NMSPS Mission, Bylaws and Constitution, and History
Mission Statement
New Mexico State Poetry Society (NMSPS) is a poetry organization within the state of New Mexico affiliated with the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, Inc. We are a nonprofit society under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our mission is to promote the appreciation and creation of poetry throughout New Mexico. To that end, we shall strive to foster excellence in the writing of poetry and engender support and camaraderie among poets.
The Society recognizes the importance of poetry to cultural welfare and is NMSPS seeks to affirm the value of poetry both in the public life of New Mexico and the personal life of its citizens. NMSPS is designed to foster literary, historical, and educational pursuits devoted to poetry. As an organization, we are non-political and non-partisan, not espousing any particular religious, social, or political causes. Although NMSPS itself will not participate in political campaigns, we believe in free speech and encourage poetic expression of all kinds, on all topics.
[ top ]Bylaws and Constitution
The original 1969 NMSPS Constitution was substantially revised in 2011 and again in 2019. The current NMSPS Bylaws and Constitution (ratified November 29, 2019) can be found here:
📜 NMSPS Bylaws and Constitution
Previous versions of the Constitution and all amendments made to those versions are attached as an appendix to the current (2019) Bylaws and Constitution.
History
Founding and Incorporation
The New Mexico State Poetry Society (NMSPS) was founded on March 19, 1969, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by the nationally known poet Alice Briley. Briley was founder and editor of the poetry magazine Encore. At her suggestion, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) adopted the same title for its annual anthology of prizewinning poems. Briley edited Strophes, the NFSPS newsletter, for many years, and the 1976 and 1986 editions of the Encore anthology. She served as the second President of NMSPS and later as President of NFSPS.
NMSPS was notified in May 1969 by then NFSPS President Dr. Hans Juergensen that it had been designated the official state affiliate of the Federation. In October, 1969, poets from across the state met in Albuquerque, elected the Society’s officers, and adopted a Constitution. They decided to hold meetings on the second Saturday of the month, September through April, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Manzano del Sol Good Samaritan Village, 5201 Roma Avenue NE in Albuquerque. The Albuquerque chapter met at that same time and place for many years. NMSPS was incorporated in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on December 7, 1976.
NMSPS Presidents
Dr. Peter Dechert was the first president of NMSPS. Subsequent presidents have been (in order of service) Alice Briley, Jeanne Bonnette, Joe Shaffer, Ruth Roberts, Latayne Scott, Laverne Rison, Elizabeth Lackmann, Beverly Merrick, Sue Tullos, Ginger Chavez, Lula Daudet, Glen Kappy, Victor Brenton, Jim Applegate, Jeanette Oestermeyer, Doris Jacobs-Covington, George Forrest, Bonnie Rucobo, Shirley Blackwell, Charles “Fil” Peach, Andrea “Andi” Penner, Bernadette Perez, and Zachary Kluckman.
[ top ]Last updated on March 13, 2022