The most important part of keeping any non-profit organization running is its leadership. SouthWest Writers maintains an entirely volunteer board of directors. Each individual oversees one or more activities of the group. Most of the members of the board are volunteers. The Executive Committee oversees the day-to-day running of the organization and is empowered to make financial and legal decisions on our behalf. They are elected by a majority vote of those members of the organization who choose to participate in the voting process.
NOTE: ONLY SWW Members are allowed to vote.
We ask that all SouthWest Writers members show their support of these dedicated volunteers by casting their votes. Scroll down to find the election ballot at the bottom of this page.
SWW members in good standing may cast their votes for the 2027 Executive Committee, as well as changes to the SWW 2023 Bylaws in one of two ways:
- In person during SWW’s Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The meeting will run from 10:00 am–noon, but voting will end at 11:00 am. The results will be announced by the end of the meeting.
- By electronic ballot. Electronic voting will begin September 20 and run through October 5, 2026. Scroll down to the ballot at the bottom of this page.
Please contact the SWW office (505-830-6034 or info@swwriters.com) if you cannot vote electronically nor attend the in-person meeting.
Items on the Ballot:
1. Executive Committee
For 2027, President-Elect Allen Herring will move into the President’s position, and Cornelia Gamlem will continue as Treasurer.
The following individuals have volunteered to serve in the two open positions on the SWW Board of Directors Executive Committee for fiscal year 2027.
President-Elect: Nancy McGuire
Nancy McGuire grew up in Roswell and returned to New Mexico from the Washington DC metro area in 2021 after a 30-plus year absence. She began her career as an industrial research chemist, transitioning to writing and editing as an EPA contractor in the mid-1990s. She moved to DC in 1999, working as a magazine and website editor for the American Chemical Society. Later, she worked as a government public affairs and communications contractor before starting her own freelance science and engineering writing business in 2013. She continues to work as a freelancer, writing magazine articles, white papers, special reports, and e-books. She also writes award candidate profiles and software use cases, and she edits scientist-written articles for general audiences.
Secretary: Hayley Nations
Hayley Nations is a third and fourth grade teacher in Clovis, New Mexico. She has been a member of SouthWest Writers since 2022, and part of the board of directors for the past few years. She enjoys writing speculative fiction when she’s not wrangling her twin toddlers.
2. Proposed Revisions to the SWW 2023 Bylaws
The SWW Board of Directors is proposing changes to the 2023 Bylaws. These changes must be approved by the membership of SouthWest Writers before they can take affect.
Read the Proposed Revisions to the 2023 SWW Bylaws.
For the complete SWW 2023 Bylaws, go here.
Vote for 2027 Executive Committee & Bylaws Changes
Please mark one option for each item on the ballot (Aye/Nay/Abstain).