About Us
Illinois State Poetry Society
ISPS offers in-person and virtual opportunities for improving the crafting of poetry. Chapter meetings, annual poetry contests, workshops, and events are a few of the ways ISPS promotes and celebrates poetry.
Our eight chapters meet in public venues and/or online via Zoom. Members share current work to receive comments and suggestions. The founding chapter began in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Chapters were added in Champaign, Northbrook, Pontiac, Carbondale, and Darien, plus a Haiku Chapter and an At Large Chapter.
Chapters & Meetings
Our Events calendar and chapter page include complete list of meetings and other activities.
North Suburban
Meetings: the second Sunday of odd months (except May, when they meet on the third Sunday)
Southern
Meetings: on the second Sunday of odd months (except May, when they meet on the third Sunday)
Champaign
Meetings: on the first Sunday of every month
Lisle (Founding)
Meetings: on the first Sunday of every month
West Suburban
Meetings: on the first Saturday of alternating months (Jan., Mar., May, July, Sept., Nov.)
Haiku
Meetings: on the third Sunday of even months (Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec.)
Pontiac (North Central)
Meetings: every other month starting in February, on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Meetings are on Zoom
ISPS sponsors annual poetry contests and writing workshops, events, and publications.
Our annual poetry contest is open to all poets. Our annual youth contest for Illinois students in high school and junior high school includes publication of winning poems in the Fresh Ink anthology, as well as cash prizes.
The society sponsors writing workshops, poetry readings, open mic events and special presentations throughout the year. Monthly open mic and featured poets’ readings are held at Brewed Awakening in Westmont. ISPS also celebrates National Poetry Month each April with library displays of members’ poetry and special projects such as daily poetry prompts. Biannually, we also publish an anthology of members’ poems, Distilled Lives.
Leadership
ISPS Officers & Board Members
Gay Guard Chamberlin
Vice President
Brief ISPS History
The Illinois State Poetry Society chartered in Madison, Wisconsin, at the 1991 convention of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. From its twelve charter members, ISPS has grown to a membership of nearly 200. We continue to actively fulfill our original mandate, “to encourage the crafting and enjoyment of poetry in the state of Illinois.”
The membership stands at one hundred and eighteen and continues to grow.
Four chapters meet in public libraries or art centers in alternating months in order to provide members several workshops to attend in any two month period. The first chapter began in the southwest suburbs of Chicago where it has continued to meet since 1991. In September of 2006, a second chapter was started in a northern Chicago community. Then in August, 2009, a third chapter began to serve the middle area of Illinois. In November, 2010, a fourth chapter was formed in Southern Illinois and meets in Anna, near Carbondale. Future chapters are a goal.
Contact Us
Thank you for your interest in poetry and ISPS.
If you have questions about ISPS or this website, please email us at info@illlinoispoets.org.
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