May 5, 2026, Board Meeting
7:00 p.m.–8:15 p.m.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84840445189
Meeting ID: None needed.
Passcode: None needed.
A quorum is a minimum of five voting members present.
Attendees: Jenny Raver, Tim Flood, Geri Spieler, Margaret Nalbach, Vibha Akkaraju, Miera Rao, Colleen Olle
1) Jenny and Vibha discussed who can step in for David at the general meeting this month.
2) Tim made a motion to approve the minutes. Approved.
3) Tim announced that Carol Ann Lapeyrouse will be the managing editor of the next Fault Zone anthology. Carol Ann will meet on Thursday, May 7, with four candidates for two open editorial supervisory roles, one for poetry, one for fiction. The board discussed seeking input and creating and adopting a list of protocols with the editor(s) for Fault Zone submissions and publications.
4) Carole Bumpus emailed an update about the inaugural CWC SF-Peninsula Book Fair, which will take place at the Sequoia Yacht Club on Sunday, May 17, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Authors from various CWC branches will participate. Carole will announce this event at the general meeting in May, the day before the book fair. She is looking into dates for another book fair in October.
5) Geri celebrated the success of the NorCal Leadership Conference on April 26. She and Tim recounted compliments they received from attendees, talked about the breakout sessions led by Megan E. McDonald and Tice Swackhamer, and noted a couple of improvements that could be made in the future.
6) Tim reviewed the details and process for the upcoming election in June. The newsletter will list the slate of candidates in advance of the general meeting on May 16. Nominations will close at the end of that meeting. Jenny mentioned updating the board’s job descriptions.
7) Vibha presented the treasurer’s report. Our club continues to run an average monthly deficit of $250. We have around $5,300 in the bank and $3,500 in a CD. Since we need to maintain $5,000 in our account, Vibha will withdraw $1,000 to act as a cushion. Vibha and Geri discussed the program offered by Scholastic that pays writers to read and critique student material. Geri said that several CWC branches participate in this program. Vibha will research this further. The board recognizes that our club needs to increase our revenue to stay healthy and solvent.
8) Jenny announced the upcoming speakers for May (Kate Adams) and June (Geri Spieler).
9) Tim discussed the new state MRMS website registration system, the implementation of which has been pushed back to August. The state board approved shortening the member renewal period from three months to two. Members will register through the state and select which branch, or none, to belong to. The board talked about several CWC branches that are struggling to survive.
10) Before the general meeting in May, the board will check in with Sue Barizon to see if she needs help with the July picnic.
11) The board discussed the question of financial transparency both for the state CWC and our own branch. The board may revisit this topic during the August retreat.
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 pm.
Colleen Olle (Secretary): Notes taken on May 5, 2026