Westags

The Far Western District Spring Convention in brief….

Reno, Nevada March 20-23, 2003

Convention Highlights

Well, well, well, “we did it again!” FWD thanks Sam Barger and his great Events Team for another great Convention in Reno.

Five - count ‘em - FIVE!

Talkin’ about quartets here –At least five of FWD’s finest quartets will be representing the FWD on the International stage in Montreal. Gotcha, Metropolis, Finale, Broadway, and Q will be going on to Montreal. The scores are posted on the website, on listserv, and on Harmonet. And as usual, all eighteen competitors gave their very best entertainment imaginable.

And, with four more FWD “greats” (Freestyle, Late Night Barbershop, Sam’s Club and Hi- Fidelity) yet to compete out-of-district, that number could very well be increased significantly.

Congrats also to the three competing Small Chapter Choruses; the top scoring two, Santa Monica and Placerville, will be advancing to the Fall Convention and Contest in Bakersfield.

And then there was the High School Quartet Contest – eight absolutely great foursomes. These young men are what put the “HIGH!” in High School! They just get better and better every year – getting’ pretty difficult to tell between “adult” quartets and High School quartets.

Kudos to every last one of them - here are the top five:

Da Isle Tones –, Honolulu, HI

Whirlwind – Lodi HS, Lodi, CA and Santa Rosa HS, Santa Rosa, CA

Gator-Ades – Green Valley HS, Henderson, NV

The Accidentals – San Marin HS, Novato, CA

Chord Flakes – Ripon HS, Ripon, CA

Convention Awards

The convention was dedicated to Howard Mesecher a richly deserved honor! And speaking of richly deserved, the President’s Award was presented to Keith Eckhardt, the district’s hard working and incredibly talented Webmaster.

Introduced by former FWD Hall-of-Famers, Joe Salz took center stage at the FWD Spring Convention as the newest inductee in the Far Western District Hall of Fame.  Fifty-Three year Society member Joe joins this elite group with an impressive list of credentials (i.e. Chapter-"everything", District President’s Award, District Quartet Champ, and a long, long list of successful committee assignments, the latest as District Harmony Foundation Chairman).  Congratulations, Joe - well deserved!"

BOD/HOD Meeting Highlights

FWD President John Krizek noted that the district is at a crossroads – on a downward membership trend, with declining participation in District events – both of which will become crucial if not reversed soon.

Society Board Member Dr. Bob House comments:

• Harmony Hall in Kenosha has been sold for $1.6M and the Society is looking for a buyer for Sheridan Hall and is investigating alternate locations preferring to stay in the Midwest corridor, near Kenosha if at all possible. They’re entertaining suggestions from any who might know of a suitable property.
• A Society Marketing Task force has been launched charged with increasing Society visibility.
• International Convention registrations are running ahead of expectations.

FWD Officer Reports/Board Actions:

Treasurer - Jim Sherman:

• The District remains solvent, but declining membership and participation in District Conventions and other events are negatively affecting revenue sources.
• Chapters with gross receipts of $25,000 or more must file a form 990 Federal Tax Return with a copy of same to the Society Office by May 15^th.
• Chapters are required to complete their annual Financial Review.

Vice President Chorus Director Development – Jim Turnmire:

· FWD now has 5 Certified Directors. Newly certified is Allan Webb, San Diego.

· Additional Fall 2003Chorus Directors Workshop Intensive (CDWI) sessions are planned.

Vice President Chapter Support and Leadership Training – Bernard Priceman:

• Presented the new Chapter Counselor reporting form.
• COTS 2002 incurred double the expected costs.
• COTS 2003 will consist of one session, to be held in the Los Angeles area.

Vice President Contest and Judging – Dick Girvin:

• Urged members to review eligibility requirements as defined in the FWD Standard Operating Procedures. Likewise, review the definitions of “Registering ($) for a convention” vs “Entering a contest” – there seems to be confusion over the difference.
• Additional Judging candidates are needed – all categories.

Vice President Events – Sam Barger:

• Division Convention Host Chapters are needed for future conventions.
• Motion: Beginning in 2004, Combine Spring Convention and Division Convention at host location of FWD Spring Convention. Motion Passed.
• Motion: Eliminate Spring Convention Small Chapter Chorus Contest. Passed.

Vice President Marketing and Public Relations – Clark Abrahamson:

• Introduction of advertising policy enabling Barbershopper-to-Barbershopper paid ads in Westunes and on FWD Website. Look for details upcoming in WESTUNES and on Website.
• FWD WESTUNES subscribers now have the option of canceling their copy of WESTUNES which is now mailed, and receiving WESTUNES electronically via FWD Website only. Contact WESTUNES Editor Ray Rhymer for instructions.
• Looking into updating FWD logo “wearables”: – pins, badges, apparel, etc.

Vice President Membership Services – Peter Feeney:

• 6 new charters in 2002.
• Late renewals negatively impact and distort true membership figures. Urged on-time renewals.

Vice President Music and Performance – Jim Crowley (reported by J. Krizek).

• 2003 Harmony College West – Hayward. 130 enrollments expected.
• Stan Sharpe expects 2004 Quartet Workshops in Whittier, San Fernando Valley, Arizona, and NorCal West, as well as existing quartet workshops. in Sacramento.
• Emphasized availability of Chapter Coaching Reimbursement – very few Chapters take advantage of it.
• Top Gun will not be held in 2003.

Vice President Young Men in Harmony – Ed Bejarana:

• $10,000 in grant money is available in 2003 to help support chapter YMIH programs.
• Encouraged donations to District Youth Education fund.
• May 10^th – SoCal East High School Quartet Contest.
• Youth Harmony Camp – Sly Park (Sacramento/Placerville) - Richard Lund, Camp Coordinator.

Other Reports/Actions:

• Lloyd Steinkamp: Investigating “Chapter of the Year” award.
• Don Gubbins – Plateau System review/report: Recommendation: To change the plateau status, based on number of singers on stage as follows: . Plateau “A”– 12-25, Plateau “AA” – 26-50, Plateau “AAA” – 51+.

District Chorus Champions/International competitors ineligible for future Plateau Awards. Discussion tabled pending further consideration.

• Bill Cale – Long Range Planning: Recommendation to add the position of Executive Vice President to the proposed District governance structure, and to further employ the EVP and the Immediate Past President as chairman of functional committees.
• Dick Girvin – SOP: Reviewed changes in SOP re Nominating Committee and Committee descriptions and assignments.
• Keith Eckhardt – Convention Ideas: Presentation of a plan to make conventions more fun for the average Barbershopper, thus increasing attendance (and revenue). Look for information and details in Westunes and on the Web.
• Dick Lund – Youth Camp: Reported on progress, and introduced a fund raising plan.

House Of Delegates Meeting Highlights

· Keynote remarks - Dr. Bob House, Society Board Member :

1. Reminded attendees of the Society Vision Statement: "The Society is to be an ever-growing fraternity of barbershop-style singers, leading the cause of encouraging vocal music in our schools and communities."

2. Reported that Membership is still declining. The Society is at 31,480 – down 265 from last year. The District is at 3446 - down 72 from last year.

3. Encouraged the use of the “Singing is Life” video.

4. Re. 2003 International: 8,720 registrations to date. With 10 great Society quartets (i.e. past champs), in addition to “Rockapella” as guests.

5. Clark Caldwell has been named as the new Society Director of Harmony Foundation.

6. 275 Chapters received $275,000 in grants.

7. Society focus on membership growth is at the Chapter level.

8. Noted that multi-year planning is the focus of the Society Board.

· District President remarks – John Krisek:

1. Reviewed Board of Directors actions.

2. Stated appropriately that “the world needs us, and we need each other”.

3. Recognized the convention dedicatee – Howard Mesecher.

· Jim Sherman – Treasurers Report:

1. The District is currently solvent.

2. The 2003 budget projects a small deficit

3. Emphasis on increased event attendance will help to boost revenue.

· Dick Girvin - Chapter Bulletin Awards: 1^st place –Fullerton (“ Barbershop Clippins”) Also recognized: South Bay (“The Hey Hey Herald”),and Sacramento (“Swipes and Tags”) as the representatives to the International Bulletin Contest. Santa Rosa “(Chord Trimmin’s”) was the #1 Small Bulletin.

Phoenix (“What’s Up”), Ventura (“Seabreeze”), San Diego (“Sun Harbor Light”), and Hemet (“Upbeat”) were strong contenders in the annual District Bulletin Contest.

· Ed Beharana – Young Men in Harmony: The FWD is the leader in YMIH. “We must be involved at the Chapter level” was his theme.

· Joe Salz – Harmony Foundation: Suggested wider use of 50/50 drawings in chapters – 50% to winner