Members: We Need You!

You can probably guess from the topic and from that fact that it’s from me, that this is a call for volunteers.  It seems that my purpose in the Guild, whether as founder, President, or Committee Coordinator, has been to beg for people to help with our projects.  Maybe one day, I’ll work myself out of a job?

The sad fact is that the Guild has several wonderful projects and important functions that are floundering because we don’t have enough folks.  This past year, many folks have dropped out because of family illnesses, economic troubles, or sometimes for happier reasons like getting a new job.  We really need some folks who can devote an hour or so a week, or maybe a few hours one weekend a month–and we need a few people who will jump in to lead some of these projects.

Sometimes, its hard to know what you can help with.  To that end, I’m creating a talent survey.  This survey will have two purposes–it will help us know what Guild projects might interest you, but it will also let us know your skills so that when someone comes to the officers seeking a writer or illustrator for a project, we will know who to contact.  We have had several wonderful (and some high-paying) opportunities come through the Guild.

Please be on the lookout for the survey.  In the meantime, three of our committees have identified the following needs.

1.  Proofreader for the CWG Book News.  This is a monthly ezine of about 1500 words.  It only takes about 10 minutes to proof, but that second set of eyes is invaluable!

2.  Database workers:  All you’d need to do is input the information, not develop the database itself.  We need folks for the membership committee (inputting names, addresses, and such), and for building our contact list of magazines, radio stations, etc.

3.  Assistant to get guest speakers of the CWG Guest chats.  This person would assist the Guest Chat chairman with:

–Contacting writers, illustrators, publishers, etc. to join the Guild in a moderated chat on the topic of their choice.  (Kind of like the chat presentations at the online conference.)

–Scheduling someone to moderate and transcribe the guest chat.  Remember, this is only once a month.

4.  Assistant PR leader. This person would help coordinate the public relations activities.  This is probably the most time-intensive duty, but is still no more than a couple of hours a week during the heavy weeks (like right before the live conference) and perhaps an hour a week the rest of the time.

If you’ve been thinking about joining the Guild and cannot afford dues, we do allow volunteer work in lieu of dues.

If you can help with any of these, please contact me at coordinator(at)catholicwritersguild.com