Poet Laureate Support Committee Meeting
The committee will discuss recent and planned Poet Laureate activities including Poem A Palooza, outreach events such as the StoryWalk at Amesbury Public Library, and coordination around the ACC Amesbury Poetry Month webpage, Creative Haverhill River Bards anthology celebration, and the Gathering of Verses contest.
The Poet Laureate Support Committee met April 13, 2026. Members appointed a note taker and approved prior minutes. The committee reviewed current financial matters (no detailed update from the Amesbury Cultural Council), confirmed that the Poet Laureate stipend was received, and noted a list of past featured readers who have outstanding invoices; reminders have been sent and follow‑ups will continue. A reimbursement request for $120 related to library events was raised and will be forwarded to the Amesbury Cultural Council for consideration.
The bulk of the meeting focused on event planning and outreach. Poem‑A‑Palooza (formerly Poetry in the Pines) was confirmed for April 25, 4–7 PM at the Whittier Home, with promotional materials verified for the correct time and follow‑up actions assigned (including a query to Stop & Shop about snack donations). Fundraisers and programming in development include a Karaoke Night at BareWolf Brewing (date to be secured, targeting July), a Flatbread fundraiser planned for 2027, and an Evening with the Poets to be held at the Amesbury Cultural Center and recorded by Amesbury Community Television (date TBD, August was discussed as a lead‑in to a September open mic series). Library activities reported included two StoryWalk installations and a "Poem in Your Pocket" bulletin board; the public comment period had no speakers. Committee members also tasked Elizabeth Wolf to correct inaccurate event information on the ACC Poetry Month webpage and Bryan Riley to notify Gathering of Verses coordinators that their entry form lists outdated cosponsorship information.