MWG STRATEGIC PLAN
A Short History:
The MWG was established in November 2005 to fulfill the need for a statewide writers organization in
Mississippi. On May 24, 2007 the IRS granted the MWG its 501(c)(3) status and on November 20, 2007 the
State of Mississippi issued its Certificate of Registration for a Charitable Organization. A board of directors
governs the day-to-day operations of the guild and oversees the promotion, advancement, and support of
its literary arts programs within the state. This board recognizes, appraises, and reviews its current
guidelines and programs, as well as all future programs within this strategic plan.
Motto: No Writer Without a Voice
Mission Statement: Advancing and Preserving Literary Arts in Mississippi
Promoting the Mission:
Literary Presentations:
1 – Literary Artists on Stage – (Advancing) a platform open to public and writers of all ages, published or non-
published where they share their work, regardless of genre or category.
2 - Songwriters in the Round - (Advancing) a platform open to the public and songwriters of all ages,
published or non-published where they share original songs of every genre.
3 -
Alternative Learning:
1 – Writer Workshops – Writing workshops are held throughout the year and throughout state covering a
vast array of writing categories and genres. All workshops are open to the public. MWG members receive
discounts on all workshop fees.
2 – Annual Writers Conference - two-day conference with opening/closing speakers, six to eight expert
facilitators for all-day writer workshops, professional critiques and reviews on attendee’s work, and a
platform for attendees to verbally share their work with speakers and the public, on-site bookstore to sell
speakers and attendees’ books.
Promoting literature in non-traditional ways:
1 - People’s Choice Awards – Partnered with Meridian Museum of Art by sponsoring writing competition in
conjunction with the People’s Choice Art Awards
2 - Milken Educational Grant – Partnered with Lauderdale County Schools in conjunction with youth
community service for Love’s Kitchen, Meridian, MS. MWG facilitated journaling sessions with students
during their work days.
3 - Partnered with Community Foundation of East Mississippi on a five-county student writing
competition. A grant was provided Mississippi Writers Guild to facilitate the writing competition and
provide the writing awards.
4 - Partnered with Mississippi Theatre Association (MTA) in MTA's annual festival
5 - Partnered with Rock River Foundation in the Delta Blues Writing Competition for students of the
Mississippi Delta. MWG provided a $1,000.00 college scholarship to a student pursuing a career in a literary
field.
A LOOK AHEAD
Strategic Plan 2008-2013
Productively Convey the Merits of Literary Arts
The Mississippi Writers Guild promotes diverse literary communities by focusing on the skills, the craft and
the art of language and communication. Further, the MWG is committed to strengthening cultural
awareness and literacy through education, information, support, networking, opportunity and recognition
for all writers.
Convey – Continue to promote literary arts in Mississippi through the successful programs Literary Artists on
Stage, People’s Choice Awards, and MWG’s signature Honoring Historic Mississippi Writers.
Expand the literary arts arena through new programs such as Literary Kids on Stage, Senior Citizen Memoir
Writing, and journaling with special groups.
Strive to establish and build our own grant and scholarship programs in the literary arts. Create an MWG
Annual Awards Program to recognize successful Mississippi writers. Implement an annual writing
competition to encourage and reward new writers.
Implementation of Prospective Literary Programs
Develop grant programs for classroom activities and continuing education for teachers in the area of
writing. Provide literary scholarships for students in secondary education and alternative education
opportunities for adults.
Establish a Guild office that will be accessible on a daily basis to MWG members, the community, and other
art organizations and businesses. This office will provide the MWG the opportunity and facility to produce
its own promotional literature, correspondence, and to conduct meetings, workshops, and other programs
relating to the literary arts. This office will also provide a centralized location for the storage of guild
records and for efficient administration.
Funding the Dream
CURRENT FUNDING:
Membership Dues – basic funding for guild endeavors
Writer Workshops, Spring Retreat, Annual Conference –educational/informational venues that produce
income
Corporate Grants – Sam’s, Exxon grants
State and Federal Grants – MAC
Other Arts Organizations Grants -
PROSPECTIVE FUNDING:
Corporate Sponsors, Silver, Gold, Platinum Levels
Friends of the Guild -
Contributions for specific literary projects -
MWG, though a non-profit corporation, realizes the business aspect of its organization and strives to
produce and reinvest profits from all events and programs. MWG approaches businesses and other
organizations for financial assistance in pursuing and accomplishing its mission of Advancing and Preserving
Literary Arts in Mississippi through its programs, events, and
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