© 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.
 
  
  
  
  
 