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Presidents' Message …
"How do you like being president of OCWW?" I'm frequently asked. With numerous organizations competing for my time and tugging at my heartstrings, conscience, and wallet, the question makes me contemplate why I've chosen to put so much energy into OCWW.
Thursday mornings at OCWW is my weekly gift to myself. I thrive on new experiences, exploring new topics, and meeting new people. When I walk into a session, I never know whom I'll meet or what nugget of information I'll glean. Just as I know not to judge a book by its cover, I've learned not to prejudge a speaker by the topic. I've learned about marketing from a mystery writer and interviewing techniques from a food writer. I've learned it is OK to write for the pure joy of writing and it is also OK to write in pursuit of fame and fortune. Of course, I've also learned that we really do judge a book by its cover, a book proposal by its query letter, and a story by its first line.
I love the variety of people who attend OCWW. The mix ranges from first-time attendees to those who have been coming for decades; from high school students to octogenarians; from those who support themselves through writing to those who are dreaming of their first writing accomplishment; from experts in web design to those who don't use computers.
I appreciate the support system our members offer each other. The positive energy is infectious when we share success stories and publishing achievements. Many of our speakers have said that they wish they had known about our organization earlier in their careers and have subsequently joined us.
Being on the board has expanded my horizons. As much as I enjoy going to an event, I love learning about what goes on behind the scenes. I'm honored to work with a dedicated group of individuals who volunteer their time and talents to make our sessions appear to run seamlessly. We balance our speakers and their topics just as carefully as we balance the budget. We aim to offer sessions that will appeal to our diverse membership as we evaluate how dues and tuition will cover room rental, speaker fees, printing, and postage.
Belonging to a supportive network, attending weekly writing sessions with a roomful of creative people, working with a dedicated group of volunteers. How do I like being president of OCWW? I love it.
-- Karen Gray-Keeler, President
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