At their April gathering, the officers discussed the history of the Catholic Writers Guild. Originally, its small but active membership pitched-in to share administrative tasks. It had the feel of a Guild, a confraternity or sorority that developed the professional skills of its members, while advancing the goals of the Catholic Literary Revival. Their contribution of labor helped to keep dues affordable.

Today, the Catholic Writers Guild numbers over 500 talented and busy people, but the task of running the CWG remains largely with its founders, who are also talented and busy people. As their lives have brimmed-over with activity, the demands of their families and professions, many have retired from their CWG posts. Other busy and talented GWG members have heard the repeated call to step forward for training while the current chairpersons are available. It is time to respond to the needs of the Guild.

Will service take too much of your time? Let’s sample specific needs and the commitment involved.

1)       Zenit, an online news service based in Rome had published blogs from GWG members. For this to continue, a person with strong editorial skills must help select, edit and submit blogs  from CWG members to the Zenit contact person.

2)      The Seal of Approval committee, the largest group within the CWG always needs members, especially at the administrative level. It takes time to train new members for the SoA process to run smoothly, otherwise the burden falls on the chairperson. Join this team so the SoA service may continue without interruption.

3)      Catholic Writers Conference Live, scheduled for this summer requires that many volunteers offer an intense but short-term commitment. Enhance your conference experience and meet members by sharing some aspect of the CWCL project.

4)      The Committees Coordinator  gathers committee reports, organizes them for the officers meeting, participates in that monthly conference call and writes this blog on the second Friday of the month. The coordinator will train a volunteer who may then choose to run for this elected office at the end of 2014.

5)      Public Relations: We have no PR committee at the moment. I’m sure that among the 500+ members, some have PR skills. Couldn’t they band together to promote the CWG?

 

Interested? Use the directory to indicate your interest and  arrange for training.

 

 

Abridged directory of Guild committees
Blog: Jen Fitz: currentresident@fitzes

Catholic Book News: Ellen Gable Hrkach <ellengablehrkach@gmail.com>,”Larry Peterson” petersonlarry6@gmail.com

Catholic Writers Conference Live: Ann Margaret Lewis, annlewis@joesystems.com

Catholic Writers Conference Online. laura.lowder@gmail.com; Karina Fabian:  karina@fabianspace.com

Committees Coordinator: Don Mulcare (dmulcare@comcast.net)

Education Committee: Dennis P. McGeehanabbax8@hotmail.com

Facebook: Karina Fabian:  karina@fabianspace.com

Public Relations: Ellen Gable Hrkach <ellengablehrkach@gmail.com>

 

Retreat: (Seasonal) Ann Margaret Lewis annlewis@joesystems.com

The Seal of Approval Committee: Sarah Reinhard” <sarah@snoringscholar.com>

Zenit: Ellen Gable Hrkach <ellengablehrkach@gmail.com>

 

I ask all committee chairs to prepare and to forward your May reports at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

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/