Add $5.00 for Updrafts in hard copy by U.S. Postal Service.

There is an unresolved question about whether domestic partners qualify for spouse rates.
Personally I would assume so. Otherwise would seem to be against public policy in California.
If it comes up I suggest the spouse rule be followed and I will send it in as domestic partner.
The State can complain if that is incorrect.

You can send your renewals to me

Ken Peterson
1529 Sixth Street
Alameda, CA 94501-3337.

 

or Mary Rudge

532 Haight Street,

Alameda. CA 94501

Why a Chapter?

Over the years some people have said, Why have a chapter?

I have heard these answers

1.) As a not for profit organization we can use facilities not otherwise available to poetry groups and events..

2.) We can go to the State Convention and meet members from other chapters..

3.) We can enter the yearly State contest without having to pay poem fees.

Those are all I can remember. Which seem pretty weak. After all, anyone, member or not, can go to the State convention and it doesn�t cost much to enter the contests�.

It seems a shame to have so little to say, to have in mind..

Especially as there are more reasons than those, and some are very good reasons.

There is the social aspects of people getting together about shared interests and in a shared purpose. The sharing, community interest in itself adds to the support of each member and helps in the development of their knowledge, skills and recognition. 

There are different types of activities commonly associated with poetry.

Poetry readings, contests, exhibitions, participation in civic activities, education, workshops and special projects are some.

Of course, these can be and are done regularly by people not associated with any chapter or club. They can be done as an aside by groups not particularly devoted to poetry. They are often done very well.

The special thing about a club is that it can do any and all of these things as part of its ordinary and central purpose.

They can be done as activities or the group which is different than individuals personally conducting readings or workshops or performances.

There is value in doing things as a group in contrast to doing things as individuals or specialized small groups or as adjuncts to organizations devoted to some other general purpose than poetry.                                         

Some projects can achieved by a Chapter more easily than by individuals.

Working in a group encourages and supports the members in their own development.

These are some reasons for having a local club or chapter such as the Alameda Island Poets Chapter.


Do you have others? 
                 
What about projects?

Awhile ago at a chapter meeting some of us were talking about what the chapter might do.

I thought about that and wrote up a bunch of activities which have been done in the past and which have been suggested for now or the future. Some I added.

What they were actually was not the point of my comments. I wasn�t actually suggesting that we do any of them. What I was suggesting was that we think about projects in a different way from usual.

In considering projects it might be well to ask

1.) What is the purpose?
2.) What could be the benefit?
3.) What is needed for it work?
4.) Can we do or get what is required?
5.) What do we have to do?
6.) Can we do that?
7.) What do others have to do?
8.) Will they do it?
9.) Even if we can do it all, will it be worthwhile?

In considering whether it is worthwhile, these are some questions

Is it for our own enjoyment?
Is it for our own benefit?
Is it for the benefit of others?
For a special group?
For the community at large?

The purposes such as those should influence the decisions about nature and value to be obtained.

Such questions might focus our thinking and help us understand why (or why not) to do a particular thing, and how to go about it.

And that might bring together our interest and efforts so the thing works.

Regarding the membership in the State Organization

There are advantages in belonging to the State organization and in meeting other members, belonging as a member. There are many very nice people, warm and welcoming, supportive and who are good knowledgeable poets. It is great to get together with these fine people. It is fun.

And it helps the development of the poet.

There may be other advantages to belonging to the State organization in addition to belonging to an official not for profit organization with what ever legitimacy that might offer.



Mary Rudge writes
Our Chaparral President Frith writes
"Chaparral is, first, last, and always, people, people--people of talents, visions, and hopes for the future. We are here today as an expression of all those things. I have a belief, one that I feel is widely shared, in the guiding purposes of this organization. I think back to some of the people ...with their examples of dedication to poetry, to the beneficial potential of the collective involvement that Chaparral offers. ... I have learned the background, the stories, of how Chaparral has weathered difficult times, of the extraordinary efforts sometimes required, how Chaparral grew and prospered. I further believe that much of that accomplishment was made possible by a continuing focus on the central and announced purposes of Chaparral. I believe that we need to pay homage, to honor that history, that tradition, to take advantage whenever we can of the lessons learned and those yet to be learned.
By being focused, being true to our primary mission as outlined in our bylaws, we will be within a framework that will honor that tradition, that will serve us well as we deal with the challenging times ahead. ... I believe we have the human resources necessary if we pull together for our common purposes."
Here are my comments (Mary Rudge) to add to what Laverne Frith said:
Some people want the newsletter, the roster, the statewide connection, knowing who poets in other cities are --- when going to another city there is a contact to ask what is happening with poetry there, a reading I can attend --- getting acquainted means sometimes being asked to be a featured reader in another city. some chapters have anthologies and workshop contests which other poets even in other chapters can often enter. Some chapters have joint events. At annual conventions you can show and sell your books, attend workshops, make new friends and connections in poetry. In promoting poetry the group effort is to encourage a JR/SR Highschool contest and award students, the by-laws call for a children's Poetry Faire annually (if there is a chairperson for it).
Members of CFCP Inc have a shelf in the State Library for their historical papers and books to be preserved as CFCP Inc members.
The CFCP Inc has in the past given input to who will be state Poet Laureate, can recommend with power of multiple people who vote, they have lobbied for an Ina Coolbrith stamp, they have been also partly responsible for petitioning for the state Poet Laureate to have two year terms instead of a life term (which legislation was created and passed) enabling more poets to have this honor and for the position to be diversified.
If a person wants to have a voice for poetry in the state a group effort is always good to have. A group often gets more respect and attention than an individual so this makes poetry more visible and accessible. The newsletters are often educational as is the website.
I am not sure what other benefits I can think of but doubtless there are others, especially for people who go to the conventions enter the contests and get published if a winner in the group's publications of their poetry contest winners.
The members are often asked to be readers and judges at conventions and/or to present workshops if they want to let it known they are available for these activities.
Chapter benefits also are determined by what a chapter decides to do. Publish anthologies, conduct workshops, hold readings, etc depending on the interests and energies of the local leaders and members. A poet alone cannot do as much as with a support team and a group of people who know and appreciate each other and regularly meet to share information.
An organization is usually more visible civically than an individual and gets news announcements of their events and invitations more than a poet alone.
I don't know if anyone who is a member wants to add to this compilation of information about why the organization exists and why there are chapters throughout the state
I have always appreciated being part of a poetry community and have belonged to more than one poetry organization --- I have personally appreciated being a part of the statewide organization CFCP Inc and having a local group of poets.
I benefit from our reading series, workshops and interaction. I really love seeing poets regularly in a group and having poet friends in this way. It takes energy to create or keep a group together of course, and so, Of course, locally poets could decide differently at any time, if they want to be a part of a group and keep a chapter going. I hope poets in Alameda Island Chapter will continue to stay together and continue being a chapter. This is my feeling, and opinion.for poetry always,
Mary Rudge

Ken continues
For me, the main suggestion in Laverne Friths Presidental talk was the development of a brochure which tells about Chaparall Poets.

I would like to some statements which are easily, clearly and correctly understandable, which reflect the realities of the organization, and which would be meaningful to the existing members and especially to prospective members.

I get nervous about saying that we do things which we really don�t do very much or very well.
I am bothered about talking about accomplishments of the past when nothing like those are being done now.

I would like to see statements which are realistic and which clearly explain the organization and tells people why they should belong.

I would also like to see some effort and progress made on some of those historic or by-law required activities which have become only weakly observed.

I would also like to have some means of referencing the State Organization and the local chapters more easily that California Federation of Chaparral Poets, Inc. and Alameda Island Poets Chapter of ......

The names have to be easy to use, catchy and evocative

For us, AIPS (e.g. �In Alameda, we are �AIPS�, not �Apes��.).

�Poet Chaps� might be a start for the State. (e.g. I am a member of the Poet Chaps.)

Ken Peterson

 

 

 

Thoughts about officers for the coming year.

I propose we get nominations in by the 2^nd Wednesday of October and the member return votes by the end of October.

That way we can have new officers by the business meeting of November.

The officers include