So, how does it all work?
WRITERS IN THE VALLEY – INFORMATION SHEET
Current February 2019
Current February 2019
Writers in the Valley Community Writers' Group was founded in September 2016. It is a diverse group representing all genres – essays, poetry, short stories, novels in progress, opinion pieces, memoirs and letters. Formalities are kept to a minimum in meetings and there are no office bearers. Supportive, constructive feedback is offered to members who choose to share their work. New members are always welcome.
Where, when?
Regular meeting:
What do we do in the regular meetings
Providing constructive feedback
Role of facilitator
Role of scribe
Administration
Meerschaum Vale Community Writers’ Group does not have office holders as such, but encourages a sharing of roles and responsibilities. Currently, roles are as follows:
Group Contact Simon Chate
Meeting Reminders Robyn Faulks
Maintain members’ list Robyn Faulks
Competition committee June Larkin and Veronica Larkins
Roster Simon Chate
Web Master Simon Chate
Where, when?
Regular meeting:
- 9:50 am for a 10 am start – 12 noon, third Wednesday of the month, at Meerschaum Vale Hall (cnr of Marom Creek Rd and Wardell Rd). The Meerschaum Vale Hall Committee kindly provides the Meerschaum Vale Hall free of charge.
- We try to begin and end on time. Social catch ups are very welcome after the meeting.
- If you arrive after the meeting has begun, and a reading is in progress, it would be appreciated if you would wait quietly until that reading has ended.
- Please turn your mobile phone off or to silent or vibrate before the start of the meeting and take any phone calls outside so that the meeting is not disrupted.
- Please advise the group via a group email if you are unable to attend.
What do we do in the regular meetings
- Each meeting the current facilitator chooses the topic for the next month. There is no compulsion to write on the specific topic – some members choose to share other writing that they have been working on.
- Establish a roster, appoint a facilitator and scribe, with a reserve for each meeting for the next six months.
- Information exchange and business matters are limited to the first quarter hour.
- Before the readings begin, the facilitator checks how many people would like to read their work and manages the time percentage allocation accordingly, based on the numbers of members at each meeting. This helps ensure that everyone who wishes to has a chance to read something and receive feedback.
- Members are encouraged to keep their contributions from 500 to 800 words as a guide. An introduction providing context for the work may sometimes be appropriate.
- Members who read their work may wish to indicate an area or aspect of their writing on which they would particularly like feedback.
- At some meetings, there may be a break in the middle for a few minutes.
Providing constructive feedback
- Meetings provide a valuable opportunity for aspiring writers to allow their early work into the world and to discover how a cross section of readers might respond. Writers in the Valley Community Writers’ Group provides a friendly, supportive and informed environment for this to occur.
- We aim to give each writer authentic and respectful feedback about their work. This can take the form of questions or suggestions about the writing.
- We keep discussion focused on the writing and the writer’s skills, concepts and ideas.
- Writers take responsibility for managing their own time slot. This includes the style of feedback that they would like i.e. structured or spontaneous.
- Members may wish to bring extra copies of their work to give out during their sharing for editorial feedback.
Role of facilitator
- It is anticipated the Meerschaum Vale Hall will be using a combination lock-box for the key in the near future.
- Until then, if needed, contact the Hall Secretary Helen Moore and pick up and return the key to her letterbox.
- Currently the Meerschaum Vale Hall is including use of their tea, coffee and sugar supplies for $1 per person per bottomless cup.
- Open up the hall, set up tables and chairs, turn on the lights and fans, open windows, turn on the kettle, put out the mugs, teaspoons, sugar, tea and coffee and the money tin.
- Bring some milk and a packet of biscuits.
- Chair the meeting, ensuring that everyone is able to participate equally.
- Remind members to turn mobile phones off or to silent or vibrate.
- Welcome new members and ask that everyone around the table introduce themselves and one aspect of their writing style or what they are working on.
- Manage the time, including the fifteen minutes allowed for the group business/information exchange, and act as time keeper during the reading session.
- Remind everyone that the confidentiality of the writer, his or her writing and his or her sharing needs to be respected.
- Perhaps ask writers to explain if any publishing, copyright, competition, or intellectual property legalities are involved in their work that may need to be kept private too.
- Before each person reads, check if they would like feedback on any specific aspect of their work.
- At the end of the readings, choose a topic for the next month.
- Invite any new members to add their contact details to membership list if they wish to be involved in the group in the future.
- Ensure that the hall is left as we found it – others will help clean up i.e. mugs washed up and put away, lights and fans off, kettle turned off, windows shut, door locked.
Role of scribe
- Take notes on the business discussion, then record the name of each writer with the title of their work and a brief summary. Add details of date, topic, facilitator, scribe and reserve for the next month.
- Email out a copy to members with a note to remind Simon to “Please add the scribe report to the website in the members’ section.” (www.writersinthevalley.com )
Administration
Meerschaum Vale Community Writers’ Group does not have office holders as such, but encourages a sharing of roles and responsibilities. Currently, roles are as follows:
Group Contact Simon Chate
Meeting Reminders Robyn Faulks
Maintain members’ list Robyn Faulks
Competition committee June Larkin and Veronica Larkins
Roster Simon Chate
Web Master Simon Chate
Inquiries and further information:
Simon Chate: mobile 0401 022 927
Simon Chate: mobile 0401 022 927