Belizean Poets Society (Archive)

Belizean Poets SocietyBelizean Poets Society

Report 2005-2006Report 2005-2006

Belizean Poets are importantBelizean Poets are important

……they wrap her body they wrap her body

in poetic verse in poetic verse

and soothe her painand soothe her pain

With they lyrical rhymes…”With they lyrical rhymes…”

- - Poets Healing BelizePoets Healing Belize

MISSIONMISSION

““To enhance and harness poetic To enhance and harness poetic skills among Belizean poets, skills among Belizean poets, foster the development of the art foster the development of the art of poetry, and promote its of poetry, and promote its appreciation among Belizeans.”appreciation among Belizeans.”

VISIONVISION

To become the leading promoter To become the leading promoter of Belizean poets and their of Belizean poets and their work.work.

GOALSGOALS

To address and promote the interests of Belizeans.To address and promote the interests of Belizeans.

To generate great poets in Belize, fostering reading To generate great poets in Belize, fostering reading and writing skills of Belizeans, young and old, while and writing skills of Belizeans, young and old, while uniting them for one common good—poetry.uniting them for one common good—poetry.

To promote awareness on issues affecting our To promote awareness on issues affecting our country by being an active voice in the community, country by being an active voice in the community, to bring about positive change.to bring about positive change.

To collaborate with other societies, organizations, To collaborate with other societies, organizations, agencies and/or groups relating to poetry, both agencies and/or groups relating to poetry, both locally and internationally.locally and internationally.

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

To have workshops and poetry contests, in order to To have workshops and poetry contests, in order to attract and highlight creative and talented Belizeans.attract and highlight creative and talented Belizeans.

To raise funds, solicit sponsorships and financing, and To raise funds, solicit sponsorships and financing, and conduct business in the name of and for the benefit of the conduct business in the name of and for the benefit of the society and its cause.society and its cause.

To actively promote the use of poetry as a positive To actively promote the use of poetry as a positive alternative to vent frustration and as a means of alternative to vent frustration and as a means of empowering individuals to express themselves.empowering individuals to express themselves.

To acquire and preserve any form of poetic and literary To acquire and preserve any form of poetic and literary works.works.

To support authors in the production and publication of To support authors in the production and publication of their works, and in the promotion and sale of their works, their works, and in the promotion and sale of their works, both regionally and internationally.both regionally and internationally.

Our OriginOur Origin

The Belizean Poets Society is a The Belizean Poets Society is a registered nonprofit organization registered nonprofit organization formed for the advancement of formed for the advancement of Belizean poets and poetry in Belizean poets and poetry in Belize. Several poets had Belize. Several poets had expressed the idea of establishing expressed the idea of establishing an organization for poets. The an organization for poets. The idea came to life in September idea came to life in September 2005, when a group of 6 poets 2005, when a group of 6 poets formed the Belizean Poets Society formed the Belizean Poets Society (BPS).(BPS).

Our FoundersOur Founders

1.1. Adele Ramos-Daly, president Adele Ramos-Daly, president & secretary & secretary

2.2. Ansel West, first vice presidentAnsel West, first vice president

3.3. Margaret Arana, second vice Margaret Arana, second vice presidentpresident

4.4. Edward Broaster, treasurerEdward Broaster, treasurer

5.5. Erwin X, vice treasurer Erwin X, vice treasurer

6.6. Orson Elrington, vice secretaryOrson Elrington, vice secretary

BPS Organizational PyramidBPS Organizational Pyramid

Executive(6 Directors)

Standing Committees(4 Chairpersons)

All BPS members

Standing CommitteesStanding Committees

EVENTS COMMITTEEEVENTS COMMITTEE

Role: Role: To organize BPS poetry and To organize BPS poetry and poetry-related events, such as poetry-related events, such as shows, workshops, etc.shows, workshops, etc.

In charge of making logistical In charge of making logistical arrangements, such as booking arrangements, such as booking

venues; arranging for presenters, venues; arranging for presenters, performers, emcees; ensuring performers, emcees; ensuring

technical requirements are met; etc.technical requirements are met; etc.


FUNDRAISING COMMITTEEFUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

Role: Role: To raise funds either via sale of To raise funds either via sale of tickets, BPS products, member tickets, BPS products, member performances; or soliciting from performances; or soliciting from donors and sponsors.donors and sponsors.

Can do dances, bake sales, etc., to Can do dances, bake sales, etc., to generate continuous revenue stream generate continuous revenue stream for BPS.for BPS.


Publicity/PR COMMITTEEPublicity/PR COMMITTEE

Role: Role: To publicize BPS events; to To publicize BPS events; to publicize the work of BPS in the publicize the work of BPS in the community; to promote the work of community; to promote the work of Belizean Poets, especially members; Belizean Poets, especially members; to foster a strong relationship to foster a strong relationship between BPS and the media; to between BPS and the media; to foster a strong relationship between foster a strong relationship between BPS and the community.BPS and the community.


MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEEMEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Role: To keep members abreast of the Role: To keep members abreast of the happenings inside BPS; to ensure happenings inside BPS; to ensure members receive notification of meetings members receive notification of meetings and events; to encourage stronger and events; to encourage stronger participation of members; to keep track of participation of members; to keep track of the standing of members and remind them the standing of members and remind them to keep dues are up to date; to review the to keep dues are up to date; to review the contributions and performance of contributions and performance of members; to grant awards and sanctions members; to grant awards and sanctions where applicable.where applicable.


Events CommitteeEvents CommitteeChairperson: Chairperson: Ritamae HydeRitamae HydeOther members: Other members: Jahseed XJahseed X Jamie YearwoodJamie Yearwood Wilford XWilford X Delanni ThurtonDelanni Thurton Ansel WestAnsel West Erwin XErwin X Adele Ramos-DalyAdele Ramos-Daly


PR/Publicity PR/Publicity Chairperson:Chairperson:Orson ElringtonOrson ElringtonOther members:Other members: Jahseed XJahseed X Kalilah EnriquezKalilah Enriquez Wilford XWilford X Ian CachoIan Cacho Ansel WestAnsel West Carolyn WilliamsCarolyn Williams Adele Ramos-DalyAdele Ramos-Daly Ruth ReneauRuth Reneau


FundraisingFundraisingChairperson: Chairperson: Ruth ReneauRuth ReneauOther members:Other members: Kevin EverettKevin Everett Ian CachoIan Cacho Ansel WestAnsel West Carrie FairweatherCarrie Fairweather Carol MartinCarol Martin Dr. Corinth Morter-LewisDr. Corinth Morter-Lewis Rachel Sedacy.Rachel Sedacy.


MembershipMembershipChairperson: Chairperson: Rita SedacyRita SedacyOther members: Other members: Ansel WestAnsel West Erwin XErwin X Carrie FairweatherCarrie Fairweather Dr. Corinth Morter-LewisDr. Corinth Morter-Lewis Leonora FlowersLeonora Flowers Kalilah EnriquezKalilah Enriquez Rachel SedacyRachel Sedacy

FRAMEWORK OF THE BPSFRAMEWORK OF THE BPS

Scope of Work:Scope of Work: ApoliticalApolitical Encourage and award excellence Encourage and award excellence

among both new and established among both new and established poetspoets

Address freedom of speech issuesAddress freedom of speech issues Educate people on Constitutional Educate people on Constitutional

RightsRights Create and expand networks: Create and expand networks:

regional and internationalregional and international Pursue fellowship opportunitiesPursue fellowship opportunities


Activities:Activities: ConferencesConferences Contests/CompetitionsContests/Competitions FestivalsFestivals BPS StoreBPS Store Annual Awards CeremonyAnnual Awards Ceremony Poetry ReadingsPoetry Readings SeminarsSeminars DisplaysDisplays Presentations by distinguished poetsPresentations by distinguished poets Membership meetings and forumsMembership meetings and forums


Radio Show/TV ShowRadio Show/TV Show Poetry journal/newsletterPoetry journal/newsletter WebsiteWebsite Establish National Poetry Establish National Poetry

Week/MonthWeek/Month Establish a vast repository of Establish a vast repository of

Belizean poetryBelizean poetry Poetry in schools program – free Poetry in schools program – free

lessons for teachers, for example.lessons for teachers, for example.

IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTSIMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS

At this event, the At this event, the winners of the first winners of the first ever Belizean Poets ever Belizean Poets Contest were Contest were announced. Five poets announced. Five poets were awarded: Erwix were awarded: Erwix X - first place, Kalilah X - first place, Kalilah Enriquez - second Enriquez - second place, Therese Young-place, Therese Young-Belisle - third place. Belisle - third place. Best New Female Best New Female Poet was Frances Poet was Frances Richards and Best Richards and Best New Male Poet was New Male Poet was N’Jah (Jason Daly)N’Jah (Jason Daly)

September 8, 2005 - Youth of the Bay, Lyrical Lounge Special Edition


This show featured over 30 artists This show featured over 30 artists from across Belize who from across Belize who volunteered their talent to help volunteered their talent to help the BPS raise funds. There was the BPS raise funds. There was an overwhelming show of an overwhelming show of support from the artistic and support from the artistic and business community. Poets business community. Poets enjoyed themselves and showed enjoyed themselves and showed Belizeans how diverse and Belizeans how diverse and exciting poetry can be.exciting poetry can be.

April 7, 2006 - Lik It! The first annual festival of April 7, 2006 - Lik It! The first annual festival of poetry, music dance and drama by BPSpoetry, music dance and drama by BPS


The first training The first training workshop of the workshop of the Belizean Poets Belizean Poets Society was Society was attended by 11 attended by 11 members and 4 members and 4 non-members. The non-members. The facilitators were facilitators were excellent and excellent and participants gave participants gave them and them and organizers rave organizers rave reviews.reviews.

August 26, 2006 - Creating and Dramatizing Poetry WorkshopAugust 26, 2006 - Creating and Dramatizing Poetry Workshop


WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONS (15) WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONS (15)

Who participated?Who participated? Members: Members: 1111 Non-members: Non-members: 44

Have they ever participated a poetry Have they ever participated a poetry workshop?workshop?

Yes: Yes: 22 No: No: 1313

How did they learn of the workshop?How did they learn of the workshop? Through BPS (meeting, e-mails, word of Through BPS (meeting, e-mails, word of

mouth): mouth): 1212 Through the media (radio, television, etc): Through the media (radio, television, etc): 33

IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTSIMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTSWORKSHOP EVALUATIONS (12)WORKSHOP EVALUATIONS (12)

1. Did you understand the presentation by the facilitators?1. Did you understand the presentation by the facilitators? 100% (12 of 12) said they fully understand.100% (12 of 12) said they fully understand.

2. What benefit did you derive from the presentation?2. What benefit did you derive from the presentation? 83% (10 of 12) said they had gained better insight into 83% (10 of 12) said they had gained better insight into

writing poetry, 7% (1 of 12) said reasonably improved writing poetry, 7% (1 of 12) said reasonably improved insight. One person did not mark an option.insight. One person did not mark an option.

4. How effective were the facilitators?4. How effective were the facilitators? 92% (11 of 12) said very effective; 8% (1 of 12) said fairly 92% (11 of 12) said very effective; 8% (1 of 12) said fairly

effective.effective.

5. Would you attend another training workshop by BPS?5. Would you attend another training workshop by BPS? 92% (11 of 12) said definitely; 8% (1 of 12) said perhaps.92% (11 of 12) said definitely; 8% (1 of 12) said perhaps.

6. Their take on the open forum:6. Their take on the open forum: 92% (11 of 12) said they definitely liked it; 8% (1 of 12) 92% (11 of 12) said they definitely liked it; 8% (1 of 12)

said they liked it somewhat.said they liked it somewhat.


Event 1: Belizean Poets Contest Event 1: Belizean Poets Contest and Showdownand Showdown

The contest was launched in The contest was launched in late July and finalists were late July and finalists were asked to perform in round 2 asked to perform in round 2 of the competition, at the of the competition, at the Belizean Poets Showdown, Belizean Poets Showdown, held at the Bliss Center of held at the Bliss Center of the Performing Arts on the Performing Arts on Wednesday, September 6. Wednesday, September 6.

There were three winners in There were three winners in three categories who were three categories who were judged cumulatively on their judged cumulatively on their written work and stage written work and stage performance.performance.

September 2006 - September Celebrations EventsSeptember 2006 - September Celebrations Events

For the first time, the Belizean Poets Society was For the first time, the Belizean Poets Society was included on the Official September Celebratios included on the Official September Celebratios Calendar.Calendar.


For one week, the works of a For one week, the works of a wide array of Belizean wide array of Belizean Poets, novices and veterans Poets, novices and veterans alike, were featured in an alike, were featured in an audio-visual exhibit at the audio-visual exhibit at the Bliss Center’s Rotunda. The Bliss Center’s Rotunda. The exhibit was free and open to exhibit was free and open to the public. It culminated with the public. It culminated with a special session for pre-a special session for pre-school children, who school children, who listened to readings by Miss listened to readings by Miss Belize World -Felicita Arzu.Belize World -Felicita Arzu.

The exhibit was put together The exhibit was put together by Gilvano Swasey of the by Gilvano Swasey of the Image Factory Art Image Factory Art Foundation. Foundation.

The National Library The National Library Service, Thurton Library Service, Thurton Library Center, also contributed Center, also contributed some of their pieces for the some of their pieces for the display.display.

Event 2: Belizean Poets Event 2: Belizean Poets ExhibitExhibit

September 2006 - September Celebrations EventsSeptember 2006 - September Celebrations Events

LOOKING FORWARDLOOKING FORWARD

Suggestions for future developmentSuggestions for future development

Network with International Poets Society and Network with International Poets Society and other regional and international organizationsother regional and international organizations

Make annual calendar of eventsMake annual calendar of events

Fundraising committee needs to be more Fundraising committee needs to be more active in raising fundsactive in raising funds

Set up donation box for members who want to Set up donation box for members who want to contribute at meetingscontribute at meetings

Encourage greater support from membersEncourage greater support from members

LOOOKING FORWARDLOOOKING FORWARD


Get the districts involvedGet the districts involved

Strengthen publicityStrengthen publicity

Write invitations to schools for eventsWrite invitations to schools for events

Get professional help in advertising and Get professional help in advertising and promotionpromotion

Make more use of the Internet to promote Make more use of the Internet to promote ourselvesourselves

LOOKING FORWARDLOOKING FORWARD


Acquire our own TV and DVD player for Acquire our own TV and DVD player for public eventspublic events

Source sponsors for students and others Source sponsors for students and others who cannot afford to pay membership fees.who cannot afford to pay membership fees.

Set up table in front of Brodies on Set up table in front of Brodies on weekends to sell BPS poetry books, etc.weekends to sell BPS poetry books, etc.

FUTURE EVENTSFUTURE EVENTS

Retreat for membersRetreat for members

December Show: December Show: It Happened It Happened in Belizein Belize

Regular Poetry ShowRegular Poetry Show

FUTURE TRAININGFUTURE TRAINING

Information TechnologyInformation Technology

Self PublishingSelf Publishing

Studio RecordingStudio Recording

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

Any questions?Any questions?

Entertainment & Humor

Belizean Poets Society (Archive)