I’ve said it before in past President’s Posts. I’ll say it again, but this time it’s for the sake of IWOC’s survival:  IWOC does not run on auto pilot. It takes volunteers to keep the organization going. And therein lies the problem. Each year, the pool of volunteers gets ever more shallow, to the point where it’s now down to only a dedicated few. These few have been the usual suspects who, in total years, have been serving for over a century. 

Enough already. 

Personally, after a record-breaking 10 years of serving as president, I’ve finally decided that to continue my “reign” was no longer fair to IWOC nor to me. Problem is, there has been no one on the horizon who expressed interest in assuming the mantle. The president, as a role, happens to be the hub of the wheel. Without it, the spokes go flying. Other long-standing, venerable Chicago writers groups have folded as a result.

I tell you this because it was the very reason why we thought one way to keep IWOC afloat was to merge with another writers group. Three years ago, an opportunity presented itself with the Writers & Publishers Network. Hopes were high. But after several rather unsatisfying negotiations, IWOC’s Board of Directors determined the merger would not have served the best interests of IWOC members and so, voted to cut bait.  It was the right decision. But it does beg the question, “What’s next?”

Plan A: Let’s keep IWOC going as we know it.

To do that, I’m going to show you how the sausage is made by listing all the Board positions and committees that keep IWOC running. I will end by asking you to please step up and serve in any capacity you feel matches your interests, abilities, experience or simply your desire to “give back” to an organization that holds a special place in your heart. Consider taking a role in any of the following:

• Board of Directors: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Parliamentarian 
• Program Committee
• Membership Committee
• Public Relations Committee
• Social Media Committee
• Jobs Administrator
• Stet Newsletter editor

If you’ve any questions about any of the above, feel free to contact me atpresident@iwoc.org and we can set up a time to talk. 

One final note.

The times, they’ve been a-changing. Organizations like ours or tangentially related are struggling. The causes range from “the youth” not having an interest in joining groups; competition from online social platforms (LinkedIn, etc.); COVID has changed how we meet – for better or worse. The list goes on. But one thing I do know: for 45 years, IWOC has filled a unique niche, devoted to helping freelancers find work, and forming a community of camaraderie where writers can connect and even make lifelong friends. Even though we’re now smaller, those traditions carry on. It would be a shame to see all that disappear. New faces and fresh ideas are needed to launch IWOC into the future. 

I look forward to hearing from you. Either that, or it’s on to Plan B.

  -- Laura Stigler