Betty Plevney has an MBA from Ohio State University and an MA in Writing From the University of San Francisco. She travels the globe meeting with clients, who range from Fortune 500 corporations to governmental agencies and family foundations. What exactly does she do? Betty is a professionally trained and highly sought-after graphic facilitator. Using skills in deep listening, information synthesis, and intuitive visual processing, she creates visual maps that illuminate the collective wisdom of the group and foster understanding of complex data. In short, Betty is a professional doodler. And she’ll be doodling for all to see at the James River Writers Conference.More
News
JRW Volunteers Talk About Their Experiences
By Jennifer Drummond
James River Writers’ mission states it builds community by connecting and inspiring writers and readers in Central Virginia. While this is certainly true, JRW has also quietly built a community of wonderful volunteers. These volunteers have given, and continue to give, many hours of their time and talents each week. Whether they are keeping the community informed, creating awesome events, or offering a valuable resource, the volunteers are making great things happen.
So it is at this time we say thank you to our volunteers for all they have given and for choosing to be part of JRW. We spoke with a few volunteers who took the time to share their thoughts with us as they move out of their current roles at JRW.
After seven years, Cathy Allen has passed on her role of editing the Lit Calendar for James River Writers.
Jennifer Drummond: How long have you volunteered at JRW and what volunteer role did you fulfill? How many hours per month did you volunteer?
Cathy Allen: Since 2007, I’ve have proudly served as JRW’s Lit Calendar Editor. For 7 years I devoted 20 hours a month “snipping and clipping” a diverse range of literary events in the metro Richmond area and beyond.
Denise Golinowski: I’ve volunteered at JRW in one way or another for over ten years (maybe longer, but I haven’t a clue when I started). Initially, I helped with registration at the Writing Show when we were meeting at the Science Museum back with Anne Westrick and crew. Then I stepped in to hostess Writers Wednesdays until this year.
Cathy Hill: I didn’t make a mental note of the year I started volunteering, but it was probably four or five years ago. The Writing Show was still meeting at the Science Museum. I served as greeter/hostess, helping set up and clean up, folding and handing out programs, collecting entrance fees, etc. It took about 4-5 hours a week.
Also, I twice served as a first round reader at the Best Unpublished Novel contest, which was extremely enlightening and enjoyable. More
Jeff Sadler Joins JRW Staff
Just a month after moving into new offices in Church Hill, our literary organization welcomes a new employee. Jeff Sadler is our organization’s Program Director. Jeff is a long-time resident of Richmond. After moving to the city to attend VCU, he never left. Jeff has lived in 7 of the 9 Richmond districts, including Church Hill back in the 1990s. He’s glad to be working back up here.
“The area has changed so much over the years. Broad Street was great back then, but now north of here is so much improved. Having lived in so many Richmond areas, I think of it as the district that most feels like a neighborhood.”More
Part-time Membership Coordinator Opportunity
James River Writers is hiring for a part-time Membership Coordinator to work closely with the Executive Director, Board Members (particularly the membership committee), and volunteers to ensure all aspects of membership outreach are implemented smoothly and professionally. Membership efforts would include monitoring expired memberships and creating an efficient system for renewal; implementing a substantive member benefit program that encourages engagement; creating and implementing a plan for diversifying our member base and reaching a wider segment of underserved or underrepresented populations; producing and sending a monthly members e-newsletter; and engaging in numerous community partnerships that both support other non-profits and bring JRW to the attention of new constituents. Good communication, administration, and organizational skills are a must. $7,800/year (lasting one year; job continuation planned but must be re-assessed).More