Hey Norm,
Good to hear from you and you are right on with the Co-writing question. It actually IS one of the excercises from the NSAI lesson plans.
NSAI has a complete book of plans for NSAI coordinators to do with their groups. Some like to do them, some don't. To many they are pretty basic, and ways to do critiques and keep a meeting moving. To me, the best groups were always the ones who met regularly, but also had other things going on like special events, writers nights, pot luck dinners, showcases, and special events like pro seminars coming out. That takes the involvment of a lot of people. Phil, you might be a host of a writers circle independent of the bigger group. Usually one or two, even three or four people, are interested in doing something MORE than just the monthly meeting. This can be very informal and "under the radar." You wouldn't have to be an actual coordinator,. just get your own smaller group of people who are interested in getting together more.
Doak Turner used to have a "song finishers" night,where people would pair up and finish songs that some people had already started. The California group had a 'break out" group, of twelve people that met every other Saturday. They turned it into an actual discussion/therapy group and eventually got a song plugger to represent their songs. They ended up ponying up money and people got their demos paid for. Was a really productive group. Julie Moriva, ended up being a part of it and that is part of what led to her publishing deal with Taylor Swift's company.
This all can be turned into "practical application" things. While I adore and support NSAI in all things, often they don't live up to their full potential. They could be a magnet for up and coming artists, they could feature really focused showcases, fundraisers, etc. But one of the negative things about having an "official" orginization, is that there are a lot of rules that come with it. NSAI has to be careful about all kinds of things. They can't have meetings in bars or places that serve alcohol due to possible liability issues. Again, don't get me started on lawsuits and lawyers. I've seen that destroy more things than they ever helped. A situation happened in Boston where a woman slipped on ice going to an NSAI meeting, broke her ankle and SUED NSAI. Was totally bogus but the event was involved with NSAI. So they were involved in the suit.
That is why I suggest people be a part of NSAI and support that, but never let that keeping you from doing additional things for you. NSAI is the ultimate in gathering place. It gets people together who have like minded interests. You can find members of "your tribe" there. But you can do things on your own time and in your own area that can help overall.
So Phil, yes, please continue. Maybe one day we'll have an "MAB tour" of Fla. They already want me in Naples. Who knows where I'll end up.
MAB