PAST PRESIDENT & HONORARY LIFE MEMBER OF THE FBCW BEN NUTTALL-SMITH
W
hile teaching at Capilano College in 2007, George Opacic was asked by a student to attend a meeting of the North Shore Writers' Association. That was to be his first introduction to writers group meetings. Later, at the end of 2009, George transferred to Margo Lamont’s Grind Writers, which met on Main St. in Vancouver. Margo was, at that time, Secretary of the FBCW. In 2010, Margo coerced George to consider contributing to the FBCW by taking the position of Treasurer. At that time, this writer was Regional Rep for the Fraser Valley. It was George who provided guidance in running Meet & Greets and organizing various regional events and workshops. George also provided invaluable guidance to the Board on the running of meetings, helping to keep the peace where disagreements easily arose. In 2011, under President Craig Spence, George added the position of 1st VP to that of Treasurer. These two positions were held until November 2012, when he became President. George made it clear that he would do so only on an interim basis. During that time, George also was the webmaster and editor of the VOX, which is now known as Write On. The Fed had
Summer 2017 ◆ WordWorks ◆ Page 6
become almost a full-time job. Previous to George agreeing to take on the Presidency, the Fed had suffered through dissent and burnout. George Opacic pulled us through the worst of that period of upheaval, preparing the way for this writer to become President in 2013. George was designated active Past President. That position lasted through 2015. Through 2016, George was a Director until he finally found a way to slip off the Board in 2017. Now who will pick up the mail, deposit cheques to banking, answer myriad questions and pick us up when we go astray? Always willing to assist his fellow scribblers, George Opacic continues his service, most recently as Director and Editor-in-Chief of his fledgling Rutherford Press, to be found at rutherfordpress.ca George, we wish you long life, great success with Rutherford Press and with your own writing. On behalf of The Federation of British Columbia Writers, thank you for your years of faithful service. Ben Nuttall-Smith bennuttall-smith.ca
