Poet Laureate and Committee Applications

Poet Laureate

Are you interested in helping select the next Poet Laureate of Benica? Consider serving on the Poet Laureate Committee.  Deadline is March 17th for Poet Laureate committee applications. Application below.

Are you a poet?  Are you concerned about the future of poetry in our community and in our schools?  Apply for the post of Benicia Poet Laureate, and get a chance to make a difference. Deadline is June 1st for Poet Laureate applications. Application below.

In 2005, the Benicia Board of Library Trustees established the office of Benicia Poet Laureate to provide a focus for the appreciation and dissemination of poetry in Benicia.  The Poet Laureate is appointed by the Poet Laureate Committee, and reports to the Board of Library Trustees.  The Poet Laureate serves a two-year term, renewable once (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014).

Duties:

1) The Poet Laureate is asked to participate in civic and library functions, as needed, and to be available for service over the two-year term. 

2) He/she reports annually on poetry-related activities to the Board of Library Trustees. 

3) At the end of the two-year term, the Poet Laureate will write a poem about Benicia for inclusion in a notebook to be available at the library, and will submit a summation of impressions about the experience of being the Poet Laureate. 

4) The Poet Laureate’s term begins with a reading at a special event at the beginning of the two-year term. 

5) If deemed appropriate, and if funding is available, the Poet Laureate may be asked to edit a chapbook consisting of his/her work or of the collected work of Benicia poets.

No remuneration is offered for the position.  Contingent upon available funding, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts to the Library Director. 

To apply, fill out the appropriate application form and submit it, with the requested materials attached, by March 17, 2012 (for Poet Laureate committee consideration) and by June 1, 2012 (for Poet Laureate consideration), to Toni Yosick, Board Secretary, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510, or Toni.Yosick@ci.benicia.ca.us.  For more information, call Toni Yosick at 707-746-4354.