Membership, Modesty, and Mentors – Celebrating 20 Years with NFPW

By Terry Haycock, 1st Vice President for Membership

This year marks my 20th anniversary as a member of NPFW through two state groups. In 2002, while working with other colleagues at Association Forum of Chicagoland, one of the members suggested I get in touch with Cecilia Green and join the Illinois Woman’s Press Association. She said I would love it, and she was right! I became friends with Cecilia and joined. We rode the train into the city once a month for meetings where I met many fascinating women with eclectic experiences and wisdom. I was warmly welcomed and soon began writing meeting recaps for the newsletter. In 2003, I served as secretary of the board and from 2004–2011 as newsletter editor.

I have always loved stories, and the IWPA members provided many of them. One of my favorite members is Marlene Cook, the historian and longtime member, whose modesty amazed me. She attested that she was “just a housewife who wrote about things about the community.” She had garnered many awards but remained so modest. This has been my experience with many members of IWPA and VPC. Often the most accomplished members are those who encourage others. It has been through listening to their stories and writing member profiles that I have learned of those accomplishments.

IWPA hosted the national convention in 2010; I served on the local committee, met members from across the country, and found that same dedication to writing, camaraderie, and sense of adventure.

When I retired to Virginia in 2018, Cecilia said, “You have to join the Virginia group! They are great. I think they have a meeting in December. I’ll send you the link to their website and contact Cynthia Price.” When I went to the meeting, I was as warmly welcomed as I had been in Chicago. At the spring awards luncheon meeting, we participated in an exercise that briefly let others know something about our personal as well as professional lives. We were all interested in each other’s stories. I took a deep breath and volunteered to write profiles for Galley Pruf. It was the perfect way to meet other members. Their stories are diverse and fascinating and a joy to write.

Both before and after retirement, I have enjoyed the professional aspects of these groups in terms of learning from conferences, attending, workshops, and serving on the boards, which helped my earlier career.

Terry Haycock on 20+ years of NFPW membership + two state affiliates

Last year, I interviewed Gwen Woolf for GP and later asked her if she would be my copy editor for the profiles. She said yes, and each time I submit something, her observations, always on target, make me a better writer.

Both before and after retirement, I have enjoyed the professional aspects of these groups in terms of learning from conferences, attending, workshops, and serving on the boards, which helped my earlier career.

Membership in VPC has enlightened and enriched so many of us. Regardless of political preference, genre, and various diversities, we are a group of writers who encourage and celebrate our accomplishments and share the challenges that come our way. The board will soon announce event plans for the fall season. Plan to attend to see those you know and those you would like to meet. You never know what adventure lies ahead.