Comments on: Exclusivity http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/ Writing in all its forms Sun, 9 Mar 2008 23:20:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Sandra http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-1282 Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:48:49 +0000 http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-1282 Chris, I think that the vast majority of folks are perfectly okay with PAN-only events because they do realize the effort pubs go to -- PANs volunteer their time to develop and present workshops (which can cut seriously into writing time, which we are, ostensibly, getting paid for), they judge RWA-sponsored contests, they mentor PROs and pre-PROs, and participate in other activities that benefit their local chapters. But there are some who, as May mentioned, have a sense of entitlement. And the main problem is that RWA, from its very inception, failed to implement a strategy for dealing with this "divide" in the membership. The crux of the problem lies in the governing documents, and to change them now would be a major PITA.... So many romance authors flock to NINC (Novelists, Inc.), which requires a member applicant to have published two novels, thus ensuring that their members are more likely to be active, publishing authors. And maybe that's the answer -- it's to get romance industry networking done within RWA and to get writing business done within something like NINC. Chris, I think that the vast majority of folks are perfectly okay with PAN-only events because they do realize the effort pubs go to — PANs volunteer their time to develop and present workshops (which can cut seriously into writing time, which we are, ostensibly, getting paid for), they judge RWA-sponsored contests, they mentor PROs and pre-PROs, and participate in other activities that benefit their local chapters.

But there are some who, as May mentioned, have a sense of entitlement. And the main problem is that RWA, from its very inception, failed to implement a strategy for dealing with this “divide” in the membership. The crux of the problem lies in the governing documents, and to change them now would be a major PITA….

So many romance authors flock to NINC (Novelists, Inc.), which requires a member applicant to have published two novels, thus ensuring that their members are more likely to be active, publishing authors. And maybe that’s the answer — it’s to get romance industry networking done within RWA and to get writing business done within something like NINC.

]]> by: Chris Keach http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-1068 Tue, 06 Jun 2006 06:04:09 +0000 http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-1068 I'm unpublished (for now) and I totally agree that PAN should be able to have PAN-only events. In the time I've been at my local RWA, I've seen 5 people move up to PAN and most of them hardly come to the meetings anymore. I often think about these issues and what my own involvement will be when I "cross over". I just didn't realize it was so widespread and that some people would actually get snippy about PAN members having events to focus on their needs. I’m unpublished (for now) and I totally agree that PAN should be able to have PAN-only events. In the time I’ve been at my local RWA, I’ve seen 5 people move up to PAN and most of them hardly come to the meetings anymore. I often think about these issues and what my own involvement will be when I “cross over”. I just didn’t realize it was so widespread and that some people would actually get snippy about PAN members having events to focus on their needs.

]]> by: Terri Richison http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-929 Mon, 22 May 2006 16:14:51 +0000 http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-929 Unfortunately, in our society, a few loudly vocal people drown out the silent majority. This isn't new, (remember, it only took one person to ban prayer from public schools), but as long as that majority remain silent, we'll continue to have leaders hearing only the dissenting few and then creating policies to placate them. So, thanks for speaking up for those of us who remain silent. There should be PAN ONLY benefits for belonging to RWA! I agree with you that RWA needs to seriously rethink the benefits (or lack there of) offered to published members. Unfortunately, in our society, a few loudly vocal people drown out the silent majority. This isn’t new, (remember, it only took one person to ban prayer from public schools), but as long as that majority remain silent, we’ll continue to have leaders hearing only the dissenting few and then creating policies to placate them. So, thanks for speaking up for those of us who remain silent. There should be PAN ONLY benefits for belonging to RWA! I agree with you that RWA needs to seriously rethink the benefits (or lack there of) offered to published members.

]]> by: May http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-913 Thu, 18 May 2006 03:15:49 +0000 http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-913 I think it's that some people have a sense of entitlement, and they are the ones who stir people up. There are people like that everywhere. I think it’s that some people have a sense of entitlement, and they are the ones who stir people up. There are people like that everywhere.

]]> by: Sandra http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-910 Wed, 17 May 2006 17:40:26 +0000 http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/05/exclusivity/#comment-910 The whole thing really baffles me because I know some chapters have separate presentations for PANs. Everybody is together for the business portion of the meeting, but then the chapter splits between PANs and pre-PANs.<br /><br />So what's the problem with having a PAN-only event, like a bookseller luncheon where PANs and booksellers can meet-and-greet? Yikes.<br /><br />Maybe the problem is in how the local leadership chooses to address the issue? The whole thing really baffles me because I know some chapters have separate presentations for PANs. Everybody is together for the business portion of the meeting, but then the chapter splits between PANs and pre-PANs.

So what’s the problem with having a PAN-only event, like a bookseller luncheon where PANs and booksellers can meet-and-greet? Yikes.

Maybe the problem is in how the local leadership chooses to address the issue?

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