Administrating | Mandy Baker Johnson

Almost three years ago a significant email dropped into my inbox. It was from ACW; they were looking for a new administrator.

I applied for the post, met the committee, liked what I saw, and accepted the role (I then deafened and embarrassed my husband by ringing him at work and yelling down the phone: I'm the new administrator for the Association of Christian Writers!).

Serving ACW is rewarding and a lot of fun. The administrator is usually the first port of call for enquiries - of all kinds. It's given me a chance to make lots of new writing friends. As a fairly shy-ish person, it has given me a reason to chat with people at writers' days. I've enjoyed serving our Christian writers and writers-who-are-Christians by responding to emails, post and the occasional telephone call, and administrating writers' days, as well doing the background stuff like taking minutes of meetings.

It has also brought me into contact with publishers and writers who are far more experienced than me. I recall at my 'interview' saying something along the lines of: I just want to sit at your feet and learn. Being part of the committee has certainly provided that opportunity.

Sadly, my term on committee finishes early next year :(

If you're an ACW member who enjoys admin and can spare a little time to serve voluntarily from the comfort of your own home, then why not consider the role? (If this isn't your cup of tea, please feel free to stop reading. If you're interested, do read on.)

What's Involved?

ACW admin takes me less than one hour a week usually. That consists of skimming through committee emails (we stay in close contact between meetings) and answering enquiries or passing them on to other committee members.

It gets a little busier at different times of the year. We currently have three writers' days in March, June and October. I take and confirm bookings, pay in cheques, and put together name badges for the delegates. The committee also meets three times a year - one retreat weekend at the end of January (this is a tonne of fun and totally worth serving three years) and two whole-day meetings in May and September for which I prepare agendas with the chairman and take minutes. I also collate the annual report for the AGM in October.

What else? Oh yeah, a sense of humour!

The committee is a great place to serve and I don't regret my time for a second. I would love to extend my term but because of increasing commitments elsewhere I can't.

If you're interested in knowing more, please get in touch admin@christianwriters.org.uk.

Mandy Baker Johnson is a self-employed medical secretary who enjoys blogging and is working on an autobiographical book about deliverance from darkness and being healed from cerebellar ataxia and ME/chronic fatigue. She is developing a heart for the poor and enjoys meeting people at her church's food bank and also volunteering with a Christian charity working with women in the sex industry. Connect with her on Twitter.