Happy Leopard Chapbooks

History: by Beth


Happy Leopard Chapbooks grew out of a desire to raise money for Station 20 West in Saskatoon, the wish to publish two friend's stories, a want to create chapbooks for fun, and a need to shorten Kate's bookbinding training company name to some thing shorter than: happiness of the lucky orange leopard chewy joy slab communications. Oh, and Beth's inablility not to draw a logo to go with the name. The Sation 20 West project was a success.

One book never being enough, as well as a weath of charities to chose from, it was decided some rules need to be put in place for future projects.

History: by Kate


Happy Leopard Chapbooks was founded in 2008 as a non-profit, pro bono publico organization which produced a limited edition, hand made book to raise funds for Station 20 West in Saskatoon.  This first project - released in March of 2009 raised $2156.75 for Station 20 West’s Good Food Junction.  Materials and artistic content were donated and labour was voluntary. The authors and artists retained copyright of their work. One hundred signed and numbered copies were sold and buyers were encouraged to donate above the asking price. The entire sum raised was donated to Station 20 West.

The success of the project inspired the participants to plan another production for another local charity.

The following statutes were adopted:

1. Writers, Artists and Book Binders will mutually agree on the recipient charity which will receive no less than 50% of the profits from sales.

2. Designers will collaborate with the Authors, Artists and Book Binders to develop the book projects.

3. Copyright for all creative content is retained by the individual artist or writer and may be re-issued in another format or sold at their discretion outside of the Happy Leopard limited edition.

4.Labour will be voluntary.

5. Founding members will fulfill the following roles by appointment.  Elections will take place at the call of the President.

President:  Murray Wood (the Beautiful Man)
responsible for over seeing the smooth running of the operation and miscellaneous duties as they arise.

Chief Economic Officer:  Kate Hodgson
responsible for financial records, bank account, collection of sales monies and disbursement to appropriate Charity. Contracts with writers, artists and charities and miscellaneous duties as they arise.

Artistic Director: Beth Matheson
responsible for logo, website, advising on project designs and production quality and miscellaneous duties as they arise.