Resigning as Regional Director

I have asked PWAC National office to send a bulletin to Prairies Region members, but that can't be sent until after the weekend. I have contacted several people individually but I was also asked to post this here to help inform regional members, and the bulletin will follow up next week.

I have come to a difficult decision. I am resigning from the PWAC board of directors, effective immediately. I have enjoyed my short time as Regional Director of Prairies and the North, and I believe I have come to know many members better during this time. I will continue to be involved at the Saskatchewan chapter level, and I would be pleased to share my experience with the new RD and others as needed. I hope you will continue to contact me to discuss freelance business issues and ideas. I also hope I will still hear from you on writers.ca or social media, and see you at regional and national events. I wish you all the best in 2014 and the years to come.

Sincerely,
Marie Powell

Prairie Regional VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNER June 2013

The PWAC Regional Volunteer Awards were born in 2005 and recognize the valuable contribution of members who volunteer for the organization in their regions. This year’s worthy recipient from the Prairie and the North Region was Calgary chapter president Andrea Tombrowski.

This was her nomination:

Andrea has been the president for the Calgary chapter of PWAC for the last two years. She has demonstrated, during this timeframe, responsibility, initiative and creativity in fulfilling this role. She organizes and chairs regular meetings for chapter members and has invited interesting guests to these working groups, such as editor Jennifer Hamilton of Avenue and editor Terry Bullick of Apple. Chapter membership has grown under her “reign” and has been more active than ever. She works well with other writers’ groups such as the Calgary Association of Freelance Editors (CAFE) and the Writers Guild of Alberta, passing along important information from said groups and encouraging joint meetings. She contributes to PWAC policy discussions and list-serve discussions, she has attended regional conferences and has facilitated action on the regional blog. Andrea juggles these daunting duties while trying to get a documentary produced and raising two young children with her husband, and all the while maintains a sense of humour. Chapter members could learn from her dedication to her craft and her community.

This was Andrea’s response to winning the award: 

"It's thrilling to have received this award. I am honoured that I was considered for this recognition and am humbled by what it represents. I'd like to say that there are numerous opportunities for members to be involved in PWAC. And I am inspired by those persons who contribute their time, energy, talents and passion to this invaluable organization. The rewards of getting involved are abundant and can be - as in the case of receiving this award - delightfully surprising."

Let’s give a “shout out” to the winners from all the regions. Giving buckets of time to PWAC this way is truly appreciated and makes the writing world a better place.

Colleen Biondi
PWAC Calgary Chapter

PWAC-SK Meeting in Saskatoon, SK

PWAC-SK Meeting in Saskatoon, SK

When: Saturday, February 23, 2.00-4:00 pm
Where: #308 - 921 Main Street,Saskatoon
Why: To discuss our recent work - Please bring one tip or an example from
your experience to share with the group.
Who: Everyone welcome

RSVP: to Doreen Kerby <dmkerby@doreenkerby.com>

CAR LESS IN CALGARY ...

PWAC Calgary Chapter News

This just in from PWAC Calgary President Andrea Tombrowski ...


"I am a professional freelance writer and President of PWAC's Calgary chapter. Below is a link to an article I wrote for the Calgary Herald about my family living without a vehicle for the past 14 years in Calgary.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/free+Calgary+What+family+life+without+wheels+taught+them+about+city+themselves/7905430/story.html

My husband and I are currently producing a documentary called Car Less in Calgary which challenges four car-dependent households to go without their cars for a week. To follow the project, please visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/carlessincalgarymovie)."

Thanks Andrea for sharing your article link and your commitment to a Car Less family life!

PWAC@MagNet Conference fast approaching!

Hello all PWAC members in the Prairies and the North Region!

Just writing to let you all know I am off to the National Conference and AGM as part of MagNet conference in Toronto next week (Canada’s Magazine Conference Jun 5 – 8, 2012 Magnet.MagazinesCanada.ca)

Some of you are also attending and I look forward to meeting with all our Regional delegates.
Our Regional meeting is set for Thursday June 7th in the Courtyard Marriott host hotel in the Bay Room from 12:30 to 1:45.
I look forward to welcoming you all in attendance but also I would ask those who are not able to attend the PWAC@MagNet this year to feel free to send along any concerns or questions you wish to be raised during our Regional meeting at the conference. I will report back to everyone on the notes of that session. There was a request that perhaps those not attending be able to skype into the meeting – I am not promising that could work but we could try – so if you are wanting to do that please contact me with your skype details and perhaps a few of us there can make that happen!

The annual regional Board reports, committee reports, budget and full annual report package will be available and sent from head office shortly. I encourage you all to read them and again please feel free to voice any concerns or comments to me to bring to the AGM on your behalf. The AGM is set at the end of the MagNet conference on Friday Jun 8, 2012 at 4 p.m. in the Courtyard Marriott host hotel. Again I will follow up with a post conference and AGM report following the events.

For those attending I look forward to meeting you all in person. For those not able to make it consider planning to attend next year as PWAC@MagNet is a rewarding annual conference. If Toronto seems to far and costly sets your sights on planning to attend the first Regional conference coming in September hosted by the Saskatchewan Chapter in Saskatoon – this will be a great event and more details from Chapter President Bonnie Zink:

PWAC-SK has joined with PWAC-Calgary to plan and deliver the first annual PWAC Prairies and the North regional conference. This one-day professional development opportunity is open to PWAC members and professionals working in creative industries across Saskatchewan, our region, and Canada. Connect, Celebrate, and Collaborate, will highlight the success of PWAC professionals as they present delegates with expertise on developing best practices and applying them to their own success.

Presenters include Doreen Pendgracs (two-hour travel writing workshop) and Marie Powell-Mendenhall, a successful Saskatchewan professional members. Delegates include PWAC members, professionals working in the creative industries, members of other writing related organizations, and anyone who is interested in learning how to develop best practices and how to apply them to their own success.

Date: September 22, 2012
Location: The Refinery, 507 & 509 Dufferin Avenue, Saskatoon SK
Early Bird Fees (available until August 15, 2012): PWAC members $75; partnering organization members $100; general public $120

 With the support of PWAC National, this event has the potential to become a hallmark annual event that will encourage membership growth while developing stronger ties between chapters within our region as well as promote PWAC members as accomplished professional writers ready to put their expertise to work for potential clients from local communities and business sectors. Sponsors currently include PWAC National, Saskatchewan Tourism, and the Saskatoon Writers' Coop.

Thank you to all our Chapter President and members who help make our PWAC Prairies and the North region a great place to be!

More news later this month when I return from Toronto, Board Meetings and MagNet.

Happy summer just around the corner!

Michelle Greysen

Regional Director PWAC Prairies and the North

www.MichelleGreysen.com

Edmonton Chapter's BLUE CHAIR CAFE meetings!

Edmonton members Kate and Cynthia have sent along this exciting news - if you are in the area please drop in and join them the first Thursday of the month - all writers welcome!

Hi everyone!

Spring is in the air and I’m sure everyone is ready for some sunshine?  I know I am!

We’re going to try something new with the Edmonton Chapter of PWAC this year.   We’re going to start having a standing informal coffee/lunch get-together once a month.  We do know that people work and being able to plan ahead for a particular date makes life a lot easier than trying to find a date on the fly that may or may not work.

So our meetings will be on the first Thursday of each month.     Our first will be on Thursday, April 5^th.

Location: The Blue Chair Café – 9624-76ave

http://bluechair.ca/

Time: 11 am

We’ll get together and make our first meeting a chance to get to know each other again, and then going forward we can focus our meetings on particular issues, topics, and so on.

Please let me know if you can make.  Cynthia and I will be there with bells (and laptops) on.

Kate

NEWS around the REGION ...

PWAC-Calgary Chapter Meeting Announcement
PWAC-Calgary chapter will be holding its next meeting on:
Date: Friday, March 9, 2012
Time: 7 - 9 p.m.
Place: Dudley's Lounge in the Carriage House Inn (9030 Macleod Trail South)
Guest: Michelle Greysen, PWAC Regional Director, Prairies and the North
Cost: Free; pizza provided; members to purchase their own beverages, if desired
RSVP: Andrea at pwaccalgary@gmail.com  on or before Thursday, March 8

The Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA) will be holding their annual conference on March 22-24, 2012, at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary  ( www.albertamagazines.com ) . The conference offers several sessions of interest to freelance writers. (In fact, PWAC's president, Craig Silverman, will be giving a presentation.) Please check out AMPA's website to view the complete brochure. Congratulations to Calgary Chapter member and past president Heather Cook for winning her Chapter draw for a complimentary session at the conference.

VISIT the new fbook page and tag your writing friends in the southern Alberta area with info on the soon open newly forming LETHBRIDGE & AREA CHAPTER – now that IS exciting!

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/PWAC-Lethbridge-Area-Alberta-Chapter/333509543354065

Congratulations to the new President of the Saskatchewan Chapter, Bonnie Zink! Joining her on the executive for the coming year will be Past President Kelly-Anne Riess, Vice President, Marie Powell Mendenhall, and Member-at-Large Darrell Noakes.  Bonnie  notes “...Joining a committee or becoming a member of our executive is a great way to build skills, connect with our members and get to know PWAC from the inside out ...” and welcomes any Saskatchewan chapter members to contact her for details on how they can get involved.

Manitoba member Irene Gordon has just launched her most recent book, People of the Fur Trade. Her reading event scheduled for Mar 2 has rescheduled due to bad weather and it will now happen as follows: 
(thanks for the update Irene)  ... "I am giving a reading/talk on my books at the Selkirk Library on Friday March 30 between 1 and 3 p.m. The library is in Selkirk, Manitoba, on the corner of Main Street and Ross Avenue. "The group is informal, sitting round a table with coffee/tea and sweets with good conversation and interest to our invited guests," according to the leader of the group. Everyone is welcome."

There has never been a better time to join PWAC with the national membership drive on until March 31/12 and a great welcoming offer! http://www.pwac.ca/joiningpwac/joinpwac 

As a current member you can earn your next year’s dues and MagNet conference opportunities by welcoming new members!  The MagNet information is now up and early bird rate, your registration must be received no later than 5:00 pm (EST) on May 4, 2012.  http://magnet.magazinescanada.ca/

And don’t forget that PWAC is hosting an online auction Donation Drive with great offerings at 
 http://www.32auctions.com/organizations/3072/auctions/3434

Membership / Donation Drive and regional growth

There has never been a better time to join PWAC
 ... a membership drive is on until March 31/12 with a great welcoming offer!

As a current member you can earn your next year’s dues and MagNet opportunities by welcoming new members!
Details of the MEMBERSHIP offer at:

http://www.pwac.ca/joiningpwac/joinpwac

where you can also learn more about the current DONATION DRIVE
 and consider making a charitable, tax-deductable donation to PWAC

ALSO

Many exciting things are happening at PWAC! The National Board of Directors has just returned from meeting in Toronto this past weekend – check out the full report of news from PWAC President, Craig Silverman at http://www.pwac.ca/blog/2012/02#2390

AND if that wasn’t enough great news ...

VISIT the new fbook page and sent it to your writing friends in the southern Alberta area as I am looking to soon open our region’s next chapter – LETHBRIDGE & AREA CHAPTER – now that IS exciting!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/PWAC-Lethbridge-Area-Alberta-Chapter/333509543354065

I look forward to welcoming all new writers to PWAC - ask me for more details! 

Michelle Greysen
PWAC National Board, Regional Director Prairies and the North

MEMBER NEWS ...

Thinking about volunteering this year?
Doreen Pendgracs' book, Before You Say Yes,  might help you decide.
Check out the review and interview
on Regina member Marie Powell's blog

ALSO UPCOMING in Winnipeg:
Doreen Pendgracs, national vice president for the Professional Writers Assn of Canada, is also leading a workshop in February and if you are in Winnipeg you will want to put this on your calendar!
The Writer's Number:
A Finance Workshop Tailored for Writers
Saturday February 25 | 9:30 am - 4:30 pm | 218-100 Arthur Street (Burns Family Classroom)
Cost: $40 for MWG members, $50 for non-members
Whether you are an established writer looking for some financial management guidance or a beginner who would like to establish a system to manage your finances professionally, this two-part workshop will provide a wealth of information for the writing professional. The day is broken into two parts. The morning will be led by Doreen Pendgracs, a seasoned freelance writer with great presentation skills, and will focus on general finance tools for writers. The afternoon will be led by financial specialist Ernest Gautron, who will guide you through the personal income tax process for writers.
Doreen Pendgracs has been a freelance writer for nearly 19 years and has done freelance projects for corporate clients, magazines, newspapers, websites and CBC radio. She is currently writing her fourth book, operates two blogs and is active on various social media sites. Doreen is a seasoned Toastmaster, has facilitated many workshops and been featured as a keynote speaker at various venues and events. Doreen will share her insights on how to make a living as a freelance writer, the importance of updating your skills, keeping accurate records, efficient invoicing and networking. Doreen is national vice president for the Professional Writers Assn of Canada and also a member of The Writers Union of Canada, the Travel Media Assn of Canada and the Canadian Freelance Union. (link to Doreen's BLOG on the right hand side of this blog page under members' BLOGS list).
Ernest Gautron has been involved in and with the arts since 1975. Where he was administrator for Le Cercle Moliere and subsequently sat on numerous boards. He currently runs Gautron Management Services Inc, offering income tax services and financial insights to a varied client base which includes numerous artists; specifically, writers, playwrights, visual artists, actors, technicians, directors, artisans and other people involved in the cultural industries. I love putting the tax puzzle together for people. My first clients were actors and technicians.
Workshop schedule
9:30 am - 12:30pm - Finance for Writers
12:30 - 1:30 - lunch
1:30 pm - 4:30pm - Taxes for Writers
To register
Send a cheque made out to the Manitoba Writers' Guild to the address below and email info@mbwriter.mb.ca or call (204) 944-8013.
Manitoba Writers' Guild
218-100 Arthur Street
Winnipeg MB
R3B1H3

Saskatchewan Writers' Guild award winner ...

Photo MARIE POWELL
Photo credit to PWAC member Shelley Banks

Congratulations to Marie Powell (past-president, PWAC-SK) as she managed a neat hat trick this fall!

She won three out of four categories of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild Short Manuscript Awards - taking First Place in Fiction, Non-fiction, and Poetry. (She won the fourth category, Children's writing, in 2005). Check out her blog at http://mepowell.com/blog/.


For more about the awards and an interview with Marie, check out the blog of PWAC-SK member Shelley Banks at "Latittude Drifts"

REGIONAL BOOK NEWS ...

Manitoba member IRENE GORDON has just launched her most recent book,
People of the Fur Trade.

She has been invited to give a presentation at the North American Voyageur Council Fall Gathering at Fort Gibraltar in Winnipeg on November 4 at 2:30 p.m. and on November 17, McNally Robinson Booksellers is having a launch at Grant Park Shopping Centre in Winnipeg.
For more details check out the What's New page of her website.

www.ireneterniergordon.ca

Congratulations Irene!

Upcoming events and PWAC Board meeting updates ...

Thank you for visiting the PWAC Prairies and the North Blog site!

In mid September the Board met in Toronto for a weekend of hard work and renewed enthusiasm for the future of PWAC. An all membership information post has been sent by President, Craig Silverman but to further his message we have some exciting regional news including that the new writers.ca will launch soon.
Word on the Street is taking place across the country this coming Sunday, Sept 25, 2011 with celebrations in our region in Lethbridge and Saskatoon. I am pleased to mention that we will have a PWAC table at the Lethbridge event. The discussions will take place over the winter with the national WOTS group and PWAC and perhaps we can have a high profile in all cities next year. PWAC was one of the original founding groups of this national event happening since 1990 across the country.

I hope you have all renewed your membership! A Student membership can be awarded in each chapter and some of the chapters have this process underway, Saskatchewan has confirmed back, and the Prairie & North chapter will award their area as part of Lethbridge Word on the Street. If the other chapters can confirm back their choices I will then welcome the students by chapter here on this blog space.

At the Board meetings, as Craig mentioned in his note to members a Regional committee has been struck to address the direction of support for more regional happenings. If anyone is interested in being a part of this committee or has any suggestions or questions please contact me directly writer@MichelleGreysen.com

Mark your calendars for the national conference at MagNet & the PWAC AGM coming up June 5-8, 2012 at the Courtyard Marriott (475 Yonge Street) in Toronto.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
(Chapters - please send any additions on to me or post here in the comments)

Praires & the North Chapter – LETHBRIDGE hosting the PWAC info table at The Word On The Street, Sunday, September 25, 2011, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – if any members/chapters  close to Lethbridge wish to come sit the table for the day with Michelle Greysen and help promote PWAC, sell your books, etc. please do! Contact writer@MichelleGreysen.com

Calgary - Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20, at the Calgary Public Library-Central branch (616 Macleod Trail SE). It will be held in Meeting Room 1 in the basement. Our chapter meeting will be held from 6:15 - 6:45 pm. Our featured guest speaker, Brian Brennan (www.brianbrennan.ca), will speak from 7:00 - 7:45 pm, with Q & A to follow. – info contact Calgary Chapter President Andrea Tombrowski pwaccalgary@gmail.com