07/15/2025

Message from Outgoing President Kelly Blewett

Dear Members of CWPA,

I am writing on the heels of one of our best online events ever, our national conference “Chairs, Coordinators, Directors, Leads, WPAs: The Changing Nature of WPA Work,” which exceeded our highest hopes by including more than 150 speakers and 200 conference participants. CWPA’s membership numbers, which are over 300, are higher than they’ve been since I became president. It’s a wonderful moment to send my outgoing message as your 2024-2025 president. And if you are a new member, welcome!!

This year has been a whirlwind and a very purpose-driven year. As I look back on what I said I would do this year as CWPA President, I see what became a roadmap for our actions this year.

• The Executive Board has been focused on truth-telling and reconciliation. We published the 2023 Cultural Assessment Report (created by One Eight Create) in August, hosted a series of public conversations about the report from August through May (including a session at CCCC), and we released the working draft of a collaboratively written whitepaper titled “Renewing Our Vows.” In the paper, we reflect on our yearlong conversations and provide links to a host of relevant sub-reports and resources, including a timeline that reviews what happened in CWPA 2021-2025. We also look toward the future of the organization.
• CWPA has officially reestablished connection with WPA-GO and created new structures to reflect their importance, including an annual budget and voting rights on the CWPA Executive Board.
• The Outcome Statement Task Force is continuing to work on revision 4.0, and they shared a working draft at the CWPA National Conference last Friday. The audience responded with enthusiasm and the work will continue this fall.
• Additionally, CWPA has maintained its professional development offerings this year. The organization hosted a series of monthly virtual workshops on topics ranging from Critical Language Awareness to Mindfulness. Across these ten events, we had over 230 registrations from more than 120 participants. Likewise, the Summer Workshop for New and Continuing WPAs was held in Houston, Texas, with 15 participants. Feedback on these offerings has been positive, and we look forward to continuing them next year!

CWPA continues to have a long way to go to realize our potential, but I know that a community-driven organization that provides networks and resources to WPAs is more needed now than ever before.

I extend big thanks to the folks who worked tirelessly beside me this year, including:

• Erin Lehman, CWPA’s new president, whose vision and competence are unparalleled;
• Members of the Executive Board (officio or not) who led cultural assessment conversations and co-wrote the whitepaper, facilitated professional development workshops and roundtables, and volunteered in too many ways to count: Jacob Babb, Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Daryl Lynn Dance, Talisha Haltiwanger Morrison, Patti Poblete, Darci Thoune, and Mary Lourdes Silva;
• Secretary Amanda Presswood and treasurer Christal Seahorn, both of whom work so hard to keep the organization rolling and stepped up to serve beyond the expectations of their roles this year;
• Past presidents who provided advice and service to lighten the load this year, especially Doug Hesse who stepped out of retirement to co-host an onboarding retreat for our Executive Board last August;
• The Conference Planning Committee, chaired by Erin Lehman, who worked very hard to make this year organized, well attended, and accessible: Dev Bose, Daryl Lynn Dance, Scott Gage, Callie Kostelich, Amanda Presswood, and Christal Seahorn;
• The many folks who backchanneled with me throughout the year to offer advice, feedback, perceptions, and support, especially David Green. 

The Executive Board teased me during our meeting last week that my nickname should be “Nudge” because I keep nudging people to step up and serve. In that spirit, let me send out a nudge in this final eBulletin: I encourage all members to consider serving on committees and in organizational leadership next year. We need you to become the organization we should be—inclusive, welcoming, well-supported, and wise.

As I look toward the future, I know we are in excellent hands with President Erin Lehman and Vice President David Green. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve CWPA and look forward to continuing my involvement on the Executive Board this year as Past President.

Sincerely,
Kelly

Kelly Blewett, CWPA Immediate Past President