FTHRW Officer History and Origin

The official name of our Chapter was From the Heart Romance Writers, Chapter #177 of Romance Writers of America. FTHRW started when several people realized there were a number of RWA members online who didn’t have access to a local Chapter.

The idea for an internet-wide, online RWA Chapter was the easy part; putting it all into effect was much more challenging. After months of board meetings and hard work, the Chapter was formed.

On November 13, 1997 the Policies & Procedures were voted on. The chapter was incorporated as a nonprofit organization on May 11, 1998. By June 14, 1998, the Chapter had 36 members, and continued to grow.

Laura Mills Alcott, owner of The Romance Club, was the Chapter’s Founder and first President. For many years, The Romance Club was From The Heart’s sponsor and the chapter owes its founding and early existence to Laura and a small group of other dedicated writers who worked to make their vision a reality.

We believe From the Heart Romance Writers is the answer for all those people wanting continuous contact with other RWA members who are interested in the same thing they are: Writing Romance. And not only that but Writing the Best Romance possible.

We’d like to thank all the Founding Members of From the Heart Romance Writers:

Laura Mills Alcott
Ruth D. Kerce
Lori Soard
Sally Painter
Beth Linden
Chris Bossert
Shelia Sneed
Becky McGraw
Diane Byrd
Suzanne Barr

2022

President: Shirley Tudhope

Vice-President Programs: Connie Bretes

Vice-President Communications: Tami Blankenship

Vice-President Communications:  Jennifer Britt

Secretary: Jessica Jayne

Treasurer: Todd McGee

Webmasters: Brynna Curry and Connie Bretes

Workshops Chair: Connie Bretes

Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider

Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan

 

2021

President: Shirley Tudhope

Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes

Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell

Secretary: Jessica Jayne

Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen

Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey

Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom

Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom

Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider

Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan

 

2020

President: Shirley Tudhope

Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes

Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell

Secretary: Jessica Jayne

Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen

Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey

Membership Committee Chair: Marlene Urso

Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom

Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom and Kim Owen

PFTH Contest: Leanne Bristow and Kimberley Warmke

Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider

Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan

Storm Plotters Forum Moderator: Amanda Murphy

2019

President: Shirley Tudhope

Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes

Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell

Secretary: Jessica Jayne

Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen

Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey

Membership Committee Chair: Marlene Urso

Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom

Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom and Kim Owen

PFTH Contest: Leanne Bristow and Kimberley Warmke

Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider

Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan

Storm Plotters Forum Moderator: Amanda Murphy

2018

President: Shirley Tudhope

Vice-President Programs:Connie Bretes

Vice-President Communications: Laura Russell

Secretary: Jessica Jayne

Treasurer: Rae-Lynn (Arel) Jansen

Webmasters: Marie Benesh and Merien Grey

Membership Committee Chair: Marlene Urso

Workshops Co-Chairs: Linda (Ruchama) Burrell and Christine Grissom

Special Programs/Webinars: Christine Grissom and Kim Owen

PFTH Contest: Leanne Bristow and Kimberley Warmke

Productivity Forum Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider

Critique Forum Moderator: Ana Morgan

Storm Plotters Forum Moderator: Amanda Murphy

2017 & 2016

President: Ana Morgan

Vice President-Programs: Wendi Sotis

Vice President-Communication: Connie Bretes

Secretary: Kathryn Daugherty

Treasurer: Amanda Murphy

Beta Reader’s Group: Renee Ann Miller

Critique Chair: Ana Morgan

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

Procrastinators Loop Moderator: Cheryl Pitones Rider

Social Media Chair: Carol Malone

WebMaster: Marie Benesh, Assistant: Merien Grey

Workshop Chair: Wendi Sotis

Member Recognition Chair: Christine Grissom

US Copyright Office DMCA designated agent: President Ana Morgan

2016 Contest Chair: LeAnne Bristow

2017 Contest Communications Co-Chair: Laura Correa

2017 Contest Judge Assignment Co-Chair: Wendi Sotis

2017 Contest Unpublished Author Division Co-Chair: Kimberly Warmke

2017 Contest PA-Para Category Chair: Wendi Sotis

2017 Contest Published Author Division Co-Chair: Holly Cortelyou

2017 Election Nomination: Linda Rees

2015  & 2014

President: Marie Benesh

VP Programs: Renee Ann Miller

VP Communications: Mary Taylor-Ambra

Secretary: Ana Morgan

Treasurer: Betsy Gray

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

Mentorship Committee: Amanda Murphy

Critique Chair: Ana Morgan

Workshops: Wendi Sotis

Contest Chair: Wendi Sotis

Procrastinators Loop Moderator: Nicola McKenna w/a Nikki Weston

Election Nomination: Merien Grey

2013

President – Colleen McCready

VP-Programs – Ana Morgan

VP-Communications – Dawn Wolzein

Secretary – Ami Weaver

Treasurer – Amy Bailey-Olle

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

Beta Reader’s Group: Renee Ann Miller

Critique Chair: Ana Morgan

Mentorship Chair: Amanda Murphy

Workshops: Wendi Sotis

Procrastinators Loop Moderator: Nicola McKenna w/a Nikki Weston

2012

President – Colleen McCready

VP-Programs – Ana Morgan

VP-Communications – Dawn Wolzein

Secretary – Ami Weaver

Treasurer – Amy Bailey-Olle

Workshop Chair – Carole Wyatt, Asst: Wendi Sotis

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

Newsletter Editor – Karen Cote

Amanda Murphy, mentorship committee

2011

President (until October): Nikki Enlow

November/December President: Colleen McCready

Vice President-Programs: Jennifer Herrington, Misty Dietz

Vice President-Communications: DeAnn Sicard

Treasurer: Amy Bailey-Olle

Secretary: Lee Lopez

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

2010

President: Carolyn Hughey

VP Communications: Lise Horton

VP Programs: Amanda Murphy

Treasurer: Lori Larson

Secretary: Stephanie Shackelford

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

2009

President – Carolyn Hughey

VP Communications – Catherine Chant

VP Programs – Deb Julienne

Secretary – Stephanie Shackelford

Treasurer – Lori Larson.

Critique: Jaclyn Dibona

Membership Recognition: Michelle Libby

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

Membership Program Chair: Helen Taylor, Kristi Knight

PAN Liaison: Mona Risk

PRO Liaison: Mary Eason

Workshops: Marie Benesh, Sienna Condy, Ann Youmans,

Public Advisor: Carol Wood

Webmaster: Catherine Chant Asst: Chirstine Nelson

2008

Barb Webb, President (president@fthrw.com)

Marie Benesh, Vice-President (vicepresident@fthrw.com)

Shoshana Brown, Secretary (secretary@fthrw.com)

Connie Barbour, Treasurer (treasurer@fthrw.com)

Roseann Armstrong—Quotes (monthly)

Connie Barbour—Formats articles, New Releases (monthly)

Lori Cameron—Proofreader

Anne-Marie Carroll—Formats articles

Catherine Chant—Member News (monthly article)

Jean Drew—Proofreader

Nikki Enlow—Do You Have Any References? (monthly article)

Vicki Lane—Unpublished Interviews

Carrie Lewis—PRO Monthly Column

Ginny Lester—Proofreader for Supplemental Newsletter

Janice Lynn—Straight From The Heart (monthly article)

Kate MacEachern—Book Reviewer (monthly article), formats articles

Ruth Molenaar—Quotes

Luanna S. Nau—Sorts and forwards articles

Mary Paine—Interviews (monthly article)

Eugenia O’Neal—Romance Bytes (monthly article)

Cathy Zornes—Formats articles, Proofreader for Supplemental Newsletter, FTHRW Members

Interviews (monthly article)

Contest Committee Chair: Jodi Lynn Copeland (contest@fthrw.com)

Critique Program Chair: Jennifer Stroka (FTHCritiquers-subscribe@yahoo.com)

Critique Program Co-Chair: Jaclyn Di Bona

Critique Program Co-Chair: Lucy Farago

Critique Program Co-Chair: Joanne Barnaba

Member Recognition Committee Chair: Open (memberrecognition@fthrw.com)

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

(membership@fthrw.com)

Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Helen Taylor (mentorship@fthrw.com)

Mentorship Program Co-Chair: Kristi Knight

Newsletter Editor: Denise Pattison (newsletter@fthrw.com)

Assistant Newsletter Editor: position open

Assistant Supplemental Newsletter Editor: Laurie Darcey

Program/Workshops Committee: Catherine Chant (workshops@fthrw.com)

Webmaster: Catherine Chant (webmaster@fthrw.com)

Website Assistant: Christine Nelson

PAN Liaison: Carolyn Hughey (pan@fthrw.com)

PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Carrie Lewis (pro@fthrw.com)

PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Mary Eason

Past President: Cai Smith

 

2007

Contest Committee Chair: Jodi Lynn Copeland

Critique Program Chair: Helen Taylor

Critique Program Co-Chair: Cris Goodwin

Critique Program Co-Chair: Joan Frantschuk

Critique Program Co-Chair: Mona Risk

Member Recognition Committee Chair: Tricia Johnson

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Mona Risk

Mentorship Program Co-Chair: Helen Taylor

Newsletter Editor: Denise Pattison

Assistant Newsletter Editor: Amber Wentworth

Assistant Supplemental Newsletter Editor: Laurie Darcey

Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Nikki Enlow

Publicity Committee Chair: Carol R. Wood

Webmaster: Catherine Chant

PAN Liaison: Janice Lynn

PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Carrie Lewis

PRO Liaison Co-Chair: Mary Eason

Past President: Cai Smith

2006


President: Cai Smith

Vice President: Barb Webb

Secretary: Janic Lynn

Treasurer: Kristi Knight

Contest: Jodi Lynn Compeland

Critique: Helen Taylor

Member Recognition: Tricia Johnson

Membership Committee: Marlene Urso

Newsletter: Denise Pattison

Asst. Newsletter: Amber Wentworth

Workshops: Marie Benesh

Publicity: Christine Ashworth

Webmaster: Catherine Chant

2005

President: Cai Smith

Vice President: Susan Lanier-Graham,

Secretary: Carolyn Hughey

Treasurer: Kelley Zeringue

Contest Committee Chair: Jodi Lynn Copeland

Critique Program Chair: Sheila Rae Mohs

Member Recognition Committee Chair: Tammy Johnson

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Marlene Urso

Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Tricia Johnson

Newsletter Editor: Kristine Johnson

Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Manisa Lyles

Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Stephanie Lynch

Publicity Committee Chair: Christine Ashworth

Webmaster: Catherine Chant

2004

President: Leslie Dicken

Vice President: Susan Lanier-Graham,

Secretary: Tawny Weber

Treasurer: Monica Jeffers

Contest Committee Chair: Beth Burgoon

Critique Program Chair: Cai Smith

Leadership Development Committee Chair: Glenda Elder

Member Recognition Committee Chair: Tammy Johnson

Membership Committee Chair (Chapter Representative): Carolyn Hughey

Mentorship Program Committee Chair: Deb Julienne

Newsletter Editor: Susan D. Lanier-Graham

Newsletter Asst. Editor: Dawn Tomasko

Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Nan Strebeck

Program/Workshops Committee Co-Chair: Stephanie Lynch

Publicity Committee Chair: Tawny Weber

Website Committee Chair: Lisa Paitz Spindler

2003

President: Leslie Dicken

Vice President: Kathleen Long

Secretary: Tawny Weber

Treasurer: Monica Jeffers

2002

President: Sally Painter Kale

President: Elaine Hopper

Vice President: vacant

Secretary: Kim Cox

Treasurer: Betty Hanawa

Publicity Chair: Kathleen Long

Buddy Program: Robin Bayne, Asst: Beverly Shippley.

Mentor Program: Denise Koch

Program Committee Chair: Jess Bimberg

Sister Liaison Committee Chair: Su Kopil

Contest Chair – Kim Cox

Member Coordinator– Pam Johnson

Website Chair – Ruth Kerce

Scholarship Chair –Open?

Newsletter Editor/Chair – Open

Membership Recognition – Cathy McDavid (New)

2000

President: Sally Painter Kale

Vice President: Su Kopil

Secretary: Beth Linden

Treasurer: Kim Cox

Member Coordinator: Pam Johnson

Newsletter: Laura Mills Alcott

1998-1999

President: Lori Soard

Vice President: Sally Painter Kale

Treasurer: Kim Cox

Newsletter: Su Kopil

Contest coordinator: Beth Linden.