the public and the one open to members only. If you like working with social media, please contact Joy Fisher at [email protected] .
--We still need assistance in re-establishing in-person readings and other events under the auspices of our Events Committee. If this is something you would like to assist with, please contact our President, Diane Revell, and let her know what you would be interested in doing to help.
