So why form a new organization, especially when the board members belong to both groups?  Although the leadership may be similar, the purpose of each organization differs.  Florida Writers Association was formed as a trade organization for writers of all genres—to share learning tools and writing advice as well as to provide members with an incredible networking system.    Or to be more concise, Florida Writers Association is focused on the beginning and the advanced writers within a professional atmosphere.

Florida Writers Foundation differs in that writers help to promote literacy. Even during the Foundation’s early planning stages, FWF board members have started to make a difference by visiting elementary schools for reading days, sponsoring poetry contests, and collecting books for hurricane-damaged areas.   The Florida Writers Foundation has also collaborated literacy efforts and leadership training with Lawyers for Literacy and the Florida Literacy Coalition.       

 Dan Griffith, director of Florida Writers Foundation, describes his contribution as a board member and volunteer as, “a labor of love.”  Surely, this is a love that will be rewarded by the knowledge that FWF will be helping to empower future generations of life-long readers.   Literacy is the door to success; and, as writers, we have keys to help unlock those doors.  Karen Lieb, our president, has big plans for the future.  

To quote the immortal and practical words of W. Fusselman,  “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”