WIW News

WIW 2006-2007 Board of Directors Nominees

PRESIDENT

MICHAEL CAUSEY

I've had the privilege of serving on the WIW board this past year after having been a member for many years. On the board I very much enjoyed speaking at conferences and arranging panels at various sessions. I also had the opportunity to work with many members, including Lisa Daniel on programming and Ann Cochran on membership development.

I've also tried to learn by watching President Joe Barbato. He's helped me to see that WIW members are an interesting, diverse and fun group and I would hope to build on his work to further expand WIW offerings and membership.

Working with all of you, I'd also like to help WIW raise its profile in the Washington, D.C., area as a resource for writers of all stripes. Writing can be a lonely and daunting task. WIW is the writers' friend and champion. Together we can make the organization stronger.

If elected, I plan to work closely with our excellent returning officers: Vice President Lisa Daniel, Treasurer Al Portner and Secretary Ken Ackerman. I'm also excited about the new faces running for WIW Board this year. I've had the opportunity to meet with many and have worked closely in the past with a few. I therefore ask you to support board candidates Juan H. Gaddis, Stillie Mason, Eugene Meyer, Phil Piemonte, David Stewart, Ellen Stuhlmann and Rob Udowitz.

Finally, while my own professional background is more in the business-to-business writing arena, I have a great respect for fiction and nonfiction writing in all its genres. I know from speaking with members that WIW is a valuable conduit helping writers connect with agents. I would like to help broaden that effort as we host more writer events at WIW's downtown headquarters, too.

I ask for your vote and will work to earn your support. Thank you.

VICE PRESIDENT

LISA DANIEL

I am running for re-election as vice president of WIW because I want to further the work I accomplished with WIW's executive committee last year.  

My leadership in WIW began two years ago and I have maintained an active role ever since. As vice president, I've worked closely with WIW's board and staff to keep WIW in good financial standing and deliver the services that are so important to our members.

As vice president, I chaired WIW's Program Committee for the past year. In this role, I headed this year's 27th Washington Writers conference, which had a higher attendance and brought higher profits to WIW than in several preceding years. I also headed a major new WIW benefit in overseeing the creation of three all-day seminars under such topics as successful freelancing, fiction writing and marketing, which were well-attended and increased WIW revenue.

I hope to further improve these important programs, to increase membership and to further engage WIW members to be active participants in our organization.  

Like the members we serve, I have a broad background. My professional experience includes news reporting, feature writing, ghost writing, nonfiction and technical book editing, newsletters, public relations and advertising copy. My work has appeared in The Boston Globe, Washingtonian, The Washington Examiner, Government Executive, Army Times, National Guard, HR Magazine, Staffing Management and UPI, as well as internal work for many associations and businesses.

WIW must continue to thrive. Like all professional organizations, WIW is only as successful as its members. I understand the variety of needs of our members because I have had many of the same challenges in 10 years of successful freelance writing.

If re-elected, I plan to improve WIW services and programs, particularly in professional consultations and member outreach. I also feel strongly about improving the marketing of WIW and in seeking corporate support for underwriting.

I urge you to vote for Michael Causey for president, myself for vice president, Al Portner for treasurer and Ken Ackerman for secretary.  

TREASURER

ALAN C. PORTNER

I should like to continue my service to WIW as treasurer for a fourth year. The coming year will be seminal for WIW with the revitalization of LEF as the WIW Freedom To Write Fund. It is hoped that my institutional experience will work to further solidify the financial base.

WIW has been privileged with a succession of fine leaders. We have had financial success, stable staff, updated equipment, and new offices. New programs have been added.  

With your support, I should like to continue as a cog of the continuing evolution.

SECRETARY

KENNETH D. ACKERMAN

I have now had the opportunity to serve two years on the WIW board as secretary, and would be honored to serve another year in that capacity. As an author of nonfiction books, I find WIW's services essential and invaluable and would hope to act as a spokesman for book writers among the membership. Our recent spring conference demonstrated how WIW brings together a unique community of articulate, talented and diverse people dedicated to their work and willing to share the joys and miseries of the freelance business. It's that sense of community I believe represents WIW at its best.  My goal as a board member would be to maintain that focus. Thank you for your consideration.

MEMBER OF THE BOARD

JUAN H. GADDIS

I hold an M.A. in writing from Johns Hopkins University; have attended the Sewanee Writers Conference, Iowa Writers Festival and the Hurston/Wright Writers Week. As chief operating officer of a local company, I have over 21 years of experience in the areas of organizational development, budgeting and human relations. Also, I had a brief tenure as a board member of the Hurston/Wright Foundation. As a new WIW member, I bring a fresh set of eyes (albeit with glasses) to the organization.

STILLIE MASON

Board participation at WIW would be exciting personally and professionally as I have a passion for the written and spoken word. With my human resources and education background, I have written more than 20 affirmative action plans and written general business writing, speeches, labor arbitration briefs and grants. I have recently completed my first fiction novel, as yet unpublished. I am genuinely interested in promoting writing and creative arts while helping people in their journey with the written word.

EUGENE MEYER

When I decided to take a buyout from The Washington Post in late 2003, among the first things I did was join WIW. I knew from friends who freelance fulltime that connections—both professional and personal—are important to self-employed writers.   WIW has provided a connection, in its conferences, workshops and receptions. I've appreciated the opportunities WIW offers, I have served on other boards (I'm a former Newspaper Guild unit chair at The Post), and now I'd like to give something in return.

I have worked in Washington editorially since 1984, and have been an independent writer for five years. I have done pretty much everything: newsletters, magazines, books, brochures, PR copy, op-eds, speeches and other products.

I have used WIW's Job Bank for years. When I recently participated on a WIW panel, I realized I had something to share with others who work in the Washington market, and decided I would be interested in serving on the board.

DAVID O. STEWART

After ten months on the board, I am still energized by the opportunity to be around writers, to learn about what they are doing and how they are doing it. I am especially excited by the opportunity presented by our overhaul of WIW's sister organization, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity we have renamed the WIW Freedom to Write Fund. Though our efforts are still in early stages, we hope to use it to support WIW's terrific education programs, to attract charitable contributions, and to engage in public advocacy and litigation on issues of critical importance to writers, including First Amendment rights and copyright ownership. As the new president of the WIW Freedom to Write Fund, I want to coordinate our activities with the priorities and needs of WIW.

ELLEN STUHLMANN

I am interested in serving the members of Washington Independent Writers as a member of the board of directors because I have experience in nonprofit board participation and expertise in membership marketing that may be very useful in helping WIW achieve its goals in the coming years. This spring I had the opportunity to speak at a WIW workshop. I enjoyed the experience of meeting many fellow professional writers and sharing my experience with them. I am willing to devote my time and talent to help WIW grow because I believe that an organization supporting Washington, D.C., writers is a valuable resource for all of us and worthy of our support.

ROBERT UDOWITZ