New blood, that is..

Yes, it’s that time of year when we’re scouting for members who would like to serve IWOC by serving on the Board of Directors. As of this writing, five of our current Board Members have been generous enough to volunteer for another term. I am grateful, as they each are great “donors” to the well-being of our organization. Yet we’re thirsting for more. To continue serving its members in the best ways possible, we need an infusion of new people who can inject fresh ideas that will keep IWOC strong, relevant and vibrant. Now and into the future.

So spill: Are you willing to run? Or know someone who might be? Nominate them – or even better, nominate yourself!

Here are the data to enter into your decision-making:

• To qualify as a candidate, having been an IWOC member for at least one year is preferred, but not mandated. Appreciating the value in IWOC and having the desire and viable ideas to make it even better are what matter most.
• Serving on the Board is not an onerous task. We meet for just one hour on the 2nd Tuesday of every month right before our monthly program. However, during COVID we've been meeting (for one hour) at 1:00pm on Zoom, which we'll continue to do until we can resume in-person meetings.
• We have lots of laughs. Some disagreements. Such is the price of democracy. But the result is a satisfying sense of accomplishment towards the goal of creating a better IWOC.
• Most importantly, you’ll be able to have a real influence on how IWOC can help boost everyone’s writing career – including your own.

Since 1981, IWOC has been playing a unique and vital role devoted to helping independent writers succeed. This is your opportunity to actively help morph IWOC into your vision of how it can best serves its members. Come join the Board. In doing so, I can almost guarantee one more benefit: You’ll find yourself growing in positive, unexpected ways. To my surprise, I know I did.

I seriously hope you give it a shot.

Note: Please send your nominations to the Nominating Committee – either Brent Brotineb, Betsy Storm or myself -- by Friday, August 14. Questions? Contact me!

- Laura Stigler