President Buttram opened the meeting at 3:00 pm, first presenting a token of appreciation to outgoing president Austin Camacho for his service to the Club. He asked Austin to introduce the guest speaker, Khris Baxter, a local screenwriter.

Mr. Baxter provided handouts and lectured on the topics of Screenwriting Resources, Three-Act Structure, Adaptation, and exercises for Cinematic Writing.

Upon completion of Mr. Baxter’s presentation, Mr. Buttram returned to the business agenda, circulating a draft budget for 2009 indicating expected income from annual dues, a book-signing event in June, and a writing workshop in September. Expenses include speaker expenses for February, June and October meetings, web site maintenance and administrative expenses. A small balance would carry over into 2010.

Austin Camacho announced the Virginia Festival of the Book to be held in Charlottesville on March 22. Writers will have an opportunity to market their books there.

Mr. Buttram called for a motion to amend the by-laws to create the position of Secretary to carry out the important function of communication for the chapter. The motion was made and seconded, and a unanimous vote placed in favor of the amendment. Nominations were opened for the position, and Don Collier received a nomination, a second and a unanimous vote as the new Secretary.

Mr. Buttram circulated a flyer to announce the Northern Virginia Writers Club Chapter Book Signing on a June date to be determined at the Busboys & Poets Coffeehouse/Bookstore in Arlington. Ten tables will be sold by NOVA WC at $25 per table for members and $40 for non-members. NOVA WC will also receive 15% of gross sales from all tables. Confirmed writers are Austin Camacho, Solveig Eggerz, Rick Latoff, Jamey Long and Larry Buttram. Methods of advertising the event were discussed.

New members introduced themselves, and Hilary Freer reported from a meeting of the Development Committee where fundraising options were discussed. A survey of members is planned to collect ideas for future meeting agendas and available skill sets.

Mr. Buttram announced that the April 26 meeting would feature a talk by Dr. Atwater, a woman among the first to write about near-death experiences. Time and other details will be distributed later.

Wendell Dreier reported that the May meeting may be held at GWU, Old Town, where the staff is promoting a new curriculum for publishers, and that the probable date is May 17. Following that discussion, the meeting adjourned.