PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 
 

Dear Members of NFSPS ~ At the start of a New Year, many of us turn our thoughts to making lists of  "resolutions." We fill our lists with personal goals pertaining to health, finances, family, friends, etc. Hopefully, we accentuate the positive in doing so, rather than
making primarily negative sounding vows to not do certain things and give up other things. I feel that we should all add some positive "poetry resolutions" to our lists. Keeping in mind poetry is food for the soul, we need to feed ourselves first, then serve others. I can say, in all honesty that poetry enriches my life, and that involvement with my state society, the Poetry Society of Texas, and with the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc. is very fulfilling. The following are some suggestions for our lists, parts of which may not be applicable to all: Read poetry written by well-known poets, as well as by new new voices. *Write new poems and rewrite old ones, if needed. * Study an unfamiliar poetry form, and write a poem using it. * Enter poetry contest and/or poetry manuscript  competitions offered on the chapter, state, and/or national level. * Purchase chapter and/or state society award winning published books and poetry anthologies, as well as NFSPS' publications: the prize poems anthology, Encore, the Stevens Poetry Manuscript Competition book, the College/University Level Poetry Competition chapbooks, the Manningham Poetry Trust Competition anthology. * Attend chapter and/or state meetings and events throughout the year, as well as the NFSPS Annual Convention in June. * Invite poets, and those who are not practicing poets to chapter and/or state meetings and events, and encourage membership. * Promote NFSPS membership to poetry organizations in states without affiliated society. * Express interest in serving as an elected officer, appointed chairman or committee member on the chapter, state, and/or national level. * Be generous monetarily on the chapter, state and/or national level, some possibilities being: absorb partial or total expenses incurred when performing job duties, sponsor a contest, give an outright donation, make a will bequest. * Support any and all outreach to student poets, as they are our hope for the future.
   Once we have made our "poetry resolutions" we need to turn our intentions into actions, positive actions relating to poetry in our lives and the lives of others, in our state societies and in NFSPS!

~Sincerely,
    Nancy  Baass, 28th President of NFSPS
P.S. to Madelyn Eastlund, 25th President of NFSPS:
Thank you, for inspiring me with your dedication to poetry in general, your state society and NFSPS
 

CONVENTION MADNESS!
POETRY CONTEST
Win Your Way to
NFSPS Convention 2009
Must attend to receive prize. . .

1st Place - 4 nights stay at
The Inn On The Lake Superior ($512)
2nd Place - All meals (package, $196)
3rd Place - Registration Fee ($75)
Any form, any subject, limit one page. 10 pt. type or larger. May be previously published. Fee: 3 poems for $10. Non-members 3 poems for $15. Make checks payable to the League of Minnesota Poets. No limit on number of submissions as long as a new entry fee is included for each set of 3 poems. To submit: include two (2) copies of poems. One copy with name, address, phone number, email and state society membership and one copy with no identifying marks. Include an SASE for winners list.
Winners will be notified by March 31, 2009. DEADLINE: February 28, 2009.(The deadline date listed in the printed version of the January 2009 Strophes was extended after print, this is the correct deadline date.)
Mail your entries to:
Susan Stevens Chambers, 57310 166th Lane, Good Thunder, MN 56037

A NOTE FROM THE NFSPS PRESIDENT
 
   At the 2008 NFSPS National Convention in Layton, Utah, June 19-22, a motion was passed by the NFSPS Executive Board, and then brought before the State Delegates during the 1st Plenary Session. It called for a $3.00 increase in NFSPS annual dues, raising them from the present $2.00 to $5.00 per state society member, an amount deemed necessary by proponents in order to serve the membership better. Those of us who had voted against the motion at the 1st Executive Board Meeting spoke in opposition to such a large increase, and the motion was defeated by the State Delegates.
   During the 2nd Plenary Session, a vote was taken on a motion for a smaller, $1.00 increase in the NFSPS annual dues, only raising them from the present $2.00 to $3.00 per state society member, an amount deemed a reasonable increase by those of us opposed to the original motion, given the current economic situation.
This motion motion, which had no effective date specified, was passed by State Delegates. Since the Convention, as newly elected NFSPS President, I have concurred with newly elected NFSPS Treasurer Lucille Morgan Wilson, after her careful familiarization with the treasury records, it would be feasible for the increase in the NFSPS annual dues to take effect on July 1, 2009, the start of the NFSPS fiscal year. ( A related article written by Lucille, entitled "Speaking of Dollar$," appears in this issue of
Strophes Online.)

STROPHES January 2009
National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Organized October 17, 1959 Mary B. Wall, Founder
Officers elected at National Convention June 21, 2008, Salt Lake City, UT

Honorary Chancellor: Lewis Turco

NFSPS Bylaws, Article VI - Executive Board: Section A The Executive Board shall be comprised of all elected Officers of the NFSPS and the immediate past President. This body shall serve as the governing body of NFSPS.

Executive Board

President: Nancy Baass, 2306 N. DeLeon St., Victoria, TX 77901 - nbaass@earthlink.net

1st Vice President: Russell H. Strauss, 18 S. Rembert St., Memphis, TN 38104 - RSTRpoet@cs.com Membership

2nd Vice President: Jeremy Downes, 832 Tacoma Drive, Auburn, Al 36830 - downejm@auburn.edu Judges Selection

3rd Vice President: N. Colwell Snell, P.O. Box 520698, Salt Lake City, UT 84152-0698 - SBSenior@juno.com College/University Level Poetry

4th Vice President: Eleanor Berry, 22614 N. Santiam Hwy., Lyons, OR 97358 - eberry@wvi.com Stevens Manuscript Awards

Chancellor: Steven Concert, 6 Kitchen Ave., Harveys Lake, PA 18618 - paperlesspoetsonline@hotmail.com Youth Chair

1st Vice Chancellor: Caroline Walton, 6176 W. Pine- dale Circle, Crystal River, FL 34429 carowaltonb@tampabay.rr.com Strophes Editor

2nd Vice Chancellor: Dena Gorrell, 14024 Gateway Dr., Edmond, OK 73013 - thepoetlady@aol.com Poetry Day/Poetry Month Liason

Treasurer: Lucille Morgan Wilson, 2325 61st St., Des Moines, IA 50322 - lucille_e_wilson@hotmail.com

Secretary: Christine Delea, christinedelea@cs.com

Appointive Board

Contest Sponsors/Brochures: Mildred Vorpahl Baass, 408 E. Warren Ave., Victoria, TX 77901-4847 mybaass@yahoo.com

Convention Coordinator: Rosalyn Ostler, 7685 Dell Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84121 - rosieo1@juno.com

Encore Editor: Valerie Bailey, 2207 Parhaven Dr., San Antonio, TX 78232 - vbailey@satx.rr.com

Historian: Michael E. Strosahl, 2307 North A. St., Elwood, IN 46036 - mes.wordsmith@prodigy.net

Librarian: Peggy Zuleika Lynch, 4917 Ravenswood Dr. #260. San Antonio, TX 78227 - margrettel@aol.com

Manningham Trust Awards: Madelyn Eastlund, 310 S. Adams St., Beverly Hills, FL 34465, verdure@tampabay.rr.com

Manningham Advisor: Sam Wood, 1570 Auburn Way, Reno, NV 89502

Publicity: Deborah Halstead, 5604 Bagwell Point, Citrus Springs, FL 34434 - debbyh@tampabay.rr.com

Special Awards: Amy Jo Zook, 3520 State Rd. 56, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044

Website: Billy Pennington, P.O. Box 7842, Moore, OK 73153 zodnoyeb@aol.com

NFSPS Bylaws, Article VI - Advisory Board

Presidential Advisors to the President

Doris Stengal • Budd Powell Mahan
Madelyn Eastlund • Clarence P. Socwell

Parliamentarian & Legal Advisor to the Board
Susan S. Chambers
57310 166th Lane
Good Thunder, MN 56037
poetsue@aol.com

STATE POETRY SOCIETIES

Alabama: Alabama State Poetry Society, Mary E. Halliburton, 91 Cloverfield Rd. Hope Hull, AL 36043
Arizona: Arizona State Poetry Society, Artiste-Te, 14030 N. 64th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85254 eteteak@peoplepc.com
Arkansas: Poets Roundtable of Arkansas, Barbara L. Mulkey, 9317 Claremore, Little Rock, AR 72227 blm-lmm@shcglobal.net
California: California State Poetry Society, Kate Ozbrin, 4781 Briarhill Dr., Yorba Linda, CA 92886 kateozbrin@yahoo.com
Colorado: Columbine Poets of Colorado, Anita Jepson- Gilbert, 89899 Yukon St., Westminster, CO 80021 anitajg5@aol.com
Connecticut: Connecticut Poetry Society, Christine Beck, Box 270554, W. Hartford, CT 06127 connpoetry@comcast.net
Florida: Florida State Poets Assoc., Berry Ann Whitney, 29530 Benjamin Dr., Wesley Chapel Beach, FL 33543 bawhitney@juno.com
Georgia: Georgia State Poetry Society, Ron Self, Box 751, Columbus, GA 60513 smrws@aol.com
Illinois: Illinois State Poetry Society, John Quinn, 9500 Henrietta, Brookfield, IL 60513 quinn70@comcast.net
Indiana: Indiana State Federation of Poetry Clubs, Michael Strosahl, 2307 North A St., Elwood, IN 46036 Mes.wordsmith@prodigy.net
Iowa: Iowa Poetry Association, Jerry Ferrell (Pres.), 2801 61st Street, Des Moines, IA 50322 jerryferrell@mchsi.com
Kentucky: Kentucky State Poetry Society, A. Carol Scott, 190 Woodcrest Rd., Grayson, KY 41143 cscott@kcu.edu
Louisiana: Louisiana State Poetry Society, Pat Juelg, 12972 Arlingford Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 patsjuelg@cox.net
Maine: Maine Poetry Society, Maggie & Marta Finch, Co-Presidents, Maggie Finch 1463 Washington Street, Bath, ME 04530 Marta's email: moimarta@comcast.com
Massachusetts: Massachusetts State Poetry Society, Jeanette Maes, 64 Harrison Ave., Lynn, MA 01905 msps.jcmaes@comcast.net
Michigan: Poetry Society of Michigan, Andrew Christ, 2217 Tennessee St., Midland, MI 48642 riverjunctionpoets@gmail.com
Minnesota: League of Minnesota Poets, Charmaine Donovan, 18755 Tracside Rd., North Brenard, MN 56401 doubledranch@charter.net
Mississippi: Mississippi Poetry Society, Ann Carolyn Cates, 7471 Greenbrook Parkway, Southhaven, MS 38671 abbbccates@aik.cin
Missouri: Missouri State Poetry Society, Velvet Fackeldey, P.O. Box 1667, Lebanon, MO velpoet@yahoo.com
Nebraska: Nebraska State Poetry Society. Mary L. Maas, 601 Ivy St., Stanton, NE 68779 cjmaas@stanton.net
Nevada: Nevada Poetry Society, Sam Wood, P.O. Box 7014, Reno, NV 89510
New Hampshire: Poetry Society of New Hampshire, Patricia L. Frisella, 31 Reservoir Rd., Farmington, NH 03835 Frisella@worldpath.net
New Jersey: New Jersey Poetry Society, Edith Kaltovich, 12 Rydal Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 luciakalt@aol.com
New Mexico: New Mexico State Poetry Society, George L. Forrest, 14 la Mirada Loop, Beden, NM 87002 Gforrestiffin@msn.com
New York: New York Poetry Forum, Daniel Fernandez, 3604 Avenue S., Brooklyn, NY 11234
Ohio: Ohio Poetry Association, Doug Rutledge, 3510 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214
Oklahoma: Poetry Society of Oklahoma, Vivian R. Stewart,
8920 Sheringham Dr., Oklahoma City, OK Vivirustew@aol.com
Oregon:Oregon State Poetry Association, Sharon Roso, 10148 N. Allegheny, Portland, OR 97203 sjroso@earthlink.com
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Poetry Society, De Anna Spurlock, 110 S. Bedford St., Carlisle, PA 17013 despur@comcast.net
South Dakota: So. Dakota State Poetry Society, Cindy Stupnik, 1300 17th St. NE, Watertown, SD 57201
Tennessee: Poetry Society of Tennessee, Russell Strauss, 18 S. Rembert St., Memphis, TN 38104 rstrpoet@cs.com
Texas: Poetry Society of Texas, Marilyn J. Stacy, 7231 Alto Caro Dr., Dallas, TX 75248 dallasstacy@sbcglobal.net
Utah: Utah State Poetry Society, Vera Ogden Bakker, 784 W. 1400 North, West Bountiful, UT 84087 vera@xmission.com
West Virginia: West Virginia Poetry Society, Holly Cross, P.O. Box 295, Nitro, WV 25135 wvpoetry@yahoo.com
Wyoming: WyoPoets, Myra Peak, Box 404, 2200 Mississippi St., Green River, WY 82935 myra@peakenvironmental.com

STROPHES

The newsletter of NFSPS is published four times a year: August, October, January and April. Next deadline for news in hand is February 25th. Please get your news in on time.Caroline Walton 6176 W. Pinedale Circle Crystal River, Florida 34429 carowaltonb@tampabay.rr.com

About Strophies
Strophies is available without cost to all paid-up members of state societies when mailed in bulk to the president or other designated person. Individual subscriptions are $5 a year to cover handling costs. Special orders are mailed separately from the regular mailing. Single copies to individuals are $1, include a #10 SASE, specify issue. Each state president should appoint a reporter responsible for sending state news for each issue of Strophies. Please keep items to special highlights in order to leave room for other states ~ State Presidents! Please be sure to send to Strophies Editor the name and address of your state distributor and number of copies you require for your next issue. This is very important! Thank you…

Attention Strophies Reporters

Please notice deadlines. Email flies faster than snail mail and is easy for you to send me your reports that way. The 25th of the month is even a tight date because the information must be compiled, corrections made, taken to the printers and proofed, all before being packaged and sent out to you. It is a big job and I appreciate you all helping to make it run smoothly. Thanks for your understanding.
…Caroline Walton

Past NFSPS Presidents * Cecilia Parsons Miller * Jack Murphy * Clinton Larson * Barbara Stevens * Robert D. West * Henrietta Kroah * Edna Meudt * Jerry Robbins * Marvin Davis Winsett Pat Stodghill * Max Golightly Wanda Blaisdell * Hans Juergensen Ralph Hammond * Russell Ferrall Amy Jo Zook Jean Jenkins Susan S. Chambers * Catherine Case Lubbe Clarence P. Socwell Glenn Swetman Madelyn Eastlund * Carl Morton Budd Powell Mahan * Alice Briley Doris Stengel * Wauneta Hackleman *denotes deceased<p>

"A SUPERIOR CONVENTION"
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FEATURED SPEAKERS
CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM
INVOCATIONAL POEMS CONTEST

NEWS OF NFSPS STATE SOCIETIES

"If you don't like something, change it
If you can't change it, change your attitude
Don't complain."

   Maya Angelou

ARTICLE BY LUCILLE MORGAN WILSON

Speaking of Dollar$

   I have already personally expressed my gratitude to former treasurer, John Ottley, for the careful and comprehensive way I was eased into being your treasurer. It took several weeks for all outstanding checks to clear and all funds transferred, but now almost six months into the job, I have some overall perspective of the financial status of NFSPS.
   One of my first major concerns was the Manningham Fund. When Sam Wood's generous contributions climaxed to bring the fund to the $20,000.00 level in 1996, it was with the expressed desire that interest earnings only be used to provide the prizes. With the drastic drop in interest rates and rising printing and postage costs, we have been losing ground. I am relieved and delighted - as is Sam - that the $1.00 per member increase voted by delegates in the plenary session last June will enable us to keep faith with Sam's desire while going ahead with a program that provides opportunity and encouragement for young poets - those who will take up the torch for the art of poetry tomorrow. Dues have been received from a number of states. Others will be come in soon to make members eligible for the special contest entry rate. The increase in state dues, from the present $2.00 per member to $3.00 per member goes into effect July 1, 2009. This minimal amount, spread over all NFSPS members, will bolster our organization in general and the Manningham Fund in particular.
   Our pride in NFSPS is justified. We are not focused on self-sustenance, but look toward the future. Those who have gone before, whose gifts, or whose memorials, have made possible the benefits we enjoy, must be proud of us, too. Whether you are sponsoring categories in the annual contest, making special contributions in other ways, or simply paying your dues in a timely manner, you are a part of what keeps NFSPS moving forward.
                                                                                                                              Lucille Morgan Wilson, Treasurer

CRITIQUE SESSIONS TO BE HELD AT CONVENTION

One of our sessions will involve critiquing of poems of attendees at convention, Our workshop leaders will select 5 to 10 poems to highlight during the session, but all poems submitted will get a written critique. Submit your poem on or before May 1, 2009. No more than 24 lines, on the left side designate the type of poem "free verse" "sonnet", etc., 2 copies, one with name and address, one without identification. Poems will be returned at the end of the session. You must be attending convention to submit.
Mail to: Susan Stevens Chambers, 57310 166th Lane, Good Thunder, MN 56037.
Electronic submissions welcomed:
Schambersmediator@yahoo.com (in RE: line please identify it as a critique poem submission.)

"You are never too old to set another
goal or to dream a new dream"
C. S. Lewis

CONTESTS

Missouri State Poetry Society Winter Contest
Deadline: Postmark February 15th. Two copies of each entry; category number and name in upper left corner of both copies, poet's name and address in upper right corner of one copy. If member, put "Missouri State Poetry Society" below your address, otherwise put "non-member". 40 or fewer lines. May be previously published if poet retains rights to the poem; may enter each category as many times as poet wishes. Categories: 1) rhymed verse or blank verse, 2) free verse, 3) Humorous verse, 4) any form, winter subject 5) poet's choice (any form any subject). Members pay $1 for two entries; non-members pay $1 per entry. Payable to: MSPS. Send to Bill Lower, 21010 S. Hwy 245, Fair Play, MO 65649. SASE or email address on A 3x5 index card for list of winners.

Alabama State Poetry Society 2009 Spring Poetry Competition
Multiple categories. Entries $1/$3 for members/non-members. Send SASE to Donna Jean Tennis, ASPS Editor, P. O. Box 230787, Montgomery, AL 36123. You may also find guidelines on the ASPS website: www.alabamapoets.org or email: poettennis@bellsouth.net and give your physical address. We'll supply the stamp.

Florida State Poets 2009 Contest
25 categories, deadline: July 15, 2009. Send SASE to: Coleen T. Ward, 955 Thompson Court, Melbourne, FL 32955-4146 for contest flyer.

Ohio Poetry Day Contests
Open in March and end on May 31st. Anyone who has not entered since 2005 will need to send SASE to May Jo Zook, 3520 St. Rte. 56, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044 for rules, which will also be posted on the web site of the Ohio Poetry Association in the Spring. Entry fee is $10 inclusive, and you must have rules flyer and entry blank to know the categories.

Massachusetts State Poetry Society
Contests open to all poets. Poets may enter as many poems as they wish but only one prize may be won by any poet. Entry Fee is $3 per poem. Send two copies of each poem - one with name and address and one with no ID for judge. The Gertrude Dole Memorial Award: Subject and form Poet's choice, line limit 40 lines, poem must not have been previously published or have won any prize. Prizes: $25, $15, $10. Deadline" March 15th. Send entries to: Gertrude Callis, Contest Chm., 10 Pleasant St. Apt. 106, Lynn, MA 01902. Mark name of contest on envelope.

Utah State Poetry Society, Inc., 2009Contest
Postmark Deadline, February 2, 2009. The contest includes 41 categories, a number of which are open to poets who are not members of USPS. For complete contest rules and category descriptions please see our website: www.utahpoets.com

ATTENTION STATE POETRY SOCIETY PRESIDENTS!
Please send a current member list for NFSPS contests to Contest Chair Christina Beck, 90 High Farms Road, W. Hartford, CT 06107.

EDITORS NOTE
All States, please send changes made of new presidents with their addresses and emails, I would like to have all our state presidents represented correctly and thank you all for catching my "boo-boo's." Another request is for the correct addresses for the members that receive Strophes bundles and the updated numbers needed. The printer and I would both appreciate that in order to get Strophes to all. So sorry you have had problems contacting me, my email service was changed too late to correct in the last issue, the correct email is carolinewalton@embarqmail.com. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding.