Get Involved

Wonderful poets and poetry enthusiasts,

This is just a tiny reminder about the 2nd Annual Vancouver International Poetry Festival and the 2nd Annual Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Championship this coming April 23rd through 28th 2012. Some of you may note that the festival is later on ion April. This is because we wish to align our schedule with the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival and the wonderful Banff Spoken Word Program so that we can collaborate in future years and so that potentially artists may attend both.

Attending poets, pass holders and tournament volunteers will receive a festival pass that will get poets into all events including the Vancouver Poetry Slam Team Finals on Monday April 23rd, Mashed Poetics on Tuesday April 24th and of course, the bouts, side events and workshops, and the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam Finals on Saturday April 28th.

Team will needs to tell us whether they’re sending a rep to Indies by February 1st. The opening for Storm Poets registration will be March 1st 2012. As of right now we will still be offering the travel subsidies and prize money (please see below for exact details) but we are unsure what will have in store with regards to workshops. Because we did not receive a dime from the Canada Council this year for the festival we will be looking at creative options to make this festival even better than last year’s.

Charles Hamilton will be back as tournament director. We will still be having a Haiku Death Match, a late night Nerd Slam, an Erotica show and a return of the poets brunch courtesy of Johnny MacRae and Steve Miller. The schedule will be trimmed down due to the Canada Council short fall but it should still be crazy fun and I’m going to bust my hump on the fundraising between now and then.

Again, this year we will have 38 open slots and 1 reserved for the returning champion Open Secret (should he wish to defend his championship) and 1 reserved for the Last Chance Slam on Wednesday April 25th.

All the venues will be on or around Commercial Drive, including our weekly home to the Vancouver Poetry Slam, Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial Drive) and our home away from home, The Rio Theatre (1660 E. Broadway at Commercial).

If you have specific questions that can’t wait, please shoot me an email at mcgarragle@gmail.com and include in the subject line either Canadian Indies or VIP.

I hope you’re all really well and hopefully we’ll see you soon or at least in April.

– Sean and the rest of the VIP team

1 Halifax Word Iz Bond $200.00

2 Montreal Throw Collective $150.00

3 Sherbrooke Poetry Slam $150.00

4 Ottawa Capital Slam $150.00

5 Ottawa Urban Legends $150.00

6 Lanark County Live Poets’ Society $150.00

7 Toronto Poetry Slam $150.00

8 Toronto Up From The Roots $150.00

9 London Poetry Slam $150.00

10 Kingston Poetry Slam $150.00

11 Burlington Slam Project $150.00

12 Peterborough Poetry Slam $150.00

13 Guelph Poetry Slam $150.00

14 Winnipeg Poetry Slam $100.00

15 Saskatoon Poetry Slam $100.00

16 Edmonton Poetry Slam $50.00

17 Calgary SLAM $50.00

18 Victoria Poetry Slam $25.00

19 Van Slam $25.00

20 Raw Canvas Slam $25.00

21 New West Slam $25.00

22 UBC Slam $25.00

Total $2,425

Prize Money

1st $1,000

2nd $500

3rd $400

4th $300

5th $250

Total $2,450.00

When: November 15th, 2011, 7pm–10pm

Where: Brittania Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street, signs to the specific room will be in the main outside area

Who: Anyone can attend. You are required to have attended at least four slams in the last 12 months to be eligible to vote.

facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228713283860218

discussion on VPH Forum: http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/forum/smf/index.php/topic,1731.0.html

Below is a message from Co-Slammaster, Sean McGarragle. He can be reached at: mcgarragle@gmail.com

On Tuesday November 15th, the Vancouver Poetry Slam Family will be meeting to decide many things pertaining to the future of the poetry slam and who will be looking after it in the coming months, years,etc. If there is anything you’d like added to the agenda for the meeting, please feel free to shoot Duncan Shields or myself a message. Thus far the agenda will include

New Van Slam Agenda (as of November 4th)

Agenda
…
Reports
1) A financial report on the slam for the previous year by Sean.
2) Review of the current points system and presentation by the current Rules Committee.
3) A report on the 2011 Van Slam team (by a yet to be determined slam team member) and the outgoing slammasters.
4) A quick report on the Van Slam Team contract and whether it is necessary moving forward by the two outgoing slammasters.
5) An Update on the Awards Committe and the construction of the Van Slam Trophies by Sean
6) Report on PSI events/new by Duncan.
7) Report on Spocan events/news by Sean.
8 ) Report on Hullabaloo by Chris.
9) Information on Canadian Indies and VIP by Sean.
10) The Youth Slam by RC Weslowski
11) Information on VPH and how one can be part of VPH and the benefits therein.

Proposals
12) A proposal for a new show (non competitive) by Sean.
13) An idea/motion put forward by the VPH board as to its relationship with the Van Slam (to be fleshed out by the VPH board shortly).
There is a thread that Lisa Slater started on the VPH forum which fleshes out the VPH proposal along with the tasks and time spent for Duncan and myself in the previous year.

http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/forum/smf/index.php/topic,1740.0.html

14) Elections of both slammaster positions (Duncan Shields and myself are not running for re-election but will be carrying on until after April 2012).
15) Elections of Rules Committee positions for the next two years.

New Business
16)

Again, there is no proxy voting at this event so if you wish to have a hand in making decisions or if you want to run for one of the positions, you must attend. Remember, Van Slam generates over $45,000.00 per year in revenue and those who attend this meeting decide on the direction the slam moves in the future. Whether we continue to attend NPS, CFSW, IWPS and Wowps or change how teams or individuals attend said festivals could be discussed at this meeting.

The meeting starts at 7 PM and I have booked time till 10 PM.

And if you are interested in running for either of the slammaster positions or one of the three Rules Committee positions (the other two are held by the slammasters) then please contact Duncan or myself no later than November 7th. Late notices will not be accepted and Duncan and I add job descriptions to all the positions shortly.

I hope you’re all well,

Sean

Hi folks,

It’s that time again – time for VPH’s Annual General Meeting! This is a meeting where we report back on the work that VPH does over the course of a year, nominate new directors to be stewards of the organization, and all of that awesome stuff.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 7:30pm at 1752 East 13th Avenue. (Main floor.)

So!

Here is the agenda:

AGM for VPH

1. Call to Order and Introductions

2. Approve Agenda

3. Approve AGM Minutes of March 7, 2010

4. Reports
- President’s Report (must be accepted/approved)
- Van Slam Report (not a voting item)
- WordPlay report (not a voting item)
- VIPF report (not a voting item)
- Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statements (must be accepted/approved)
- Nominations Committee Report (not a voting item)

5. Election of Directors

6. New Business

7. Adjournment

The Minutes for our last meeting areon the forum, and can be accessed at http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/forum/smf/index.php/topic,1589.0.html. Please let me know if you have any questions, or would like to add anything to the agenda. I hope that you will be able to attend. PLEASE NOTE: in order to vote on voting items or in the elections, you must be a MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING of VPH. Membership costs $5 per year, and membership payments can be made anytime in advance of the AGM, including at the beginning of the meeting.

Thanks,
Lisa Slater
President, Vancouver Poetry House

Already eight schools have registered for Hullabaloo, the first-ever BC Secondary School Poetry Slam tournament. They are:

1. Cariboo Hill Secondary (Burnaby)
2. Windsor Secondary (North Vancouver)
3. R.A. McMath Secondary (Richmond)
4. Howe Sound Secondary (Squamish)
5. Terry Fox Secondary (Coquitlam)
6. Tamanawis Secondary (Surrey)
7. Delta South Secondary (Delta & Tsawwassen)
8. Shawnigan Lake School (Shawnigan Lake)

All of these 8 schools registered before the initial January 31st deadline. Their spot in the tournament is confirmed and reserved. We are dedicated to having a Wild Card team, which brings us up to 9 teams currently. We’ve decided we will take up to 12 in total, so we are extending the registration deadline to February 28th, 2011.

There are three spots left, which will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Basically, the next three schools to register will get in, the rest will have to wait until next year (when we plan to expand the tournament). Registration is simple. You can find out all the details on the website:

http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/word-play/hullabaloo

The Vancouver Poetry House AGM will be held:

Sunday March 7
3-4 pm
Cafe Deux Soleils
2096 Commercial Drive

Agenda includes
-Financial, President’s and Program Reports
-Election of Officers
-New Business

Membership renewals are due at the AGM. Membership must be current to participate in the AGM and to vote. Membership fee is $5. Yes, you can buy memberships at the AGM itself.

Hope to see you there!

From Sean McGarragle the Vancouver Poetry Slam Slammaster:

This is an announcement for the upcoming Van Slam Family meeting where we will be discussing and voting on many things from a proposed new points system to the election of a new Van Slam International Slammaster. The agenda is listed bellow.

Anyone can attend the meeting. But to be able to vote you need to have attended (volunteered, performed, being a judge or just an audience member) at least 4 times in the past 6 months at a Vancouver Poetry Slam event.

Van Slam Meeting August 30th
Location: The Learning Centre in the Brittania Community Centre Complex
1661 Napier Street
Time: 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM

Items on the Agenda:

1) Proposed Rules Changes from the Rules Committee with regards to the qualification for the Van Slam playoffs (discussion here: http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/forum/smf/index.php/topic,684.0.html)
2) Proposed Rule Changes with regards to the maximum number of slam one can compete in during the regular season
3) The election of a new International Slammaster (Lisa Slater is not seeking re-election) If you are interested in running for this position let Sean know. (discussion here:http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/forum/smf/index.php/topic,580.0.html)
4) Introduction of our wonderful new volunteer coordinator
5) Proposal with regards to recording all of the regular season slams from Warren Dean Fulton
6) Promotion of the Honour Code at the Slam
7) Update on T-Shirt and Cd Sales from Chris Gilpin
8) Update from Lisa Slater and RC Weslowski from NPS
9) Update on the weekly slams from Sean McGarragle
10) Preview of the Upcoming season and CFSW from Sean McGarragle

The meeting will not last longer than 1 hour and 45 minutes. We will be starting on time, please do not be late. And if you’re unsure where it is I will be in front of the Brittania Library at 1:30 PM. Hope to see you all there.

Vancouver Poetry House
Annual General Meeting
February 16, 2009

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Since our last AGM in March of 2008, Vancouver Poetry House has gone through a number of changes while continuing with our core programs.

Vancouver Poetry Slam had its first full year of new leadership and weekly slams. Participation at youth and alt slams as well as at regular slams has increased steadily. Additional significant accomplishments include the creation of a Van Slam Constitution and Honour Code, and the creation of a Rules Committee. The Slam has also received a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. This has been used to fund performances by spoken word artists from across Canada at our slam.

Word Play Poetry in the Schools program continued to provide poetry workshops in local schools. After a brief rest period, the program has undergone a reorganization, involving more poets in direct outreach to schools.

In July, Poetry House participated in the Summer Dreams Reading Festival. In October, we hosted a workshop about sexual harassment and sex role stereotyping in the arts community.

The Vancouver Poetry House website was re-designed. Participation in site’s forum has steadily increased this year.

Current projects include: The presentation of the Salt Lines Tour in March, and Van Slam Finals Night – moving to the Rio Theatre.

Thank you to everyone who has done the work of Poetry House this year, volunteers, board members and participants in all of our activities. Thanks and best wishes to our outgoing Board members and welcome to those who will be joining us for the coming year.

Our Annual General Meeting will take place:

Monday, February 16
6:30-7:30pm
Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Drive

All members are welcome to attend. To vote, you must renew your membership. Membership fee is $2.

Agenda:

Minutes of 2008 AGM
Reports
Elections

Nominations for membership on the Board of Directors are open. Contact President Sue McIntyre to nominate someone, or for information.

vanpohouse@yahoo.ca

These Directors have terms ending at our AGM on Feb 16:

Chrystalene Buhler
Sue Cormier
Martin Fietciewicz
Warren Dean Fulton
Randy Jacobs
Shannon Pidlubny
RadaR Poet

(some were elected at the AGM in March 2007. Some have been appointed by the Board since the AGM of March 2008, and so need to be elected at a General Meeting.)

The Directors whose terms will expire at the AGM in early 2010 are:

Trevor Groves
Sean McGarragle
Sue McIntyre
Lisa Slater

Since the last AGM, the following Board Members have resigned:
Angus Adair, Steve Duncan, Jim McKnight

So now that the Vancouver Poetry Slam is running every Monday night, we have opportunities for community members like YOU to help out. Most nights we need:

2 Door People to take admissions, stamp hands and greet audience members as they arrive
1 Timekeeper to hold the stopwatch and time the poets’ performances
1 Scorekeeper to record and tally the scores throughout the evening and help announce the winners

We need volunteers every Monday night. The benefits are that you get in for free, you have a guaranteed seat and we will be wonderfully grateful for your help. If you need a letter of reference for community service work for school or otherwise, we will be happy to provide that.

If you would like to help, please email me via the Directors’ page or at our Poetry House email: vanpohouse@yahoo.ca

Thanks for thinking about this!

Sue McIntyre
Poetry House President and Volunteer Coordinator

Think of it as your own poetry slam pit pass. You can be part of the show in March, April and May as Van Slam heats up in the weeks leading to Finals Night. We need volunteers for these nights:

March 17
March 31 (Last Chance Slam)
April 7 (Semis)
April 21 (Semis)
May 5 (Finals – at WISE Hall)

For all nights we need people to work at the door and as scorekeepers and timekeepers. On finals night, we’ll need all of the above, plus people for the merchandise table.

Volunteers get in for free and gain a unique perspective on the workings of the slam, plus the unmitigated admiration and gratitude of the poets and host. The show wouldn’t happen without you.

To sign up, please email Volunteer Coordinator Sue McIntyre at vanpohouse@yahoo.ca Please specify which night(s) you prefer to help, and what you favourite volunteer job is.

See you at the slam. Thanks for volunteering.

Notice of Annual General Meeting
Vancouver Poetry House

The 2008 Annual General Meeting of the Vancouver Poetry House Society
will be held Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 6:30-7:30pm at Cafe Deux
Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive. All current and past Vancouver Poetry
House members, and people interested in becoming members are welcome.
Memberships are up for renewal at $2 for one year.

Agenda

Welcome and Introductions
Minutes of Vancouver Poetry House AGM 2007
Reports
Elections
New Business

We hope you’ll join us.

Sue McIntyre
President, Vancouver Poetry House
vanpohouse@yahoo.ca

p.s.

A list of directors, including the dates for their re-election, can be viewed by clicking here.

You can view the minutes from last year’s VPH AGM by clicking here.

Poetry House Board members met on November 12, 2007 to discuss the future, and identify priorities for our organization. Here’s a list of what we’ve agreed to do, including names of the Directors who have stepped forward to take the lead for each initiative:

• Stewarding Van Slam Volunteer Leadership – Lisa Slater and Sean McGarragle
• Fundraising – Lisa Slater and Jim McKnight
• Board Members Skills Development – Trevor Groves and Lisa Slater
• Newsletter – Steve Duncan
• Supporting Youth Poets and the Youth Slam – Chrystalene Buhler and Lisa Slater
• Promoting Canadian Content at Van Slam – Sean McGarragle
• Building Regional Community – Lisa Slater
• Relationships with Other Organizations – Chrystalene Buhler
• Promoting Other Organizations’ Events – Steve Duncan
• Vancouver Poetry House Open House – Sean McGarragle
• Increasing Volunteer Involvement and Improving the Volunteer Experience – Sue McIntyre
• Promoting the Smooth Running of Van Slam – Sean McGarragle
• WordPlay Program – Chrystalene Buhler
• Community Workshops – Steve Duncan
• Website Development – Jim McKnight
• Vancouver International Poetry Festival – Lisa Slater and Sean McGarragle

All members of the board will contribute in one way or another to many of these areas. The names listed are those of Directors who have stepped forward to lead each one. We’ll be looking for people to get involved and help out. If one of these areas looks interesting to you, please get in touch via the Get Involved page, or if you know the person on this list, talk to him or her.

Poetry House is growing and taking shape. Thank you to all of our volunteer Directors for your vision and dedication, to the volunteers who support the organization, and to you, for your interest in Vancouver Poetry House.