ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 6pm, Monday 6 May 2024

OUR NOMINEES FOR THE MARION BOARD

Emma Batchelor | Endorsed by Deborah Stevens

I am proud to have chaired MARION for the past three years and am standing for renomination in this role. Together with the staff and board, our vision for MARION is to support and uplift writers in our region through the creation of paid opportunities, the offer of professional development programs, the cultivation of strong networks and engagement in strategic advocacy. In addition to my own writing practice (my debut novel was the winner of the Australian/Vogel Literary award) I maintain a dance practice and am connected with multiple arts organisations in addition to sitting on the Minister's Creative Council. My professional background is in corporate governance, community building, marketing and operations. I am excited to continue our work at MARION and to contribute to our vibrant literary scene. 

Charles Miller | Endorsed by Emma Batchelor
I was born and bred in Canberra and have worked across all areas of the nation's capital. I have worked across all areas in Accounting from Disclosure and Compliance for the Australian Electoral Commission, Trades and Construction to work directly with other not-for-profit organisations such as the Young Music Society as their business manager. I currently manage my own bookkeeping business and bring a range of financial experience to MARION and am excited to maintain engagement in my role as Treasurer.

Katarina Pearson | Endorsed by Emma Batchelor

I am proud to serve on the board of MARION and support local authors and independent publishing through the work we do. For the past 5 years I have been Literary Events Coordinator for Harry Hartog Bookshop at the ANU. Previously I helped develop and subsequently owned Electric Shadows Bookshop. I studied English literature, phonetics and linguistics at the Belgrade University of Philology, before moving to Australia in the early 90’s and come from a bookselling background with my grandfather establishing bookshops in Belgrade in the 1930’s. For more than 30 years I have been an active member of the Canberra literary community and an advocate for supporting the Arts in our region.

Deb Stevens | Endorsed by Karen Viggers

I am passionate about MARION and the work we do in and around our region. I am well connected through the publishing sector having been an independent sales agent representing Allen & Unwin and other publishers in the ACT and SE NSW for many years. For more than eighteen years I worked with publishers, booksellers, authors and readers and developed a deep passion for Australian writing and publishing. My focus is on championing local writers and encouraging connections between them, booksellers and readers. I would be delighted to continue to serve on the MARION board.

Voting procedure

Voting will occur online. The Chair will call for votes, and a link will be provided with information about each nominee. Please select one candidate as your first preference, then another as second preference, and so forth. These votes will be tallied, and a record will be kept.

GOOGLE MEETS
How to access the online MARION AGM

All current MARION members who confirm attendance will receive an email before the day of the AGM containing details on how to log in to the Google Meet meeting on 4 May. If you have not received this by 4 May please ensure your membership is current and check your email spam filters. If you are unable to find the details please contact ceo@marion.ink before COB on 4 May.

Only Financial Members of MARION are eligible to Vote.

AGM Meeting Agenda

1. Welcome and apologies

2. Minutes of the 2023 AGM

3. 2023 Reports
   -       Directors Report
   -       Chair’s Report
   -       Treasurer’s Report

4. Appointment of auditor for 2024

5. Election of new board members

6. Appointment of new constitution

7. Any other business

Attending and voting at the AGM

Please email your RSVP to ceo@marion.ink with the subject line Attending AGM by Saturday 4 May 5pm.

Members will be asked to vote for the 4 vacant Board Director positions  at the AGM. Additionally, office-bearing positions for nomination will include:

• Deputy Chair

• Treasurer

• Secretary

• General Board Member

Connect with other writers in our community and have your say on who runs the leading organisation for writing-based culture in the ACT. We hope to see you there!

If you need to renew membership or wish to join you can sign up HERE.

We strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with Google Meet prior to AGM.