 | 24 Jul 09 |
Not! I’m still flying high from the RWA National Conference in DC last week! I have more stories bouncing around in my head then I can ever write. I met more awesome women then most girls meet in ten lifetimes, and I had more fun than anyone had the right to have.
I L.O.V.E. National! I love the pulse, the passion, the vibe and the energy. It’s at the top of my favorite-things-to-do list. The ladies at RWA National do an amazing job. They deserve a two-week paid vacation on a tropical island with hot hunks waiting on them hand and foot for their Herculean efforts. If there has ever been a glitch (that debacle of a Rita ceremony in Reno several years ago aside…) I didn’t feel even a ripple.
There are detractors of RWA, and they have their reasons, but I am not one of them. I am a fan, even when, like, hmm, they tried to censor covers a few years back.
A few years ago, I was cornered at the Atlanta con to run for president of my local chapter. The current prez was terming out, and so was the board. New blood was desperately needed. I stepped up because my chapter needed a president. And trust me, I wasn’t going quietly. I dragged my good friends with me. We had a great run and made a good chapter great. When it was time to recruit the next prez there was really only one person in the chapter that I thought had what was needed to carry the torch. She didn’t hesitate when I asked her to run for president. And like me, she dragged her friends along with her. She guest blogged here yesterday. Sophie Littlefield. SFA-RWA is in very capable hands. I feel that way with the national board. Talk about time consuming?! Dayum. It’s like having another full time job! Forget deadlines! And for many of them, they get grief. I’d like to take this opportunity to challenge those who have issues with RWA or any other organization they are a voting part of to zip the lips and step up.
It’s like politics. When people bitch about our elected officials I’ll ask, “Who did you vote for?”
Typical response: “Oh, I didn’t vote.”
Well, I guess then you got nuthin’ to bitch about. You want things to be different? Make it happen. Show, baby, don’t tell. And that’s about all I have to say on the matter. Except to say, if I’m honest, I’ll admit I had no idea this was the turn this blog was going to take when I began writing it, but it did, and I’m not going to write something else. I believe in RWA, on all levels, and while I know it isn’t perfect, we need fresh ideas, fresh minds, and fresh blood to keep it the vibrant organization it is. So, be a fighter, not a complainer, and volunteer for something. Even if it’s to make the raffle basket for your local chapter.
Soooooo? When was the last time you volunteered and what was it for?? 
© 2009, Karin Tabke. All rights reserved.
A Cop’s Wife Writes the Cop’s Life:
Award winning author, Karin Tabke isn’t just another author with steamy stories to tell, but a cop’s wife who has “seen it all and heard it all.†Some of the hottest stories come from behind the blue wall of law enforcement rather than from in front. Married to a street cop, now retired, Karin is intimate with both and proves it with her sizzling tales and hot cops. Not only are her cops hot, but so are her sexy knights. Karin’s Blood Sword Legacy series is a must read for anyone who loves tales of yore when men were men and women were women, and love did conqueror all!
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I was a constant presence in my kids’ classrooms as a volunteer. PTA and all that. Three years as contest and membership chair(s) for my RWA chapter. Now, I volunteer for the Sheriff’s Office and for the Adult Literacy League.
And goodness knows how many others in between.
Picking up your marbles and going home doesn’t help anyone. Change usually comes from within.
by Terry Odell July 24th, 2009 at 5:42 amOMG Terry you just brought back all of my booster club president years! trying to get some kid’s mother to work the snack shack for one freaking hour was harder than plotting and entire series! Oh if only I could have benched their kid until they volunteered.
You strike me as doer. a fighter.
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 10:34 amHmmm… I think those who worked with me might have had another word in mind, Karin … Starts with “B” ends in CH.
by Terry Odell July 24th, 2009 at 10:47 amlol! sometimes it takes a B&$ch to get things done!
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 10:48 amI just volunteered to step into the president’s role in my local RWA chapter–got any ideas I should use?
I have, at various times, served on the board of a local garden preservation association (please do not confuse this with a garden club and ask me for advice… I’ve killed cacti by not giving them enough water.), picked up trash on the side of the road for an Adopt a Highway stretch, served on my company’s employee charity fund committee, worked in Red Cross hurricane shelters …that’s the short list.
I agree–if it needs help, then help!
by Lorena July 24th, 2009 at 7:11 amLorena you’re going to LOVE it! My one hard and fast piece of advice is: always think of what is best for the chapter as a whole. I told my chapter at my first meeting as prez i had already been to high school and had no yearning to go back. I stood my ground and eventually the problem children took their toys and went home never to be seen or heard from again. The other thing that was huge for me was my board. I surrounded myself with ladies much smarter than myself.
Your chapter is lucky to have you! Good luck!
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 10:40 amwhen I ran for prez Karin told me that in a lot of ways it’s the easiest job, and that’s true – encourage hard-working friends to run, and then tell everyone to get out of the way.
by sophie littlefield July 24th, 2009 at 1:04 pmyep, that about sums it up!
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 1:47 pmHey Karin, I’m active at my grandkid’s school. My last adventure was attending a kindergarden tea party at year’s end. I give kuddos to the teachers at the school, and support them any way I can. They’re teaching precious children, and doing it well!
Love your blog and so true! I’ve been a member of RWA for years, and love the conferences and opportunities they afford writers.
by LaDonna July 24th, 2009 at 7:41 amLaD, I am in awe of any teacher. Talk about underpaid and underappreciated?
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 10:41 amKarin, I did the prez gig for two years, I’ve been published author liaison and a few other things. Then I pulled back for a while. For me, the stepping back is important too, a sort of clearing of my head. Now I’m ready to start doing some work again. I’ve just voluteered to mentor a writer at a RWA chapter I pretty much know nothing about. It’ll be fun!
I love RWA too, with all it’s flaws. Ideas are important and process of change is important. The process is where we learn.
by Jen Lyon July 24th, 2009 at 9:08 amJen, I so agree about the pulling back part. I have done exactly that this year. I’ll probably take another year off, then jump back in, feet first.
I think mentoring takes a special person. Your name came up a couple of times in conversation at national, all glowing words associated with you, all flabbergasted by your willingness to help up and coming authors. I wish you had been my mentor!
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 10:45 amKarin, that’s lovely to hear! But people who love what they do are a joy to work with–I usually get so much more back than I ever give. It sounds so trite when I say it, but it’s the absolute truth.
by Jen Lyon July 24th, 2009 at 7:39 pmKarin, you rock, woman! Pardon my moment of fangirl. *SQUEEEE*
Ahem. Okay. I’ve served my local unit of the American Legion Auxiliary in various capacities, including a two-year stint as president. I just agreed to take over the chairmanship of the National Readers Choice Awards for OKRWA. (Pause to note here that Rocki St. Claire won one this year.) I won’t bore ya’ll with the whole litany of past volunteer efforts. Like you, I agree that if you don’t like what’s happening, work to make positive changes.
There is a lot going on within RWA right now and I know of people who bailed rather than sticking it out to work toward understanding. I’ve always been one to work from within.
I’ll be looking for you at Nashville!
by Silver James July 24th, 2009 at 9:41 amSilver, you are a gem among gems! It was so good to meet you face to face at National and spend time with you. You are most def a keeper! any organization is lucky to have you as a member. As far as Nashville goes, I think I’m going now. I just can’t wait an entire year!
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 10:47 amAwww! I hope I don’t tarnish by next July! You’re the best, along with the other MSW gals!
by Silver James July 24th, 2009 at 3:54 pmThe first time I volunteered it was to help found a brand new chapter and now I’ve volunteered to help e-publishing get better recognition and education from RWA. Someone just slap me now. LOL
by Jill James July 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pmJill as a charter member of the Black Diamonds I am so grateful to you and Lee for all of your hard work starting the chapter. We’re still petite, but mighty! Oh, and hell no I’m not going to slap you! We need you!
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 1:50 pmFirst of all, THANKS to all the volunteers who run National RWA and put on the conference. I’m late to say it, but I appreciate those gals so much. In this first year of my presidency I’ve had to reach out to them a few times for help and they’ve been responsive, informative, and helpful every time.
(A certain ex-pres kinda scares me because every time I email her for advice I get an answer back in, like, 30 seconds. KT never sleeps, y’all. Never)
I’ll also jump in and say I cannot abide whiners. Don’t like the direction the ship’s going? Well then stick your oar in the water and get to rowin’, girl, or I ain’t got any room for you!
Whew! That felt good!
And since I’m on a roll I’ll add just one more thought: I believe that 99% of the time, the folks at National are trying to SERVE the organization the best way they know how. Whenever I hear them accused of trying to 1)screw members out of $ 2)exclude un-pubs 3)shut down the e-publishing industry or 4)pursue their own agenda – all complaints I’ve heard in the last few months – it makes me nuts!! There was a really moving post on Chaplink a while back from a gal who admitted she used to criticize the board…until she joined it and found out for herself what was what. Huh. Tells you somethin’ don’t it?
by sophie littlefield July 24th, 2009 at 1:10 pmgropey hugs and sloppy kisses, sophie
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 1:51 pmI’m co-area contact for WisRWA this coming year. I’ve done other things for WisRWA, including setting up a Margie Lawson all-day workshop last Nov., with Liz Lincoln. I’m also part of the conference committee this year (we call ourselves minions). Though I haven’t done anything on the National level, I am doing things on the local level.
by Edie July 24th, 2009 at 1:19 pmAmen sister! Preach it! LOL
by Bonnie H July 24th, 2009 at 1:43 pmThe last time I volunteered was at a care facility and it broke my heart because most of those folks had no one to see them and nothing to do. They didn’t even know but acted like I was the greatest thing ever just for sitting and talking with them. Its tragic.
On a lighter note – I know I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again – the Blood Swords ROCK!! OMG *drool* I so can’t wait for another story BUT the awesome thing about you is that every story you write rocks, so I can never complain (well, thats not the only awesome thing, but you know what I mean…)
Bonnie, that would break my heart too! I think I’m too wussy to do that.
does that make me bad? I, just, would be so sad. Selfish me, I need to not to make it about me, but them.
but on a happier note, YAY! I’m so glad you love the Blood Swords. They are pretty special. Thank you.
by Karin Tabke July 27th, 2009 at 1:40 pmno its not selfish of you – everyone has something different they’re called to do and thats good as long as we’re all helping each other somehow right? you totally have an awesome talent and use it which is very cool IMO
by Bonnie H July 27th, 2009 at 2:10 pmEdie you do more than your fair share. It all starts from the ground up. without the rocking local chapters national would be, well, a shell of what it is.
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 1:52 pmI volunteered to be the president for our new chapter in Arkansas (Diamond State Romance Authors). In fact, I was the founding president – did all the national paperwork and all the state incorporation paperwork, member recruitment, etc. The next year, I volunteered to be newsletter direction and this year I was the treasurer. We’re a small chapter and there is only a small group to do all the work.
This year, I’m running for PRO Liaison for RWANational.
I believe it putting my time and energies where my mouth is!
by ArkansasCyndi July 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pmCyndi you are a super doer.
I am amazed at all you do, do. And you have my vote as Pro Liaison. I think you’d be awesome.
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 11:52 pmBefore the job I now have, I was pretty much a professional volunteer. Have always done it my whole life. I was raised to believe that when you have good fortune, you share it. If you can make a difference, try. If you don’t like the way something is being done or run, step in and be a part of fixing it. All my paying jobs have been as close to volunteering as you can get – Peace Corps , Children’s Museum, and a small County Library. The last two are non-profits – poor pay and no benefits. I’m lucky that my husband has a good job and retirement. I love what I am doing.
by Patricia Barraclough July 24th, 2009 at 8:49 pmAnd, a women’s organization I belong to needed a change and I got dragged onto the board with friends to work on it.
I firmly believe in “Put up or shut up.”
Amen, Patricia! Flapping your jaw only produces wind.
by Karin Tabke July 24th, 2009 at 11:54 pmI canvassed neighborhoods for Barack Obama, first time I ever volunteered for anything. I dragged my husband along. It was our wedding anniversary, hot as hell, windy, then cold, then rainy, lots of doors getting slammed in our faces or people ignoring the doorbell. I felt like a total slut. But we did it. He didn’t really want to, but now, looking back, he brings it up as a happy memory, a standout in the feel-good arena. Because we volunteered to do something we felt strongly about. Not to mention, after 29 years of marriage, we’ll always remember our 28th Anniversary.
by J. JCarson Black July 25th, 2009 at 8:46 amah, the memories!
by Karin Tabke July 27th, 2009 at 1:36 pmGreat blog, Karin! I feel the same way about whiners who aren’t willing to be part of the solution. I usually end up telling them to step up or shut up!
I’m a serial volunteer and have been doing it for years. My current gig is at my local hospital where I’ve been volunteering once a week for the past 7 years. I’m also a regular volunteer at church, a local elementary school and with animal rescue groups.
I attended the literacy signing in Atlanta in ’06 but DC was my first full conference and my most recent volunteer experience. I signed up to work the conference registration desk on Wednesday morning and I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had. It’s a wonderful way to meet and greet other conference attendees. Everyone has to come to the registration desk at some point! So many people, including some very big-name authors, who weren’t even in my line took the time to stop and say “thanks for volunteering”. When we were slow, people stayed for a bit to chat with the volunteers. Those same people made a point of talking to me whenever they saw me again throughout the conference. Volunteers at RWA conferences are a huge part of what makes the conferences run smoothly. I encourage everyone to sign up and experience the volunteer fun!
by pjpuppymom July 25th, 2009 at 11:33 amPJ, I love your comments! I’m not sure who gave me my packet but she had a big smile on her face and we did chat for a few secs. I walked away smiling.
by Karin Tabke July 27th, 2009 at 1:43 pmI have never “officially” volunteered – but I try to do small acts of kindness for others any time I get a chance. Little things done over time can add up to make a big difference in the world. Probably nobody ever knows I do these little things – and that’s just fine.
Um – and no, I don’t vote, and I also don’t complain.
by Jody July 26th, 2009 at 10:54 amJody, acts of kindness go such a very long way. And for some folks just a simple heartfelt smile can brighten their day.
by Karin Tabke July 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pmThanks. In that case, lend me $50.
by Jody Werner July 27th, 2009 at 2:13 pmhello love the site
by Edith July 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pm