Requirements and Responsibilities of the Poet Laureate:

• be at least 18 years old and a resident of Mendocino County for at least three years;
• be known locally as a poet of excellence and stature with a body of published work;
• serve a two-year term as an ambassador and advocate for poetry, spoken word, and the literary arts, eager to engage with the community through the arts and participate in public and perhaps civic events;
• be willing to read or speak to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors at least once per year;
• serve as a member of the Mendocino Poet Laureate Committee in planning events and eventually selecting the next laureate;
• offer to train or initiate the next Poet Laureate, and possibly mentor a Mendocino Youth Poet Laureate;
• lead (or continue to lead) a significant poetry/cultural project that broadens the audiences for poetry in Mendocino County.

Poet Laureate Selection Process:

• After a nominations process, all eligible applicants will be asked to provide the following:
  • work samples (poems, etc.)
  • résumé, curriculum vitae, or list of publishing credits 
  • responses to narrative questions 
  • any relevant support materials (for example, news articles and event fliers)
• The Poet Laureate will be announced in local newspapers and at Mendocino’s various readings (ideally at the annual Mendocino Spring Poetry Celebration)