BACKGROUND

Did you know SLO NightWriters is holding elections for the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary? Since the elected Board members appoint our organization’s non-elected Board positions, this will enable us to refresh our appointed positions as well.

This is an opportunity for everyone to pitch in with the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our organization thriving. Please see the list and descriptions below of both the elected and appointed Board officer positions as well as other volunteer opportunities in the organization. If you are interested in helping with any of these, the Election Committee needs to hear from you as soon as possible at slonwmembership@gmail.com.

ELECTED POSITIONS

Our bylaws require these positions to be voted into office every two years at our general meeting in November.

• Nominations close on October 19 – email the Elections Committee at slonwmembership@gmail.com.
• You may nominate yourself or someone else – we will contact nominees to inform them of their nomination and determine their interest in running. Your name will be kept anonymous.
• Candidates must submit a statement of up to 250 words to be published in the November newsletter and on the website.

President: The President serves as the official representative of the organization and ensures compliance with our bylaws, board policies, and state and federal requirements. The President presides over all meetings and is responsible for overseeing committee and chairperson appointments and activities. The president works with board members to develop strategic initiatives. The president calls and conducts meetings of the board members and ensures that the board’s directives are implemented and monitored.

Vice-president: The Vice-president performs the duties of the President in his/her absence and performs other duties as assigned by the President or the Board. The President may delegate special assignments to the
Vice-president.

Secretary: The Secretary attends monthly Board Meetings to record the decisions and deliberations of the board. The Secretary keeps an accurate record of meeting minutes, including the meeting time (start and finish), the place, and members and guests present.  The Secretary presents minutes for examination and approval at subsequent meetings. 

Treasurer: The Treasurer handles all financial matters for the organization including maintaining complete and accurate records of all financial transactions and coordinating the preparation of state and federal filings. The Treasurer presents monthly reports of all income and expenditures at each Board meeting and serves as an authorized signatory on organization accounts.

APPOINTED POSITIONS

The Election Committee will be compiling names of people interested in the following positions or helping out with them. These names will be given to the newly elected Board. Some of these positions are currently vacant. Some occupants of these positions may want to continue on, or may be willing to step down if they know someone else is willing to take on the job, and others may plan to vacate their position regardless.

If you are interested, please email us at slonwmembership@gmail.com.

Programs Director: The Programs Director secures speakers for the monthly general meetings. This includes coordinating speaking dates, costs, and logistics as well as providing Board updates of future meeting programs.

Membership Director: The Membership Director contacts new members to determine their goals and advise them of related organization resources and activities. Duties also include greeting new members at meetings and tracking and updating the Board of monthly membership figures.

Publicity Director: The Publicity Director oversees efforts to increase public awareness of the organization through public outreach. Activities may include coordinating and staffing an information booth at community events and networking with local print media to publicize club activities.

Contest Director: The Contest Director manages all aspects of Board approved writing contests (e.g. the annual Golden Quill Writing Contest). This includes developing contest rules for Board approval, overseeing submissions, and judging logistics.

Newsletter Editor: The Newsletter Editor oversees the publication of the monthly Wordsmiths newsletter. This includes soliciting and handling of submissions, formatting, review, and distribution.

Social Media Director: The Social Media Director oversees efforts to increase public awareness of the organization and its scheduled activities through electronic, and social media channels. Duties include monthly coordination with the Board to promote program speakers and upcoming events.

Critique Group Coordinator: The Critique Group Coordinator administers the critique group program, ensuring that critique groups are conducted according to SLO NightWriter policies. Duties include assisting members to form new critique groups and adhere to guidelines, updating the website listing, and helping critique group leaders fill openings.

Webmaster: The Webmaster maintains the organization website and initiates global membership emails at the direction of the President.

Historian: The Historian creates and maintains records and/or scrapbooks of memorable organization activities and reminds the Board and members of upcoming milestones and other important dates, such as our anniversary.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Let us know if you are interested in any of the following activities. We need additional help in many of these areas.

Critique Table Facilitators: The Critique Table Facilitators run the critique table at general meetings, including establishing and implementing submission, reading, and critiquing guidelines.

Hospitality: Coordinates the purchase and setting up of refreshments at regular club meetings and club sponsored activities.

Meeting Greeter: Greets members and guests as they arrive at meetings, coordinates the sign-in process, and directs attendees to their activities of interest.

Sunshine Chair: The Sunshine Chair provides outreach to club members who are known to have become ill, experienced loss, or are going through other life changing events.

Thanks for considering how you can contribute to SLO NightWriters.