The Body…
In January 2019, as the new Silent Auction Chair, I attended the Florida Writers Association (FWA) Wrap meeting to go over what worked at the 2018 Conference, and what could be improved. The volunteers sat in a rectangle: RPLA, Interviews, The Collections, Registration, Sponsors, FWAY, the Photographer, Podcast, Volunteers, Faculty, the Banquet and the Bookstore. It was fascinating to see how the machine-body functioned. I was impressed and admired their choices to serve our community of writers.
I stayed the next day to attend the Florida Writers Foundation’s (FWF) board meeting. I wasn’t really sure what the Foundation was, or that it was different from the Association. The separateness became clearer with the discussions we had that day and in the coming months.
We also squeezed in a separate meeting to orient me to the FWF Silent Auction. Susan Boyd, the She-God of Auctions, had prepared step-by-step instructions for me, as well as the leaders of FWA and FWF. I took notes and absorbed while my heart rate and cortisol levels increased. What was I doing? And why was I doing it?
Best Conference Ever…
I’d attended the Florida Writers Conference twice, and a couple of minis, as an Enjoyer. I swam in the sea of knowledge and efforts of others I was completely unaware of. I much preferred Florida Writers Conference to the AWP, and even the Sanibel Island Writers Conference. The word WARMTH has been used several times to describe the difference with our Conference, and I agree.
The process of prepping the Auction started in April. Each new step brought stress and fear that my efforts would not be good enough. Vulnerability was my teacher. Each bullet that I checked on Susan’s list gave me incrementally more confidence.
Thank Yous…
If you attended the 18th Annual Florida Writers Conference in October, we thank you. If you attended the FWF Celebrity Workshop, we thank you. Thank you for your smiles and conversations and for teaching me what you learned in workshops while we ate breakfast together.
Thank you for perusing our Silent Auction room, and thank you for bidding on items.
Thank you so much to all those who donated items. We had some great things, some of which I couldn’t help bidding on myself. I’m thoroughly enjoying my Kindle Fire HD 8 with cover and Amazon card from Taylor and Seale Publishing.
Much thanks to Barbara Meyers and Susan Boyd for helping to run EVERYTHING smoothly, and our other volunteers during the weekend.
Success!
The Foundation received 73 auction items. Sixteen of these were from FWA Writing Groups! Thank you so much. The FWA Writing Group that brought in the highest bid and won the coveted Taco Party reward was Writers 4 Kids from The Villages.
Twenty-one donations were experiences from Florida companies, for which we are incredibly grateful. Many companies have chiseled their policies of giving to non-profits, so we were happy to receive these. The remaining 36 donations were from conference faculty, authors, publishers, editors, agents, and other writing groups. I appreciate you all so very much.
We had great success in the 50/50 RAFFLE. Friday night, the pulled ticket—belonging to Susan Boyd!—received over $300, half of the pot of ticket sales for the day. The FWF grant coffer received the other half. The second day, another winner received over $500! Thank you to those who purchased 50/50 tickets.
The conference kicked off with the Celebrity Workshop on Thursday with Jonathan Maberry—who is amazing. This day-long workshop is the other big fundraiser for the FWF. While the tally of income from the Silent Auction and the Celebrity Workshop is not yet complete, it will be posted as soon as possible. The money from these two fundraisers will go to grants for literacy programs.
Where the Money Goes…
We currently sponsor the publication, Cross Creek Chronicle, a compilation of student and teacher writing of Pinellas County Elementary Schools. In the Palm Beach area, we are sponsoring an Essay Writing Challenge in middle and high schools. We also sponsor an anthology at the inspiring Chiles Academy in Daytona Beach, which educates and empowers teen mothers. We are considering other grant proposals for 2020.
The Heart of the FWA and FWF…
None of this matters without you. All of these moving parts that create what I believe to be the best writer’s conference mean nothing without all of you who attend the conference and donate to the FWF. The entire machine is volunteer-based. Right now, it’s my turn to work. One of these years, I’ll pass the baton to someone who is ready, but maybe doesn’t know it. Then I will once again be an Enjoyer, bustling to workshops and taking notes.
New Holiday Auction in December…
I must announce a new FWF Facebook HOLIDAY AUCTION coming this December—so look for it! We will be auctioning four combination tickets to Sea Life Aquarium and Madam Tussauds in Orlando, with $200 spending/food/hotel money. The highest bidder will receive these by mail. Check out these attractions online and get ready to bid: visitsealife.com/Orlando and madametussauds.com/orlando/en/ (Note: Aquaman!)
Follow Us…
If you haven’t already done so, go to Facebook and find the Florida Writers Foundation group & the Florida Writers Foundation, Inc. page—that’s where the magic will happen. Additionally, follow us on Instagram @floridawritersfoundation and Twitter @WritersFlorida. We’ll post details about the 13th Annual Florida Writers Foundation Celebrity Workshop with ROBERT MACOMBER scheduled for October 15, 2020 and, of course, see you at the Silent Auction.
A sincere Happy Holidays to you all.
