Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the 30th president of the Virginia Writers Club. It is an honor to represent this exceptional and prolific writing community for 2011-2012. 

Under the leadership of Jim Gaines, the VWC has made solid and thoughtful progress toward a bright and promising future. In the past two years, the Club has:

• Welcomed the new and vibrant Appalachian Authors Guild chapter, which extends our reach into the Southwest corner of the state
• Launched the "E-Nunciator," an electronic newsletter, which updates our image and increases visibility with writing-related organizations, professionals and potential members
• Plunged into the social network with the creation of the VWC Facebook page and added Becky's Blog Beat -- a blog about blogging -- to the VWC website
• Conducted electronic Board of Governors' meetings to ensure timely discussion and resolution of Club matters
• Formalized the Young Virginia Writers Club Scholarship Guide, which clarifies the administration of the Scholarship Program and revises the criteria to include scholarships for college freshmen who pursue writing in their coursework
• Turned the "Inside the Back Cover Contest" into the refreshed "Golden Nib Writing Contest" and initiated a YVWC "Golden Nib" competition

Following on the heels of these accomplishments could be unnerving. However, you have gifted me with the right team at the right time: Austin Camacho, Betsy Ashton, Becky Mushko, Sally Honenberger and Norma Redfern - a dream team of seasoned writers who are not only committed to the VWC, but are chock-full of can-do spirit. Thank you for each of them.

This is both an exciting and challenging time for writers. Our world is shifting under our very pens and keyboards. Regardless, there is abundant room within the VWC to maintain the comfort-level of traditional writers and at the same time embrace the many opportunities available in today's fast-paced and electronically driven environment. Our founder James Branch Cabell said, "While it is well enough to leave footprints on the sands of time, it is even more important to make sure they point in a commendable direction." For the VWC, that direction must be a shared experience. Your officers and Board of Governors representatives cannot go it alone. To continue molding the VWC into a multifaceted 21st -century organization, chapter and member participation as well as support will be crucial in charting the course and growth of our organization. I look forward to working on behalf of all our members throughout this process.

Again, thank you for affording me the privilege of leading the time-honored Virginia Writers Club. It is with great pleasure that I accept the gavel.

June Forte,
President