Highlights of the 2023 Annual Meeting of the General Membership

October 21, 2023
 
An estimated 47 members were present via Zoom.
 
Thanks to our 2023 Executive Board
            Kris Polansky: President
            Anne Spry: Vice President
            Chuck Warner: Financial Officer
            Ann Vigola Anderson: Secretary
 
Thanks to 2023 departing officers who have filled appointed positions:
 
            Cheryl Unruh, Welcome Wagon - 3 years
            Lindsey Bartlett, Prose Contest Manager - 2 years
            Gretchen Eick, Poetry Contest Manager - 1 year
 
Thanks to 2023 District/City Leaders:
            Anne Spry - Topeka
            Maureen Carroll - Lawrence
            Lindsey Bartlett - Emporia
            Kris Polansky - Manhattan
            Mike Durall - Salina
            Sandee Taylor - Wichita & El Dorado
            Tammy Gilley - Hutchinson
            Frank Powers - Colby
 
The following members were recognized:

            Octogenarians:
            Sally Jadlow, Sue Wike, Philip Wood
            10 year members:
            Cynthia Chauhaun, Vicki Guillot, Rose Klenke
            15 year members:
             Alice Bertels, Cathy Callen
            20 year members:
            Conrad Jestmore, Robert DeMott
            30 year members: Nancy Glenn
            40 year member: Betty L. Berney
 

The following Service Awards were presented:

Nichole Snyder of District 5 - D5 computer and Zoom tech, served in newly-created position as Technology Manager.

Ann Fell, D5, Writers in Community Liaison for District 5. She especially champions authors' involvement with libraries. Ann organized a small group for writers in the Winfield area.
 
Lindsey Bartlett, D2, prose contest manager 2 years, introduced and co-sponsored the Rural Voices category, serves as Co-Chair of District 2 in 2023. Assistant Editor, Writing from the Center Zine.
 
Award for Lifetime Achievement:
Betty Berney has been a member of the Kansas Author’s Club since 1983. Among her many honors are winning first prize in the 5th Anniversary National Country Music Songwriter Contest in 1981; the Golden Poet Award presented at the 3rd Annual Poetry Convention at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1987, and the Female Country songwriter of the year by the Lumpkin Music Corporation in 1988. Her 375 plus extensive writings include poetry and songs.
 
 
2024 Officers Elected 

President: Anne Spry (Topeka)
Vice President: Lindsey Bartlett (Emporia)
Financial Officer: Tyler Henning (Wichita)
Secretary: Ann Vigola Anderson (Lawrence)

Minutes of the 2023 Annual Meeting

Message from the 2024 President-elect, Anne Spry.