About Us

WELCOME TO THESE NEW MEMBERS OF MISSOURI STATE POETRY SOCIETY & SPOKEN WORD INNER-TAINMENT PUBLISHING (SWIP) POETRY CHAPTER:

Yahkhahnahn P. Gibson (SWIP Poetry Chapter), Janell Smart (SWIP Poetry Chapter), Danielle Love (SWIP Poetry Chapter), Rennell Parker (SWIP Poetry Chapter), and Raylene Walker (SWIP Poetry Chapter). Welcome to all these new members!!!

Notice we have a new MSPS chapter, the Spoken Word Inner-tainment Poetry Chapter from Lovejoy, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis. The contact man for poets interested in joining this chapter is Yahkahnahn P. Gibson. His email address is yahkhahnahn@spokenwordinner-tainment.com.

Our mission is to spread a message of hope that will empower our communities to improve the quality of life for our young people by offering positive alternatives to the streets. Our goal is to help promote writing, reading, and expression using spoken word poetry. We also focus on healthy relationships, healthy literacy, and socialization. We address healthy lifestyles by targeting obesity, cancer, and other health risks and through mentoring disadvantaged children/individuals through spoken and written word. Our program goal:To promote reading literacy and the arts to all age groups with a focus on inner urban, inner city, and disadvantaged and at-risk youth.
Website: http://www.spokenwordinner-tainment.com

( More to come:)

President Bio

President Name: Yahkhahnahn P. Gibson

Title: President

Purpose: To provide leadership to the rest of the Board and oversee direction of the Association.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the planning of the Board's activities for the year ahead and plans for the association's future. In this capacity, the President is responsible for ensuring that an ongoing planning process exists for the Association. Prepares, in consultation with the Secretary, the agendas for Executive Committee meetings. Presides at Executive Committee meetings, making sure that they run smoothly. Ensures that Executive members have the information they need to make informed decisions. Takes charge of the delegation of responsibilities, making sure that they are spread out equitably among the Executive Staff. Organizes the committees of the Association. Maintains contact with committee Chairs, helping them to stay on track and monitoring whether they need any additional support. Takes an active role in fund raising for the Association. Represents the Association at public functions and before public bodies. In doing so, the President acts as the Association's "ear to the community".

Employee Name: Acting

Title: Treasurer

Purpose: The treasure is responsible for conservation of the treasury and for generating income for the group, whether this be through pricing of a product, organizing sponsorship, or arranging fundraising events.

Responsibilities

The treasurer would also be part of the group which would oversee how the money is spent, either directly dictating expenditure or authorizing it as required. It is their responsibility to ensure that the organization has enough money to carry out their stated aims

Employee Name: Rennell Parker

Title: Promoter

Purpose: Provides well-planned and well-executed publicity that enhances the Association's sense of purpose, builds pride, and creates community awareness.

Responsibilities

To serve as a communication link with members and the community with the Association’s programs. Informs media outlets of upcoming events, promoting items of interest and providing newsworthy information. Promotes the objectives of the Association’s programs and activities to the public to foster understanding and goodwill. Develops Association's publicity needs and develops a promotion schedule. Develops a Media outlet contact list for the utilization of the Association.

and objectives, and that they do not overspend, or under spend. They also report to the board meetings the financial status of the organization to ensure checks and balances. Accurate records and supporting documentation must be kept to a reasonable level of detail that provides a clear audit trail for all transactions.

Employee Name

(open)

Title: Vice President

Purpose: Provides overall direction and guidance to the operational activities of the Association with the objective of maximizing growth and profitability as well as day-to-day leadership and management to all Association functions.

Responsibilities

Ensures that all new Executive members get a proper orientation to the Association.

Develop and support strong external relationships with bankers, investment advisors, legal counsel, auditors and other providers. Manages operations of Association by directing and coordinating activities consistent with established goals, objectives, and policies. Implements programs to ensure attainment of business plan goals are met. Provides direction and structure for Association subordinates and executive staff. Develop and create strategies and policies aligned with Association goals. Follows direction set by President and empowered to assume the President's duties under conditions such as the President's absence or incapacity. Collects Membership Dues and provides financial reporting to Executive staff.

Employee Name: Raylene Walker

Title: Personal Assistant (Acting)

Purpose: Provide assistance to the President to ensure Association business is achieved in the most effective manner possible.

Responsibilities

Utilizes excellent organizational skills, tact, diplomacy, effective communication skills, as well as maintain confidentiality in sensitive matters and display excellent judgment in the affairs of the Association and President. Schedules appointments, day to day activities, management conferences and travel arrangements for the President. Sends mail, email and conducts basic research on behalf of the President. Develops the Association newsletter and submits to the Executive committee for approval. Updates the membership, nomination, and internship applications for the Association.

Employee Name: Danielle Love

Title: Secretary (Acting)

Purpose: Provide accurate and timely records of Association business.

Responsibilities:

Handles all outgoing correspondence for the Association and is responsible for implementation of mass postal mailings. Keeps records, takes minutes of the meetings, and answers correspondence, as for the Association. Ensures all Executive Staff receives a copy of all business meeting minutes within one week of meeting once approved by the President. Ensures the member list and contact information is up to date. Assures that all new members are made aware of Association rules and bylaws and is given a copy of these within 7 days of membership fee being paid. Organizes General and Executive Staff Meetings of the Association and prepares an agenda before these meetings and takes minutes of all meetings and make these available to all members as relevant. Distributes nomination forms for Members seeking nomination to the Committee.

Employee Name:
(open)

Title: Graphics/Design Artist

Purpose: Developing and implementing an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication for the Association.

Responsibilities

The design of any promotion must incorporate the marketing objectives and strategy, the production capabilities, and the budget limitations as set forth by the Executive staff.

Creates a definitive Association graphic in order to create brand recognition within the community.

SWIP POETRY CHAPTER

Literacy, Arts, & Words... Because Reading Is Succeeding!!!