Giving Birth
Anyone whose given birth to a child knows the hard labor and joy that goes into creating new life. Sometimes the child is part of a well thought out plan. Sometimes the child is accidental, a surprise not expected but not unwanted. Either way, new life brings new love, new challenges, new fulfillment, new learning, and so much more.
Creating
Giving birth happens in other ways, as well. When an artist creates a painting, when a musician creates a new song, when a scientist creates a new theory, when a visionary creates a new idea, they are all giving birth.
Community
Creating something new requires more than one person. Lovers bring sperm and egg together, artists from the past inspire fledgling artists, bodies of knowledge scaffold the scientist, visionaries work with teams who contribute ideas from different perspectives. Rarely, is a new creation a work in isolation.
Creating DW
Dissociative Writers was born in 2021 — and it is not a work in isolation! Over 100 people have contributed to the richness of our workshops; when you count those who have come yet gone, that number reaches 200.
Writers
The Writers are our core, the people who share the raw, the poignant, the exquisite, the real, the truth as we know it. Our writers are courageous, compassionate, and committed to their own healing and supporting each other. Our writers create community.
Core Team
The Core Team is our driver. They include our volunteer facilitators (Sharri, Kim, JJ), our officers (Lyn, gabby, Debby), and our administrative service provider (Stephanie). When I wanted to meet less, they wanted to meet more. When I was cautious about becoming a nonprofit, they were clear-headed and focused. They contributed ideas that I hadn’t thought of. They fleshed out a future for this new life we are creating together called Dissociative Writers.
Board
Now we have a Board made up of our officers and admin who are carving a way to sustainability. Soon, we hope to invite all DW subscribers to a visioning session. Soon, we hope to expand this Board with more people. Stay tuned in the coming year for these next steps.
Delivery
This is a thumbnail of the many, many people in our birthing room. Somewhere along the way, though, we realized we needed a midwife to help our birth come to fruition. Sara Berger, Attorney at Law, has become that for us. Sara practices in Oregon and New Mexico and specializes in nonprofits and marginalized groups. We are a perfect fit! Here’s the status of our creation:
Dissociative Writers is registered in New Mexico as a nonprofit. Sara noted we needed an addendum to our New Mexico nonprofit status that would be recognized by the IRS. She has submitted Restated Articles of Incorporation, which should be approved within a month or so.
New Mexico required us to hold our first Board meeting last month, then submit an annual report. Lyn (president), gabby (secretary), Debby (treasurer), and Stephanie (admin) were in attendance. As per Sara’s instructions, we approved the Restated Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, a Conflict-of-Interest policy, a Bank Resolution, and submitted the report. Our Board will meet four times a year. As always, we’ll continue to hold monthly open Business meetings, separate from our Board meetings, and rely on our Core Team for many decisions.
When New Mexico approves our nonprofit addendum, Sara will begin to work with the IRS so that we can become 501(c)3.
Sara’s retainer fee of $3,250 has been paid. It covers everything the government requires of us, including establishing our nonprofit status and separating all finances from Lyn Barrett Author. In addition, we will need to pay $600 to the IRS when Sara submits.
Dissociative Writers paid $1,500 of the retainer. Sara created a promissory note in the amount of $1,750, which is the amount of money Lyn lent DW to cover the remainder of the retainer. DW has two years to repay Lyn for the loan. With the generous donations of people like you and continued support from our subscription fees, we are confident this loan will be repaid on time, or sooner.
We expect the legal process of becoming a 501(c)3 nonprofit will be complete in early 2024!
Join Us in the Birthing Room!
Your response to our “one time only” fundraiser has been wonderful! You have gotten us over halfway to our goal of $4,000 in two short months. Phase 1 of DW Writes On! continues through the end of December. We’ll continue to send out opportunities for you to contribute financially through this time. It’s our hope that we’ll have met our goal by December 31st and will not have to initiate a Phase 2!
If you are a professional who works with people with dissociative disorders, consider giving to DW Writes On!
If you are a loved one of someone with a dissociative disorder, consider giving to DW Writes On!
If you have already given to DW Writes On!, thank you! Consider giving again!
If you have few resources, consider giving $10 or less to DW Writes On!
If you have many resources, consider giving $100 or more to DW Writes On!
If you care, for any reason, consider giving to DW Writes On!
Join us in the birthing room! Be a part of creating something new! With your help, DW Writes On!
November Events
Monday, November 13, 6:30 pm Eastern: DW Business Meeting
Tuesday, November 14, 1 pm Eastern: Writing-in-Place
Wednesday, November 15, 2 pm Eastern: Social Hangout
Tuesday, November 21, 1 pm Eastern: Traditional Workshop
Thanksgiving Holiday 🦃
(No workshop on Wednesday Evening, November 22.)
Tuesday, November 28, 1 pm Eastern: Writing-in-Place
🕊️
I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
~ Maya Angelou
Lyn