Writing Rally History

The Writing Rally is an incorporated non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide a positive writing experience for children with their parents. The idea was conceived in the Fall of 1984 when several primary grade teachers approached Dr. Les Francis to organize a writing conference for primary aged kids. Les was a logical person to consider since he had just joined the Whitworth University Faculty after working at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for six years as Supervisor of Reading and Language Arts and Coordinator of Young Authors Conferences.

The organizing group expanded in number to include librarians, school principals, and teachers. This group developed a conference format for K-3 children each with a parent to assist with the writing process. Writing sessions would be conducted by experienced teachers and a popular children's author or illustrator would be our major speaker.

SPONSORS: The Northeast Elementary School Principals Association of Washington (NESPAW) became the primary sponsor of the Rally and also provided the seed monies necessary to start the first Rally. The Spokane Area Council of the International Reading Association also became a co-sponsor.
A site for the Rally was necessary and Whitworth University was a logical choice since Eastern Washington University already hosted a young authors conference for grades 4-12 for approximately 1,000 children (since 1995 the EWU conference has not been held). Les Francis approached Dr. Shirley Richner, chair of the Dept. of Education, with the idea. Shirley loved the concept and the Dept. of Education at Whitworth became the third co-sponsor and host.

FEES: The Rally had to pay for itself. Therefore a fee was set at $5.00 per child to cover Rally expenses (Author, printing, postage, reception). All monies were deposited by the NESPAW treasurer, Julius Presta, who also functioned as Rally treasurer. This arrangement continued for four years. By 1989 the Rally had gotten fairly large and the NESPAW/Rally Treasurer, Dennis Olson, recommended that we establish a separate Writing Rally account at the Spokane Teachers C.U. Although the account was non-interest bearing, an S.S. number was required and Les' number was used. This arrangement continues today but Les does not have access to the account.
Rally registration fees increased twice as t-shirts (approx. $5.00 each) and buttons were added and printing, postage and author's costs increased. The current rate is now $17.00 to register for the Writing Rally.

PAYMENT OF EXPENSES: For years the Writing Rally charged all University printing and postage to the account of the Dept. of Education. These expenses were totaled at the end of each Rally and one check was written to the University by the Rally treasurer, Betty Hentges now Kelly Shea. Other expenses, such as, t-shirts, buttons, supplies, etc. are paid directly by Betty to the supplier. All checks must be co-signed by the Rally Chair, Lisa Laurier.
The Rally had reached such a size that in 1992 Dr. Dennis Sterner and Judy Taylor of the School of Education arranged with the Whitworth Business Office for a separate Rally account number for all charges. All income and expenditures now go through this account. In 1996, the Rally adopted bylaws, gained its own tax number and gained independent non-profit status.

CORPORATE SPONSOR: In 1993 Dr. Charlotte Kroeker, Director of Development at Whitworth, persuaded PEMCO to become a corporate sponsor of the Rally. The first year PEMCO gave Whitworth $2,000.00 (Rally X), the second year $3,117.50 (Rally XI) and $3,000.00 each year thereafter. This assistance has helped the Rally maintain low registration fees. PEMCO's current contribution is $2,000.00 each year.
In 2002, Rally XIX Kim Clark of Clark Pacific Real Estate attended the Rally with her son. She had such a great time that she wanted to do something to support this program. Each year since then Clark Pacific has donated $2,000.00 to asist low income children to attended the Rally.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY WHITWORTH: Whitworth University provides all meeting rooms and the auditorium free of charge. Nearly all printing and most of the Rally mailings are done at cost. The Rally pays for excess janitorial services and additional security the day of the Rally.

COLLEGE CREDIT: During the early years of the Rally a number of undergraduate and some graduate students sought college credit which was provided through independent study. Paul Olson, the registrar, did not charge the under-graduates a late fee or overload fee since the Rally was considered a major PR plus for the University. This arrangement was also later approved by Dr. Tammy Reid, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
Dr. Betty Malmstad, Director of Graduate Studies, arranged for graduate students to register for the lowest possible fee for graduate credit in independent studies (currently the rate is $55.00 per semester credit). Full time graduate students (MIT's) are not charged any additional fees. This low rate is possible because all persons working on the Rally do so on a voluntary basis at no cost to the University.
As the Rally grew in popularity, the number of independent studies increased. Paul Olson, Les Francis and Betty Malmstad worked to have an undergraduate (Ed 472G) and graduate level (Ed 509I) course approved for one semester credit. These courses were approved.

GOVERNANCE: The Writing Rally is governed by a Steering Committee with members being on various subcommittees and representing nearly all the school districts in the Greater Spokane Area. Any person, teacher, school administrator, librarian, parent, home-schooler, etc. can join the Steering Committee so long as they are willing to work and attend 2-4 meetings per year.
All policies, procedures and budgets must be approved by the Steering Committee. Any expenses in excess of the budget must be approved by the Committee. Les Francis of Whitworth University functions was Chair until 2003 when Lisa Laurier became chair. Betty Hentges of Central Valley was Treasurer until 2003 when she retired and Lou Hammond became Treasurer. Barbara Palanio of Deer Park is Program Chair. Melissa and David Shearer are Registration Chairs. Pam Francis and Kathy Lee of West Valley are Author/Book Coordinators. Robin Beal and Patti Griggs of Deer Park are t-shirt Co-Chair. Barbara Thomason of Spokane is K Program Chair. Jodi Kinzel is Preschool Chair, and Melissa LaRue of Nine Mile is computer sessions chair. Kim Smith of Spokane, Anne Taylor of Wellpinit and Brenda Ventres of Central Valley organize the bookbinding sessions. David Beal of Deer Park is Kid's Evaluation Chair, etc. etc. Jollie Carlson (Spokane), Janelle Stolp (Central Valley) and Cookie Billups (Deer Park) jointly chair the Supplies and Materials Committee. Tracy Jordan and Katie Smith of Mead are the Reception Chairs. Also, Joan Dodd has coordinated presenter recognition which is now coordinated by Patsy Marshall and Pat Parker of Whitworth is now the Local Arrangements Chair.

Rally Historic Data