MINUTES FROM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
It was good to get together after our summer break. With 29 people in attendance, including at least 3 new members, we had to enlarge the circle at Once Upon a Crime. This first fall meeting was planned as a business meeting.
Author Spotlight:
Jessie Chandler read from Pickle in the Middle, Book 3 in the Shay O’Hanlon Caper Series.
BUSINESS
Anthology:
Dan Bernier reported on the progress of the Festival of Murder anthology to be published by Nodin Press. The 19 submissions from TC SinC members are under review. Stay tuned for another update in September.
Treasurer/Membership:
Doug Ernst reported that our bank balance is in good shape. We have between 65 and 90 paid members each year, and even as attendance at meetings increases, membership numbers have dropped a bit. There was some discussion about raising annual membership dues by one to three dollars, so that we might participate in more activities, such as book festivals. We also considered ways to increase membership, and decided to offer different levels of membership—full and associate. Before this is in place, we will let people know exactly what they can expect to get for their dues.
Website/Social Media:
Facebook – Michael Kelberer spoke more about limiting some web portals and our Facebook group to full members. We will continue to have a website and Facebook fan page open to the public, but our group page would give full members an opportunity to have conversation and peer-to-peer advice that would not be viewed by the public. This members-only group page will continue to be the place to share and promote, set up Speakers Bureau events and field trips. The fan page is for publicity, and postings will be made by page administrators only. Before any change is made, we will get the word out: FB group page – members only; FB fan page – public.
Website – Michael reminded us there is an Author News page on the website. Please submit news, such as book launches, reviews, etc. to Michael. Next year we will consolidate to one web hosting service, 1 and 1.com.
Other:
Elections – We will vote for new officers at the November meeting. Doug will be stepping down as Treasurer/Membership Chair.
Holiday party – This year we will have a holiday party at the Edina Art Center, which, thanks to Colin Nelson, is free to us.
Killer Cocktails – We are not doing it this year.
Author Panels – Jessie Chandler will set up panels of 3 or 4 authors to go to Barnes and Noble stores, beginning with the one in Northtown.
Twin Cities Book Festival – We agreed to rent one or two tables at the TCBF on October 12 at the State Fairgrounds. New member, Bill Anderson, will send in the application and coordinate shifts for Twin Cities SinC members, using the template Erin Hart set up last year.
Thanks to all the Sisters and Brothers in Crime who make this an active, supportive group!
Barbara
Next Meeting:
October 8, 7:00 PM at Once Upon a Crime
Our speaker, the Reverend Alika Galloway of Kwanzaa’s Northside Women’s Space, will talk about sex trafficking and other sex crimes.
Our reader will be Colin Nelson.
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