President's Message

On September 18th the IPA officers met in Pella in the delightful ambience of Strawtown Inn. One of our first items on the agenda was to take a careful look at the by-laws, which have not been updated since 1981. We will have the suggested changes -- mostly minor ones to bring them in line with our present practices -- for a vote in the Annual Meeting time on October 30th. All members have voice and vote in the Annual Meeting.

We discussed the fact that Iowa is not structured as are the other poetry organizations affiliated with the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Each of them have branches that relate directly to the state body, whereas we have a number of writing groups across the state and some of their members are probably also members of IPA, but it is not an automatic connection because there is no financial tie. Instead, we rely on a system of Area Representatives to help get the word out about contests and workshops. The system works well for us in places where we actually have an AR in place. Unfortunately, we have only about forty AR's at present. Although several of them serve more than the county in which they reside, this still leaves a number of counties without a local contact. Here's an opportunity for YOU to assist in the communication process and help promote our fine organization where you live.

There are often opportunities for broadening our own experience and for bringing others into a writing group that are right under our noses, so to speak. An example: Recently a coffeehouse owner here in my town asked if our local poetry group would be willing to have an open mike reading on a Saturday night once a month. He said he'd supply the advertisement. We jumped on it for two reasons: the chance to give our poetry to the community, and, secondly, to have a coffeehouse open on a Saturday night. As we've done this before, we know this is the way to get new poets involved and increase our membership. It does work!

Many of us know of talented people who might be willing to share their expertise as critics or readers at our IPA workshops. Please let me know about them. We strive for a variety to give our workshoppers different points of view. Therefore, while we do bring back favorite critics from time to time, we also bring in "new" ones, as we are doing this fall.

My most enjoyable two hours each week are the two hours I spend with fellow poets. For your next meeting, why not invite the postman, the store clerk, your doctor or preacher? They might surprise you and show up. Oops! You say you don't have a poetry group in your area? Why not form one. It only takes two or three interested in writing to make a start. Flaunt your talents.

Ronald H. Kahl,
President IPA

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