- Who is invited to join Cascadia Writers? Are you an adult writer over 21*? Do you agree to follow our general operating rules? Great! Adult writers 21+ of all skills, all genres, and from all locations are welcome! Please sign up at www.meetup.com/cascadiawriters. Cascadia Writers is not just limited to writers who live locally. Some writing sessions are online, making a writer's physical location irrelevant. And you can decide whether to join us at our in-person writing sessions and retreats on a case by case basis, as your schedule allows.
*For the record, I have nothing absolutely nothing against 18-20 year old writers who may be as mature (or likely even more mature than I am). The reason I want our writers to be 21+ is because some of our retreats are overnight and will likely present an opportunity for writers to toast a glass of wine, martini, or whatever. I do not want the legal responsibility or just general awkwardness that would come with playing chaperone. Thus, 21+ only, please. My apologies if this offends anyone.
- Is Cascadia Writers a non-profit? No, Cascadia Writers is not a registered non-profit and dues/payments are not tax deductible.
- Where does Cascadia Writers meet? Writing sessions may be held virtually online via Zoom and in person at a local coffee shop in the Hawks Prairie area (Cutters Point Coffee 1340 Marvin Rd, Olympia, WA 98516, for example). Meeting locations may vary. Our Cascadia Writers workshops and retreats may also be held in different locations in Western Washington. I want to choose interesting locations that might offer writers inspiration from nature/history and surroundings. If sufficient members show interest, I would love to have marinas, ocean beaches, and rainforest resorts as venues for our annual Cascadia Writers workshops and retreats.
- RSVPing to events is required for planning purposes. If you RSVP and then your plans change, please adjust your RSVP if you can, rather than no-show. Do not +1 and pre-pay unless you know for sure you are both attending. Once paid, remember there is no refund if you and/or your +1 changes your mind.
- Members who fail to RSVP for any writing session, workshop, or retreat and who just "show up" at an event must understand seats are 1st come, 1st serve. Of course we'll try to make room for you if we can, but it's possible you may need to sit apart. For retreats, it is possible there may be no seat available. If there is any additional fee to attend, please arrive early with your checkbook prepared to settle up before we start. Please RSVP ahead of time so we can plan better. And as I have mentioned, any overnight accommodations/meals, etc., must be arranged/purchased by each writer.
- No writer is obligated to read their work aloud, or to share or discuss their written work.
- No writer is obligated to give or to receive feedback at any session.
- No writer may pressure or bully or intimidate any other writer into sharing their work OR their personal contact information. (Translation: do not treat this writing group as a dating pool.)
- I believe in voluntary participation. This means our writers decide their personal level of engagement at any Cascadia Writers gathering. Writers share only what they are comfortable sharing. We may encourage each other, but there is no pressure, no obligation.
- Each writer is free to sit wherever and to write whatever they choose with the clear understanding that fellow writers (in person or online) are not to be treated as a captive audience. Nor should any gathering be used as a platform to promote hate, racism, discrimination, intolerance, or any extreme religious, political, or military ideologies or philosophies, etc. Be kind. Be respectful. Let's make this a fun and enjoyable experience.
- Creeps and angry political/religious zealots should look elsewhere.
- Please get a sitter; do not bring beloved pets or children/minors with you.
- Cascadia Writers is a private writing group. Each new members must be approved (by me) and it might take me a day or to get to your request. Please be patient. If/when you are approved, you should receive a short "welcome" email from me automatically. There is a 2-week grace period before new members must pay their $55 annual dues. It is paid yearly on the anniversary of your membership submission.
- The right to deny/remove/block a prospective member or an admitted member. As the organizer/host, I reserve the right to deny, remove, or block any writer for complaints, conduct violations, failure to pay dues, duplicate registrations, fake names/fake photos, irrational ranting/spamming in the event chats or private chats, harassment, unwanted contact or private messages, or for any lawful reason with or even without notice. Whew. That escalated quickly. Look, just be kind, be normal. Let's behave like professional writers and we should all get along fine. No party fouls. If a writer accidentally oversteps boundaries with me (or with a fellow writer who then reports it to me), that writer might get a warning and we will try to discuss it, learn from it, and move on if possible. But if the bad behavior warrants removal, I will do absolutely do it for the good of the rest of the group. I want this group to be fun for everyone-- not a cause for worry for fellow writers.
- INCLUSIVITY/EQUALITY MATTERS: Our writing group is committed to inclusivity and equal opportunity for adult writers regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. I feel like it goes without saying. But I just want to SAY SO for the record.
DUES, ADDITIONAL FEES/COSTS, CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS, CASH/CHECK PAYMENTS, REFUNDS:
- DUES: Cascadia Writers dues are currently set at $55USD per year, of which a small portion is kept by MeetUp/CC processer Stripe and I hope to use the remainder to help offset my costs. Your credit card will be charged after your free trial period ends. Some events are free for members. A Cascadia Writers member is defined as a writer who is current on their annual dues. Annual dues must be paid in full in order to be considered a member in good standing and to be eligible for member rates for events. If annual dues are not current, the non-member event rates shall apply until dues are paid in full. Spouses or significant others who are not members may attend a Cascadia Writers session with you, provided 1.) there is space available, and 2.) they register and pay the non-member rate, if applicable. Spouses or significant others who are sharing your hotel accommodation only, but will not be attending a writing event with you, would only be responsible for hotel, food/drinks, and any incidentals or personal expenses, and no additional event fee would apply. If you joined Cascadia Writers by accident or if you wish to leave the Meetup group, here's how: https://help.meetup.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002861492-How-do-I-leave-a-Meetup-group. You can also message me on MeetUp and ask to be removed.
- ADDITIONAL FEES/COSTS NOT INCLUDED: Accommodation/meals and any personal expenses are always the sole responsibility of each writer. Seats may be limited at some of our in-person Cascadia Writers meetings, events, or retreats and an additional fee may apply to attend for members and non-members. Seating is 1st come, 1 serve, thus it is possible there may not be room for all of our members as Cascadia Writers membership grows faster than expected. This is definitely the case when we meet at the local coffee shop to write. There is a large reserved table that fits 8 writers. If more than 8 writers show up for our writing session, we will do our initial introductions/round-robin together, then go find an open seat in the coffee shop to do our 1-hour timed writing, and then we will all rejoin after the timer goes off for the final round-robin.
- Less the processing fees, all payments for Cascadia Writers go to CARMEN LANE. Cascadia Writers is not a 501(c) non-profit.
- CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS FOR ANNUAL DUES VIA MEETUP: Annual dues payments made via MeetUp are processed through their credit card processor, Stripe. If you pay your Cascadia Writers annual dues online, your credit card will be charged after your free trial membership ends. After the free trial membership ends, unpaid members may be removed.
- PAYMENTS IN PERSON VIA CASH OR CHECK: Contact me in advance if you need to pay annual dues or an event fee in person with a local check or cash and we can make arrangements. (If you are sending payment via USPS, please include a tracking # and never mail cash!) Once I physically receive your payment, I can manually mark you as paid.
- REFUNDS: Payment for dues, fees, and events are 100% non-refundable. However, if an event is cancelled by me, per the rules of MeetUp, those writers who already paid to attend that event will receive a full refund for that event. But otherwise there are no refunds for dues, fees, or events if you do not attend.
- DONATIONS: Any donations to Cascadia Writers are optional and very much appreciated. Donations are in addition to the annual dues and event costs and will be applied toward costs such as venue rentals, website/domain hosting, and the paid MeetUp subscription. Donations are not tax deductible because Cascadia Writers is not a registered 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit.
- We shall update these General Operating Rules on our website as needed. But this should cover it for now. Thanks for reading. ~Carmen
