OPA Executive Board Meeting, September 9, 2019

Present: Lynn, Shirley, Erik, Charles, Dale, Stella, Bruce, Diane, Jennifer.

Approve Minutes of August 9: Minutes approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Lynn provided a financial statement. Lynn is ready to help the next treasurer assume duties. At the conference this weekend, she will have bank cards for new signers. Lynn will have a check ready for the keynoter and is ready for anticipated fall contest expenses.  

Lynn expects that conference costs will be high, but OPA will break even. Next time, on-line registration, she thinks, might increase registrations.

Of the remaining Virginia Cozart fund, $400 has been spent on outreach ($200, La Grande; $150, Richard Blanco tickets; $50, Springfield Public Library event). The remaining $100 is now part of the general fund.

Membership: Charles reported current membership at 316. Charles is ready to help the next membership chair, especially since Charles has been working with four programs: Google Drive, Submittable, Mail Chimp, Excel.

Outreach: Diane, no update.

Newsletter: Bruce is working on the October issue. Dale has sent special bulletins for people who have important news but have missed the newsletter deadline.

OPA Facebook Group: Though membership in the group has grown to 90 people, activity has been limited.  

Facebook page: Lynn has used Facebook to advertise OPA activities, and it should be continued to be used.

Conference: Shirley reviewed a checklist of preparation and conference duties, to which Board members have been assigned. Lynn will provide the template for the ballot; Diane will have it printed. Starting at  7:30 Saturday, Board members and volunteers will help at the registration and membership tables and in the bookroom. Stella, Shirley, and Erik will relieve Bruce in the bookroom. In a discussion about what the Banta Award might consist of (cash, gift, a combination of both), Shirley indicated that Patricia Ruth Banta wanted her bequest to be used to provide the OPA with financial stability. This year’s award is a gift of a framed broadside and a certificate.

Old Business:

                Verseweavers: Dale expects to have the new issue in time for the conference. To reduce mailing costs, members at the conference will be invited to pick up their copies. Back issues will be available in the bookroom.

                Fall Poetry Contest: Stella is working with support from Amy Miller and Bruce.

                November 9 Book Fair: Bruce will include notice of the fair in the October newsletter; OPA bookbags (complementary to new members) and bookmarks will be available. Bruce and Diane invite help at the table.

New Executive Board Members: No definite nominees at this time. At the general meeting, Shirley will explain the role of staff, as distinct from that of Board members.

New Business: Mostly incorporated in above notes.

                New Board Meeting: The old and new boards meet Sunday, 1-2pm, snacks provided. Agenda items include the new Board voting for officers, bank card signing, setting up training times for Treasurer and Membership Chair, as well as for using Skype before the next meeting.

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