WiS Meeting Minutes – July 6, 2019

Attendance: Andrea, Ellen, Katherine, Jim, Erika, Jadi, Cindy, and Michael Brown.

Chair: Andrea

Minutes: Jim

Writing Prompt: If we’re lucky sometimes we connect with people for brief periods that resonate beyond their lifespans.

For most people the prompt evoked memories of loved ones. Remembering a grandmother as a special person who had a lasting impression was most prominent. Some reflected on famous people or philosophers who influenced cultural change.  

Readings: 

  • Katherine read a flash-fiction article by Lidia Davis from the New Yorker. Most of our group felt that our prompt writing was better 🙂
  • Jadi read her first draft of a short story about an illegal immigrant finding a hunter that had been shot in a snowstorm and faced with the dilemma and moral responsibility of helping. We are all waiting for the next draft. Thank you Jadi.

Business: 

  • Meeting dates through January of 2020 are review and are on the WiS website.
  • August is officially the summer break. However, Cindy has invited interested members to meet in her Garden on August 10th. See the 2019 Meeting Dates on the website for details.
  • Jim will automatically forward email to chair@writersinstuttgart.com to Vlora, Barbara, and Michael Hilton. It was determined that they should decide who should reply and request a sample of their writing. Erika and Jadi volunteered to be backup writing sample reviewers if necessary.
  • Our next reading will be October 19th at the Dreigroschen Theater at 19:00. The theme will be “The Kindness of Strangers”  Details are on the WiS website.
  • Members reading in October will be Jadi, Erica, Andrea, Sarah, Cindy, Vlora, Jim, and Katherine.
  • Rehearsal Dates will be hosted by Andrea on September 21st and Erica on October 11th. See the WiS website for details. Rehearsals will be potluck.
  • Sarah is creating a new invitation postcard for the reading. It should be available at the next meeting.
  • Following a discussion it was decided that music should be part of our readings. A musician was suggested but it was decided that we should have him audition at 13:00 following the September meeting before a final determination is made. We also need to know how much he will charge before making a commitment.
  • Audio equipment had previously been provided my the Michael Hecht. It was determined that if we had the money available we should have an affordable sound system to use at our readings. Jim volunteered to look into a sound system with clip-on microphones and present his findings and cost at the next meeting.
  • Jim is attempting to make the WiS website the communication center for all WiS information. He said that the only way this will work is to wean people off using person email for WiS communication. To do this he is working on the following:
    • automatically sending a notification to all members anytime member comments are made. Comments are now showing most recent comment at the top of the comments list.
    • implementing a roster-based table that can be used for members to enter attendance intentions, reading intention and vote on issues when not able to attend a meeting.
  • It was decided that until a method for members to vote on pending issues that those in attendance will be the deciding vote. 
  • Andrea did an excellent job of chairing the meeting. She has volunteered to again chair the meeting on September 14th meeting. Thank you Andrea.

The prompt for the September 14th meeting will be “What does kindness mean to you?”

  • Please enter any corrections or exclusions in the comments section of the minutes.
  • Please make suggestions for website improvement in the comments section of Website information.
  • Please add your telephone number and any changes to your email in the Member Information Update. Remember, only members can access this information. Should you have any special requests about being contacted by phone, I will show it under your phone number. Relying on email for important last minute or emergency communication is problematic. i.e. the meeting location is moved at the last minute; your stuck in traffic and won’t make a meeting when people are waiting for you; You’re lost and need help finding the reading or practice address.

Use the WiS website as your go-to place for WiS information including meeting dates and times, reading dates and times, rehearsal dates and times, email addresses, and past minutes.

Thank you for your attention and feedback

Jim

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