Move Forward, Make a Difference, Mentor

We move forward through agenda based, purpose generated, member involved meetings, competition and recognition, and we provide growth opportunities through programming.

Members are providing many of our programs, and we have gotten to know each other better as we’ve learned how and why they’ve pursued their goals. Past National President Elaine Waidelich demonstrated flower art and shared her travel experiences. Author Beverly Hanson spoke about her experiences publishing a magazine and working in advertising. One of our newest members, Louise Bai, helped us understand what it was like growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution. 2009 Conference Keynote speaker, Mary Lightfine, told us of the pitfalls and hardships of nursing in a war zone. Professor

Dr. Audrey Cooke taught us “How to write a good poem in an hour.” We had several art programs as well. Guest speakers spoke on free-lancing and marketing. We often invite nearby branches and other women’s organizations to join us for special programs.

To keep fun in our meetings, we plan such things as Gerry Tatham’s “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party,” or “The NLAPW Comedy Hour,” featuring funny excerpts from members books and silly poetry. We ran out of time last year, but hope to enjoy the comedy hour this year.

We make a difference in the community through funding arts scholarships for individuals and through schools, and by providing trips for school children to theatre, museums, etc.  We gave the children’s theatre a large donation for scholarships when we discovered they had 45 children in need of help to continue their studies this year. We are planning an arts and crafts workshop for children in the nationally recognized Atlantic Center for the Arts.  We hope to have a member accepted into one of their programs, and to provide funding for her.

Sculptor Joan Baliker and artist Carol Bertrand designed and pursued funding to build a labyrinth in a city park. Other members edited a booklet to explain the labyrinth, with short stories, poems, and artwork. We gave a substantial grant toward this project.  We are fortunate to have a benefactor who enables us to fund both educational and community-based projects. This year we will consider working with a girl’s rehab facility and/or buying diagnostic play equipment for a children’s psychiatric facility.

For professional growth, we have a policy to hold art shows and writers conferences on alternate years, starting in 2010. Our members will both teach and display their art. The  community will be invited to join us at minimal cost. At our December meeting we are holding our first members’ arts boutique, where we will show and sell our books and art to each other and to others.

We have one member, Mary Douglas, who mentors at a school on a regular basis. We mentor each other, especially with web site set-ups, computer problems, and self-publishing details. Even some husbands help teach computer skills. Artists share information on shows, finding excellent teachers, etc. Our newest members are among our hardest workers, and their enthusiasm is contagious. We are proud that two of them, Yvonne Peterson and Mary Lightfine, designed and crafted a beautiful quilt square for the FSA quilt. Yvonne also gave a program at a school featuring her book about her dog, and the dog came with her to the delight of the children.

We’ve attracted many new members this year, but attrition has kept membership steady.  We find younger members have a hard time coming to meetings, and we are looking for ways to address this problem. Past members who have contributed greatly to our branch are designated as local honorary members…kept on our email list to keep them informed.

We, lost two long-time members this year, artist Joan Egan, who worked with the Pioneer Arts Settlement, and the former Director of the Art Center of Daytona and past FSA Art Chairman Ruth Benn, an international honorary member.

Trips are scheduled throughout the year. Usually only a few members take these trips, but those who do won’t miss one. We visit nationally known artists’ studios, museums in towns such as St. Augustine and Winter Park, go to theatre and music performances, and plan creative days in the park. This year we will visit the new labyrinth for a creative day, and we will be having lunch in the new Culinary Arts Center at Daytona State College. These outings almost always include lunch, as do our meetings.

Our most popular event is our end-of-the-year PIG-OUT, always held in someone’s back yard. Husbands, significant others and visiting relatives are all welcome as we celebrate another year of good fellowship, good works, and good times.

Laura Vaughan, President

2008/2009 report