Title
Recommendation to Appoint Cathy Dana and Gene Kahane as Alameda’s Poet Laureates. (Library 210) [Not heard on September 5, 2017]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Appoint Cathy Dana and Gene Kahane as Alameda’s Poet Laureates
BACKGROUND
In 2002, the City Council created the position of Alameda Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate is an honorary title given to a person who has exhibited excellence in the literary arts. Mary Rudge was appointed Alameda’s first Poet Laureate, a position she held from 2002 until 2014. Julia Park Tracey was selected as Alameda’s second Poet Laureate who served from 2014 to 2017. Ms. Park Tracey moved out of Alameda and was no longer eligible for reappointment as Poet Laureate.
The appointment term for the Poet Laureate is three (3) years with the possibility of one reappointment. The following are some of the key goals of the Alameda Poet Laureate.
• The Poet Laureate encourages citizens to express their literary creativity; and
• The Poet Laureate will promote and showcase original works of citizens; and
• The Poet Laureate will promote a love of poetry, literature, and the written word in Alameda and beyond; and
• The Poet Laureate creates works of the written word that commemorates special events in the life of the City of Alameda.
The Poet Laureate’s term will begin in September 2017, during which they will raise the profile of poetry and creative writing in general within the City of Alameda through public events and community service activities, and provide mentorship to the city’s youth.
DISCUSSION
After researching the selection process used in 2002, the Alameda Free Library held an informal meeting in July 2014 with the local poetry community to discuss the goals and expectations for the Alameda Poet Laureate. Based on that input and discussions with individuals involved in the original selection process, a new selection process for Alameda Poet Laureate was developed.
Qualifications for Alameda Poet Laureate included:
1. Applicant must be a resident of Alameda for at least two years;
2. Applicant must have an established history of activity in the Alameda literary community (i.e., readings, publications, public presentations, and/or teaching);
3. Applicants will have demonstrated a commitment to and passion for poetry and embrace the opportunity to engage in community service to make poetry more accessible and available to all ages; and
4. Applicants must be willing to promote poetry in Alameda.
Applicants were requested to submit their application, a resume with their qualifications, and three original poems. All applications received were reviewed by a selection committee comprised of representatives from the Alameda Island Poets, the Friends of the Alameda Free Library, Mayor Herrera-Spencer, and the Library Director. The committee individually ranked all submissions in a blind reading, authorship unknown, before the committee convened. The selection committee carefully considered the representative poetry from each submission before looking at resumes and cover letters. The short list was compiled by the consensus of the committee. Personal interviews for the finalists were conducted by the Mayor, Library Director, and a representative of the Friends of the Library. After further discussion and review of their representative poetry, selecting one person proved too difficult, so it was decided to appoint two Poet Laureates to represent Alameda.
Gene Kahane has made Alameda his home for over twenty years, for thirty years he has been shaping young minds and hearts as a teacher at various Alameda Schools, currently at Encinal High School. He has written poetry to commemorate events, honored colleagues and students for their milestones in life and has encouraged people to find their voice and share their talents. In his words, he is “a main of whimsy, playful, thoughtful, a lifetime advocate of literacy, and…” the next Alameda Poet Laureate.
Cathy Dana is the current president of Alameda Island Poets and has been writing poetry for over 20 years. She facilitates the “Storytelling Swap” at Frank Bette Center for the Arts and teaches creative writing at the Alameda Community Learning Center where she began the Mighty Pens, a teen poetry group, and established the first teen poet laureate at the school. Her first published book of poetry, “My Dad Believed in Love,” was released in early 2016.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Alameda Poet Laureate is a voluntary appointment, and there is no fiscal impact to the City’s Budget.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental review is not required to appoint the Alameda Poet Laureate.
RECOMMENDATION
Appoint Cathy Dana and Gene Kahane as Alameda’s Poet Laureates.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Chisaki, Library Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Inaugural Poem - Dana
2. Inaugural Poem - Kahane