March 15, 2026, Board Meeting
1:45 pm to 5:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86821575897?pwd=PhM3qeGE7GHAqBaQCgF8KIlKwwbAvA.1
Meeting ID: 868 2157 5897
Passcode: 179630
A quorum is a minimum of five voting members present
Attendees: Geri Spieler, David Harris, Margaret Nalbach, Alisha Willis, Tice Swackhamer, Carole Bumpus (online), Vibha Akkaraju, Colleen Olle, Sue Barizon, Eva Barrows, Vanessa MacLaren-Wray (online)
1) Tim made a motion to approve the February meeting minutes. Approved.
2) David talked about our club’s accomplishments since our off-site retreat in August 2025. These include:
· The publication and launch of Fault Zone: Faultless? by Vanessa MacLaren-Wray and her team
· The completion of the 60th anniversary video by Tom Adams, Tice Swackhamer, David, Alisha Willis, and everyone who appeared in the video
· The completion of the Member Survey by David and Tice to understand our members, the genres they’re most interested in, and what they’re seeking from our branch
· Work by Geri Spieler, Tim Flood, Tice and others on “Building Better Branches,” the NorCal conference in April
· The continuation of the Zoom speaker series led by Eva Barrows
· The success of the Holiday Party, Fault Zone readings, and coordination of all the food by Sue Barizon and her team
The team also recognized the success of welcoming members and potential members at meetings as well as the bountiful hospitality and discussed a few ways to improve our meetings.
3) Carole discussed the book fair. She has secured the okay from Davina to rent the Sequoia Yacht Club on a Sunday in May or early June from 1–4 pm for $175, plus a possible clean-up fee. The number of writers with published books is now up to sixteen. Carole and the team talked about the fair’s format, what to charge, and the possibility of extending the invitation to other CWC branches. Carole will report back in late March or early April about potential dates.
4) Vanessa gave an update on Fault Zone. Most of the team for the next Fault Zone is already in place, except a managing editor. The team discussed what to do if this position isn’t filled by June. These options include enlisting both a project manager and a chief editor, creating a shorter anthology, or putting it on hold for a year. The team discussed the purpose of our anthology and reviewed how other clubs put together their anthologies. Board members will ask other members and writers if they know someone who might be interested in becoming the next managing editor.
5) David announced that Tim Flood will chair the next nomination committee for the June election. Margaret, Sue, and Geri will help. The April News Blast will say that nominations are open. Nominees will be announced at the May meeting.
6) The team talked about ways to develop our volunteer and leadership bench. Board meetings are open to everyone.
7) David and Geri talked about the CWC state board’s proposal to increase membership fees. The State Board is proposing two different options to increase fees. David will stand in for Geri at next Sunday’s virtual board meeting. We have not received any information on the reasons for the fee increase though one was apparently given at the September state board meeting. An explanation is to be given next Sunday. David will email President Roger Lubeck and Vice President Jordan Bernal beforehand with our questions and concerns. He will email the board by Friday about what he learns and then elicit input from the board on how he should vote.
8) The board discussed and voted on recipient(s) for the Louise Bogges Award. Sue showed us the second plaque of recipients. Vibha gave an award history.
9) Vibha presented the treasurer’s report. For the past two years, our club has been running a monthly shortfall of $120. The team discussed ways to erase this growing deficit. Vibha recommended charging for the July picnic. Alisha made a motion to charge $10 for picnic attendees, members and nonmembers alike. The board approved the motion. The board discussed the state board’s proposal to raise membership fees and agreed to wait on the results of their vote on Sunday before making any changes to our club’s membership fees.
10) Geri discussed the upcoming NorCal CWC “Building Better Branches” conference on April 26 at Zio Fraedo’s restaurant in Pleasant Hill from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. David Harris and Alisha Willis will do registration from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tice Swackhamer will run the newsletter breakout, while Megan McDonald will run the website breakout. Apart from presenters and volunteers, four members are registered to attend. We have space for one more member. The deadline for registration is March 23. Geri, Tice, and Tim discussed details about setting up for their presentations.
11) Eva talked about Zapier, the automated system used for signing up for the Zoom speaker meetings. Eva will talk with Megan about Zapier and the system we use for other events. The board will wait for more information before voting on subscribing to Zapier.
Meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.
Colleen Olle (Secretary): Notes taken March 15, 2026