Meeting Minutes from January 11, 2026

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National Writers Union Oregon Chapter Meeting Minutes, Sunday, January 11, 2026

Welcome and conversation: Lura Frazey, Martin Hart-Landsberg, Michael Funke, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Kacey Carpenter

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:11 pm. 

Approval of Minutes November 9 2025

Treasurer’s report

  • Lura shared our current chapter balance: $7,873
  • Update provided that the National Treasurer is currently on leave while the National Excom conducts an audit and review of financial records.

NWU Updates

Delegate Assembly

  • The next quarterly meeting of the Delegate Assembly is Saturday January 31. The chapter has four representatives. Delegates: Bob Rossi, Shane Burley, Jim Smith, Marty Hart-Landsberg.  Alternate: Lura Frazey. Due to a scheduling conflict, Lura will represent Marty at the next meeting.
  • Every member is welcome to attend. Register here! While only delegates and national officers can vote, all members can participate in discussions on resolutions or other agenda items. 

Affiliation Updates

  • Conversations continue on a potential affiliation with News Guild-CWA 
  • Michael shared that the AFL-CIO temporary status will continue with ongoing meetings to explore qualification and listing of affiliation membership. 
  • Discussion on the AFL-CIO per-cap dues and our chapter payment process was clarified:
  • The Chapter Chair (Marty) receives the statement.
  • The statement is shared with Lura.
  • Lura coordinates with the Treasurer to ensure payment is completed.=
  • Kacey posted on Google Drive.

Announcement of Chapter election results

  • Marty Hart-Landsberg, President; Kacey Carpenter, Secretary; Lura Frazey, Treasurer; Zachariah O’Keeffe, Steering Committee 
  • Nominations opened for two weeks in November. The online election was held for three weeks in December with the Oregon Chapter elected leaders.
  • A write-in nomination for an additional Steering Committee member was submitted. That individual has not responded to communications to confirm interest in the role. Additional elections or appointments may be held in the future if interest arises.

Recent chapter activities:

  • Springfield Library Support: Letter of support written in support of local community members fighting to maintain staffing and hours at the Springfield, Oregon, public library. The letter and social media amplification contributed to a strong turnout at the December 8 City Council hearing, where community members spoke in favor of maintaining library services. The city has proposed a 0.1% payroll tax; advocates noted that an additional 0.01% would sustain the library’s already lowest-per-capita-funded budget in the state. A vote is expected in late January or early February, with FY27 budget decisions, including a proposed $500,000 cut, scheduled for April–June. The library reports progress toward increased funding in 2026 and will keep the chapter informed. 
  • Presence at Powell’s Books on Burnside, Portland. Jonathan Rosenbloom shared his book and Marty and Kacey attended the event with our sign, bookmarks, and a clipboard to sign up supporters. 

2026 Planning Proposals

  • Events and Database (Zachariah) Develop an events calendar where we can have representatives to connect with potential members, especially at College Campus events
    • Creation of a centralized events calendar and database, including:
    • Goal is to increase in-person programming, building on past efforts such as:
      • Willamette Writers Fair
      • Eugene bookstore meeting
    • Zachariah is also developing a list of journalists and llist of relevant organizations
  • Postcard Pilot Project (Kacey)
    • Create postcards highlighting chapter authors to distribute to promote visibility of member works and our chapter.Built on a postcard design previously created by Jim Smith, the piece will be double-sided: one side highlighting National Writers Union involvement and the other featuring Oregon chapter writers in action. A separate email will invite members to participate. A draft will be shared with members for feedback before being sent to the union printer. Targeted communications will use clear subject lines and calls to action. Lura obtained a printing quote from Morel Inc. for $252. Budget approval is required, as this exceeds the $100 threshold, including printing and mailing costs.
  • Digital and Social Marketing Pilot: Discuss hiring a social media intern
    • Zachariah asked about how this will work and our marketing strategy.
    • Kacey proposed creating a paid social media and digital marketing internship or project-based role, not a full-time position.
  • Estimated scope: 10 weeks, 3–5 hours per week, Compensation aligned with FSP rates
  • Responsibilities would include: Developing a social media strategy, executing before, during, and after campaigns for events, increasing engagement and website traffic
  • Candidate recruitment could occur within the chapter or broader community.

Defend the Free Press Town Hall Webinar Update

  • Marty shared a summary of a recent National Writers Union NewsGuild webinar he attended.
  • Highlights included:
    • Journalists injured while reporting, including being struck by rubber bullets
    • Discussion of neutrality and safety in journalism
    • An update on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike, which ended following legal rulings, though the paper subsequently closed.
  • The full recording is now available on YouTube, as well as an article recap. Share it with your friends and family who were not able to make it, and remember to sign our petition to Congress to protect the Free Press!

Other Business

  • Michael suggested exploring the possibility of sponsoring subscriptions to the Northwest Labor Press as a member benefit. Members discussed this as a potential value-add for membership recruitment and retention. The idea will be revisited at the March meeting.
  • Kacey noted alignment with partnerships such as libraries and labor press organizations.

Zachariah also noted ongoing work to:

  • Build a list of NewsGuild members in Oregon
  • Explore opportunities for collaboration with NewsGuild affiliates

Next Meeting

  • Sunday, March 8, 2026
  • Note: This date coincides with Daylight Saving Time.
  • Special communication will be sent to clarify the meeting time.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:11 PM.