Poet Laureate
History thus far:
Two motions were passed (Spring meeting '06 and December meeting '06) to investigate the creation of an Ohio Poet Laureate position. A third motion was passed at the March 3, 2007 membership meeting. It reads as follows:

Motion to approve the following:

  1. The Ohio Poetry Association (OPA) shall be responsible for developing the guidelines, criteria, and selection process for the Ohio Poet Laureate.
  2. OPA may request support and input from other individuals and groups.
  3. OPA accepts the generous offer of name withheld at this time to fund the financial rewards and to assist financially with the planning and marketing phases.
  4. The selected Laureate must be a current resident in Ohio.
  5. The length of term, at least initially, shall be two (2) years.
An Poet Laureate Team was formed consisting of Bob Casey, The Ohio Poetry Association President; Norah Holt, Vice President; Anna Soter, Treasurer; Jack Burgess, member; Sandra Feen, member; and Jeanni Ray, member. The group has met three times developing basic guidelines and generating ideas. Also, extensive research was done on what is happening in other states. Bob Casey met with the benefactor twice during that time. The meetings occurred on February 26, March 31, and May 8. At the last meeting the Team decided that additional information needed to be collected if we were successfully to move ahead. First, the membership at large would be surveyed regarding its support of the process – more help is needed. Secondly, if the membership supports moving ahead, then other organizations will be surveyed to receive their input and garner support. No additional meetings are scheduled until the member survey is complete.
Tabled

At the last meeting on September 15, 2007, based upon the recommendation of the Laureate Team, the members voted to table further work on the Ohio Poet Laureate Project due to capacity issues. The Team believed that too much work needed to be done without the necessary personnel to make the project happen. The Team also recommended that a committee be formed to look into creating a youth poetry project that would go beyond the current youth poetry contest. That concept was passed by the members present.
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