We want to continue recognizing the contributions of The Word Guild co-founder, Wendy Nelles.
We can never express enough our deep appreciation for her investments of time, energy, skill and knowledge. But we want to try.
Wendy’s attention to detail has put us “on the map” in Canadian Christian writing.
Please join us as we say, “Hats off to Wendy!”
A Familiar Face Leaves The Word Guild and Write! Canada Leadership Teams
After helping to equip Canada's Christian writers to achieve increased professionalism and greater influence, Wendy Nelles steps aside from leadership roles in Write! Canada and The Word Guild
Toronto—Wendy Elaine Nelles will wrap up nine years of volunteer leadership in The Word Guild at the organization's Write! Canada conference from June 17 to 19 in Guelph, Ont.
Nelles, a Toronto-based writer and editor whose background includes journalism and corporate communications, co-founded The Word Guild in 2001 and assumed responsibility for directing Canada's largest Christian writers' conference, together with author N. J. Lindquist of Markham, Ont.
"We started The Word Guild to strengthen and develop Canada's Christian writing and publishing community, with the long-term vision of impacting the Canadian cultural landscape," Nelles explained. "I'm passionate about mentoring and encouraging other writers, and promoting excellence. Over the 22 years I've been involved with the God Uses Ink/Write! Canada conference, and the last 9 years with The Word Guild, it's been wonderful to see hundreds of people affected by our work."
The Word Guild, a national organization of writers, editors and speakers who share a Christian worldview, has grown to 350 members. It provides professional development to published and aspiring writers through multiple channels, including writing contests and awards, newsletters, Internet discussion groups, manuscript critiques, workshops and conferences.
Nelles has worked on the leadership team in a number of areas, including revamping the Write! Canada conference, expanding the awards, developing new writing contests, and producing the awards galas, as well as strategic planning, public relations, and writing or editing much of the printed and online material. She coordinated The Word Guild's attaining registered charity status through its amalgamation with Christian Info Canada (CIC) in 2008, and served as board secretary. Except for small honoraria, this has all been done as a full-time volunteer.
Nelles and Lindquist both received the Leading Women Award for outstanding achievement in Communications and Media in 2006, for their work in co-founding The Word Guild. Bill Fledderus, senior editor of Faith Today magazine, said at the time, "Lindquist and Nelles have raised the bar for excellence in their sector of Christian ministry and encouraged many young and aspiring writers to make a difference in Canada through the written and spoken word."
"While many others have been involved in helping The Word Guild over the years, Wendy and I probably have spent more time talking with each other by phone or email than we spent with anyone else—including our families!" Lindquist commented. "We worked very well together. I tend to see the big picture and roughly what needs to happen, while Wendy sees how to implement and improve plans, and makes sure the details are looked after." Lindquist added, "Wendy is highly intelligent, passionate in her desire to use her gifts to serve God faithfully, and great at everything she does."
Due to family illness, Nelles has resigned from her positions with The Word Guild to focus on personal matters, and later on her own writing, which has been put on hiatus for much longer than intended. "But I'll continue to take an active interest in The Word Guild and its members," she added, "and I'll act as a consultant and ambassador for The Word Guild in my role as co-founder."
"Wendy has set an example of excellence for the rest of us. Her attention to detail, her amazing memory, her familiarity with the history of, not only The Word Guild and Write! Canada, but also the God Uses Ink Conference, her knowledge and experience, let alone her passion, faith, patience, help and encouragement, have meant a great deal to me over the years. I will miss her, but am excited to see her finally pursue her own writing again. Now, we need to find a team of people to replace her!" said Denise Rumble, The Word Guild's Managing Director.
Some accolades for Wendy:
- Wendy received a standing ovation after she was presented with an inscribed picture of the Century House at the Write! Canada conference
- Wendy's high school has chosen her for their inaugural Wall of Distinction, to be unveiled in November
- A note from Doug Koop, Editorial Director, ChristianWeek. "Hi Wendy: Let me be among those commending you for exceptional commitment and stellar service on behalf of Christian believers in the writing trades. Your attention to detail has been pivotal in organizing an outstanding annual conference and building an organization of tremendous value to its members throughout the year. You have been hugely instrumental in fostering a community, providing instruction and encouraging better writing. Well done." dk
Wendy, your attention to detail and pursuit of excellence have accomplished much more than we'll know, because so much of it is behind the scenes. But we know that you've made a significant difference, and that we're only beginning to see the long-term effects. You and NJ have built a solid foundation, and now it's up to others to carry on the work.
Thank you for all you've invested in The Word Guild, and God bless you in this next stage of your service to Him.
I appreciate all the work Wendy did. Sure we teased each other quite a bit, but it was always done in fun. At the 2009 conference, when a problem arose with a certain class, Wendy pulled me aside and asked my take on the situation. She listend to me and valued my opinion. She's a hard worker, good people person, and best of all a true sister in Christ.