Annual Membership Meeting and Board Elections

MARYLAND WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND BOARD ELECTION

2026 Slate of Candidates and Proxy Voting Instructions for Board Election

The 2026 Annual Maryland Writers’ Association annual membership meeting will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 7 pm to 9 pm. The MWA 2024-2026 Board Election will occur at the meeting. Come meet your board members and exercise your right to vote.

In addition to elections, two of our very talented teen writers will read. Here is your chance to see what they’ve been up to.

Register for the meeting at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqfumuqzIoE9N5hk90SmHdwiAGcz3Djl3K

These are the nominations for elected positions:

President

Stephen Huff

As the incumbent Executive Committee President, I will remain devoted to serving our wonderful Association's fabulous constituents to the very best of my ability and availability of time. Thank you!

Vice President

Michael Watyoka

Executive Vice President and Board Member of the Maryland Writers Association, global speaker, executive trainer, and author of Swimming in the Murky Waters and Builders Who Scale. Experienced in executive roles, I aim to strengthen engagement, expand partnerships, and elevate MWA’s impact through strategic leadership, communication, and growth execution.

Treasurer

Melinda Huff

I hope to continue my volunteer efforts with MWA and complete my last term as the State Treasurer. I believe my previous tenure as the treasurer, my employment as a financial secretary and my position as a treasurer on a swim league board exemplify my experience for this position. I hope to serve you all for 2 more years. Thank you all for all that you do for MWA!

Secretary

Donna L. Quesinberry

I currently serve as Pro tem Board Secretary and PG County Chapter President. I bring reliable documentation, organized record-keeping, and a collaborative approach. My focus is on clear communication, consistent administrative support, and strengthening MWA’s statewide coordination through dependable processes and member-focused service.

Member-at-Large (3)

F. J. Talley

A writer primarily of mysteries and science fiction, I served as VP and President of the St. Mary's/Calvert Chapter and Member-at-Large since 2024 and been published four times by MWA. Serving MWA as an officer and member is a privilege, and I would be honored to continue in my position.

Dan Desai Martin

I’m a fantasy author (In The Shadow Of The Sanctum, May 2026), and I’m an editor of MWA’s Emerging Voices (2024-2026). I previously served as both Secretary and President of my neighborhood civic association. I’m enthusiastic about serving, and I want to help MWA grow, particularly the annual conference.

While we hope everyone can attend the Annual meeting, we realize this is not always an option. To afford the opportunity for those MWA members who cannot attend the Annual Meeting to vote for the candidates, we offer a Proxy Vote option.

The Proxy Vote period will occur from May 20 until June 15, 2026 prior to the Annual Meeting. 

Vote by proxy using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScP_fz7xKqBY1YK7JWyNCLgNrYP1few1otwa7Ru7HFclFXiMA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Paper submission or emails will not be counted.

Thank you for being members of MWA.  See you at the meeting

Election Committee

• Amy Kaplan, Chair (Past President)
• Joanne Zaslow (Newsletter Editor)
• David Sloan (North Baltimore president)