Cultural Council - Poet Laureate Support Committee Meeting
Committee will review Poet Laureate Support Guidelines to incorporate Whittier Home involvement, plan the new Poet Laureate inauguration/reception (confirmed for Jan 25 at Amesbury Public Library), and consider the retirement of committee member Ellie O’Leary effective Jan 26, 2026.
The Poet Laureate Support Committee met to address administrative and event-planning items. Members reviewed financial questions about recent poetry program payments and confirmed that an invoice template had been provided; a committee member will follow up with the treasurer about a stipend. A donation check sent to the Whittier Home for the poetry program was noted and will be forwarded to the Cultural Council.
The committee confirmed the location and time for the new Poet Laureate inauguration and reception (Amesbury Public Library, Sunday, January 25, 1:00–4:00 PM) and agreed on publicity, invited guests, program elements, speakers/readers, an emcee, and refreshments; Lisa Usani Philips will organize a walkthrough with library staff before the event. The committee voted to table discussion of updating the Poet Laureate Support Committee Guidelines to reflect Whittier Home involvement until the next meeting. Ellie O'Leary announced her retirement effective January 26, 2026; members noted that Bryan Riley serves as co-chair and is on the Cultural Council so no immediate replacement is required, and Lisa will ask Cultural Council members if anyone is interested in chairing the committee. No public comment was recorded.