Cultural Council · June 8, 2026
Poet Laureate Support Committee Meeting
occurred Agenda PDF Minutes AI Summary
Key decisions
Matthew Cockreham volunteered to take notes for the committee
Next Poet Laureate Support Committee meeting scheduled for September 14, 2026
Bryan Riley will contact Bonnie Brady (subcommittee that manages the Cultural Center space) and copy Amesbury Cultural Center co-chairs regarding future meetings at the Cultural Center
PLSC received authorization to use funds to cover StoryWalk expenses
Planned fundraiser events approved: Karaoke fundraiser on July 15 (at BareWolf) and a Flatbread event in October to raise funds for the Poet Laureate program
Karaoke fundraiser logistics confirmed: July 15 at BareWolf, DJ secured, 50/50 raffle planned, flyers placed at Vermette's and Stop & Shop (Amesbury and Andover), event starts at 7:00 PM and no PLSC setup required
Evening with the Poets scheduled for August 12 at the Cultural Center in a town‑hall format; event will be televised and Bryan Riley contacted Amesbury Community Television
Open mic series planned for September–November (dates and featured readers to be determined)
Information for all Poet Laureate events will be posted on the Amesbury Cultural Council website; Bryan Riley will meet with Bailey Campbell to correct some dates/times
Bailey Campbell will pursue an interview series and will contact Bryan Riley to make arrangements
Fundraising/communications strategies discussed and agreed in principle: appeal to existing Poet Laureate email subscribers for financial support, ask Whittier Home subscribers to join the Poet Laureate list, and consider using Google Groups for email distribution
Facebook and mailing‑list administration: Lisa Usani Philips confirmed as Facebook administrator and will ensure Bryan Riley has administrator access; committee discussed granting administrator access to Bailey and Rachel for the Facebook page and the Poet Laureate email subscriber list
Bryan Riley will participate in the Tapestry of Voices event if able
Agenda
1. Appoint someone to take notes
Appoint a committee member to take meeting notes.
2. Review and approve minutes of previous meeting
Review and approve minutes of the previous meeting.
3. Future PLSC meetings at Cultural Center
Plan and schedule future Poet Laureate Support Committee meetings to be held at the Cultural Center.
4. Current financial status update
Provide an update on the committee's current financial status.
5. Recent and planned Poet Laureate activities update
Update on recent and planned Poet Laureate activities; includes Karaoke Fundraiser on July 15 at BareWolf and Evening with the Poets on August 12 at the Cultural Center.
6. Review postings and management for PL mailing list and Facebook page
Review postings and management for the Poet Laureate mailing list and the Facebook page.
8. Matters not reasonably anticipated in advance of the meeting
Matters not reasonably anticipated in advance of the meeting.