Lead Reviewers Notes for April
Hunt No More You no longer need to go to the website’s “Content Summary” (left menu) when trying to find the “Book Review Waiting List.” On the right menu’s “Articles and Reviews,” click on Book Reviews. In the dropdown, click “Reviews Pending” to check your book’s status.
Note to All Members It is your sole responsibility to inform Membership Secretary Terry Gould of email and address changes at purpledoodle@att.net. If something is mailed out and returned because of an incorrect address, you will once again have to pay shipping costs to receive it. If your email changed and we are trying to contact you to send books for judging for an award, you will lose out as we do not send follow-up letters. So, please keep current.
We Need Volunteers! What does volunteering mean and how does it impact the organization and you? Simply put, without volunteers there would be no MWSA. The same people cannot be expected to – nor should they feel obligated to be – permanent officers or board members.
For those who say, “I don’t have time to volunteer,” here’s just one example about time…We have a three-person volunteer committee – with no officers or board members involved – that assigns books to the pairs of judges. The entire process might take up to two hours. Yet I’ve had folks tell me, “I’m too busy to do that,” “I don’t have time for this.” These excuse might be understandable if MWSA had only 25 members instead of many hundreds. (Trust me; I know things can get hectic in life.) I hope each of you will examine your available time and make an effort to be a more active part of the organization – on any level for any length of time.
Payback, Conference Volunteers No matter the volunteer role you choose, you’ll be paying back all who’ve volunteered before you and for you. As for MWSA’s annual conference September 27-30, this year in Dayton, OH, many volunteers are needed for various activities. Check conference details in Dispatches for which days and how many hours you will volunteer; then email your availability to me or Joyce. (See the end for some ASAP volunteer needs)
Win Auction Buckaroos For the conference’s auction, we need donations of items, the more the merrier. The auction (and bidding to win) is always a fun event, and helps everyone relax and have some laughs. You can be part of this just by participating, but being an auction donor might earn you lots of Buckaroos. (These are our Monopoly-like paper bills for auction bidding.) Don’t be shy. If in doubt about what donations are welcomed, keep in mind what you’d like to win: one example is an up-in-the-air-type donation. Most are familiar with the fun of flying in these times. But keep in mind – no guns, bombs, hand grenades, shoulder-fired missiles or the two dreaded and dangerous items: “nail clippers” and, shudder, “breast pumps.”
Reviewers’ Alert It’s hard to believe but the award year is quickly coming to an end. Need to pump out those reviews to get everything done in time. If you have had a book for two months or more it is time to put the pedal to the metal. We have 19 waiting to be assigned and 34 in process, Authors (you might be among them) are anxious to receive their reviews.
Conference Volunteers We need you now for the below. Let me know ASAP if you are willing to fill these volunteer slots LeansToFar@aol.com
- Auctioneer, auction, Friday evening, September 28
- Staff, Registration Desk Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 27-29: Thursday and Friday, 8-noon, 1-3, 3-5. Desk closed noon-1; Saturday, 8-11:30, 11:30-3:30