Post by angie on Aug 15, 2008 19:04:28 GMT -5
I recently joined a poetry group - I don't want to name names because ...well, I don't. The group has a long history and is something that our state can actually take pride in. This group has helped me tremendously. Not so much the group, but the actual members. It's the first writing group that's actually been good for critiques and not wasting time.
But, it turns out that the group's been mismanaged for several years. They started a big argument with our state's other main writing group and isolated quite a few people. Then, they didn't keep up with the business license, though they've been accepting dues and whatnot since 2001!!
There's a lot of people like me in the group - we don't want to see it fall apart but no one's stepping up to the plate to fix it. My husband told me to go ahead and offer to pay the fees to get the license back...but, I think this may mean I will wind up doing all the work that the former president and treasurer was supposed to take care of. And I just wanted to know if anyone else has found themselves in a similar position, and, if so, what happened? Do you have any words of advice?
I'd also like to know what to expect with the work load, should I take this on. Has anyone else headed a state-wide writing group?
On the one hand, it can be a big boost to my career. On the other hand, it could be a huge headache. However, I do have a lot of ideas that I'd like to see done...the old group never reached out to the educational system which was something I'd like to do - and can do. My sister and mother-in-law are both teachers; I still remain in contact with several former teachers/professors in the state... I also have a lot of contacts that can help repair the damages done with the other group - I'm friends with some of the members, including those on their board of officials.
So...how much am I responsible for...karma wise...towards the group? I have a ton of stuff on my plate right now, including the completion of two novel manuscripts, one poetry manuscript, a free online series, and a potential magazine job that I haven't heard back from yet (and may not get, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed). I'm not sure I will have the time to do all the stuff that needs done to save the group...and only one other person seems willing to help and that's the editor of the group's publication. What would everyone else do in this position?
Thanks,
Angie
But, it turns out that the group's been mismanaged for several years. They started a big argument with our state's other main writing group and isolated quite a few people. Then, they didn't keep up with the business license, though they've been accepting dues and whatnot since 2001!!
There's a lot of people like me in the group - we don't want to see it fall apart but no one's stepping up to the plate to fix it. My husband told me to go ahead and offer to pay the fees to get the license back...but, I think this may mean I will wind up doing all the work that the former president and treasurer was supposed to take care of. And I just wanted to know if anyone else has found themselves in a similar position, and, if so, what happened? Do you have any words of advice?
I'd also like to know what to expect with the work load, should I take this on. Has anyone else headed a state-wide writing group?
On the one hand, it can be a big boost to my career. On the other hand, it could be a huge headache. However, I do have a lot of ideas that I'd like to see done...the old group never reached out to the educational system which was something I'd like to do - and can do. My sister and mother-in-law are both teachers; I still remain in contact with several former teachers/professors in the state... I also have a lot of contacts that can help repair the damages done with the other group - I'm friends with some of the members, including those on their board of officials.
So...how much am I responsible for...karma wise...towards the group? I have a ton of stuff on my plate right now, including the completion of two novel manuscripts, one poetry manuscript, a free online series, and a potential magazine job that I haven't heard back from yet (and may not get, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed). I'm not sure I will have the time to do all the stuff that needs done to save the group...and only one other person seems willing to help and that's the editor of the group's publication. What would everyone else do in this position?
Thanks,
Angie