The year is coming to an end, and with it the expiration of several Board member terms. After two years of searching, we have found not one, but THREE new co-chairs!
Ellen Hernandez was an educator for 38 years and retired from teaching English at Camden County College in 2023. She has transitioned to a full-time career as a freelance writer of poetry and non-fiction, and the occasional journal article. She lives in Collingswood.
Ellen says, “I’m delighted to serve the South Jersey Writers’ Group as one of the new co-chairpersons. In the past year, I have gained so much from membership, and I am glad for the opportunity to give back to the group however I can. For those who are new to it, I recommend trying out all of the available activities and events to discover what best suits your needs. I particularly enjoy the accountability and community of the weekly Monday night virtual write-in as well as the monthly in-person write-ins, but there are so many different ways to interact with and learn from one another. We look forward to each person who is able to contribute based on their talents and availability.”
Rissa Pappas has only been a member of SJWG since 2024 but during that time she has become a host of the Monday night Virtual Write-In and a frequent representative at the SJWG booth at book festivals. She earned her MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and subsequently worked at a small press with some of her former classmates. Her debut chapbook of poetry, Rot & Ripening, is forthcoming from Cathexis Northwest Press.
Our third co-chair is Susan Pitcher, one of our 2024 volunteers of the year! Susan serves as leader of the Monday night critique group, and hosts Pen/Sword monthly at Barnes & Noble in Cherry Hill.
Rounding out the Board, Tom Jenkins has graciously renewed for another two-year term as Secretary/Treasurer. Ellen, Susan, and Rissa will share programming and admin duties, and fill in others as assigned. The positions of Membership Chair and Communications Chair are vacant at this time.
To summarize, here are the changes!
Outgoing:
- Amy Hollinger, Board Chairperson
- Susan Rosenbluth, Programming Director (Vice President)
- Lyss Maurer, Communications Director
- Eden Mabee, Membership Director
Incoming Board (2026-2027 term):
- Ellen Hernandez (co-chair)
- Rissa Pappas (co-chair)
- Susan Pitcher (co-chair)
- Tom Jenkins (Secretary/Treasurer)
- VACANT (Communications Chair)
- VACANT (Membership and Outreach Chair)
Board of Trustees:
- Ellen Hernandez
- Amy Hollinger (ex-officio)
- Tom Jenkins
- Susan Pitcher
- Susan Rosenbluth
- Cassandra Ulrich
Thank you to our new Board Members for stepping up to keep the South Jersey Writers’ Group going strong!
Please be sure to visit the group on Heylo to send congratulations or ask questions. You can also address your questions to southjerseywriters@gmail.com.
