During their December, 2013 meeting, the CWG officers noted that Guild has grown beyond 500 members, but the work of running the CWG rests on the shoulders of about 20 members. Several committee chairpersons have long felt the burn. Clearly, the committees need help. Everyone benefits if the membership puts its collective shoulder to the wheel.
Chairpersons could rouse the interest of volunteers by describing specific committee tasks, preferably those with a short term or small scale commitment. Once involved, a volunteer may wish to continue beyond the initial phase or introductory level. The process has already started in several committees.
Karina Fabian, well ahead of the trend, has skillfully gathered a band of replacements to fill some of her important posts within the CWG. Fortunately, she still wears many hats and is available to guide her recruits.
You may have noticed the numerous Facebook inquiries and answers related to the Seal of Approval deadline. In response, volunteers have stepped forward. It makes sense especially for those interested in receiving the Seal of Approval that a fully-staffed SoA Committee stands ready to review even more books. Enlightened self-interest suggests that in serving as reviewers, SoA applicants may learn the ropes and thereby prepare for their own review. Applicants, why not volunteer?
Dennis P. McGeehan the volunteer liaison for the CWG Educational Outreach has used the CWG Facebook page to enlist members on an ad hoc basis. The potential of this committee staggers the imagination. Virtually every CWG member could contribute to its mission. Some Guild members are educators or have connections in the local schools, especially at the Diocesan level. The Educational Outreach Committee could supply book lists for reading programs as well as speakers for school assemblies and Teachers’ Professional Days. Why not suggest these services to your local educators and school administrators? A Guild connection to the National Catholic Teachers Association might also prove beneficial.
At the parish level, the Educational Outreach mission could include assistance in teacher training for religious education. Jennifer Fitz has written a truly excellent guide book: Classroom Management for Catechists. It would make a wonderful gift for the parish and diocesan Directors of Religious Education. Every member of the CWG could assist Dennis implement the Guild’s Educational Outreach mission. Make it a New Year’s resolution.
Among his many tasks Michael R. Shelton has welcomed his new daughter Laura, who no doubt will carry on the Shelton tradition. Mike, Membership Committee Chair has recently used the CWG Facebook to welcome a new member Theresa Linden. We are glad have to Theresa and Laura and congratulations to Mike and the entire Shelton family. Perhaps veteran Guild members could go out of their way to welcome and guide novice members on an ad hoc basis. I certainly remember and thank my own mentor who educated me in the way of the CWG.
If you believe that the Catholic Writers Guild promotes the Rebirth of Catholic Arts and Letters, you can not accept Guild membership as a spectator’s sport. Birth and Rebirth require LABOR and labor involves groaning and pushing and sweat, to say nothing of pain. Lend a hand so that Guild membership grows not only in numbers but in the integrity and intimacy of its network, and in its willingness to stretch toward and beyond its finish line.
Prepare to engage.
DonMulcare
A retired biologist with current interests in vegetable gardening, volunteering at a local nursing home, reading, and writing. Other activities include the study of the practical aspects of applied Gerontology, splitting logs, digging for quahogs and writing blogs. https://dmulcare.wordpress.com/
Hi, Don! Well, now that I think about it–I’m sorry I volunteered! Because even though your point is valid about learning well what the Seal is all about by helping read submitted works, in fact I’m working on a piece of fiction right now, and it makes me cautious about what I read meanwhile. And for the other committees, I need a guide around the site myself, having failed to be able to register, or receive mailings, or to comment on the blog, up to now! But I do live in Chicago–perhaps I’d be useful helping for the summer gathering?
Janet,
I’ll pass your comment “But I do live in Chicago–perhaps I’d be useful helping for the summer gathering? to Ann Lewis. This is actually quite wonderful of you.
I’ll send your remark about “I need a guide around the site myself, having failed to be able to register, or receive mailings, or to comment on the blog, up to now!” to a couple of people.
You mentioned the “capcha” problem. You only need to insert the correct number. You never have to spell out the word.
Your name is listed on the CWG directory of member blog links, so you seem to have made it through at least that far.
Good luck with your writing and thanks again.
God Bless,
Don
“You mentioned the “capcha” problem. You only need to insert the correct number. You never have to spell out the word.”
Don, a reader learns that after it causes him to stumble, and that’s the kind of thing we writers want to avoid, am I wrong? It’s a violation of parallel development. Just sayin.’ Something that unnecessarily complicates things.
I’ll wait for Ann to contact me, then!
Janet,
The word has been passed to Ann.
The communications issues were also mentioned elsewhere. Your feedback is valuable. I’m sure others have similar problems.
I used to live in Elmhurst. I understand the venue for the conference is close to O’Hare.
God bless,
Don
1. The capcha is so discouraging, it mixes an arithmetic number with a text number, and one doesn’t know which one to put in the box and risks losing the entire comment. Altho if you play with it it’s possible to see the box will take ‘6’ but not ‘six.’ But by then the anxiety has already put off the reader.
2. I’d love to volunteer. Where do I sign up?
: )
Janet
We have many committees. Do you have a preference? You can pick from: Public Relations, The Blog, Facebook, Membership, The CWG Retreat, The Catholic Writers Conference Live, The Catholic Writers Conference Online, the Zenit Committee, the Seal of Approval, Newsletter, Education, The Book News, The CALA Award and most importantly, the Committee on Committees. I’d like to see a greeters committee to help mew members find their way around the CWG. I’m expecting specific request from several committee chairs in the next few weeks. Let me know if there’s something you’d like now or we can keep in touch as needs appear. God Bless!
Thanks Leslie!
You are so right! If the load is shared, it will not crush an individual. The first step toward sharing involvement depends on CWG the committee chairpersons. Some have described specific needs to which volunteers may subscribe. We look forward to matching talents to tasks and the relief it will bring those valiant workers who have made the CWG possible for everyone else.
God bless,
Don
Thanks for a clear call to action, Don, with specific steps that any and all of us can take. Many hands make little work!
Speaking from experience – and just like everyone else in the world, I’m busy – taking on a small volunteer task is almost always possible. We never know what load we have lightened for another’s shoulders, but with 500 members and 20 bearing the bulk of the load, surely many of the 480 can find a moment to help with something! We are called to write, to create – and to help our brothers and sisters. Is this an area where you might hear God’s call? Prayerfully consider Don’s post today.
Peace!
Leslie