February 17, 2026, Board Meeting
7:00.–8:15 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87848639557?pwd=Tyy9b2KU4qVHT6Z5ePdvW6aueAHoNI.1
Meeting ID: 878 4863 9557
Passcode: 234142
A quorum is a minimum of five voting members present
Attendees: Geri Spieler, David Harris, Tom Adams, Margaret Nalbach, Alisha Willis, Tice Swackhammer, Nirmy Kang, Carole Bumpus, Vibha Akkaraju, Jenifer/Jenny Raver, Colleen Olle
1) Vibha made a motion to approve the January meeting minutes. Approved.
2) David showed a preview of the 60th Anniversary video for the 2/21 general meeting. Since the music didn’t play in the video, David will send the link to the board members so they can watch the final video and hear the accompanying music.
3) Carole presented a book fair proposal, which would celebrate published authors from our branch. Each author could present for five to ten minutes in front of an audience and sell their books. The team discussed possible venues, costs, dates, and times. David made a motion that the board supports the concept of a book fair in the first six months of the year and discuss the details more concretely in March when we have dates and financial estimates. Everyone approved the motion.
4) Vibha gave the treasurer’s report. She presented an Excel spreadsheet of the club’s 2025–2026 budget and budget projections. The club has been running a $120 monthly deficit for the past couple of years. Although we have $9,500 in the bank, we must keep $5,000 in checking so as not to incur fees. Rather than raising member fees for the monthly meetings, Vibha proposed charging $10 or $15 per attendee for our July picnic. Vibha will discuss this with Sue Barizon, and the board will revisit the topic and possibly vote on it in March.
5) Geri showed off the flyer for the NorCal Conference: Building Better Branches. The event will take place on Sunday, April 26, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Zio Fraedo’s Restaurant in Pleasant Hill. There will be two breakout sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon. In addition to the members already presenting and volunteers, five more members of our branch can attend. The branch will pay $50 for each member’s lunch. David, the president of our club, and Geri, our NorCal rep, will receive a letter with all the details and information about registration. The deadline is March 23.
6) Margaret gave an update on membership. As of last Friday, we have 170 members. Six people have joined our club since the first of the year. David wants to do a quarterly new member orientation in March. He, Vibha, and Margaret will work out the details.
7) Since Eva wasn’t present, David spoke on her behalf about the new Zoom Speaker Series. Audrey Kalman will be doing a Zoom presentation on Monday Feb. 23. The board discussed ways to publicize the event and their effectiveness. Eva will talk to Sarah Sherman about an author presentation in April. Stuart Horwitz will present in March. Eva would like the Zoom Speaker Series to occur monthly.
8) David and the board discussed having an in-person board retreat either in March or April. He will send out a Doodle survey to board members to determine a date, time, and location.
9) With Vanessa MacLaren-Wray absent, David spoke on her behalf about finding a new Fault Zone editor. The team discussed how much work goes into producing the anthology. The club may need to consider putting this anthology on hiatus, although Kate Adams would like to do a poetry anthology. David will confirm the timeline of producing Fault Zone and the board will revisit the topic in March.
10) Tice announced that David Crilley is now posting events to social media for the club, replacing Sheena Arora, effective January 2026. He started posting on Facebook in January and he will handle Instagram posts starting in March.
11) David observed that we need to select a nominating committee in March for the June elections. He plans to serve as president for another year.
12) David suggested holding off on sharing the membership survey until March. There won’t be enough time this Saturday given that we’re sharing the anniversary video. David will be away for the April board meeting and possibly the general meeting too.
13) Geri asked about the Louise Bogges award. Colleen read notes from the January meeting minutes about Sue following up with Vanessa on getting the plaque back and having the next recipient’s name engraved on it.
14) David said that Sheena will start the Shut Up and Write? meeting a bit later on Monday, February 23, so members may attend Audrey Kalman’s Zoom Speaker Series “Your Story Unleashed: A One-Hour Creative Catalyst.”
Meeting adjourned at 8:19 pm.
Colleen Olle (Secretary): Notes taken February 17, 2026