Canadian Federation of Poets Newsletter
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Keeping you informed |
September 21st, 2006 |
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Be
sure to introduce yourself in the Federation online forums,
and check out the
member biography
section to find out more about each.
New Members:
Karen Peralta - Kenmore, WA
Ken Munro - Bedford, NS
Deborah L Kelly - North Vancouver, BC
Mike J. Payne - Montreal, Quebec
Marilyn Beth Edwards - Korea
Zoi Kilakos - Montreal, QC
Orania Hamilton - Apple Valley, CA USA
Renewals:
Lois Nantais
Raymond Fenech
Carol A. Stephen
Ljerka Susanna Lukic
Check out this months feature poet
Norma West Linder.
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CONTESTS & CALLS
Check out the current contests:
NEW! The Way to Happiness and
Rhyming Poetry;
where the winner
of each will appear in Poetry Canada magazine and get a free copy! Call now open.
NEW! CFP members call for CCLA Anthology
Alexander Popoff Youth contest - 17 and under
Submission Fee: Free
Deadline: November 15, 2006
First Prize: $100 (US Dollars).
Poems must relate to human rights. Familiarity
with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is
recommended.
Submissions may be sent in the body of an email, along
with name, age, address, email address, and a brief
bio. Send submissions to stazja@yahoo.com.
Find out more at: www.poetsforhumanrights.org
Artists for a Better World
October 4-8th, 2006
Hollywood, California
Look for the launch of Spirit of Humanity and a full week
of art expression and appreciation.
To find out more and plan your attendance check out Artists for a Better World Festival
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FUNDRAISER RESULTS
Special thanks to everyone who answered the call.
My brother's team won, not for speed, but for the MOST
funds raised by a team, at over $6800. The money will be going
to a very good cause and will make a difference
in getting direct aid, rehab counselling, peer support, and transportation.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
This is a great opportunity to help the
CFP, help yourself, gain a great skill for your CV/Bio, and in return I will offer
promotional freebies of your skills, your work, your events and/or your products.
See the volunteers
section for complete details.
Youth Division Director:
This person is responsible for monitoring the activity on the Youth Forum, and
for ensuring youth know that membership to the CFP is free, and to promote this
where ever possible. Ages 15 and under are free. Anyone who currently
works with kids aged 6-15 would do well in this position.
Contact Tracy Repchuk to apply or find out more!
Check out all of the available volunteer positions and
pick one that is just right for you.
CALENDAR COORDINATOR
Betty Dobson of Halifax, Nova Scotia who has taken on the position of
Calendar Coordinator!
If you are a CFP member, this is a great way to promote your book launches, appearances,
and check out contest calls and events.
If you are a CFP member, or a CFP Affiliate Organization feel free to submit
your events to us. It is a great way to easily increase attendance.
Send your information to: Calendar Coordinator: Betty Dobson
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This new season is off to a fantastic start with an almost full volunteer roster,
and a Halifax Federation launch that is unprecedented in our history. Fantastic members
are coming together to really help to make our mission a reality: To unite people and
organizations from around the world in the global promotion of poets and poetry.
There are still a few more volunteer
positions open, and many hands make light work. I have had members offer to double-up
on positions, but I'd rather see a few more of you answer your call to bring back poetry, and
keep the CFP growing.
It is the perfect time to join
the CFP and become a member of this vibrant and growing organization. Check out the benefits and join today.
A free subscription to Poetry Canada magazine and over 20 other
benefits, to help you really get your money's worth including
a full year of exciting
contests, events and publishing opportunities.
Tracy Lynn Repchuk
President and Founder of the Canadian Federation of Poets
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THINKING OF STARTING A FEDERATION?
I'm not sure what shifted in the universe, but I just had the greatest couple of weeks
by getting the same question from many people. Sheepishly they ask, "What does it take
to start a Federation in our area?" That is music to my ears. So after I typed it up
for the 2nd time, I created an autoresponder, and then I thought, let's tell everyone
what it takes, and see if anyone else can see how easy it is to do.
The steps to starting are easy:
1. Decide to do it, and then visit coffee shops in your area (or another type of business), and check them out. Check it for noise level, central
location, parking.
2. If you like it, ask them if you could run a poetry group from there.
(They always want things like that. It keeps the place active, and generates sales
for them.) The key to this is to make sure they have a microphone or PA system you
can use.
3. Pick a date once a month that suits your schedule. ie. Every 2nd Wednesday at 7:00pm.
4. Decide on the first meeting, and create a flyer that can be posted in the location. Coloured
paper works best.
5. Let me know so I can announce it, promote it, and get you registered poets in your area. Then
also send everything to Betty Dobson the Calendar Coordinator so she can post it.
6. See if you can get a free announcement in the local newspapers. I can get the contacts if you need help.
7. Contact a couple of friends, even if they're not poets to join you on your first
event. They can either help out at the event by welcoming new attendees and getting
them to sign up for an open mic, or sit with you and enjoy the evening anyway if
nobody shows.
8. For a Federation launch, contact the Halifax Federation. They know how to hit the
pavement running!!! I'm sure they would love to share their story with you.
(Betty Dobson and Donelda Kent)
9. Bring paper, clipboard, couple of pens (you always lose one), and if you have some
books or other neat little gift-like items that you're not using, have a raffle, or
give a free door prize.
10. Use one of the tables there to display books for sale from attendees. Provides
an opportunity for poets to make money, sign books, be appreciated, and enjoy the atmosphere.
11. HAVE FUN! This is what it's all about. Getting together with like-minded people,
sharing your work, helping and encouraging each other, and if a few others drop in for
coffee and get treated to poetry, all the better!
Now isn't that easy! More Federation tips
Plus, if you're thinking about it, let me know!
BOOKS THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN
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Are you ready to take your poetry to the next level? The Canadian Federation of Poets has put together
a list of the top books out there, that will help you do this. How to get published, markets, contests,
how to make a living as a poet, information that you can use to increase your exposure.
Check out our NEW Feature Store
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HALIFAX LAUNCH A BIG ONE!
Tuesday September 26th will never be the same as the Halifax Federation opens its doors in style.
Starting with Lorri Neilsen Glenn, the poet-laurete for Nova Scotia as the opening dignitary, and as the representative of the Mayor
of Halifax's office.
Next up, is a standing room only packed venue, with more RSVPs than the room can handle. If you want to attend, get
there early or you may be watching from outside the windows.
Betty Dobson and Donelda Kent have put together this event with such professionalism and panache, that I am thrilled
to have them as part of my team, and as part of my vision to get poetry back into the mainstream, and poets
as the leaders and visionaries of society. If we write it, it will be so.
See the details below for place and times.
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CFP EVENTS
Thursday September 21st, 2006 - 7pm
Oakville Federation
Contact: George Arnold
Timothy's World Coffee
321 Lakeshore Rd. E, Oakville,
Open mic event where poets and performers can get together and share both poetry and short stories.
FEDERATION LAUNCH
Tuesday September 26th, 2006 - 7pm
CFP Halifax Nova Scotia
Contact: Betty Dobson or Donelda Kent
at: Mollyz Diner, 2104 Gottingen Street, Halifax. http://www.mollyzdiner.ca/
There could be print, radio and TV coverage, so be ready when this group gets out the gate, because
they are ready to make poetry happen in Halifax!
Guest speakers, performers, raffles, door prizes and much more. Plus an
open mic event where poets and performers can get together and share both poetry and short stories.
NEW FEDERATION - OTTAWA
Sunday September 24th, 2006 - 2-4:30pm
Contact: Richard Vallance
Location: Royal Oak II (map), downstairs, 161 Laurier East,
between Cumberland and King Edward, Sandy Hill
Admission: Free
The Ottawa Federation will be combining efforts with the
Sasquatch Literary
Performance Series, Canada's longest standing poetry Café.
Sasquatch is proud to promote the Canadian Federation of Poets in Ottawa, and
will be working in close co-operation with us.
Check out all of our happenings or get complete details on the above events from our
online calendar.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
CFP Member, Stephen Gill, has been appointed by the editorial board of
the Christian Alliance magazine as a member of the editorial team. Its publisher and
editor-in-chief Mr. Richard M. Onyebuwa says in his letter that the appointment
is “due to his wealth of experience, record of achievements and evidence of positive
impact as a prolific writer.” He adds, “We are highly honoured to have him as part
of our editorial team and as such, we are looking forward to greater success in the
future.” Christian Alliance magazine is a publication of Kingdom Star Communications,
based in Lagos, Nigeria.
CFP member, Donelda Kent has volunteered to be the CFP Membership Assistant.
She will be contacting expired members and reminding them it is time to renew. Sometimes
email is unreliable, and members don't even know they are no longer involved. This
will help to ensure that everyone who wants to remain a part of the CFP Family, doesn't
get left behind by technology. Thanks Donelda!
CFP member, Richard Vallance has taken on the position of the Ottawa Federation of Poets Chapter Chair.
He brings his years of experience as a poet, and as the creator of two amazing print journals called
Sonnetto Poesia and Canadian Zen Haiku.
Members are encouraged to check these out, and submit to them. You
can find out more about upcoming events by visiting the Ottawa Federation of Poets
webpage.
POETRY CANADA BLOWOUT SALE
There are still copies left. Place your order today!
Mar/Apr/May 2006 - 9 copies left
Dec/Jan/Feb 2006 - 10 copies left
Sept/Oct/Nov 2005 - SOLD OUT!
June/July/Aug 2005 - 16 copies left
Mar/Apr/May 2005 - 6 copies left
Dec/Jan/Feb 2005 - SOLD OUT!
Sept/Oct/Nov 2004 - 13 copies left
This is a great way to complete your set of this beautiful magazine that is sure
to be a part of Canadian culture and literature, and a collectors item. Plus it will
give you tips and tricks on ways to get published and the type of articles and interviews
we accept.
PLUS - BONUS OFFER: BUY 3, GET 1 FREE
To see the complete content list of each issue visit the archives at: www.poetrycanada.com/contributors.htm
To order, send us an email with your address and the edition date. We will send you
a paypal invoice that includes shipping ($1.50 for Canada, $2.25 for US, $8.00 for International)
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