July 7, 2026, Board Meeting
7:00 p.m.–8:15 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84223402828?pwd=vnnCC8n8brTvnCuxJJl4uBoYEFWbat.1
Meeting ID: 842 2340 2828
Passcode: 852661
A quorum is a minimum of five voting members present.
Attendees: David Harris, Tim Flood, Vibha Akkaraju, Margaret Nalbach, Geri Spieler, Sue Barizon, Connie Chang, Tice Swackhamer, Colleen Olle, Alisha Willis, Andrea Christensen, Nirmy Kang, Miera Rao
1) Tim made a motion to approve the June meeting minutes. Approved.
2) David and Geri introduced Andrea Christensen, our club’s new CWC state board representative. Geri Spieler will remain our NorCal representative. David also welcomed Connie Chang, the new co-vice president, to the board. Tim noted that the whole Tri-Valley branch, which has at least 100 members, is closing because there are no active volunteers for their board.
3) David and Tim provided an update on our club’s move to Hope Lutheran Church in San Mateo. While our current lease at the Sequoia Yacht Club had been extended through January 1, given our imminent move, our lease will terminate at the end of August.
4) Vibha delivered the treasurer’s report. We have $11,380 in the bank, including $3,500 in a CD. Depending upon the time of year we check the Bank of America data, our annual deficit runs anywhere from $1,700 to $2,500. However, with upcoming changes, according to David’s financial projection, we may have an annual surplus of $600. Although our monthly rent will increase from $125 to $150, Hope Lutheran Church will charge only $150 for our holiday party. Income from Fault Zone submissions and the picnic and general meetings, which will increase from $10 to $15 this September, may help us either net a surplus or break even.
5) David and Vibha presented a couple of fundraising ideas, including participating in Giving Tuesday, which the board discussed. The board will revisit this topic at the in-person retreat in August.
6) Sue gave an update on our picnic, which will take place on July 18 in San Mateo. She asked for volunteers to help with check-in and payments at the event and solicited recommendations for vegetarian hot dogs, given that the picnic will feature a hot dog bar.
7) David proposed that we alternate months for Writers Helping Writers in Palo Alto and San Mateo. The board discussed logistics and agreed to continue the conversation at the retreat in August.
8) Margaret and Tim talked about membership and renewals and the potential challenge from having a renewal period of only two months instead of three. Sixty-three members have renewed their memberships, and our club had 183 members at the end of June. Despite members coming and going, historically our club has been growing.
9) Connie updated the board on the launch of the new Fault Zone submission site. Thanks to Carol Ann Lapeyrouse’s research, we’ll now be using Subfolio, which charges less than Submittable.
10) Miera discussed the club’s critique groups. There are nineteen groups in total, eight of which have openings for new participants. Miera and the board discussed how to handle one group whose host has not responded to various communications.
11) Nirmy and Connie provided updates about upcoming speakers. The club needs to reserve a room at Hope Lutheran Church, our new location, for a workshop on October 3.
12) The board discussed dates for the August offsite board meeting. David directed members to fill out a form noting dates when they are not available.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Colleen Olle (Secretary) July 7, 2026