WARA meets the 2nd Sunday of the month, with exceptions for conflicts with holidays (check meeting dates and program schedule at right), starting at 4:00 PM at the Derby Recreation Center located at 801 E. Market, Derby, Kansas.

Directions and interactive map

Each meeting includes a brief business agenda, a program, and sometimes a short writing exercise for anyone interested.

The brief business meeting includes recognition of visitors, discussion of any necessary old and new business, announcements of accomplishements, our Split the Pot challenge—a goal setting incentive—and a reading of members' Mission: Possible writing exercises.

Programs, usually presented after the business portion of the meeting, are presented on a variety of subjects related to writing. They are given by members, published authors, and persons or groups of interest relative to writing from the area and surrounding area, and even beyond.

Past outside speakers include an EMS lieutenant who talked about her day and outstanding situations, a homicide lieutenant, a Cow Town reenactor who makes her own corsets, spokeswoman for the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center speaking on stalking, a cowboy complete with saddle and chaps, a psychologist, supervisor of the K-9 unit for the Sedgwick County Sheriff Department, a mother/advocate for autistic children, and a lawyer who specializes in adoptions.

Published authors who have spoken to us include Merline Lovelace, Val Daniels, Carla Cassidy, Georgina Gentry, and Rebecca Brandywine.

WARA Christmas Party 2009 Photos