© Thames Valley Writers’ Circle
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How It All Began
The founders of the TVWC, Barbara Smith, Dorothy Winters and
Joyce Robinson, met on a creative writing course. Not wishing to
lose contact with each other at the end of the course, they joined a
group of writers based at the Wilson Centre in Reading. It was felt
that there was a problem in that, if anyone was sick or went on
holiday, it was several weeks before they got together again.
After some discussion, they decided to set up a separate group, meeting weekly. So,
the Thames Valley Writers' Circle came into being in 1993.
Barbara lead our Circle until her death in April 2020.
Our Constitution
1.
The Circle is open to all adults (18 and over), who live or work in Reading, its
surrounding areas and to corresponding members.
2.
The aim of the Circle is to stimulate, encourage and enable all those who
wish to write for their own enjoyment and/or to publish their work.
3.
Membership of the Circle shall be subject to the approval of the Committee
holding post at the time, to the rules of the venue and the payment of the
attendance fee.
4.
Fees are determined in relation to the charges of hiring the venue for use of
its accommodation and amenities. Payment will only be made on
attendance. The Circle retains the right to raise other funds for its
administrative costs.
5.
The Circle will hold a Bank/Building Society Account at the branch agreed
with the Treasurer at the time. The accounts will be inspected annually and
presented to an Annual Meeting for approval. The Annual Meeting will also
hear reports on the Circle's work during the year, appoint members to a
committee and consider resolutions which members wish to discuss. Notice
of these should be circulated at least two weeks in advance.
6.
The committee will consist of a Convener, Secretary, Treasurer and at least
three other members, one of whom shall have responsibility for publicity. The
Secretary will prepare a report each year for presentation at the Annual
General Meeting.
7.
The quorum for voting at an Annual Meeting shall be not less than 51% of
registered members. Registered members will be those who have attended
at least three meetings during the preceding 12 weeks. Other members may
attend but not vote.
8.
From time to time the committee may set up working groups to perform set
tasks: e.g. the preparation of an anthology or a collection. They may co-opt
members to the committee when necessary or appropriate.
9.
The constitution may be amended by resolution to the Annual General
Meeting if it is supported by at least two thirds of those members present
and able to vote. Such amendments should be with all members at least two
weeks prior to the meeting.
10.
The committee shall have power to act in the Circle's interest subject to
ratification by the members. A special meeting may be called either by the
committee or by request from at least five members and subject to notice of
two weeks.
The Committee
The Circle is overseen by a committee which is elected at the AGM, held on
the last meeting before the summer break. Below are the current members.
NAWG Affiliation
The Circle is a member of the National Association of Writers' Groups
(NAWG). This entitles members to free entry to annual NAWG
members’competitions as well as the opportunity to take part in the
annual NAWG conference and workshops with leading authors.
NAWG also helps member groups in a variety of ways as, for example,
they did in the Covid outbreak, by pulishing notes on how groups could
use Zoom for meetings.