**Carl McKever is working diligently with FSPA Executive Board regarding Meet our Poets page. **

Florida State Poets Association (FSPA) Inc. was founded by Henrietta A. Kroah of Deland, Florida. She was assisted by Hans Juergensen, who was the past president of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NSPS). The Florida State Poets Association is a nonprofit, tax exempt organization founded in October 1974 and chartered by the State of Florida in July 1979. We are a member of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies and maintain local chapters throughout the state.

The main objectives of FSPA:
    a) To secure a fuller public recognition of the art of poetry
    b) To stimulate a finer and more intelligent appreciation of poetry
    c) To provide opportunity for study and incentive for practice in writing and reading poetry

Since 1975, FSPA has grown up to 8 chapters as well as members-at-large. FSPA Executive Board consists of selected officers and Chapter Presidents. FSPA has established a fiscal year from November 1 to October 31. FSPA recognizes poetry to the state cultural heritage and furthers it on all levels.

FSPA Emblem: FSPA used the state of Florida as an emblem with a quill pen in an inkwell. The emblem was designed by Coleen Ward in November 1984. Ms. Coleen Ward is from Melbourne, Florida and this emblem has been used ever since. (Emblem located on background of website)

FSPA Membership: There are two categories that all members can choose from: members-at-large (1) or members of a chapter (2). For a new school to be certified as a chapter by FSPA, one must obtain five poets who will meet regularly at meetings and serve on the Executive Board. For a member to stay certified, they and their chapter must renew their certification each year. Each member within the chapter pays $20 to FSPA in order for their chapter to remain certified. For more information, contact Ms. Madelyn Eastlund at verdure@tampabay.rr.com.

FSPA Anthology: The annual anthology solicits poems from members in the spring. Each member may have one poem published. This anthology is ready for distribution at the FSPA Annual Convention.

FSPA Events and Activities: FSPA hosts two main events each year: FSPA Spring Fling and FSPA Annual Convention.

FSPA Spring Fling: In the spring, usually in April (National Poetry Month), a membership meeting that includes a semi-annual business meeting is held. These meeetings are hosted by different chapters or sometimes by a single (or several) members-at-large. These meetings are held in various locations and have been as far South as Sarasota on the west coast, and Miami on the east coast, through the central regions and north to Jacksonville, Tallahassee. These meetings include open readings, several workshops, a semi-annual board meeting, and semi-annual membership business meeting.

FPSA Annual Convention: The annual board meeting and the annual general membership business meeting is held during the October convention, hosted by a different chapter and at a different location each year. At the convention, there are workshops, special performances, addresses from outstanding speakers, presentation of awards in FSPA contest competitions, and open poetry readings.

FSPA Youth Contests: The annual competition is for middle school and high school students. Details are sent to all Florida school districts in late August or early September of each year. Competition deadlines in December and the schools of winning students are notified the following April. Winning poems are sent to the NFSPS Manningham Poetry Trust Awards for entry in their annual competition.

Newsletters: There are two publications that are given to each member: Of Poets and Poetry (OPAP) and Strophes. OPAP comes from FSPA and is edited by Madelyn Eastlund; which can be reached at verdure@tampabay.rr.com

FSPA Past Presidents:

Henrietta A.Kroah (Deland) 1974-1976
Beatrice Branch (Miami) 1976-1978
Harvey Winters (Winter Springs) 1978-1978
Robert Dewitt (Jacksonville) 1978-1982
Agnes Homan (Sebring) 1982-1984
Madelyn Eastlund (Beverly Hills) 1984-1988
Gwen Thomas (Clermont) 1988-1989
Ruth Cunliffe (Sebring) 1989-1989
Virginia Martin (Orange City) 1989-1992
Caroline Walton (Dunnellon) 1992-1994
Gail Teachworth (Crystal River) 1994-1998
Coleen Ward (Melbourne) 1998-2002
Caroline Walton (Crystal River) 2002-2004
Robert E. Blenheim (Daytona Beach) 2004-2008
BettyAnn Whitney (Wesley Chapel) 2008-2010

NFSPS Affiliation
National Federation of State Poetry Societies (www.nfsps.com)

The National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) was organized in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on October 17, 1959. Its constitution was adopted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in June 1960 and incorporated in Madison, Wisconsin in July 1966. NFSPS is an organization of state societies. Members of state society affiliates receive the federation's quarterly newsletter, "Strophes", and an annual contest brochure that lists 50 categories in a competition that deadlines in March. Each year, the federation holds its annual June convention in a different member state.

FSPA joined NFSPS in 1974. It hosted the June convention three times every since:
Orlando, FL (1980)
Jacksonville, FL (1991)
Melbourne, FL (2001)

FSPA members, at different times, have held such positions as Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chairman, Vice President, Publicity Chair, Manningham Youth Trust Chair, Scholarship/University Level Competition Chair, and National Poetry Day/Poetry Liaison Chair.