The Verse Writers Guild of Ohio (now The Ohio Poetry Association) held its first meeting on September 19,1928 and has met consistently since that date, making the OPA, we believe, the longest lived such association in Ohio. It is unclear as to how the group did not became “official” until 1929; however, the founders membership card, which is located in the Hocking County Historical Society collection, indicates, as do our current logos, “Helping Poets since 1929.”

We cannot claim to be the oldest poetry organization in the United States. That honor goes to the Poetry Society of America in New York City, which was founded in 1910.

The Guild's first chairperson was Tessa Sweazy Web (October 19,1928). The original articles of incorporation are dated June 22, 1998 and confirmed by the State of Ohio as a not-for-profit organization on July 2, 1998. The Ohio status was most recently renewed on March 6, 2008.

The Ohio Poetry Association attained its Federal Non-Profit Status in January of 1981 as a 501(c)(3). There is some indication the Verse Writers Guild may have held some type of federal not for profit standing as early as 1979. However, as of 2008 we have not been successful in acquiring that documentation. The Ohio Poetry Association is promulgated under the authority of the State of Ohio to be the successor in interest, rights and obligations of the former “Verse Writers Guild of Ohio,” and in law became one and the same on July 2, 1998.

The Ohio Poetry Association currently meets at least quarterly at Areopagitica Books in Clintonville, Ohio (an active Columbus suburb). This meeting site is donated at the courtesy of the bookstore owners Mr. Doug Rutledge and his wife, Rebecca. The Association also receives US Postal Service, OPA business mail, and phone communication through their generosity as well.

The Ohio Poetry Association is the only association in the state of Ohio that has a recognized standing with the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS).

Amy Jo Zook, long standing member and original editor of The Dream Shop (now entitled Common Threads, our professional literary journal), is also a past president of the OPA and NFSPS.

Mr. Rutledge (Doug) was elected president of the Ohio Poetry Association in 2008 and has since appointed a marketing committee, a newsletter committee and a contest chair. With the help of his energetic and highly skilled officers—Vice-President Deborah Strozier, Treasurer David Francis Smith, Secretary Robert (Bob) Casey—and the appointed positions of Webmaster Michael Schurch, Charles Salmons web editor & contest chair, and Common Threads editor Amy Jo Zook, the OPA has begun to forge into a new year with renewed purpose and vision.

Please join the association in working toward our Diamond/Pearl Jubilee in 2009.

1929 – 2009

Our 80th anniversary and counting!

A message from the officers and volunteers of the OPA